Chapter 134
“Once the spiritual energy in a spiritual vein accumulates to a certain level, it will erupt, causing a disturbance in the natural energies of the world, which is when cultivators will discover it.” Seeing the puzzled look on Zheng Fa’s face, Senior Sister Zhang added,
“Although the spiritual energy will gradually dissipate after the eruption, the accumulation over the years means there will still be plenty of valuable resources.”
“Senior Sister, are you saying...?”
Zheng Fa was starting to grasp the situation.
“In the spiritual vein of Taiyang County, a spiritual stone mine has been discovered.”
Spiritual... stone... mine...
Zheng Fa immediately understood why Senior Sister Zhang had to take action herself.
“Senior Sister, if this spiritual stone mine comes to light...” Zheng Fa frowned and asked, “Isn’t that going to cause a huge uproar?”
He knew all too well how important spiritual stones were to cultivators.
Not only could they serve as currency among cultivators, but they were also essential for aiding in their cultivation—though in this era, most cultivators wouldn’t waste such resources.
In the realms of formations and other fields, spiritual stones held irreplaceable value.
“Taiyang County is currently in chaos. The leader of the Changchun Sect has sent multiple messages, saying that not only are there cultivators from various factions of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, but also from other sects, and even traces of demonic sects have been found.”
“...Changchun Sect?”
“The founder of the Changchun Sect was once a disciple of our Jiushan Sect. After achieving the Golden Core stage, he established his own family, which later developed into a small sect. However, they have always shown respect towards our Jiushan Sect and have been continuously offering tributes.”
Zheng Fa nodded, realizing that the Changchun Sect was likely a staunch vassal of Jiushan Sect, perhaps even supported by them from the very beginning.
Seeing that Zheng Fa understood the significance of the spiritual vein’s emergence, Senior Sister Zhang suddenly added, “The Bureau of Affairs has had its own rules over the years, so I’m not worried about that. But the marketplace has changed quite a bit lately, with the arrival of transport ships and theatrical performances, which makes me uneasy.”
“Senior Sister!” Yuan Shijie patted her chest and said, “You can leave the marketplace to…”
“Zheng Fa,” Senior Sister Zhang interjected.
“?”
Yuan Shijie stared at Senior Sister Zhang, who pointed at herself, and then turned to Zheng Fa, saying, “Make sure to keep an eye on Yuan Shijie too.”
...
Zheng Fa and Yuan Shijie left Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard side by side.
After walking a considerable distance, Yuan Shijie slowly put away the look of grievance on her face and said to Zheng Fa, “Taiyang County is probably not going to be good.”
“Hmm?”
“Senior Sister Zhang only indulges in her desires right before a great battle is about to come,” Yuan Shijie said slowly, her face showing rare concern. “She doesn’t even realize this habit of hers.”
Zheng Fa was staring at her.
Yuan Shijie felt puzzled: “What are you looking at me for?”
“I didn’t expect you to have such insight, Senior Sister.”
“Pfft, when a person cares about too many things, I’d rather be a bird, free and easy.” Yuan Shijie tilted her head, looking quite pleased with herself. “Anyway, during this time, Senior Sister has sent quite a few people to Taiyang County.”
Zheng Fa recalled that when he had gone to the Talismans Pavilion earlier, he noticed many of Senior Sister Zhang’s instructors were missing.
Now it seemed they had likely gone to Taiyang County.
“But with Senior Sister Zhang’s strength, even if she clashes with a Nascent Soul cultivator, she won’t come to any harm... I could still go to Taiyang County to visit her!” Yuan Shijie thought for a moment, seeming to comfort herself, and smiled carefree.
...
As Zheng Fa walked home, his brow furrowed unconsciously, a sense of worry brewing in his heart.
Senior Sister Zhang’s departure meant he had lost a significant support within the sect.
But there was no need to dwell on it.
His status as a disciple of the sect leader and his relationship with Yuan Shijie were enough for him to navigate Jiushan Sect with ease. Yet Yuan Shijie’s words made him realize—his cultivation level was still too low.
So low that Senior Sister Zhang was unwilling to speak the truth to him.
And he truly couldn’t be of much help right now.
“Zheng Shixiong?”
As he reached his doorstep, Zheng Fa suddenly heard someone calling out to him.
Looking up, he saw Zhou Qianyuan.
He was standing at the entrance, as if he had been waiting for quite a while.
“Zhou Shidi? Do you need something?” Zheng Fa asked as he ushered Zhou Qianyuan into the house.
“Not really anything major,” Zhou Qianyuan shook his head, pulling out the jade tube bestowed by Master Pang, and asked with concern, “But Zheng Shixiong, you seemed troubled just now. Is there anything I can help with?”
