Chapter Four: Inquiring about Legitimate Self-Defense

Perfected Chong Xu and Zhou Ran exchanged brief glances, and after their communication, both were full of confidence.

Zhou Ran felt that his cultivation had greatly increased after his seclusion, so he gave his grandfather a confident look.

There was not much difference between his cultivation and Zhang Chi's. Three years ago, both of them were at the Qi Condensation 5th Level, and he barely lost to Zhang Chi in a single bout.

Three years had passed, and he was spurred on by his defeat. He closed himself off for bitter cultivation, breaking through one level every year with the help of his spirit pills. Now, he had reached the Qi Condensation 7th Level.

In this world, there are six realms of cultivation, which can be divided into four stages, as the poem goes: Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment to strengthen the bones, Spirit Soul condensation and Divine Ability insight, Harmonization cultivation leading to Heavenly Tribulation, and becoming a Celestial after surviving the three calamities.

Celestial is the ultimate state for humans, the limit of human potential. If one can cross the threshold, they would become an immortal in the legends.

However, there are many cultivators in the world, but only a few can become immortals. Many cultivators never even encounter a Celestial in their lifetime, let alone cultivate to that realm.

Tribulation Crossing is not a realm level, but rather a transition from Harmonization cultivators to Celestial cultivators.

If they can endure the tribulation, they will become Celestials; if they cannot, they will die. Therefore, many Harmonization cultivators seldom walk in the human world, presumably preparing for the Heavenly Tribulation.

Hence, cultivators in the second stage are essentially the backbone of the cultivation world. If they can cultivate to the Divine Soul Realm, they can be called Perfected ones, and if they can cultivate Divine Ability, they are powerful enough to dominate a region.

Jiang Qingyun and Perfected Chong Xu are both in the Divine Soul Realm, while the Supreme Elder of the Sword Sect is in the Divine Ability Realm.

There are only three of them in the entire Great River Sword Sect, and they are mostly in seclusion all year round.

The first stage is the most crucial stage for cultivators, consisting of Qi Condensation Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm. This stage also has high requirements for age and spiritual roots.

If one cannot establish their foundation by the age of forty, they can basically give up on their cultivation. This is because human vitality fluctuates. When one is young, their vitality is not at its peak and they cannot cultivate. By the time they reach their prime, they are in their peak condition, but after the age of forty, they begin to decline.

Moreover, the cultivation in the Foundation Establishment Realm is like sailing against the current—it is possible to regress.

Although Zhang Chi has made a name for himself outside over the past three years, he didn't find much time to cultivate. It was difficult enough to consolidate his cultivation base, let alone make any progress.

From the perspective of age, Zhou Ran is at his peak, while Zhang Chi has not yet reached his peak.

With such a clear difference between them, how could he possibly lose?

Perfected Chong Xu also trusted his grandson. After gaining confidence, he suggested, "Since the Sect Leader and I each have our own recommendations, why not let them compete with each other?"

Tang Feng was almost driven mad by this. His daughter was still waiting to be rescued, but they were still fighting for power and even wanted to have a competition. How could he not be furious?

However, Zhang Chi stepped forward just as Tang Feng was about to erupt.

"Sect Leader, Grand Elder, I feel that now is not the time to argue about who should be in charge. Miss Tang is still missing, and I am not in the mood to fight. Since Grand Elder and Junior Brother Zhou Ran are eager to investigate the case, I am willing to take a step back and support them, but only if we can find Miss Tang as soon as possible."

As soon as these words were spoken, the outcome was clear.

There was Zhang Chi, the virtuous and righteous Senior Brother who only wanted to save people, and Zhou Ran, who sought power and benefits even before rescuing the person.

Zhang Chi chose to concede in order to advance, causing Grand Elder and Zhou Ran to suffer a loss. This move also made Zhou Ran more convinced that Zhang Chi was no match for him.

Zhang Chi must have realized that he was outmatched, so he chose to avoid a direct confrontation—how sinister!

