Chapter 305
Zheng Fa wasn't exactly aloof; for one, he wasn't particularly skilled in social niceties, and for another, the ceremony for the new sect leader was being held in the Jiushan Realm. In this realm, outsiders' lives and deaths rested in Zheng Fa's hands. Aside from a few individuals, Zheng Fa believed that most people wouldn't dare take the risk to come.
...
When Yan Wushuang received the message, he was standing next to the Remnant Sun Sword Immortal, Han Lao. The two true disciples from Haori Mountain and Taishang Dao had already left.
"What's up? Did your father send you a message again?" Han Lao asked.
"No, it's from Brother Zheng," Yan Wushuang replied, glancing at the communication talisman. His face lit up with surprise as he exclaimed, "Brother Zheng is going to be the sect leader?"
"Huh?" Han Lao was taken aback as well.
After a moment of thought, he said, "Could it be that Zheng Fa has reached the Golden Core stage?"
As soon as he said this, he recalled the aura from the talisman and shook his head. "No, while this divine soul is indeed powerful, it doesn't seem any different from before."
Yan Wushuang nodded in agreement. The two exchanged incredulous glances.
"The former sect leader of Jiushan Sect is quite open-minded... Zheng Fa is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet he dares to let him take the lead."
"That’s not entirely unreasonable. After all, Zheng Fa is currently in charge of the Jiushan Realm... but it does seem a bit rushed," Han Lao acknowledged. "Did he send you a message asking you to attend the ceremony?"
Yan Wushuang nodded.
Han Lao, unfazed, shifted the topic. "What do you think about your father asking you to return?"
Yan Wushuang's expression turned a bit lost.
"He said this place is dangerous, and my two companions have also been summoned back."
The two were hidden outside a small mortal town.
There had once been a small market beneath the city walls, but now it was deserted.
Looking out from the market, the fields were barren. It should have been harvest season, yet there were neither farmers nor seedlings in sight.
Only clumps of weeds swayed in the wind.
"The Great Freedom Demon Sect..." Han Lao murmured, "has been quite ruthless in the secret realm."
Yan Wushuang turned to see a couple of disciples from the Great Freedom Demon Sect leaning against the city gate, laughing and chatting, their faces brimming with arrogance.
Peering further into the town, the shops were open, but there were no customers. Only those dressed in the garb of the Great Freedom Demon Sect wandered about, seemingly shopping—though judging by the shopkeepers' expressions, they likely didn't dare ask for payment.
It was even uncertain whether these shopkeepers were operating voluntarily.
"Why is the Great Freedom Demon Sect like this?" Yan Wushuang asked, troubled by the desolation around him and recalling the various tragedies he had heard along the way.
Logically, the immortal sects weren't particularly kind to mortals, but they wouldn't take everything—simply put, they maintained a lofty and indifferent attitude.
"There are just too many people," Han Lao replied with an unexpected answer.
"Too many people?"
"The attitudes of the immortal sects and the demon sects towards mortals are fundamentally the same..." Han Lao's words left Yan Wushuang momentarily stunned, and Han Lao continued, "but the scale is vastly different."
"Our immortal sect disciples are carefully selected, and most have decent potential. Mortal affairs are of little use to cultivators, so they naturally don't pay much attention."
"But the demon sect's methods... rely on bloodlines. The more they reproduce, the higher the chance of producing geniuses."
Yan Wushuang suddenly understood. "But the resources for cultivation remain limited, so most people in the demon sect actually don't have the opportunity to cultivate—yet the problem is, they inherently feel superior."
"Exactly," Han Lao smiled. "If we say that all demon sect members are born evil, I would disagree. Are all the people in the immortal sect good?"
Yan Wushuang nodded, aware that Han Lao harbored biases against the immortal sect—but on the other hand, he was also right.
"However, the demon sect indeed exploits more ruthlessly and is more merciless towards mortals. Besides their need for mass slaughter due to certain techniques, I believe this inherent disparity in scale is the real reason."
"Look at the Great Freedom Demon Sect; there are millions in the secret realm. Once they emerge, each one is a cut above the rest—how can they sustain themselves without exploiting others?"
Yan Wushuang fell into deep thought, and as he observed the scenes before him, he began to gain some insights.
"So you must understand, while the demon sect is naturally despised, becoming a dominant force isn't that simple. Good and evil aren't sufficient to describe a faction."
"I still maintain that there's not much difference between the immortal sect and the demon sect."
