Chapter 45: Chapter 45 Zheng Su
Northern Part, Zheng Family
Zheng Su, the Fourth Ancestor of the Zheng Family and the oldest member of the family, stood before 14 false Core Formation Cultivators, his expression grim.
Among the 14, half were Zheng Family Cultivators, while the rest were ancestors from mid-grade families. The foundation of high-grade families was formidable; although they lacked a genuine Core Formation Cultivator, they had a sufficient number of false Core Formation Cultivators.
There was a reason why there were so many false Core Formation Cultivators but no genuine ones. It was due to the lack of level 3 inheritance. Level 3 inheritance provided level 3 techniques and the methods to break through and cultivate in the Core Formation Realm.
"Everyone, we don't know the true intentions of this demonic Cultivator yet, but from the reports, it seems this person only targets false Core Formation Cultivators. This situation is dangerous for us, as we don't have the protection of a genuine Core Formation Cultivator. So, it's best for us to gather and help each other," Zheng Su said.
The Zheng Family Cultivators nodded solemnly, and the ancestors from the mid-grade families exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.
"Senior Zheng, the matter regarding this demonic Cultivator is too important. Around 60 mid-grade families have crumbled at his hands. If we aren't united, we will meet the same fate as them. So, we will fully cooperate with you," an ancestor from a mid-grade family said.
"Good, then I won't beat around the bush. Although my Zheng Family was established just 200 years ago, our foundation cannot be underestimated. We possess a level 3 artifact, the Lightning Spear. You all should know that the cost to activate a level 3 artifact is not something a few false Core Formation Cultivators like us can manage alone. So, I will need your help in providing core essence," Zheng Su explained.
"Level 3 Artifact?!" Everyone's expressions changed, even the Zheng Family cultivators had never heard of this.
Soon, the gathered cultivators nodded in understanding, realizing the gravity of their situation and the necessity of their cooperation.
"I know you find this unbelievable. Come with me and see for yourselves," Zheng Su said, walking into the depths of the Zheng Family estate.
The Zheng Family cultivators and the ancestors from the mid-grade families followed behind.
It took them around five minutes to reach the deepest part of the Zheng Family grounds, where there was nothing but a dark room. Even with the keen sight of false Core Formation Cultivators, they saw nothing.
"I didn't expect our Zheng Family to hide such a place here," the Great Elder of the Zheng Family exclaimed.
"The Zheng Family's foundation runs so deep," the ancestors of the mid-grade families remarked.
Zheng Su remained silent as he took out a black token and placed it in the mouth of a lion statue. Suddenly, the complete darkness of the room was replaced by light, as bright as daylight.
Looking around, they saw nothing but a blue spear standing in the middle. It looked ordinary, but they could feel the immense pressure emanating from it.
"It's indeed a level 3 artifact!" They could all clearly feel the aura released from the spear, giving them goosebumps.
Only Zheng Su, standing at the front, smirked inwardly. [Finally, my hundreds of years of meddling with the Zheng Family have paid off. Now that I have enough blood essence, the Skystrike Lightning Spear will be mine. With this, I will reach the peak again.]
"Alright, everyone, the matter of activating the level 3 artifact is crucial. I hope you will all cooperate with me fully," Zheng Su said.
The Zheng Family cultivators didn't feel any suspicion towards Zheng Su, as he was the oldest ancestor in the family and rumored to be the son of the First Ancestor.
"Fourth Ancestor, please give us the instructions," they said in unison.
The ancestors from the mid-grade families had hardened expressions, realizing that learning the secret of the Zheng Family meant they were now in the same boat.
Zheng Su's gaze swept over them calmly. For some reason, they felt that the pressure Zheng Su exerted was not merely that of a false Core Formation Realm but something more profound.
"Senior Zheng, we are already in the same boat. We will fully cooperate with the Zheng Family," they all said in unison.
"Good, then follow my instructions precisely. To avoid any mistakes, I will use the seven stars array to help us activate it," Zheng Su said as he gave them the instructions.
He positioned them in seven different locations around the level 3 artifact, with seven Zheng Family cultivators in the inner circle and the seven ancestors from the mid-grade families in the outer circle. Zheng Su himself sat at the center.
