I picked up skill fragments in the demon world.

Chapter 943 The Water of the Underworld!

"My responsibility? Do you think I would allow the Pingbian Prince's Mansion to poison me?" Zhang Chen sneered. "Besides, the Pingbian Prince is one of your men. If your men are out of control, what does it have to do with me? Shouldn't you reflect on yourself? You lost the Book of Life and Death and can't command the Pingbian Prince. What does it have to do with me?"

Zhang Chen is never one to be manipulated. To think he can shift all the blame onto himself is simply a pipe dream! Wishful thinking!
Zhang Chen's eyes flashed with disdain, then he turned to look at the elders in the room: "I am not like some people who only push the blame onto others when something goes wrong, instead of thinking about how to solve the problem themselves."

"I suggest removing Zhang Shenqi from his position and making this incompetent person relinquish the position of family head. Only I, Zhang Chen, can lead all the clansmen to glory. I know that you have now severed your bloodline and lost the Book of Life and Death to activate the bloodlines of your descendants, but it doesn't matter. What the Book of Life and Death can do, the Yellow Springs Water can also do. Although I do not have the Book of Life and Death, I possess an inexhaustible supply of Yellow Springs Water. As long as you are willing to elect me as the Zhang family head and obey my orders, I promise that all direct descendants of the Zhang family, even newborns, can obtain Yellow Springs Water to activate their bloodlines."

As Zhang Chen spoke, he took out a bottle of Yellow Spring Water from his sleeve, opened the cap, and let the aroma of the Yellow Spring Water waft out. The Yellow Spring Water was too potent; if a newborn were to use it to activate their bloodline, it wouldn't require much—just a single drop would suffice. Given the amount of Yellow Spring Water that Zhang Chen had left in the River of Oblivion in the Underworld, the Zhang family could use it until the end of time.

"Water of the Yellow Springs? Isn't that something from legends? Does water of the Yellow Springs really exist in this world?"

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, all the elders of the Zhang family had their eyes light up, their gazes filled with disbelief. The Yellow Springs Water was not only effective for bloodline awakening, but also had miraculous effects on the cultivation of the Zhang family members.

“If the Book of Life and Death exists in this world, then the Underworld must also exist, and so must the Yellow Springs Water.” Zhang Chen took out the bottle of Yellow Springs Water and let its aura waft out. The aura of the Yellow Springs Water drifted out and was inhaled by everyone. Everyone felt a jolt of energy, and an indescribable feeling surged into their hearts, as if their souls had been cleansed.

"It's definitely the water of the Yellow Springs! The effect is exactly as described in the ancestral records about the water of the Yellow Springs." An elder with burning eyes stepped forward, snatched the jade bottle from Zhang Chen's hand, and carefully examined it.

Seeing the commotion caused by the appearance of the Yellow Springs Water, Zhang Gaqi's lips twitched, and he sighed inwardly, "Zhang Shenqi is finished!"

Zhang Shenqi had also sensed something was wrong: "Elders, please listen to me. This kid has somehow gotten hold of some strange water. It's hard to say whether it's really the water of the Yellow Springs. Even if it is, how long will this bottle last? It's just a drop in the ocean. Please don't be fooled by him."

Zhang Shenqi's words brought everyone back to their senses, because Zhang Shenqi was right. No matter how good the Yellow Springs Water was, it would be useless if the quantity couldn't be increased.

"Hahaha, I swear on the bloodline of the Zhang family that I have obtained a spring from the Yellow Springs, with inexhaustible water from the Yellow Springs. If this is false, may I be devoured by ten thousand ghosts and die!" Zhang Chen raised his finger and swore to the heavens.

As soon as Zhang Chen made his vow, the elders of the Zhang family immediately believed him, because there was a mysterious power within the Zhang family bloodline. Zhang Chen swore on his own bloodline that if he were to lie, he would suffer a backlash from his bloodline.

"As long as Zhang Shenqi is removed from his position as clan leader, you will all come under my command. Every single person present will receive a bottle of Yellow Spring Water. If you wish to obtain Yellow Spring Water again in the future, you will have to perform meritorious service for the Zhang family. But don't worry, I will give a drop of Yellow Spring Water to every newborn child in the Zhang family, regardless of whether they are direct or collateral relatives." Zhang Chen generously gave away the water, since it wasn't his anyway. The Yellow Spring River was vast and boundless, stretching for thousands of miles, and he could never use it all.

Zhang Chen took the bottle back, then casually poured the Yellow Springs water onto the ground. The elders, seeing this, felt a pang of heartache and gasped in alarm, trying to stop him. But Zhang Chen said disdainfully:
"It's just water from the Yellow Springs, I have plenty of that."

“Now it’s everyone’s turn to vote. I propose to remove Zhang Shenqi from his position as clan leader and take over as clan leader myself. Who agrees and who disagrees?” Zhang Chen’s gaze swept over the crowd.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other, glancing at Zhang Chen and then at Zhang Shenqi, whose face was ashen, but no one spoke up. Even those who supported Zhang Chen's faction hesitated. The Zhang family was already in enough chaos; changing the clan leader at the last minute would only make things worse.

