Cultivation: Immunity to Negative Effects

Three days later, after flying an unknown distance, Zhang Chi finally brought Shang Deyi to Haoyue Immortal City.

Using his Celestial Eye Technique in conjunction with his powerful Divine Thought, Zhang Chi instantly discovered that not only did the city contain a large, Tier Three Peak Spiritual Vein, but there were also quite a few Golden Core Powerhouses, including more than one at the Golden Core Peak.

This was not only because the city was guarded by a Golden Core Peak Powerhouse, but also because it was currently the registration period for the Tier Three Spiritual Land competition.

Zhang Chi flew straight into the city, only landing and recalling his Flying Boat once he was above the City Lord’s Mansion.

Flying Dragon No.1 also landed on the ground and began to swagger along, following behind Zhang Chi and Shang Deyi.

However, buildings like the City Lord’s Mansion were very tall, so this caused no issue.

The cultivators had seen plenty of Spirit Beasts and didn’t find it strange.

However, Golden Core Level Spirit Beasts were still relatively rare, so many cultivators were quite envious of Zhang Chi and regarded Flying Dragon No.1 with considerable apprehension.

In fact, cultivators below the Golden Core Realm didn’t dare to stare at Flying Dragon No.1 for too long.

After all, a being on par with Flying Dragon No.1 was equivalent to a Golden Core Master. One did not offend a Golden Core Master, and this courtesy extended even to their Spirit Beasts.

"Are you here to register for the Spiritual Land competition, Fellow Daoist? You can register right here with me. I am Cen Huayun, a Steward of this City Lord’s Mansion and an Elder of the Golden Wind Sect. May I ask for your name, Fellow Daoist?"

Just as Zhang Chi and Shang Deyi entered the main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion with Flying Dragon No.1, a thin, elderly Golden Core Early Stage cultivator in a green robe greeted them with great enthusiasm.

Clearly, even in Haoyue Immortal City, Golden Core Cultivators were prominent figures, let alone one accompanied by a Spirit Beast that was obviously at the Tier Three Middle Stage.

He couldn’t discern Zhang Chi’s true strength, but since Zhang Chi possessed a Tier Three Spirit Beast, he must be a Golden Core Cultivator himself, and his cultivation was likely on par with that of his beast.

"I am Zhang Chi, an Honored Guest Elder of the Shang Family, an Immortal Cultivation Clan from under the jurisdiction of Black Origin Immortal City. I am here to register for the competition. This is my Spirit Pet, who can also be considered an Honored Guest Elder for the Shang Family. And this is the Patriarch of the Shang Family, Shang Deyi."

Zhang Chi immediately clasped his hands in response, taking the opportunity to introduce Flying Dragon No.1 and Shang Deyi as well.

"So you are Fellow Daoist Zhang. It’s a pleasure to meet you. You look unfamiliar, Fellow Daoist Zhang. Might you have come from another Oasis?"

Cen Huayun took out a Magical Artifact Book, making small talk with Zhang Chi as he flipped through its pages.

"That’s right. I come from the north, but it wouldn’t be convenient to say exactly where. I hope you’ll understand, Fellow Daoist," Zhang Chi said with a nod.

"Not at all. That is your private affair. Not even the Desert Divine Palace would make a special inquiry, let alone an old man like me. Haha."

"Found it. The Shang Family... alright, your registration is complete. By the way, would you be willing to share your true cultivation level, Fellow Daoist? It would be helpful for match assignments."

"Of course, if you’d rather not, I can just put you down as Golden Core Early Stage."

Cen Huayun laughed and didn’t press the issue. He quickly found the Shang Family’s entry, made some adjustments, but in the end, couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.

He paid no mind to the specific circumstances of the Shang Family or its Patriarch, Shang Deyi, who was only at the Qi Cultivation level.

Situations like Zhang Chi’s were not uncommon, and as long as they complied with the regulations of the Desert Divine Palace and the Golden Wind Oasis, no one would interfere.

If they later failed to defend the Spiritual Land or Oasis, the Desert Divine Palace and the Golden Wind Sect would mete out appropriate punishments. Besides, after obtaining the Spiritual Land, the Immortal Cultivation Influence would have to sign a corresponding Spirit Contract, so it wasn’t his place to meddle.