"Everyone, don't worry about anything else. Just pour your core essence into me, and I will guide it to activate the Lightning Spear," Zheng Su instructed.
All of them nodded solemnly before pouring their core essence into Zheng Su.
Zheng Su didn't feel uncomfortable at all with the different core essences pouring into him; he guided them proficiently towards the Lightning Spear.
The Lightning Spear began to emit wisps of lightning, resisting the incoming core essence.
Pa! Pa! Pa!
The sounds of lightning and core essence clashing reverberated throughout the room, making many feel as if their eardrums were about to burst.
Despite the intense noise, excitement coursed through them as they saw the core essence starting to gain the upper hand.
"Quick! Pour more essence into the Fourth Ancestor!" shouted the Zheng Family cultivators.
"We must not hold back!" echoed the ancestors from the mid-grade families.
Zheng Su couldn't help but feel overjoyed. [It's not in vain to be of the Zheng Family bloodline. The seal is lifting faster than expected. Hehe, Brother Zheng, if you hadn't backstabbed me back then, your family could live peacefully now. But you chose betrayal, so your Zheng Family no longer needs to exist.]
Minutes passed, and the resistance of the Lightning Spear weakened significantly.
Zheng Su, now sweaty, approached the critical step of sacrificing the blood essence. Knowing that success was near, he became even more cautious. He activated his techniques and poured his core essence into the Lightning Spear to the fullest extent.
At that moment, the aura of a genuine Core Formation Cultivator emanated from him, shocking and surprising the rest.
"Core Formation Realm! Fourth Ancestor is a Core Formation Cultivator?" exclaimed the Zheng Family cultivators.
"A Core Formation Cultivator!" echoed the ancestors of the mid-grade families, stunned by the sudden revelation.
Zheng Su ignored their reactions as he reached the critical step: sacrificing the blood essence.
At this moment, the Zheng Family cultivators felt not only their core essence being consumed greatly but also their blood being drained. The urge to stop surged within them, but seeing no order from Zheng Su, they remained silent.
The ancestors from the mid-grade families also felt their life forces being drained. Unlike the Zheng Family cultivators, one of them immediately tried to stop pouring core essence, but to his horror, he found he couldn't control his body.
"What's happening? Why can't I control my body?"
His voice immediately alerted the others.
"What?" They all began to try and stop, but found they couldn't move their bodies.
"My life force!"
"Senior Zheng! What's the meaning of this?" one of them shouted.
Zheng Su ignored them.
"Fourth Ancestor…" At this moment, the Zheng Family cultivators felt the abnormality. They tried to stop but found they couldn't control their bodies anymore.
"Fourth Ancestor, why?" At this point, they finally realized that Zheng Su had ulterior motives. The ancestor they respected with all their hearts had betrayed them, filling them with disappointment and sorrow.
"No! Don't let him succeed in whatever he wants."
The ancestors of the mid-grade families struggled, but it was useless. The seven stars array that Zheng Su had prepared before was showing its results now.
"Zheng Su, you old fiend! We had no grudges, why are you harming us?"
"Zheng Su, you fucker, I curse you to die a million times."
"The Zheng Family is nothing but a demonic family!"
"Zheng Su, aren't you afraid of making the Zheng Family a public enemy?"
At this moment, standing on the precipice of life and death, their fear of a Core Formation Cultivator was no longer in their eyes.
As for the Zheng Family cultivators, they were in a state of sorrow as they stared at Zheng Su with absent minds, unable to comprehend why Zheng Su chose to do this.
Zheng Su himself ignored all the cursing and shouting of the bugs and ants, focusing solely on unsealing the Lightning Spear before him.
Seeing that Zheng Su ignored them, the ancestors of the mid-grade families became even more enraged.
"Even if I die here, I won't let you succeed," one of them shouted. As if responding to his defiance, suddenly flames engulfed the old man, revealing the hidden aura of a Core Formation Cultivator.
Shangguan Yi, who had been following them since the beginning, finally made his move.
One after another, the false Core Formation Cultivators were consumed by flames on the spot.
"Hm? Another Core Formation Cultivator?!" Everyone exclaimed.
Zheng Su's attention momentarily diverted from the Lightning Spear.
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