The room remained silent after Zhang Wei mentioned the Death Sprout ka.
Tianwen bowed showing no emotions on his face towards the elder, who dared to force him to a kind of slave contract on him with such a righteous tone.
"This junior is willing."
He really hated this situation, so much so that he even entertained the thought of seeking death and going back in time. Using all the willpower he had, he forcibly suppressed this irrational thought.
Zhang Wei's eyes lingered on him for a few breaths. "You must willingly accept it. Without your consent, the sprout will not take root. Once it does, if you ever threaten the Zhang family, I can end your life."
Tianwen agreed willingly because there is simply nothing he could do in this situation. "I agree elder."
Although he did not like the situation and hated the elder a bit, Zhang Tianwen already calculated his situation.
Firstly, dying now is a waste, even if he wants to use soul rewind ka he will only do it after natural death, and after increasing his cultivation to ensure he has all memories, unless worst case scenario comes to be he doesn't want to rely too much on a ka.
Secondly hatred is useless; making emotional decisions is not his style, so instead of thinking about the so-called revenge, it's best to use the second elder as much as possible, through which he can use to get more resources, act a bit unscrupulously because he will have elders support, ultimately increasing his cultivation as fast as possible.
Only after increasing his own strength , he can take revenge and get out of this situation.
Zhang Wei did not care what he thought, seeing him agree he immediately rose from his seat.
The atmosphere shifted immediately. Unlike before, this time he did not act from a distance.
He stepped around the table and stopped directly in front of Tianwen and placed his hand on the neck of Zhang tianwen.
Tianwen obeyed.
Zhang Wei grasped his neck firmly. The contact was cold and unyielding. Spiritual energy began to flow through the elder's palm, not violently, but steadily — like roots burrowing into soil.
This is not an instant technique; it requires some time.
A faint grey mark began to form where their skin touched. Zhang Tianwen felt a slow, creeping sensation travel down the back of his neck, the process lasted nearly a full minute; neither of them spoke in the meantime.
Finally, Zhang Wei's spiritual energy condensed, and with a subtle pulse, the mark sank beneath Tianwen's skin and disappeared.
"It is done," Zhang Wei said, releasing his wrist.
Coming back and sitting in his seat, Zhang Wie continued asking some more questions, more of them related to Earth.
After some time thinking about something, maybe about the children waiting outside his room, he finally started speaking about important things again.
"The Death Sprout will remain inactive unless triggered," Zhang Wei continued calmly. "Remember your words today."
Tianwen bowed once more. "Yes elder, this junior understands."
"You will be assigned to the First Space ka Strategic Division, you should know that there are 4 divisions related to space kas namely the first, second, third, and fourth divisions.
First division is most strategically important to the family and is assigned more important roles, the number of resources and aid in cultivation provided for first division people is almost 10 times more than that of other divisions.
I am willing to give you this chance because after talking to you I understood you are honest and have a good heart nature.
I hope you remember that as long as you keep family in your mind, family will always help you in return. Follow the arrangements outside."
"Yes, Elder." Zhang Tianwen replied, his voice as soft as possible. Soon the elder called a subordinate from outside and informed him of arrangements.
Without further delay, Zhang Tianwen turned and walked out, looking at the elder one last time he left the door closing it softly behind him.
Then Zhang Wei slowly exhaled.
The tension in his shoulders eased.
Behind him, the subordinate finally spoke. "Elder… that was unexpected."
Zhang Wei gave a faint smile.
"Indeed. I ask that question out of habit, who knew we would find someone related to the legendary rebirth to appear in our family. I did not expect at all."
He leaned back slightly, eyes thoughtful.
Encountering somone who underwent rebirth is too rare. The conditions were harsh — usually involving powerful cultivators, preserved souls, or extraordinary circumstances. For a mere youth to awaken with memories intact was almost unbelievable.
"Fortunately," Zhang Wei muttered softly, "he comes from a harmless place."
The subordinate hesitated. "About the Death Sprout…"
Zhang Wei's lips curved faintly.
"As you already know, it cannot kill beyond a hundred meters," he said quietly. "And even within that range, it requires a few seconds to activate. "
He did not elaborate further.
By claiming he could kill Tianwen from anywhere with a thought, he had planted something more powerful than the sprout itself.
Fear.
Psychological restraint was often more effective than actual control.
The subordinate understood and remained silent.
Zhang Wei's eyes grew frenzied, calculating all the benefits he could gain.
Rebirth.
Knowledge from another world.
Even if that world lacked cultivation, it might possess different systems, methods of organization, most importantly, weapons. Innovation did not always come from cultivation.
If properly guided… that knowledge could be useful. Very useful.
"There is no need to inform the Family Head," Zhang Wei said calmly. "Nor the other elders." The subordinate looked slightly surprised but did not question him.
"Rebirth without a cultivation background poses minimal threat," Zhang Wei continued. "Announcing it would only create unnecessary interference."
Such a rare opportunity appearing within his sight, it would be too wasteful to share.
He would first observe Zhang Tianwen .
And extract everything that was useful.
And if the boy ever became unstable, the sprout was already planted anyway. Even if something unexpected happens he still has his strength; rank 5 cultivation is not a joke.
Zhang Wei folded his hands calmly on the table, his expression once again as the gentle and amicable second elder of the clan.