Chapter 104
Han Qi and his companions strolled leisurely through the market, their mouths stuffed full.
“Senior Brother, is it just my imagination? Why do I feel like there are fewer arguments today?” the tall, thin one swallowed a mouthful of flatbread and asked, puzzled.
Han Qi chuckled, unfazed. “It’s simple. When people can make money and see hope for the future, their grievances naturally lessen.”
The tall one nodded, unsure if he fully understood. His gaze shifted to a few senior brothers at the street corner, his tone slightly indignant. “But it was those guys who were talking nonsense before. Now they’re enjoying their food!”
“Forget about it.” Han Qi’s expression remained calm, his tone surprisingly light. “There’s no need to get angry over such trivial matters. Zheng Shidi has won the hearts of the people; their words can’t tarnish that.”
“True!” The tall one thought for a moment and felt a bit happier. “With Senior Sister Zhang above him and the support of the people below, Zheng Shidi is definitely on the rise. He’ll be just fine in this market.”
“Senior Sister Zhang?” Han Qi’s tone took on a strange note. “With Zheng Shidi’s abilities and talents, it’s hard to say whether this market will ultimately belong to the Zheng family or the Zhang family.”
…
“I want to take Zheng Fa as my disciple!” Master Pang’s expression was resolute, as if he had made a firm decision.
Zhou Qianyuan glanced at his master, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Turning to his side, he noticed his senior brother Sun Daoyu also wore a hint of disapproval.
Zhou Qianyuan had no objections to Zheng Fa; in fact, he admired Zheng Fa’s mastery of talismans.
He could even treat Zheng Fa with the respect due to a teacher.
A little face and status didn’t matter to him.
But… the significance of Master Pang wanting to take Zheng Fa as a disciple was different.
This could affect his own path to the Nascent Soul.
Given Master Pang’s current regard for Zheng Fa, all the spiritual materials he had accumulated might end up being used by Zheng Fa.
How could he accept that?
As for why Sun Shixiong was reluctant, Zhou Qianyuan could understand that too.
Sun Shixiong had not had a pleasant experience with Zheng Fa before and had even tried to snatch a talisman from him.
If he thought about it more selfishly, Sun Shixiong had taken good care of him, which was quite a lot of investment.
If Master Pang took Zheng Fa as a disciple, wouldn’t all that previous investment go to waste?
But Master Pang was a Nascent Soul master; his decision left no room for them to argue.
Seemingly sensing their reluctance, Master Pang glanced at them and said, “Do you think I’m placing too much importance on Zheng Fa?”
The two exchanged glances, then lowered their heads and replied, “Disciples dare not, we will follow Master’s orders.”
“If Zheng Fa were just a bit more talented, I wouldn’t insist on taking him as a disciple. After all, he was brought in by Senior Sister Zhang…” Master Pang explained, “Do you think I really need another disciple?”
“Then?”
“No matter how impressive he is, can he really hinder a Nascent Soul master like me?”
Master Pang’s smile turned a bit cold.
“But Master, why now…”
“Because you two are too foolish!” Master Pang looked at them, frowning as he scolded, “I told you not to care about the provocations below. You can argue, but it should be within limits. But now? The two factions are at each other’s throats. I can suppress it for now, but what about in the future?”
“…”
Sun Daoyu’s face flushed, alternating between red and white.
The conflict between the two factions had indeed escalated beyond Master Pang’s intentions.
His and Senior Sister Zhang’s master, Huang Zhenren, merely had differing philosophies.
But the disciples below started with ideological disputes, then moved on to fighting over resources, and now they didn’t even know what they were arguing about.
After decades, old grudges had accumulated, and it was hard to clarify right from wrong.
On the other hand, their inaction as mid-level disciples had even exacerbated the situation.
“Qianyuan, tell me, can you compare to Senior Sister Zhang’s disciple?”
Zhou Qianyuan lowered his head in shame. “I… have no confidence.” The more he learned about Senior Sister Zhang at Jiushan Sect, the more he realized her formidable nature.
Her temperament and abilities were undoubtedly the best among the next generation of disciples.
In terms of status within the sect, she was even on par with his own master.
“Now with Zheng Fa joining, he’s not only talented but also able to win the hearts of the lower disciples.” Master Pang sighed. “With him and Senior Sister Zhang working together, will there be any place left for you all?”
“Disciples are incompetent…”
Zhou Qianyuan and Sun Daoyu lowered their heads.
Master Pang shook his head, lamenting, “That Huang fellow has been so lucky, picking up a Senior Sister Zhang, and now he’s got Zheng Fa! If you want to have an easier time in the future, the best way is to take Zheng Fa as a disciple.”