Yan Wushuang realized he was being deliberately guided and nodded. "I understand, Master."
As they spoke, the two continued their journey towards the Jiushan Realm.
Han Lao seemed to have many thoughts, using the sights along the way to teach Yan Wushuang.
They saw emaciated refugees.
They saw people trading dignity for food.
Some exchanged their bodies for food.
Others... exchanged their wives and children for food.
They even witnessed some events that finally pushed Yan Wushuang to intervene—resulting in him being hunted by the Great Freedom Demon Sect.
With Han Lao by his side, he was unharmed, but he couldn't shake the sorrow in his eyes, and a hint of anger crept onto his face.
"Do you know why your father wants you to return?"
Seeing his expression, Han Lao chuckled softly.
Yan Wushuang nodded.
"Is this just the beginning?"
Han Lao agreed, "Naturally. The Hundred Immortals Alliance has shrunk rapidly, and the Great Freedom Demon Sect hasn't had to exert much effort; their methods are still relatively mild."
"But the immortal and demon sects can't avoid conflict forever."
"Once fighting breaks out, these people might suffer even more than they do now."
"The demon sect exploits them, and the immortal sect won't hesitate to act if they feel pressured."
Yan Wushuang remained silent, but he worked even harder along the way.
With Han Lao's protection, he was safe, but their journey was fraught with turmoil.
As they approached the Jiushan Realm, they refrained from drawing attention to avoid causing trouble for Zheng Fa.
Upon reaching a mountain range, Yan Wushuang released a paper kite-like spirit talisman, and an archway appeared before them.
From within, Uncle Pang emerged, apologizing, "Zheng Shizhi is currently receiving Tongming Shangren and can only send me to welcome you two. Please, come in!"
Yan Wushuang and Han Lao nodded. Tongming Shangren was a Transformation stage cultivator, after all, and thus held a higher status.
Following Uncle Pang, they entered the heavenly palace.
As soon as Yan Wushuang stepped inside, he eagerly began to explore.
The Jiushan Heavenly Palace resembled a three-part courtyard.
The outermost area centered around the Heavenly Palace Island, connected by rainbow bridges to the medicinal gardens and another island designated for future markets.
This was referred to by the disciples as the Outer Three Islands.
In the middle, there were three islands, with Leyu Island being the largest and most central.
It connected to Qiuxian Island and Wanxian Island, which served as the living quarters for disciples and Nascent Soul cultivators, respectively.
This made up the Middle Three Islands.
The innermost three islands included two that Zheng Fa valued highly.
Jingkai Island would become the industrial production area.
Daxue Island housed classrooms and laboratories.
There was also an island that Zheng Fa had yet to plan.
This was the Inner Three Islands.
The main path ran from Heavenly Palace Island through Leyu Island to Daxue Island.
Uncle Pang led the way along this route.
Yan Wushuang's curious gaze swept around; he had visited the heavenly palace before but had never seen these islands, making it all the more novel.
Uncle Pang provided explanations along the way.
"The Heavenly Palace Island is primarily managed by the Administrative Pavilion."
"We've arrived at Leyu Island," Uncle Pang said. "Most of the inhabitants here are mortals who entered the Jiushan Realm with us."
Yan Wushuang and Han Lao turned to look.
Leyu Island had now been partially developed.
Three hundred thousand people had formed four to five hundred villages, scattered throughout the island.
The houses in the villages were newly built, and to save time and effort, they all looked quite similar—small courtyards with white walls and green tiles, neatly arranged in rows.
From within the village, the sound of children reading could be faintly heard.
"This is..."
"Zheng Shizhi's idea. He's implementing some form of compulsory education... He believes that all children of appropriate age should attend school. Those mortals who can follow us here are naturally eager for knowledge."
Han Lao nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Yan Wushuang, however, didn't dwell on it; he felt the anger on his face dissipating somewhat.
As they stepped outside the village, many farmers were seen walking towards the fields with their wives, carrying hoes.
The new rice seedlings in the fields were beginning to show a hint of green.
As they walked a bit further and passed another village, it seemed the children had just finished school. Some of the more responsible kids ran to bring food to their parents, filling the fields with laughter and joy.
Yan Wushuang and Han Lao unconsciously slowed their pace.
What surprised them even more was that some cultivators were mingling among the fields, surrounded by farmers, seemingly asking questions without any fear.
The cultivators didn't appear particularly friendly, but they answered every inquiry. Upon closer listening, they were actually guiding the farmers on how to cultivate.
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