Chapter 334
She recalled a phrase that Zheng Fa had once said to her in private:
“External elixirs are treasures in the eyes of cultivators in the Xuanwei realm, a boost to their practice... This group of disciples is my external elixir. If I can cultivate them well, they will illuminate the entire Jiushan realm.”
It was clear that Zheng's words were not deliberate; rather, they seemed to be an emotional outburst fueled by excitement.
After finishing, Zheng Fa chuckled, “I’ve been rambling on, and everyone must be tired... The merits and rewards will be distributed to you by Sister Zhang later.”
“Go rest now.”
...
Once the disciples had left, Madam Xuanhua approached Zheng Fa with Xiao Yuying in tow.
“Madam?”
“I wish to learn the ‘Golden Elixir Project.’ May I have your permission, Master Zheng?”
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before responding earnestly, “The ‘Golden Elixir Project’ may seem like a single course, but in reality, it requires prior knowledge of other subjects.”
Madam Xuanhua had seen the syllabus and understood immediately.
“What about the fees?”
Zheng Fa smiled, his expression clearly conveying two words—more money.
Madam Xuanhua thought for a moment, then suddenly gritted her teeth and said, “What if I teach ‘Refining Techniques’ like Yuying?”
“Hmm?”
“I could teach it in the Jiushan realm.”
Zheng Fa’s eyes lit up at once.
He had adopted that earlier model precisely because the level of refining and alchemy in the Jiushan realm was so poor.
The quality of the Shenxiao external elixirs was a testament to this:
He had simplified the process as much as possible, lowering many operational requirements.
Yet, the Shenxiao external elixirs produced could only rival the most inferior golden elixirs, far inferior to Madam Xuanhua’s craftsmanship.
Moreover, traditional refining techniques did not conflict with Zheng Fa’s philosophy; rather, they provided the best nourishment...
Seeing his expression, Madam Xuanhua added, “About that course fee you mentioned... If I also provide some spirit stones, would that be sufficient?”
At the mention of spirit stones, her face showed a hint of pain.
Zheng Fa nodded, calculating in his mind—goodness, was Madam Xuanhua paying to work?
Thinking this, he felt a twinge of subtle guilt...
But whether it was the ‘Golden Elixir Project,’ ‘Electromagnetism,’ or even ‘Mathematics’...
It was clear that a course on ‘Refining Techniques’ could not be equated.
Not to mention, there were multiple masters of refining, but the knowledge to be gained was exclusive to Jiushan Sect in the Xuanwei realm.
With this in mind, Zheng Fa felt a bit more justified.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuying, who had been smiling, suddenly stopped...
She stared at Madam Xuanhua, frowning, as if to say:
“We’re all just outsiders here, why are you so competitive?”
...
Mu Qingyan took a solid break for several days.
“Bang bang bang!”
Someone knocked forcefully on her door.
When she opened it, it was her senior sister from the same courtyard.
“Qingyan! Hurry!” The senior sister’s face was flushed, her eyes bright, and her tone urgent.
“Senior sister?”
“Let’s go to the Qunxian Shrine!”
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingyan’s heart skipped a beat, as if she understood something.
She didn’t doubt her senior sister’s news—compared to her solitary nature due to her secret, her senior sister’s lively and warm personality had garnered many friends in the Baixian Alliance.
Now, she had also met many people in Jiushan Sect. The senior sister pulled her along, racing toward the Qunxian Shrine.
Sure enough, inside the shrine, there was a new group of statues.
The most numerous and imposing statue depicted a group of people standing, gazing up at a round Shenxiao external elixir above them, as if watching the rising sun.
Mu Qingyan saw her own face among the crowd.
She was smiling like everyone else, seemingly without a care in the world.
“Qingyan?”
“Hmm?”
“The way you just smiled, you looked just like that statue!”
“…”
Mu Qingyan froze for a moment, as if deep in thought, and didn’t speak again on the way back.
Once in her room, she tossed and turned, pondering day and night without a moment of sleep. Finally, she stepped out, crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and arrived at the entrance of the Master’s courtyard, knocking on the door.
“Mu Qingyan?”
Seeing her come to find him, Zheng Fa seemed a bit surprised but still let her into the courtyard.
Mu Qingyan spoke softly, “Disciple has something to report to you in private, Master.”
Zheng Fa glanced at her, nodded, and they both entered the study.
Once inside, they fell into silence, Mu Qingyan’s face filled with conflict.