"What? No one agrees? Fine, I'll keep the Yellow Springs water for myself. But if your descendants are unable to awaken their bloodline in the future, don't ever come begging to me. Did you think you could retrieve the Book of Life and Death? The Gong family has already pledged allegiance to the Great Victory Royal Family, and they've probably already used the Book of Life and Death as a bargaining chip to hand over to the Chai family. Even if you destroy the Gong family, your hope of retrieving the Book of Life and Death is slim. Don't even dream about taking it back from the Gong family; it's simply impossible." Zhang Chen's gaze swept over everyone, and he pressed them again:
"What? Nobody agrees with me? Well, I'm leaving now, so don't regret it!"

"Wait a minute!" Zhang Shenqi's second uncle, who had always supported him, spoke up: "How about we temporarily appoint Zhang Shenqi as the head of the family? After all, changing generals in the middle of a battle is a major taboo. If we can eliminate the Gong family, we can then ask him to step down as the head of the family."

"No!" Zhang Chen replied decisively, "You must retreat now! And retreating isn't enough. He lost the Book of Life and Death, I want you to cut off his head to atone for the sins of the Zhang family ancestor! If he hadn't lost the Book of Life and Death, why would the Zhang family ancestor have been suppressed by the court's gods? He is guilty of heinous crimes!"

"Zhang Chen, do you still care about the Zhang family? Do you have any sense of the bigger picture? How can you be the head of the Zhang family like this? How can we entrust the Zhang family to you with peace of mind?" The second uncle frowned, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes, clearly displeased with Zhang Chen's aggressive manner. "That's right, with a formidable enemy at hand, why don't you bring out the Yellow Springs Water for us to use first? We can discuss the matter of the family head later after we've dealt with the enemy! Do you have any sense of the bigger picture? Do you have any responsibility as a member of the Zhang family to contribute everything to the clan?" Another elder stepped forward.

“That’s right. As a disciple of the Zhang family, you should have a sense of the bigger picture. If you have something that concerns the fate of the family, you should contribute it to the family instead of seeking personal gain.” Another middle-aged man stood up and angrily rebuked Zhang Chen, his voice filled with righteous indignation.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen turned to look at the people who had spoken, and pointed at them in the air: "You, you, you... all of you who just spoke, you will not have access to the Yellow Springs Water in the future, and your descendants will not have access to the Yellow Springs Water either."

"What gives you the right?" Second Uncle was furious upon hearing this.

"Since the water of the Yellow Springs is mine, I won't give it to you even if I smash it. Of course, if you want to use it yourselves, cut off your own heads and have your descendants bring your heads to me as an apology. Then I might consider giving you some. For the sake of your descendants, you should commit suicide." Zhang Chen smiled disdainfully.

Upon hearing Zhang Chen's words, Zhang Shenqi sneered, "You selfish and self-serving junior, do you really think that after arriving at the Zhang family's ancestral land, everything is still up to you? Men, seize him! We'll make sure he hands over the Yellow Springs Water!"

A cold glint appeared in Zhang Shenqi's eyes. Threaten him? Have you even grown your hair yet?!

At Zhang Shenqi's command, all the Zhang family members waiting nearby drew their sticks. However, the Third Uncle was displeased: "You bastards, stop! Zhang Shenqi, how dare you openly bully a junior who has no parents? Do you think we don't exist? You've really gone too far. Has the Zhang family become your personal fiefdom?"

“Third Uncle, in times of emergency, we must act swiftly. The Yellow Springs Water is a matter of life and death for the Zhang family. Only by capturing it and forcing it to reveal the source of the Yellow Springs Water can we ensure the continuation of the Zhang family bloodline,” Zhang Shenqi said.

"Oh? Then why ask him to sacrifice himself instead of you making the sacrifice and stepping down as clan leader? As long as you step down as clan leader, everything will be resolved!" Third Uncle sneered.

"Now that the Zhang family is facing external enemies, as the head of the Zhang family, even if I have committed a heinous crime, I must wait until all the enemies are annihilated before dealing with it!" Zhang Shenqi said, "Men, seize Zhang Chen!"

"Let's see who dares!" Third Uncle's hair and beard bristled, and a rage flashed in his eyes.

"Now I am the head of the family, and I make the decisions! Third Uncle, please forgive my disrespect! Men, seize Zhang Chen! Every disciple who can capture Zhang Chen will be rewarded with a bottle of Yellow Springs Water!" Zhang Shenqi shouted again.

As soon as he finished speaking, a group of Zhang family members pounced on him like wolves and tigers. The Third Uncle angrily drew his long sword from his waist: "Let's see who dares to do this!"

As the Third Uncle drew his long sword, all of Zhang Chen's men also drew their own long swords and protected Zhang Chen.

"Third brother, what are you doing? Do you want to split the Zhang family?" The second uncle's face darkened, and he shouted angrily.

"Hmph, you were the ones who broke the rules first. Although you are powerful, we are not to be trifled with!" Third Uncle said coldly.

"Very well, I've seen the true colors of the Zhang family today! I now declare that all those who draw their swords against me, and the families behind them, will not get a single drop of water from the Yellow Springs!" Zhang Chen coldly fueled the flames, issuing a threat without any fear of escalating the situation.

(End of this chapter)