Chapter 141
“Were it not for the deep roots of our holy teachings and the protection of our ancestors, our lineage might have already been severed. This calamity has taught us that our sect can no longer afford to overlook these talents.”
“So… that’s why you value Zheng Fa so much?”
The other two began to understand.
“Value? Not quite. What our sect truly fears are the renowned geniuses from the five major sects. The Bai Xian Alliance, with only a few like Zhang Wuyi, is hardly a matter of great concern,” the young man shook his head. “It’s just that Zheng Fa is rumored to be the most gifted in talisman arts in ten thousand years, and he’s been taken as a disciple by the head of the Jiu Shan Sect, which piques my interest.”
“I’m best at disguising techniques. You two should go check out the Jiu Shan Sect…” The young man paused, then added, “If the opportunity arises, take Zheng Fa’s life.”
“Understood.”
……
“Zhang Shijie wants me to stay at her place?” Zheng Fa looked at Yuan Shijie, surprised by the news she brought.
“Yes.” Yuan Shijie nodded, recalling Zhang Shijie’s exact words: “She said the Xuan Wei Realm isn’t very peaceful right now, and several well-known young cultivators have died mysteriously—your current place is too close to the market, making it easy prey for ill-intentioned people.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but gaze at Zhang Shijie’s small courtyard.
He seemed to see his own reflection smiling back at him from the little pavilion.
“I’ve been staying at Zhang Shijie’s place too.” Yuan Shijie patted her chest. “I promised her I’d keep an eye on you… no, protect you!”
Zheng Fa appreciated Zhang Shijie’s good intentions.
Her courtyard was rich in spiritual energy, much safer than where Zheng Fa currently resided—anyone would envy him.
But he didn’t immediately agree; instead, he glanced back at the Seventh Young Master.
“I’m heading back to the Qing Mu Sect too.”
As if sensing Zheng Fa’s thoughts, the Seventh Young Master suddenly spoke.
“What do you mean?”
The Seventh Young Master bit his lip, pulling Zheng Fa a few steps away before quietly asking, “My sister’s trip to Taiyang County is quite dangerous, isn’t it?”
“…”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but grin.
The clever Seventh Young Master was back in action.
“She’s given me so many spirit stones and pills lately, saying she doesn’t need them anymore.” The Seventh Young Master lowered his head, his tone a bit somber. “Does she think I’m an idiot?”
“... It’s not that dangerous. As long as Zhao Shijie is careful, she should be fine, especially with Zhang Shijie looking after her.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but offer some comfort.
“I know my sister is really tired…” The Seventh Young Master suddenly interrupted Zheng Fa. “Not only does she have to cultivate herself, but she also has to help me gather resources and expand my connections. My master is someone she had to ask many people to help me get in touch with… Zheng Fa, I want to go back and cultivate.”
“…”
“Once I establish my foundation, I can help my sister.”
“When I reach the Golden Core stage, I can give her whatever she needs.”
“When I reach the Nascent Soul stage, heh, I’ll be able to enjoy life with you and my mother… Oh, and Gao Yuan too!”
“... I’ll be waiting.”
Zheng Fa smiled, looking at the Seventh Young Master.
He had always thought the Seventh Young Master was sailing smoothly in the Qing Mu Sect, seemingly unchanged.
But now he realized—he had changed.
……
When they reached the dock, the Seventh Young Master suddenly asked Zheng Fa, “I heard the Bai Xian Alliance holds a Bai Xian Conference every ten years, where disciples from various sects compete and exchange ideas. Are you going?”
“I should be.”
Zheng Fa had heard of the Bai Xian Conference.
He had also come to understand the nature of the Bai Xian Alliance.
Rather than a sect, it was more like a commercial city-state alliance.
Business exchanges between the various sects were frequent.
But mostly, they operated independently.
The Bai Xian Conference served as a venue for the Bai Xian Alliance to foster relationships and vie for interests.
It seemed the next Bai Xian Conference was less than two years away—generally, it was held two years after the Immortal Product Conference, and by that time, the most gifted among the new disciples would have emerged.
They could be showcased to everyone.
Zheng Fa remembered that Zhang Shijie had dominated her peers at a Bai Xian Conference decades ago, earning the title of the foremost in talisman arts with her foundation-building cultivation.
“I should go too,” the Seventh Young Master’s eyes sparkled. “After two years of hard training, I should have established my foundation.”
“Mm.”