Even Jiang Qingyun thought that Zhang Chi was not strong enough. Naturally, she went along with Zhang Chi's suggestion: "Zhang Chi has a point. Let Zhou Ran temporarily serve as Enforcement Hall's Supervisor, taking overall responsibility for capturing the thief. Grand Elder, what do you think?"

There was no reason for the Grand Elder to refuse. He pretended to encourage Zhou Ran, saying, "This matter is very tricky, you must act cautiously. If you need any help, just ask, and the seniors will help you."

"Yes."

Zhou Ran had a smug look on his face, not realizing that Tang Feng was already very disappointed in him.

And the matter was not yet over. Jiang Qingyun turned to Zhang Chi and said, "Since you want to save people, I'll leave the search and rescue to you. Be sure to help Valley Master Tang find Tang Ruoling as soon as possible."

"This disciple obeys."

Jiang Qingyun divided the task into two parts. It seemed that Zhou Ran had more power, but Zhang Chi did not suffer any loss either.

Grand Elder didn't expect Jiang Qingyun to pull this move, but at this point, he couldn't refuse.

Jiang Qingyun asked Zhang Chi to search for Tang Ruoling, and he couldn't prevent Zhang Chi from doing that, right?

However, Zhang Chi did not obtain any power, making it just him alone. The Grand Elder still had plenty of room for manipulation.

He said to Zhou Ran, "Although the Sect Leader asked you to focus on capturing the thief, if your Senior Brother needs any help, you must also lend him a hand."

This was a reminder to keep an eye on Zhang Chi.

Zhou Ran smiled and replied, "This disciple understands."

He gave Zhang Chi a mocking smile, making his intentions very clear.

He may not be good at investigating and rescuing, but he excels at sabotage and taking credit for others' accomplishments.

He only needed to keep a close watch on Zhang Chi. He wasn't in a hurry if Zhang Chi didn't have any leads.

Once Zhang Chi had a lead, he would then snatch it away.

From the moment Zhang Chi conceded the fight, he had already secured his victory.

Under these circumstances, how could he lose?

While Zhou Ran was still figuring out how to deal with Zhang Chi, Zhang Chi had already started to check Zhou Family's genealogy.

Due to the Grand Elder, Zhang Chi's plan had been fraught with twists and turns.

Furthermore, the Grand Elder had repeatedly targeted him, nearly reaching his limit.

Today, what seemed like a competition for the role of a Supervisor was actually a struggle for the position of chief disciple.

If they succeeded in the future, Zhang Chi's fate would be bleak. And if they failed in their struggle, they might resort to eliminating those who opposed them.

In that case, he had to strike first to gain the upper hand.

Before they even thought of killing him, he would send the Grand Elder and his entire family to the heavens.

This should count as self-defense, right?

When he was sure of this matter, Zhang Chi began to plan. His brain worked at high speed, constantly filling in the details of his plan.

Perhaps, the matter of Tang Ruoling could be an opportunity.

Restoring his spiritual root, destroying the Grand Elder, obtaining the Spirit Medicine Valley— he wanted it all!

Bone Youyou: "..."

With Zhang Chi's strength, his greed was indeed very rare.

After I go back, the Demon Realm Saintess will serve you!

Watching Zhou Ran still provoking him, Bone Youyou felt sad on his behalf.

While taunting Zhang Chi, he had already thought of ten ways to kill him.

Depending on Zhou Ran's actions, different methods of death would be chosen for him.

Unaware of the danger, Zhou Ran took the token and began to gather the Enforcement Hall's disciples after the other sects left, following Jiang Qingyun's instructions to search for Tang Ruoling within their own sects.

People from Spirit Medicine Valley had already started searching everywhere, but it was difficult to find her based on manpower alone.

Everyone understood in their hearts that such a large-scale search was only for psychological comfort.

Tang Ruoling was captured by the thief, and they must have hidden her away. How could they let her be found so easily?

Tang Feng was very anxious but had no other choice. He could only wait for the results of the various search teams.

For now, the righteous and compassionate Zhang Chi had become his biggest hope...