Chapter 307
Zheng Fa chuckled.
Tongming Shangren immediately understood.
Not only did he refuse to help himself, but he also wanted to profit from his own money!
The problem was, the Baixian Alliance really needed talismans!
Zheng Fa continued, "My Jiushan Sect and the Baixian Alliance are indeed branches of the same tree! We can offer these talismans at a very reasonable price!"
Tongming Shangren looked at Zheng Fa with a strange expression—he wasn't ignorant about talismans!
But...
He truly found it hard to refuse!
Seeing the slightly helpless expression on Tongming Shangren's face, Zheng Fa smiled—
With a great battle looming, what else could he sell if not weapons?
Selling weapons would not only bring in money but also push for technological upgrades.
Wasn't it already quite principled of him not to sell to the Da Zizai Demon Sect?
Who knows, he might even play a pivotal role in the upcoming conflict between the immortal and demon sects!
With Jiushan Realm being such a great logistical base, and given its unique rules, aside from selling thunder talismans, they could only rely on the talismans generously provided by the disciples of the Da Zizai Demon Sect.
Just these two sources were more than enough.
If the Baixian Alliance were to go to war with the Da Zizai Demon Sect, and Jiushan Sect were to withdraw, their ability to produce talismans would undoubtedly decline—making them even more desperate for talismans.
This deal was actually more beneficial for the Baixian Alliance, which meant they needed Jiushan Sect more.
He should be thanking them!
Sure enough, Tongming Shangren's expression shifted, and he nodded, saying, "This matter, we must thank Jiushan for their assistance."
...
The Seventh Young Master looked at this scene with a strange expression, his head subtly lifting, chin slightly raised, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Turning his head, he noticed Yan Wushuang beside him, her expression oddly similar to his...
"Since Master Zheng is unwilling, I won't press the issue... However, some disciples of the Baixian Alliance wish to seek refuge in Jiushan Realm. I wonder what Master Zheng thinks about this?"
Unexpectedly, Tongming Shangren brought up another matter.
---
Chapter 283: Talent Introduction, Master Ceremony
Tongming Shangren's words left Zheng Fa puzzled.
"A great calamity is approaching, and the future of the Baixian Alliance is uncertain... We wish to keep some bloodline disciples in Jiushan Realm, in case we truly encounter a disaster..."
Tongming Shangren spoke to him with a calm tone.
Zheng Fa understood—this was about wanting to secure a backup plan.
After all, the Da Zizai Demon Sect had a fearsome reputation, and with the impending calamity, no one could guarantee their safety.
The background of Taishang Dao was vast, but how simple could a great calamity be?
Who could claim they would definitely survive?
Take Tianhe Zunren, for example... right?
These people naturally needed to prepare more.
Zheng Fa believed that Jiushan Realm was not their final refuge.
He glanced at the several Yuanying Zhenren behind Tongming Shangren, all of whom looked somewhat tense.
It was easy to imagine that many of those wanting to enter Jiushan Realm were the descendants of these individuals.
After pondering for a moment, Zheng Fa spoke, "I understand your intention, but Jiushan Realm is currently in this state..."
He gestured behind him.
The hall prepared for the Master Ceremony was quite simple, with walls made of white stone and no decorations. The hall was empty, with no tables set up, and even the wind passing through felt a bit shabby.
Tongming Shangren's lips twitched as he said, "Master Zheng is asking for... spirit stones?"
Zheng Fa felt he was about to say he was begging for alms...
"To say that is a huge misunderstanding! Am I really that fond of spirit stones?" Zheng Fa protested, feeling wronged.
"..."
Tongming Shangren remained silent.
He just looked at him.
The other Yuanying Zhenren beside him did the same.
Zheng Fa turned to look at Sister Zhang and their master... only to watch them take a step back.
Wait, who am I doing this for!
"If Jiushan Realm and the Baixian Alliance are in such a crisis, and I take advantage of it, what kind of person would I be!"
Seeing Zheng Fa's earnest words, Tongming Shangren finally seemed to believe him a bit: "Then what do you want?"
"I mean, Jiushan Realm is currently struggling. If the disciples of the Baixian Alliance can't adapt, that wouldn't be good."
Zheng Fa's words were sincere and not really a refusal.
After entering Jiushan Realm, the lives of Jiushan Sect's disciples were indeed not as good as before—take the repairs of the hall, for instance. Due to the unique rules of Jiushan Realm, many methods couldn't be used, and sometimes these disciples had to do things themselves.
The repair work was progressing much slower than before.