Sun Daoyu slowly nodded, understanding Master Pang’s meaning. He pondered, “If Zheng Shidi is this powerful, if he joins our faction, the balance of power between the two factions will stabilize, and we won’t have to worry.”
Master Pang gazed outside the mountain, as if looking at something, then suddenly said to the two, “Not only that, given his relationship with Senior Sister Zhang… he might even help resolve the conflict between our two factions in the future.”
“Master?”
“The Hundred Immortals Alliance is already in chaos…” Master Pang glanced at the two. “Do you understand?”
After bidding farewell to Master Pang, Zhou Qianyuan and Sun Daoyu fell silent. Zhou Qianyuan felt a knot in his heart, while Sun Daoyu seemed to be deep in thought.
As they parted, Sun Daoyu seemed to notice Zhou Qianyuan’s displeasure.
He spoke up, “Since Master cares so much for us, even if he values Zheng Fa, he will still consider you. Don’t worry.”
“Right, thank you, Sun Shixiong.”
Hearing this, Zhou Qianyuan felt a bit better and gratefully cupped his hands in thanks.
“Zhou Shidi is too polite.”
“Hmm?”
…
Zheng Fa sat on the cushion in his study, swallowing a newly purchased Ning Yuan Dan, preparing to condense his third Yuan Talisman.
The spirit stones used to buy this Ning Yuan Dan were earned from the ferry—though Han Qi and his companions had stopped setting up stalls, they were still selling talismans to Zheng Fa.
Among the talismans on the ferry, some were newly drawn by Zheng Fa.
Within Jiushan Sect, these talismans could sell for about ten spirit stones.
But in other markets, they could fetch twenty spirit stones—Jiushan Sect’s talismans were simply too competitive, making even the price of Xuan-grade talismans lower than elsewhere.
This time, Zheng Fa had many more options for his Yuan Talisman than before.
Since discovering the Five Elements Child Talisman and having Senior Sister Zhang’s top-notch laboratory, they had researched many talisman diagrams’ Yin-Yang and Five Elements attributes.
Especially since he was now preparing to condense a Yin Water Yuan Talisman—Senior Sister Zhang likely had a Water Spiritual Root, and she had researched water talismans the most.
Among nearly hundreds of choices, he decided to condense a Yuan Talisman called the Nourishing Spirit Talisman.
The main effect of this talisman was simple: it nourishes the spirit and repairs mental disturbances.
This was meant for Tang Lingwu’s mother.
Not to mention the bond between the two, the discovery of the Five Elements Child Talisman was largely thanks to the old man Bai.
But Tang Lingwu also played a significant role—after all, she had contributed financially.
On the other hand, Zheng Fa believed that if the Nourishing Spirit Talisman proved useful for Tang Lingwu’s mother, it could have great potential in the modern world.
He understood clearly that the Talisman Foundation Method not only accelerated his own cultivation speed but also shone brightest in the modern world.
In the Xuanwei Realm, talismans were common and not particularly remarkable; the Yuan Talismans condensed from the Talisman Foundation Method struggled to make a significant impact.
But in the modern world, it was different.
This thing could allow him to cast spells in the modern era!
Following this line of thought, the choice of condensed talismans didn’t need to be overly lethal; some less powerful auxiliary talismans could be even more effective.
Zheng Fa had two principles for choosing his Yuan Talismans:
First, they should enhance his self-protection capabilities—like the Zheng Li Wu Ying Talisman.
This was to guard against the worst-case scenario.
Second, they should address some problems that modern science couldn’t fully solve—like the Nourishing Spirit Talisman.
This was to secure more resources in the future.
He focused his consciousness on his dantian and quickly condensed the Nourishing Spirit Talisman.
Once the Nourishing Spirit Talisman appeared, it immediately aligned with the previous Zheng Li Wu Ying Talisman and Frost Blade Talisman, as if they were one.
…
In the modern world, at the old man Bai’s house.
Today, as they left the classroom to head to Bai Laotou’s home, Tang Lingwu suddenly said she had something to do and asked Zheng Fa to go ahead; she would be a bit late.
But her delay was more than just a little.
When Tang Lingwu arrived, it was already over an hour later.
What concerned Zheng Fa and the others more was that there were some water stains on Tang Lingwu’s face, as if she had just washed it.
If one looked closely, there was a slight redness at the corners of her eyes.
Old man Bai suddenly stood up, his face filled with anger. “Did you cry? Did someone bully you on the way here?”
Zheng Fa also walked over, feeling quite worried, but he had some other suspicions.
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