Chapter 267
“Without a way to awaken the Ancestor, I might have convinced myself that transcending into the Spirit Transformation stage is beyond my reach, and that avoiding it isn’t such a big deal... But I know I can do it.” Sister Zhang said, “If I take a step back, I won’t be myself anymore.”
“... Then you’d be even less yourself if you died!”
“Master, since I joined the sect, I’ve used the most spiritual materials, and whenever I’ve caused trouble outside, it’s always been thanks to the protection and tolerance of my elders…”
“…” Uncle Huang suddenly interjected, “If you leave, I’ll slap that Zheng Fa to death!”
“…” Sister Zhang replied softly, “You understand the significance of Junior Brother Zheng to our Jiu Shan Sect, Master.”
“Moreover… if I truly can’t return, then… Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Please treat Junior Brother Zheng as if he were me.”
“…”
“Has Sister Zhang returned?”
Zheng Fa was in his quiet chamber, consuming spiritual materials, when Uncle Huang burst in to inform him of Sister Zhang’s departure.
Uncle Huang glared at Zheng Fa, gritting his teeth, “What book did you give her? What did you teach her?”
Zheng Fa ignored Uncle Huang and activated his Wind and Thunder Body technique, trying to chase after Sister Zhang.
“Come back!”
Suddenly, a massive azure hand appeared in the sky, pinching Zheng Fa in its palm, rendering him immobile.
“Uncle?”
“Wuyi couldn’t let go of you before she left! Just let me watch you!”
“…”
“Tell me what you taught her,” Uncle Huang demanded. “By the way, these jade tubes are what she left for you.”
Zheng Fa took the jade tubes, and with a sweep of his consciousness, he understood the context—
He had once speculated that the current Jiu Shan Ancestor resembled the original Ancestor’s true spirit treasure.
And now, the Jiu Shan Ancestor seemed to be in a state of Spirit Transformation.
What he didn’t expect was that Sister Zhang’s research on the spiritual energy circuit was deeper than he had imagined.
It seemed she had delved into the flow of spiritual energy within the Mountain and River True Form talisman and discovered some missing or erroneous nodes.
To put it simply: Sister Zhang had gone back to fix the computer…
And she hadn’t told him her reasons, probably to spare Zheng Fa from facing such a choice…
“What’s going on with the spiritual energy circuit in these jade tubes? Explain it to me. Once I learn it, I’ll go to Jiu Shan Sect to awaken the Ancestor and bring her back.”
“... Uncle, it’s too late…”
“... Do you really think I can’t understand? I just wasn’t interested before. No matter how you put it, you’re still at the Foundation Establishment stage. Can you really challenge me, a Nascent Soul? I taught Wuyi the calculations back then!” Uncle Huang snorted coldly, feeling underestimated. “Speak!”
…
Three hours later.
“Uncle?”
Seeing Uncle Huang’s bewildered expression, Zheng Fa called out softly.
“…” After a long silence, Uncle Huang finally spoke, “What was that Spirit Transformation method you mentioned earlier?”
“…”
“Why don’t I give it a try?”
…
In the courtyard, Zheng Fa took out the jade pendant given to him by Xiao Yuying and infused it with spiritual power.
A green light shone from the pendant, coalescing in the air into the form of Xiao Yuying, who landed before Zheng Fa.
“You’re looking for me? Something happened at Jiu Shan Sect?”
Zheng Fa informed her about the obstacles faced by Tongming Shangren and the apparent emergence of Blood River Old Ancestor.
“Two Spirit Transformation experts?” Xiao Yuying frowned, thought for a moment, then smiled, “Then you really need to hurry and find me. I’ll help you leave Taiyang County quickly; they probably won’t chase after a Foundation Establishment cultivator…”
“No, Miss Xiao, I’d like to ask you for a favor…”
“Not helping!” Xiao Yuying flatly refused. “With two Spirit Transformation experts here, this matter ends here.”
“…”
“Zheng Fa, I can guarantee your life, but beyond that, I’m afraid I can’t help…” Xiao Yuying said candidly. “Besides… you’re not worth me risking a confrontation with two Spirit Transformation experts.”
That was very much like Xiao Yuying.
This was also why Zheng Fa had hesitated to approach her—she probably wanted a clever and useful little brother, and her conditions were really just to ensure her own safety…
Zheng Fa had never expected anything more.
But this time was different from before…
Zheng Fa spoke up, “What if I could offer something that would satisfy you, Miss Xiao?”