At Cen Huayun’s question, many nearby cultivators immediately looked over curiously or perked up their ears, Shang Deyi included. Clearly, everyone was curious.

"Golden Core Late Stage," Zhang Chi stated calmly.

’I could hide it, but there’s no need. After all, no one here knows my history.’

’Besides, once the competition for the Tier Three Spiritual Land begins, I’ll most likely have to reveal my true strength the moment I make a move. My cultivation level will be exposed then anyway.’

’Of course, once the competition is over and my cultivation is even higher, it will be necessary to conceal my true abilities again.’

"So you’re a Golden Core Late Stage Senior! Please forgive my earlier lack of respect."

Cen Huayun was startled by this and his attitude immediately became more polite, even bordering on reverent.

Some of the surrounding cultivators couldn’t help but stare in astonishment, their gazes a mixture of awe, apprehension, and envy.

Clearly, a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator was a true powerhouse, not just in the Golden Wind Oasis but in the vast surrounding region as well.

For instance, the Golden Wind Oasis had just over two thousand Golden Core cultivators in total, and that figure included those stationed to guard the surrounding minor Oases.

And among those two-thousand-odd Golden Core cultivators, those in the Early and Middle Stages naturally comprised the vast majority.

Thus, even within the Golden Wind Sect, a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator was considered part of the upper echelon.

In terms of Combat Power, a Late Stage Golden Core cultivator could completely crush an Early Stage one.

Cen Huayun had originally assumed Zhang Chi was at the Golden Core Middle Stage—at best, slightly closer to the Late Stage than his Spirit Beast.

As it turned out, he had clearly and severely underestimated Zhang Chi.

This was especially true given that Zhang Chi looked quite young—a youthfulness reflected not just in his face, but in his eyes, his bearing, and his manner of speech.

This indicated that Zhang Chi must be genuinely young, and to possess such a high cultivation at his age made him someone to be taken even more seriously.

’His cultivation is that high?’

Shang Deyi was utterly astonished and couldn’t help but grow incredibly excited, realizing at once that he and the Shang Family had stumbled upon a massive opportunity.

’I never imagined his cultivation was this powerful. I even thought he was only at the Golden Core Early Stage!’

’After all, based on looks alone, Zhang Chi didn’t seem much older than me.’

Upon learning this, his heart filled with even greater awe, bordering on reverence, for Zhang Chi.

’I used to think I was a genius, and that my low cultivation was only due to my common birth and my family’s decline.’

’But now I know that compared to an existence like Zhang Chi, I’m nothing more than a frog in a well.’

"You’re too kind, Fellow Daoist Cen. We are both in the Golden Core Realm, and you are my senior in years. Addressing each other as ’Fellow Daoist’ is perfectly fine," Zhang Chi said, waving his hand humbly.

"Very well, then I thank you for the honor, Fellow Daoist..."

Cen Huayun didn’t refuse. In fact, his favorable impression of Zhang Chi grew immensely, and he became even more enthusiastic.

He then not only completed the final registration for Zhang Chi, but also chatted with him at length, even providing a great deal of useful information about the upcoming competition.

"The treatment a Golden Core Late Stage cultivator gets is on another level!"

"Seriously. We’re Golden Core cultivators too, but Cen Huayun wasn’t nearly this enthusiastic when we registered."

The cultivators in the hall couldn’t help but feel envious, even the other Golden Core cultivators among them.

After a brief discussion among themselves via voice transmission, they shamelessly stepped forward, finding various pretexts to join the conversation.

Zhang Chi didn’t give these Golden Core Masters, who were clearly looking to build a connection, the cold shoulder.

’After all, these Golden Core Masters are all valuable contacts. They could very well become clients and a source of resources.’

’No wonder he couldn’t be bothered associating with those major Foundation Establishment influences before. It wasn’t just that he wanted to focus on his Cultivation—it was because they were completely beneath someone of his status!’

Seeing this, Shang Deyi quickly retreated to the side. Watching Zhang Chi chatting and laughing cheerfully with numerous Golden Core Masters, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of envy and adoration.

At the same time, he, who had once aimed only for Foundation Establishment, now secretly resolved to one day become a Golden Core Master just like Zhang Chi.