Zheng Fa didn’t rush her, seemingly patient.
After a long while, Mu Qingyan finally spoke, “Master, I know... information about a secret realm.”
Upon saying this, she felt quite nervous.
Her primary reason for seeking Zheng Fa was to avoid wasting the knowledge she had accumulated.
As Xiao Yuying had said, going out might lead to greater losses.
Especially after the success of the ‘Golden Elixir Project,’ she became increasingly aware of this.
Xiao Yuying’s words might have been incredibly accurate!
But within Jiushan Sect... she could only watch as some opportunities slipped away.
She felt it was a pity.
Revealing some opportunities to Zheng Fa and Jiushan Sect had been on her mind for a long time:
Ideally, she could exchange it for some resources.
At the very least, even if she gained nothing, it would be a way to repay Jiushan Sect—after all, she had once been in the Nascent Soul stage and understood the value of some courses in the Jiushan realm better than others.
The most typical example was the ‘Golden Elixir Project.’
Her hesitation stemmed from a sense of insecurity and even distrust towards Jiushan Sect.
One could even say that with such a significant secret, she didn’t dare to sleep with anyone, let alone discuss trust.
At this point, she only dared to reveal information about one secret realm.
If it weren’t for Jiushan Sect, if it weren’t for the ‘Golden Elixir Project’ and the Qunxian Shrine...
If she were still in the Baixian Alliance...
She wouldn’t have dared to say a word.
Zheng Fa looked at her, seemingly deep in thought.
Mu Qingyan felt increasingly anxious.
Suddenly, Zheng Fa turned around and took a large stack of documents from a nearby shelf.
“Take a look.”
Mu Qingyan lowered her head and saw the cover of the document read ‘Archaeological Project Proposal Template.’
She felt a strange premonition in her heart. As she flipped it open, she found various project processes outlined, including notes on each step and the merit reward mechanism.
After reading for a while, Mu Qingyan suddenly understood the Master’s intention:
“Is this... for data collection?”
She thought for a moment and asked.
Zheng Fa nodded, saying, “You’re not the first disciple to claim to have information about a secret realm. Our Jiushan Sect disciples also have their opportunities. Oh, Xiao Yuying mentioned this too.”
“…”
Mu Qingyan felt as if a breath she had been holding was finally released... The Master didn’t seem to care too much about her information.
“You provide the relevant information, and we will conduct a value assessment. If the project is initiated, you will receive a certain amount of merit based on your information.”
“That’s the rule.”
“If you think the merit is too little, you can keep the information. If you think it’s enough, then inform the sect.”
Zheng Fa’s words had a bureaucratic tone, but Mu Qingyan felt inexplicably reassured.
She was very interested in the project proposal and asked, “So... who will go to the secret realm?”
Zheng Fa didn’t hide it from her: “I plan to collaborate with Fairy Xiao. We will provide the information and analysis, while she will lead the team into the secret realm…”
“Will... will Fairy Xiao agree?”
Mu Qingyan couldn’t help but ask.
Zheng Fa shook his head, uncertain.
To be honest, the risks of entering a secret realm were the highest, and Xiao Yuying didn’t lack for secret realm information...
If it weren’t for Jiushan Sect’s analytical capabilities, he wouldn’t have had the confidence to persuade Xiao Yuying.
Seeing his expression, Mu Qingyan suddenly gritted her teeth and said, “Master, I know a lot about that secret realm…”
“Hmm?”
“And that secret realm is rumored to be related to the Tianhe Venerable…”
Zheng Fa’s eyelids twitched, and he looked at Mu Qingyan with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
He understood what Mu Qingyan meant— the more one knew about a secret realm, the lower the risks of entering it, and the greater the chances of obtaining valuable items.
On the other hand, who was the Tianhe Venerable?
The value of a secret realm related to such a figure was unimaginable.
This kind of information would likely even entice Xiao Yuying...
But...
He looked at Mu Qingyan, his mind racing.
Mu Qingyan lowered her head, biting her lip, silently scolding herself: Did I really think of myself as part of Jiushan Sect? How could I say something so reckless?
Unexpectedly, after a moment of silence, Zheng Fa spoke, “Let’s follow the rules. Write down what you know in general. If you’re worried, don’t include any sensitive information.”
Mu Qingyan couldn’t help but look up sharply.
Zheng Fa nodded at her.
...
On the way back, Mu Qingyan’s thoughts were even more chaotic—
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