"That's reasonable; I will choose accordingly."
Both understood that Tongming Shangren's intention to let disciples enter Jiushan Sect was not just about leaving a backup plan—it also carried a sense of goodwill.
After all, both Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang had the combat power of transformation.
To put it simply, those disciples were somewhat unimportant hostages, but more importantly, it represented mutual trust.
Sending some useless young masters over would only create discord between the two sides, which would be foolish.
"Additionally, I would like you to send some disciples who understand the various crafts of cultivation."
"Hmm?"
Tongming Shangren pondered for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.
The faces of those Yuanying Zhenren also changed slightly.
The various crafts of cultivation refer to things like the talisman techniques of Jiushan Sect and the alchemy of Qingmu Sect...
These things, while not directly related to cultivation level, were the lifeblood of several sects, so Zheng Fa's request naturally raised eyebrows.
Zheng Fa explained, "I'm not asking for the secret techniques of the Baixian Alliance's various sects; I just want to find some disciples who understand the basic methods to help build Jiushan Realm together."
Once he said this, the others found it somewhat reasonable.
Relying solely on talismans could indeed not sustain a realm's cultivation civilization.
Tongming Shangren slowly nodded and said, "I will try to select those with a particular skill."
Zheng Fa felt a bit of joy in his heart.
He knew that the disciples sent over wouldn't be top-tier alchemists or artifact masters.
They might even just be people with a superficial understanding.
After all, once these people entered Jiushan Realm, they would be at Zheng Fa's mercy; they wouldn't dare send anyone important.
But compared to others who cared about secret techniques, Zheng Fa valued foundational theories more—after all, secret techniques were merely derivatives of foundational theories.
It's not that they were useless, but they were certainly not the foundation.
He hadn't used the secret techniques of Qianhe Sect much; at most, he had only explored their principles.
This was also the biggest difference between Zheng Fa and the cultivators of this realm regarding these studies—
Most cultivators sought secret techniques, power, and results.
Zheng Fa preferred to establish systems to analyze and understand.
He maintained a neutral expression, seemingly not overly concerned about these disciples.
Only Sister Zhang glanced at him, a smile on her lips, appearing even happier than he was.
---
The time for the Master Ceremony soon arrived.
Zheng Fa stood at the entrance of the hall, facing the jade steps outside, where over a thousand disciples of Jiushan Sect stood from top to bottom.
The Jindan disciples were at the front, led by Yuanshi Jie, with the other disciples arranged in two lines according to their cultivation levels, with the foundation establishment disciples in front and the qi refining disciples behind.
Their gazes followed Zheng Fa, their emotions complex.
On the steps, Tongming Shangren stood on the left side with the Yuanying guests he had brought to witness the ceremony.
---
Chapter 284: Who in the World Does Not Understand Nine
Seeing them looking at him, Tongming Shangren nodded at them, saying nothing, and led a few people toward the guest quarters prepared by Jiushan Sect.
As they walked away, he turned to glance at the Seventh Young Master, who was eagerly approaching Zheng Fa, and then transmitted a message to the leader of Qingmu Sect: "What do you think of this disciple's aptitude?"
The Yuanying leader of Qingmu Sect paused for a moment, thought it over, and replied honestly, "Double spirit roots; the aptitude isn't great, but he has some talent in talisman crafting."
Tongming Shangren remained silent after hearing this, as if contemplating something.
When they reached the entrance of the guest courtyard, he finally said, "Double spirit roots are still decent. Pay more attention in the future."
"Huh?"
The leader of Qingmu Sect watched Tongming Shangren walk into the courtyard, frowning as he turned to a nearby Yuanying:
"Which new disciple of our Baixian Alliance isn't a double spirit root? What's so special about that?"
The Yuanying shot him a look, seemingly thinking he was foolish: "He has good connections!"
The leader of Qingmu Sect blinked, recalling the sight of Zhao Jingfan and Zheng Fa with their arms around each other, and suddenly understood.
---
Zheng Fa walked on Le Tu Island with the Seventh Young Master Zhao Jingfan and Yan Wushuang.
None of them had been to Jiushan Realm before, so everything felt fresh.
Zheng Fa felt relaxed; after arriving in Jiushan Realm, the various matters of Jiushan Sect felt like a heavy burden on his shoulders.
There truly weren't many idle days.
As they walked through the fields, the rice seedlings swayed in the wind.
The village children seemed to be skipping school today, running around in the distance, playing tag and hide-and-seek. Upon seeing Zheng Fa and the others, they curiously and shyly stared at them.
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