Chapter 146
“Yes, you are quite useful…” Zheng Fa said slowly, “But your desire for revenge could drag our Jiu Shan Sect down with you.”
Lin Bufan’s expression darkened, and he suddenly gritted his teeth and said, “I’m willing to offer my Soul Seal!”
This time, even Senior Sister Yuan showed a hint of surprise on her face.
The Soul Seal was well-known in the Xuanwei Realm.
This technique was quite popular among the demonic sects, but not many in the immortal sects practiced it—
In simple terms, by offering his Soul Seal, Lin Bufan would place his life and every action entirely in Zheng Fa’s hands.
In a way, Zheng Fa’s control over Lin Bufan would rival that of the Grand Master of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.
For many cultivators, offering a Soul Seal was akin to choosing death; they would rather die than surrender their autonomy.
Yet Lin Bufan had directly stated his willingness to offer his Soul Seal…
This meant he was handing over all control of himself to Zheng Fa.
“Tell me, what’s the current situation with the Grand Master of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect?” Zheng Fa suddenly asked.
“The Holy Ancestor… the situation doesn’t seem good; it’s rumored he’s not in this realm,” Lin Bufan replied honestly, even though he didn’t understand why Zheng Fa was asking. “If the Holy Ancestor were well, I wouldn’t be alive right now.”
Zheng Fa nodded.
This made some sense—given the Grand Master’s reputation, even Lin Yangtian’s attempt to kill Lin Bufan had failed.
It certainly explained a few things.
“Not in this realm?” Zheng Fa furrowed his brow slowly. Besides him, who else could leave this world?
“Well, I don’t know. Some say the Holy Ancestor is recovering, others say he’s sealed away, and some say he’s cultivating some divine power…”
Zheng Fa nodded.
Lin Bufan was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator; the Grand Master was far beyond his reach.
But Lin Bufan’s next words made Zheng Fa’s expression more serious.
“If the Holy Ancestor were to descend into Xuanwei, we, the clansmen, would sense it… That’s why there are rumors within the clan that the Holy Ancestor is not in this realm.”
“Why choose me?”
Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment before asking.
“Selling myself means I should sell myself to someone with potential. Your Jiu Shan Sect only has two geniuses…” Lin Bufan’s tone was somewhat frustrated.
“Then why didn’t you say anything before?”
Zheng Fa looked a bit bewildered.
“I was waiting for Zhang Wuyi to return. I wanted to tell you that someone outside is trying to deal with her… I wanted her to come back first, and then I would pledge my loyalty,” Lin Bufan said honestly.
“…” Zheng Fa thought for a moment. It seemed that Senior Sister Zhang not only didn’t want to return but was also quite excited in her letters, as if she was having a great time.
“Now that she hasn’t returned to the sect, I… can’t hold on any longer.”
“…”
“Do you want to agree to him?”
The Sect Master looked at Zheng Fa and asked.
“Yes, he’s right; he is useful.”
“Let’s hear it.”
The Sect Master remained noncommittal upon hearing his response.
“I don’t place much importance on his blood or anything,” Zheng Fa slowly articulated his thoughts. “But now that the Great Freedom Demonic Sect has already targeted me and Senior Sister Zhang, we will inevitably clash with them.”
“So?”
“I heard him say he has some connection to the Grand Master of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect…” Zheng Fa said slowly. “If the Grand Master truly descends, we can prepare in advance.”
There was another reason Zheng Fa didn’t mention.
He hoped to uncover some secrets of the demonic sect through Lin Bufan—like that child talisman.
That would give them more means to deal with the demonic sect in the future.
The Sect Master glanced at him and then looked down towards Jiu Shan.
Zheng Fa didn’t say anything further.
Though he had some ideas, this matter carried risks that concerned the safety of Jiu Shan Sect.
He couldn’t make a decision based solely on his own thoughts.
“Do as you see fit.”
After a long pause, the Sect Master finally spoke.
“Master?”
“I’ve killed my share of demonic sect members before.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, looking at the Sect Master, who was pouting slightly, and for the first time thought—
This old man might actually be reliable.
……
In modern times, Zheng Fa sat in the car belonging to Tang Lingwu’s family.
This time, they weren’t heading to Tang Lingwu’s home but to the provincial city.
The agricultural expert that Old Bai had mentioned, the elderly lady from the short video, had already arrived in the provincial city.
