The Myriad Monster Golden Coredid not remain, but he still retained many Nine-Turn Golden Pills in his possession.
Before the great catastrophe of humanity, all the millennium-old herbs in the medicine garden had been refined into pills by him. It was only because he feared that the medicinal potency might be too strong and potentially shake his foundations that he had never dared to consume them rashly.
Now that he had stepped into the mythical immortal realm, achieving a level of cultivation comparable to ordinary Tianluo-tier beings, he was no longer constrained by this restriction.
The study of cultivation knows no concept of passing years; tens of thousands of years had vanished in an instant, following the great catastrophe of humanity.
A stirring arose within Zhang Tianchen's heart. He abruptly opened his eyes from his meditative state, pinched his fingers to calculate, and realized that distinguished guests were visiting.
"Susu, Huahua, Feifei, come here for a moment."
Zhang Tianchen summoned the three Susu sisters through the art of sound transmission.
Upon receiving Zhang Tianchen's message, the three sisters hurried over immediately.
"We have esteemed guests at our door. Susu, go and welcome them," Zhang Tianchen said to Susu.
"Yes, Master of the Cave." Susu nodded gently and went out to greet the visitors.
"Huahua, go brew a pot of Xiantian Enlightenment Tea," Zhang Tianchen instructed Huahua.
"I'm going right now."
Hearing this, Huahua immediately set about carrying out the task.
"Feifei, gather some spiritual fruits to entertain our guests," Zhang Tianchen next commanded Feifei.
"Yes, Master of the Cave."
Upon receiving the order, Feifei immediately set off to gather them.
When Susu arrived at the entrance of the Wuliang Cave, she saw four figures riding the wind from afar—one man and three women, who were none other than Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao Sisters.
"May I ask if this is the immortal abode of Junior Brother Zhang Tianchen?" Zhao Gongming asked.
"Indeed," Susu nodded slightly and said, "You must be the important guests the master mentioned. Please come in."
"It seems Senior Brother Zhang Tianchen was already aware of our visit," Bixiao remarked.
Thus, Susu led Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao Sisters into the cave mansion, where Huahua and Feifei had already prepared the Xiantian Enlightenment Tea and immortal fruits.
"Magpies were chirping joyfully outside the cave gates early this morning; it turns out it was a portent of your esteemed arrival," Zhang Tianchen said with a smile.
"Junior Brother Zhang is far too courteous. We have made this abrupt visit, and I hope you will forgive any inconvenience it may cause," Zhao Gongming said with a bow.
"Senior Brother, you worry too much. I could not be more delighted by the arrival of you and my three junior sisters. How could I ever speak of being disturbed?" Zhang Tianchen expressed his sincere welcome.
"Senior Brother Tianchen, whenever Teacher lectured on the Heavenly Dao in the past, your figure was always missing. It was impossible to discuss the Dao with you either. This time, we finally learned of Senior Brother's dwelling from Teacher," Qiongxiao said with a hint of coy petulance in her tone.
"Qiongxiao! Do not be presumptuous," Yunxiao reminded Qiongxiao, before turning to Zhang Tianchen to offer an apology: "My younger sister has lost her manners. I implore Senior Brother Zhang to forgive her."
"Junior Sister Qiongxiao speaks truly. Ever since we parted ways on Jinao Island, I remained in secluded cultivation until the great catastrophe of mankind forced me to appear. It is indeed my fault that I have not been able to come and pay my respects to you all," Zhang Tianchen said with a smile.
"Teacher has repeatedly mentioned that Junior Brother possesses profound understanding and accomplishments in magical powers and arts. Our visit today is precisely in the hope that Junior Brother might offer some guidance," Zhao Gongming proposed.
"I dare not accept the word 'guidance'; let us simply discuss and learn from one another," Zhang Tianchen replied with a modest smile before gesturing toward the tea set on the table. "This is Enlightenment Tea obtained by chance. We may taste and discuss it as we drink."
Zhao Gongming picked up his cup and took a sip. Instantly, he felt his mind and spirit refresh incomparably, and he praised, "Fine tea indeed!"
"Truly so," Yunxiao, Bixiao, and Qiongxiao all echoed with nods of approval after tasting it.