“You?” Xiao Yuying laughed. “In the entire Jiu Shan Sect, you’re the only one I find somewhat interesting…”
“Miss Xiao, doesn’t your Yuan Magnetic Body often produce uncontrollable thunder?”
“…”
“When you use thunder techniques, don’t you also feel an inexplicable attraction?”
“... How do you know?”
“…”
“Miss Xiao, do you know what electromagnetic induction is?”
“What induction?”
“That’s right. If I said my understanding of thunder techniques isn’t due to any special talent, but rather because I know a bit more than you do, would you believe me?”
Xiao Yuying stared at Zheng Fa, looking puzzled yet enlightened.
“Miss Xiao… if you want to know, come find me.”
Zheng Fa watched as the jade pendant gradually dimmed, letting out a sigh of relief.
He had been pondering what could impress Xiao Yuying—after thinking it over, aside from himself, it was probably only modern physics knowledge.
To be honest, he had hesitated; his relationship with Xiao Yuying wasn’t as close as with Sister Zhang.
But…
Zheng Fa glanced in the direction of Jiu Shan Sect, wondering where Sister Zhang was.
…
Sister Zhang arrived at the entrance of Jiu Shan Sect, where the protective array had already been activated, preventing even her, a member, from entering.
“Who goes there?”
A voice from within called out, belonging to the sect leader.
“Jiu Shan Sect, Zhang Wuyi.”
Chapter 249: Fleeting Beauty
Now, the Jiu Shan Sect felt strange to Sister Zhang, who had grown up here.
The once bustling marketplace was now deserted, and the streets that used to be lively and chaotic were eerily quiet.
The grass and trees on Jiu Shan Mountain carried a hint of desolation.
She exhaled softly and flew toward the Ninth Peak.
The sect leader had long been waiting there, hands clasped behind his back, shaking his head silently as he watched Sister Zhang approach.
Beside him, Uncle Pang couldn’t help but speak up, “What are you back for?”
“I want to try to awaken the Jiu Shan Ancestor,” Sister Zhang replied, cupping her hands in respect.
“Awaken me? Am I not here?” The “Jiu Shan Ancestor” beside them exclaimed in surprise.
“I mean the original Ancestor.”
At this, the three of them looked puzzled, unaware of Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang’s views on Spirit Transformation.
On the other hand, Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang had never communicated their discussions to them—messaging talismans weren’t safe, and given the precarious situation of Jiu Shan Sect, they didn’t want anything to be written down and discovered.
Thus, when Sister Zhang revealed the secrets of Spirit Transformation, the new Heavenly River method, and even the true spirit treasure, the three elders exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with astonishment.
The Jiu Shan Ancestor was particularly shocked, exclaiming, “I’m actually in Spirit Transformation?”
Sister Zhang shook her head, “Perhaps the original Ancestor had no intention of Spirit Transformation, but inadvertently walked this path…”
“Because of this, the Ancestor’s method of Spirit Transformation is incomplete… which is why she has never awakened.”
“Is this what you and Zheng Fa speculated? How do you know this idea is correct?”
Sister Zhang lowered her head to explain, “At the time, when Junior Brother Zheng said that this spiritual energy circuit could generate spiritual intelligence, I didn’t really believe it…”
“But when I truly discovered that these spiritual energy circuits could solve calculation problems…”
The sect leader and Uncle Pang exchanged glances, and after a long pause, they shook their heads and sighed:
“I know your accomplishments in calculations, but this matter… this matter…”
Uncle Pang interjected, “This is truly hard to believe. Since the establishment of our Jiu Shan Sect, no one has ever achieved Spirit Transformation. To seek a legacy of Spirit Transformation is as difficult as ascending to the heavens… You two actually…”
Sister Zhang shook her head, “It’s Zheng Fa’s brilliance.”
“Zheng Fa…”
Uncle Pang sighed, “I’ve always said Zheng Fa is exceptionally gifted… but I didn’t expect to underestimate him still.”
The sect leader suddenly laughed.
“What are you laughing at?”
“I was thinking just a few days ago that Jiu Shan Sect was about to perish under my watch…” the sect leader said, “and I felt too ashamed to face our ancestors, but it turns out I’ve taken in a good disciple!”
“Pure luck!”
“You’re just jealous!”
Uncle Pang huffed from the side.
Seeing the two elders laughing and joking, Sister Zhang couldn’t help but smile as well.
…
Watching Sister Zhang ascend to the heights of the Ninth Peak, the sect leader and Uncle Pang exchanged glances, their smiles gradually fading as they sighed.
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