Chương 35: Innate or Acquired

"This junior thanks the senior for his gracious guidance and support!" Zhang Huaijin didn't hesitate for a second, bowing deeply. Weng Zho's generosity wasn't really about him. It was about Zhang Renan. Renan was still young. By showering the boy's clan with gifts, Weng Zho could shape the young disciple's heart and strengthen his loyalty to the sect. If the sect treated his entire family this well, imagine how they would treat him. When Renan finally grew strong, his first allegiance would be to the sect.

Of course, Huaijin's own Earth Fiend Spirit Body was part of it too. This was an investment for Weng Zho. After all, a cultivator with a spirit body, barring an early death, could at least reach the Purple Mansion realm. And Weng Zho was no ordinary cultivator. He was not only a mid stage Purple Mansion expert but also a Tier 3, Middle Grade alchemist. Never underestimate an alchemist's connections. Besides, the Blood Demon Bone Tempering Art was uselessly sitting in his storage ring. This was Huaijin's destiny.

Weng Zho had only obtained the technique less than a month ago. He wasn't a body cultivator. He'd studied it a few times, saw it was useless to him, and hadn't even had time to donate it to the sect before being sent to Langya County. His actions were part genuine appreciation, part strategic investment.

"Cultivating the Blood Demon Bone Tempering Art generates an immense amount of Blood Fiend energy," Weng Zho warned.

"It can cloud your mind. Be careful not to let it corrupt you." He paused, then smiled.

"I hope you will walk the same path as I do." With a light chuckle, Weng Zho took Zhang Renan and left. In the world of cultivation, some prefer to crush geniuses. Others enjoy mentoring the next generation. Weng Zho was the latter. In his experience, only by making many friends and navigating social currents with grace could one live long and go far on the road of cultivation. Huaijin watched until their figures vanished before turning away. A quiet confidence settled in his chest.

Thanks to The Primordial Tai Chi Visualization Diagram protecting his Sea of Consciousness, the Blood Fiend energy was nothing to fear. —— The news spread like wildfire through Langya County: a member of the Zhang family had been accepted into the Heavenly Crane Sect, a Golden Core sect! For the neighboring Hu family, this spelled disaster. Deep, crushing gloom settled over their compound. Hu Lingsi was especially terrified, his scalp tingling. The feud between their families was deadly, a fight to the death.

And now, his enemy was on the rise while his own house crumbled. He was so worried he felt physically ill. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. The Miao family, allies of the Zhangs, swelled with pride by association. The Yang family was forced to reevaluate, and their relationship with the Zhangs grew noticeably warmer. And the three Foundation Establishment clans of Langya County? They turned their gazes toward the Zhangs as well.

One move, and the whole board shifted. The Zhang family's decision had been brutally decisive. They had sacrificed one genius to buy the clan's prosperity. News of what happened on Green Bamboo Mountain had leaked. In three years, the Zhangs would have a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator of their own. The Miao and Yang families were green with envy. But back at the Green Bamboo Mountain, things had settled into a calm rhythm.

Zhang Chongwen had deposited the ten thousand low grade spirit stones into the clan treasury. Those three Tier 2, Upper Grade talismans alone were enough to become the clan's ultimate safeguard. Even the Foundation Establishment families wouldn't dare push too hard. Chongwen's current goal was simple: nurture more cultivators, grow the clan's power, and one day become a Foundation Establishment family themselves. —— Three days later, in the main hall:"The Earth Fiend Spirit Body…"

Zhang Lixian slowly exhaled, a long, deep breath. Beside him, Zhang Chongwen smiled. Both men looked at Zhang Huaijin with immense satisfaction. This was Weng Zho's personal assessment. It had to be true. It finally explained Huaijin's terrifyingly fast cultivation speed. A spirit body cultivator, if they didn't die young, was guaranteed to reach the Purple Mansion realm at the very least, living four hundred years. With life extending treasures, some could even reach five hundred.

Zhang Renan's brilliance had completely overshadowed Zhang Huaijin. For the clan, that was a good thing. Huaijin kept his face calm, but inwardly, he smiled wryly. Weng Zho's words had convinced everyone he possessed the Earth Fiend Spirit Body. Only he knew the truth, he was just ordinary. … Wait. Suddenly, understanding dawned on him. Legends said there were two kinds of spirit bodies: innate and acquired. An innate spirit body awakened from birth, showing incredible talent immediately.

An acquired spirit body, however, would slowly awaken over time, sometimes even growing stronger. Could the Realm-Breaking Pearl be subtly changing his flesh, slowly transforming his body into an Earth Fiend Spirit Body? What was that pearl? To be able to turn his mortal frame into a spirit body…

"Grandfather. Father," Zhang Huaijin said directly.

"I'm going to need a massive amount of spirit beast flesh and blood. My constitution needs beast materials to grow stronger."

"Understood," Zhang Lixian said with a slight smile.

"The clan will form a hunting team immediately. It'll sharpen our fighters' skills and bring in resources. And in the Eastern Region Great Wilderness, spirit beasts are the one thing we never lack." An Earth Fiend Spirit Body required immense amounts of Fiend energy.

"I'm now a Tier 1, Upper Grade artifact refiner," Huaijin continued.

"I can handle the clan's artifact forging needs. Issue hunting missions, and the clan can keep the materials. When clansmen trade beast parts for merit points, deduct the cost from my jade token." He had planned this for a while. In the Eastern Region Great Wilderness, spirit beast flesh was cheap. And this was the beauty of having a clan. He didn't need to hunt himself. As a Tier 1, Upper Grade artifact forger, as long as the clan provided the materials, his success rate was a solid eighty percent.

With a little practice, he could reach one hundred percent. For every Tier 1, Upper Grade spirit artifact he made, he would earn a healthy amount of merit points. He also instructed the clan to spread the word: he would accept refining commissions from other families and even rogue cultivators. All to build up his own resources.

"Excellent," Zhang Chongwen nodded, even more pleased with his son.

"If you're taking outside commissions," Zhang Lixian mused, "you might as well set up in our artifact forging shop right in Langya County Town. The town sits on a Tier 2, Lower Grade spirit vein. It won't hinder your cultivation."

"He's right," Chongwen agreed.

"The clan's power is growing steadily. Langya County has its three Foundation Establishment lords, but it's still a rough place. Our two shops are booming, but they lack high level protection. You should go and hold down the fort." Huaijin considered it. It made sense. He had been a cultivator for a while now, but he had never actually set foot in Langya County.

"Alright," he nodded.

"I'll leave tomorrow for Langya County."