Zheng Fa didn’t hide his feelings, as he had grown familiar with Zhou Qianyuan and felt no need for formality.
He sighed, “I just feel my cultivation is too low.”
“Too low?”
Zhou Qianyuan paused, looking at the jade tube in his hand, seemingly hesitant.
“Yeah, I’m only at the fifth level of Qi Refinement right now…”
“Shixiong, I’m only at the fourth level of Qi Refinement.”
Zhou Qianyuan interrupted him, his tone a bit resentful.
“…”
An awkward silence fell between them.
Zhou Qianyuan pursed his lips and handed the jade tube to Zheng Fa.
“Hmm?”
Zhou Qianyuan said with a serious face, “This is a jade tube my master gave me, telling me to deliver it to you on an auspicious day.”
Zheng Fa was just about to take the jade tube when a cheerful commotion erupted from outside.
“Zheng Fa!”
The gate to Zheng Fa’s courtyard was suddenly flung open.
Zheng Fa was taken aback.
That voice and action felt oddly familiar.
“Zheng Fa! I came to see you!” The Seventh Young Master’s voice rang out as he hurried into the courtyard, cheerfully exclaiming, “Surprised, aren’t you?”
He dashed to the entrance of the main hall, still chattering, “I thought, since you have your grandfather at Qingmu Sect and your sister with you, you must be all alone here at Jiushan Sect!”
“Must be feeling terribly lonely!”
“So, as soon as I could leave the sect, I came to find you!”
The Seventh Young Master peered into the hall and saw Zheng Fa’s hand, which was about to take the jade tube, resting on Zhou Qianyuan’s arm.
The two looked quite close.
He twitched his lips.
Looking at Zheng Fa, then at Zhou Qianyuan—his expression was quite complex.
Zheng Fa silently withdrew his hand, feeling an awkwardness akin to being caught in an affair.
“Seventh Young Master? What brings you here?”
He hurried to the entrance and then spotted a familiar figure: “Eldest Miss?”
The eldest daughter of the Zhao family stood at the door, shaking her head helplessly at her dejected younger brother.
“I had some business outside and passed by Jiushan Sect. This guy insisted on coming along…”
“Who insisted on coming?”
The Seventh Young Master stood at the entrance of the hall, looking a bit aggrieved.
“Then why did you come?”
The eldest Miss shot him a glare.
“I came... to see a play!” The Seventh Young Master huffed, saying, “The reputation of Jiushan Sect’s plays has even reached Qingmu Sect. I wanted to see what the fuss was about! I’ll leave right after watching!”
Seeing his demeanor, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but laugh, “Seventh Young Master, I’m really glad you came.”
“Really?” The Seventh Young Master’s expression brightened a little.
“Of course! I’m all alone here at Jiushan Sect.”
“What about him?”
“He’s here to deliver something for his master.”
Zhou Qianyuan nodded silently, raising the jade tube in his hand.
Indicating that he was just a simple errand boy.
The Seventh Young Master chuckled, throwing an arm around Zheng Fa’s shoulders, “You’ve had a tough time alone at Jiushan Sect. No worries, I brought you some good stuff!”
The Seventh Young Master reached out to his sister.
The eldest Miss reluctantly handed over a small bundle. When opened, it contained some jars and bottles, along with some wrapped snacks.
“These are all specialties from our Qingmu Sect,” the eldest Miss explained. “He thought they were good and brought them for you.”
“Zheng Shidi!” A voice called from the entrance; it was Han Qi. “The vendors in the marketplace have sent over quite a few things these past few days! We’ve brought them for you!”
Han Qi and two others appeared at the door, carrying large and small bundles.
The Seventh Young Master glanced at the small bundle in his hand, tightening his grip as if he wanted to take it back.
Zheng Fa stepped forward, opened a small oil paper package from the bundle, pinched a piece of cooled red pastry, and popped it into his mouth.
“Delicious!”
He chewed while mumbling to the Seventh Young Master.
The Seventh Young Master stared at his expression, momentarily stunned, before finally breaking into a smile.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 141: Foolish Blessing
Seeing Zheng Fa with an old friend visiting, Zhou Qianyuan and Han Qi discreetly excused themselves.
Only Zheng Fa remained in the hall to entertain the Seventh Young Master and his sister.
As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder... No, it’s the joy of meeting an old friend in a foreign land that makes any conversation delightful.
“Eldest Miss…” Zheng Fa addressed the eldest daughter of the Zhao family.
She waved her hand and said, “We’re no longer at Zhao family; just call me Zhao Jinglan.”
“Zhao Shijie.” Zheng Fa thought for a moment and changed his address, “Did you come to Jiushan Sect for something? Is there anything I can help with?”
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