"If my senior brother and junior sisters all enjoy it, I have plenty of spare tea leaves stored away and can gift you some at any time," Zhang Tianchen said amiably. Over the past years, he had gathered a vast quantity of Xiantian Enlightenment Tea leaves. Since drinking them alone fell short of exhausting the sheer volume, giving them away as gifts was precisely fitting.
"Then I shall accept without modesty," Zhao Gongming did not decline, as this Enlightenment Tea indeed held no small benefit for him.
"Many thanks, Senior Brother Zhang," the Three Xiao Sisters said in unison, expressing their gratitude to Zhang Tianchen.
Zhang Tianchen, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Xiao Sisters sipped tea and discussed the Dao together, with their conversation primarily revolving around magical powers and arts.
"Junior Brother Zhang, some matters are difficult to convey through words alone. Why don't we engage in a sparring match?" Zhao Gongming suggested.
"I invite Senior Brother to enlighten me." Zhang Tianchen gave a slight nod, having already perceived Zhao Gongming's competitive nature.
The two of them walked over to an open area, and Zhang Tianchen made a gesture, inviting Zhao Gongming to make the first move.
Zhao Gongming stood on no ceremony with Zhang Tianchen and directly unleashed the twenty-four Sea-Suppressing Pearls. These pearls transformed into a dazzling beam of light that hurtled toward Zhang Tianchen. Each pearl contained within it a tiny world; to be struck by one would be equivalent to suffering the full-force impact of a minor world.
"Eldest Sister, who do you think will ultimately win between Eldest Brother and Senior Brother Zhang?" Qiongxiao could not resist asking.
Before Yunxiao could reply, Bixiao chimed in first, "Eldest Brother will definitely win! Although Senior Brother Zhang's mastery of magical arts is superb, he is, after all, only at the Mysterious Immortal Realm. Eldest Brother is not only a Taiyi Golden Immortal but also wields the Sea-Suppressing Pearls. How could he possibly lose to Senior Brother Zhang?"
"Although Senior Brother Zhang is only at the Mysterious Immortal Realm, I always feel there is an unfathomable power concealed behind him. The final outcome is far from certain," Yunxiao shook her head slightly. For reasons unknown to herself, deep down in her heart, she found herself leaning slightly toward Zhang Tianchen.
The Sea-Suppressing Pearls would go on to establish brilliant military exploits in the future Investiture of the Gods war, during which Zhao Gongming once used them to defeat five disciples of Yuxu Palace, including Guangchengzi, Chijingzi, Daoxing Tianzun, Yuding Zhenren, and Master Lingbao.
Yet presently, the swarming horde of Sea-Suppressing Pearls roaring toward Zhang Tianchen failed to cause even the slightest flicker of change in his expression. He merely flicked his sleeve lightly, and in an instant, a five-colored radiance burst forth, gathering all twenty-four pearls right into his robes.
Realizing that his connection to the Sea-Suppressing Pearls had been abruptly severed, Zhao Gongming wore a look of utter astonishment. "This—what divine power has Senior Brother Zhang employed? To actually be able to snatch away Eldest Brother's magic treasure!"
Witnessing this scene, Bixiao could not help but reveal an expression of shock. "This kind of divine power couldn't have been taught by Teacher; it must be an original creation derived by Senior Brother Zhang himself." Even Yunxiao had not anticipated that this match would conclude so swiftly, ending in an effortless victory for Zhang Tianchen.
Immediately afterward, he flicked his sleeve once more, and the twenty-four Sea-Suppressing Pearls returned to Zhao Gongming's hands.
After lingering in a daze for a moment, Zhao Gongming finally snapped out of it and asked, "Might I ask, Junior Brother Zhang, what miraculous technique did you just execute?"
"This is an ability I comprehended entirely on my own. I have named it the 'Five-Colored Divine Light'," Zhang Tianchen replied with a smile.
Throughout the past tens of thousands of years, apart from spending time digesting and absorbing the efficacy of the Nine-Turn Golden Pills, Zhang Tianchen had spent the rest of his time pondering the profound mysteries of various laws. This "Five-Colored Divine Light" was a powerful divine technique he had created himself, based on his comprehension of the five elemental principles of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, while emulating Kong Xuan's five-colored radiance.