Zheng Fa didn’t quite understand what the Seventh Young Master was getting at.
“You should be able to as well.” The Seventh Young Master’s face was filled with ambition. “Let’s meet as foundation-building cultivators then!”
“... Usually, when I speak so passionately, I’d at least be talking about the Golden Core stage.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but tease.
Seeing the Seventh Young Master’s frozen expression, he burst into laughter.
In the Xuan Wei Realm, he only felt like a young man when he was with a select few.
“Zhao Jingfan.” Zheng Fa suddenly grew serious. “Do you know what I’m looking forward to?”
“Uh?”
“Meeting at the Nascent Soul stage.”
The Seventh Young Master held back for a long time before finally saying, “... I wouldn’t even dare to dream of that.”
After Zheng Fa helped the Seventh Young Master board the ship, the Seventh Young Master suddenly leaned against the railing and shouted towards Zheng Fa, “Meeting at the Nascent Soul stage!”
Zheng Fa waved at the Seventh Young Master on the ship, smiling.
Reaching the Nascent Soul stage was certainly difficult, especially for someone like the Seventh Young Master, whose talent wasn’t top-tier. But Zheng Fa still hoped that in this world, people like the Seventh Young Master could live a little longer.
The crowd was drawn to the Seventh Young Master’s shout, turning to look at the two.
“Uncle, is this what an Immortal Sect cultivator looks like?” Among the crowd, an old man and a young man watched the Seventh Young Master and Zheng Fa. The young man, who had previously received a slap on the small boat, chuckled softly, “Reaching the Nascent Soul? He really doesn’t know the sky from the ground.”
The middle-aged man shot him a glare, signaling him to keep quiet in such a public place. As they walked past Zheng Fa, the young man glanced back once more.
“Immortal Sect cultivators are different from us.” Once they were out of earshot, the middle-aged cultivator spoke. “Our holy teachings value bloodlines; ancient holy bloodlines are more esteemed than ours.”
“We cultivate quickly because of our bloodlines, but without the Holy Blood Pill, neither of us would have any hope of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage.”
“Those Immortal Sect cultivators don’t have such restrictions.” The middle-aged man sighed. “Our holy teachings are strong because of bloodlines, yet limited by them. Even the Holy Son is the same, which is why we fear those unrestrained geniuses.”
The young man nodded, casting a wary glance towards the distant Jiu Shan. “But there are three Nascent Souls in the Jiu Shan Sect, and we’re just foundation-building…”
“That’s why the young master isn’t coming.”
“…” The middle-aged man shot a look at his disgruntled companion and said, “Don’t take it too hard. It’s not just our holy teachings; the Xuan Wei Realm is like this everywhere. The Jiu Shan Sect is no different.”
The young man pursed his lips.
The middle-aged man chuckled, as if he found his companion’s naivety amusing. “In our holy teachings, those with low cultivation and poor bloodlines serve the geniuses as servants. Isn’t it the same in those Immortal Sects? They just wear a veneer of righteousness.”
“Alright, the Jiu Shan Sect is indeed not something we can provoke. Let’s not waste time; let’s find Zheng Fa’s residence first.”
The two arrived at Zheng Fa’s courtyard.
The middle-aged man laughed upon seeing it. “This place is a mix of fish and dragons. If we’re careful, it won’t be hard to deal with this person quickly; the challenge is how to escape.”
The young man looked around and nodded.
This place was meant for new disciples, and besides the Jiu Shan Sect disciples, there were also their families living nearby.
Moreover, due to the bustling market of the Jiu Shan Sect, many outsiders were also staying here.
It was indeed a good place to strike.
Fearing that time would drag on, the two decided to find an inn at the street corner, observing Zheng Fa’s movements through the window every day.
A day passed.
“Uncle… does Zheng Fa really live here?”
The young man couldn’t hold back any longer and asked the middle-aged man beside him.
“I’ve inquired; it’s definitely this courtyard.” The middle-aged man looked just as puzzled, staring at the empty courtyard and muttering, “Zheng Fa is quite famous in the Jiu Shan Sect.”
“But…”
“Let’s wait a couple more days!”
“…”
Three days later.
The uncle and nephew stood by the window, exchanging glances.
“Uncle, the innkeeper keeps asking me what I’m doing in the room all day…”
“... Let’s go gather more information in the market!”
“Then… how about we go watch a play?” The young man suddenly suggested. “It’s been quite popular lately, and there’s one tonight!”
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