The driver, wearing oversized shorts, drove Zheng Fa, Tang Lingwu, and Old Bai to the provincial city.
“The college entrance exam is the day after tomorrow; are you okay with that?”
Having gotten familiar with them, the driver chatted with them through the rearview mirror.
Zheng Fa knew he was asking about himself.
Tang Lingwu didn’t need to take the exam.
“I’m fine,” Zheng Fa thought for a moment. His scores in the monthly exams should have stabilized in the top three of the school.
Most of the points he lost were usually in essays or subjective questions—those were indeed a matter of luck.
As for the rest, there wasn’t much to review.
With just two days before the college entrance exam, the school had given them a break, and coincidentally, that person had also arrived in the provincial city.
In less than three hours, they reached the provincial city.
“This place…” Looking at their final destination, the three of them were a bit stunned.
This was the most expensive hotel in the provincial city, seemingly a high-end five-star chain.
Even the cheapest room cost several thousand—exactly how much, Zheng Fa didn’t know; given his previous financial situation, it was beyond his realm of understanding.
He only knew about this hotel because a boy from his class, who came from a well-off family, had visited once and bragged about it when he returned.
“Old Bai, is that teacher from a wealthy family?” he asked curiously.
Old Bai shook his head, looking puzzled. “Just an ordinary family, I didn’t know she was this rich.”
“Miss Tang, welcome!”
As the three approached the hotel entrance, the doorman suddenly called out.
“…”
Seeing Tang Lingwu nodding casually as if it were nothing.
Old Bai and Zheng Fa exchanged glances, realizing she was the real deal when it came to wealth.
“She said to find her in the restaurant.” Once inside the hotel, Old Bai checked his phone and said, “She wants to treat us to a meal.”
Upon entering the restaurant, they immediately spotted the person they were looking for—
The elderly lady was sitting alone, having ordered a large spread of dishes, quite eye-catching.
“Have you struck it rich?” Old Bai approached, looking confused. “Or are you just spending lavishly?”
“Isn’t it just spending lavishly?” The elderly lady stood up and smiled at the three of them. “I’ve calculated it all; the doctor says I have six months left. I can keep track of my money for that long… not a penny more, not a penny less.”
“…”
“So, Old Bai,” the elderly lady suddenly smiled at Old Bai, “don’t find me any more doctors; I’ve spent all my money. If I get saved, I’ll just be a poor ghost!”
Old Bai fell silent.
The elderly lady beckoned Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu over. “You’re Zheng Fa, right? This pretty girl must be Tang Lingwu! Come, come, come, eat! I ordered all this for you!”
Her face was filled with joy and a carefree spirit.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 149: College Entrance Exam
Eating with Teacher Tian was a delightful experience—this elderly lady, introduced by Old Bai, had the surname Tian. She humorously remarked that her surname had led her to a lifetime of farming.
She wasn’t exactly beautiful.
Perhaps to make it easier to manage, her hair was cut to earlobe length, and her skin wasn’t fair; instead, it bore the sun-kissed hue of someone who had worked the fields, mixed with a somewhat sickly yellow.
It was clear that even in her youth, she probably wouldn’t have been considered a beauty.
But when she laughed, there was a certain infectious quality to it.
It was a hearty, somewhat boisterous, and even slightly unrefined laugh—her mouth would open wide, and when she laughed, her head would tilt back slightly, sometimes revealing her upper gums.
Teacher Tian was very talkative.
Not only did she have plenty to say to Old Bai, but she also found common ground with Tang Lingwu, chatting about their favorite milk teas and the latest trends in skirts.
She had a youthful mindset.
When she learned that Zheng Fa’s parents had passed away long ago, her reaction was quite different from what one might expect—she didn’t show the usual condescending sympathy but instead gently said, “Things will get better.”
Though it was just a simple statement.
Zheng Fa could sense that it carried the most genuine blessing.
The elderly lady had quite an appetite. At first, when Zheng Fa and the others saw how many dishes she had ordered, they thought she must be extravagant—only to find out that she could eat from start to finish.
It seemed she noticed the surprise on their faces.
Teacher Tian chuckled, not minding at all. “I used to work a lot, so my appetite grew. Now, well, every bite counts.”
Old Bai’s smile gradually faded, and a hint of worry crept into his gaze.
“What illness do you have?”
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