"Junior Brother's achievements are fully worthy of all the praise Master spoke of. I am utterly convinced of Junior Brother's strength," Zhao Gongming praised sincerely.
"Senior Brother flatters me," Zhang Tianchen smiled politely.
"Let us resume our discussion," Yunxiao stepped forward, softening the atmosphere.
"Very well!"
Zhang Tianchen, Zhao Gongming, and the Three Xiao Sisters continued their exchange. This time, the scope was no longer limited to magical powers and arts, but also touched upon formations, alchemy, and weapon-refining.
Time flew, and a millennium passed in the blink of an eye.
"Junior Brother Zhang, your mastery of magical powers and arts can truly be called number one in Jiejiao, while your attainments in formations, the Dao of Alchemy, and the Dao of Weapons are likely unmatched by few," Yunxiao sighed in sincere admiration. The more she interacted with Zhang Tianchen, the more unfathomable she found him to be.
"Junior Sister Yunxiao flatters me," Zhang Tianchen answered with a smile.
During these discussions, although it was mostly he who lectured while Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao Sisters listened, Zhang Tianchen had likewise reaped a considerable harvest.
Especially when discussing the methods of weapon-refining, Yunxiao had detailed the complete legacy of the Dao of Weapons she had obtained from Yuanshi Tianzun.
Compared to the weapon-refining methods of the three Susu sisters, Yuanshi Tianzun's legacy was evidently far more exquisite.
Enlightened by this legacy, Zhang Tianchen achieved a tremendous improvement in his weapon-refining craftsmanship.
"Senior Brother Zhang, we three sisters have a favor to ask," Yunxiao said, looking slightly embarrassed.
"What request does Junior Sister Yunxiao have? So long as it is within my power, I will certainly do my utmost," Zhang Tianchen held a rather favorable impression of Yunxiao and was more than willing to lend a helping hand.
"Over these years, we have gathered quite a few spiritual herbs, but we are plagued by our lack of proficiency in alchemy. We would like to ask Senior Brother Zhang to help us refine some pills," Yunxiao explained.
"Very well," Zhang Tianchen immediately agreed, and explained, "However, I must state that some loss of materials during the alchemy process is inevitable. I can guarantee one pill for every two portions of materials."
With Zhang Tianchen's current level of alchemy, he had actually reached a hundred percent success rate.
Yet he was unwilling to exaggerate excessively.
The surplus pills would simply be counted as his remuneration.
Considering his favorable impression of Yunxiao—if it were anyone else, it would require at least five portions of materials to obtain a single pill.
"Even if it required five portions of materials to refine a single pill, we would still be more than satisfied," Yunxiao said excitedly.
"Does Junior Sister Yunxiao happen to have those spiritual herbs on your person?" Zhang Tianchen asked.
Yunxiao shook her head slightly: "All the spiritual herbs are planted in the medicine garden of our Daoist sanctuary. I can make a trip back and bring them."
"There is no need to make a special trip. I just emerged from secluded cultivation recently and was planning to go on a leisure journey anyway. Visiting your sanctuary along the way would be quite pleasant," Zhang Tianchen stated.
"It really troubles Senior Brother Zhang," Yunxiao expressed her gratitude.
"It is no trouble," Zhang Tianchen replied.
"Following this discussion, I have benefited immensely and plan to re-enter secluded cultivation for a spell. I shall take my leave now," Zhao Gongming announced his departure.
"Senior Brother, please stay your step."
Zhang Tianchen called over Susu: "Go get some Enlightenment Tea ready for us to take."
Following Zhang Tianchen's instructions, Susu fetched the Enlightenment Tea.
Zhang Tianchen divided the tea leaves into four portions, giving one to Zhao Gongming and the remaining three separately to the Three Xiao Sisters.
After accepting the Enlightenment Tea leaves, Zhao Gongming issued an invitation: "Junior Brother Zhang, if there is an opportunity in the future, please come to Mount Emei, Luofu Cave, to be my guest."
"Most certainly," Zhang Tianchen replied.
Immediately afterward, Zhao Gongming transformed into a streak of flowing light and departed.
"Susu, you must guard the cave mansion well. If there is any situation, remember to send me a message," Zhang Tianchen instructed.
"Do not worry, Master of the Cave. We will guard the cave mansion with all our might," Susu responded.