Chapter 336
Understanding dawned a little.
Zheng Fa continued, “For example, I can create talismans. Can I look for sellers within this framework? This could even integrate with our merit system.”
Hmm… an online marketplace.
“Another example: I don’t have any special skills, but I have some ideas about cultivation. If I summarize them and teach them to everyone, wouldn’t I also earn some rewards?”
Sister Zhang blinked, suddenly grasping Zheng Fa’s notion of the internet, and the significance behind the rather unflattering title of “Mother of the Internet” became clear to her… how profound it was!
Though Zheng Fa’s words were brief, she sensed that there was much more beneath the surface than what he had described.
Xiao Yuying, sitting nearby, also understood.
“Auntie is still Auntie!” Xiao Yuying suddenly spoke up.
“…”
Zheng Fa turned to Xiao Yuying, and her expression seemed to say one thing:
No matter the size, let’s get on board first!
…
The term “Auntie of the Internet” was, of course, a joke. What Zheng Fa truly valued was Xiao Yuying’s expertise in archaeology—he wanted to bring her onto his archaeological project.
At University Island, in a small conference room, sat nearly all the high-ranking members of the Jiu Shan Sect.
Sister Zhang and three elder masters.
The only outsider was Xiao Yuying, which showed how much they valued her.
Zheng Fa stood before the five, holding a stack of documents, and said, “I called everyone here to discuss whether we should proceed with exploring the secret realms. If we do, which realm should we target?”
Everyone exchanged glances, understanding that Zheng Fa was leaning towards exploring the secret realms.
Xiao Yuying naturally felt detached; Zheng Fa had mentioned this matter before.
After the previous archaeological report, she felt a bit tempted, but to be honest—she couldn’t shake the feeling that she didn’t need to collaborate with the Jiu Shan Sect.
Even if they did collaborate, couldn’t it be like with Madam Xuanhua: she could go to the secret realm herself and then bring back the findings for the Jiu Shan Sect to analyze?
Sister Zhang pondered for a moment and was the first to speak, “I’ll share my thoughts from the perspective of the Administrative Hall.”
“Up until now, the Jiu Shan Sect is practically in a state of financial strain.”
“In terms of expenses, aside from thunder-type spiritual materials, we have to purchase all other supplies from outside. Given the current tense situation, prices for various materials are rising.”
“Moreover, projects like the ‘Golden Core Project’ are quite costly.”
Hearing her words, everyone’s expressions turned serious.
“In terms of income, our Jiu Shan Sect currently only has two popular products: thunder-type spiritual materials and talismans.”
“But the issue with thunder-type spiritual materials is that most of them are used by our own disciples for cultivation, so the output is relatively limited.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but sigh: he had indeed never heard of farmers getting rich.
“Talismans sell well, but the Hundred Immortals Alliance has lost most of its resources and is actually quite poor. More importantly, they haven’t clashed with the Great Freedom Demon Sect yet.”
Sister Zhang’s face showed a hint of regret…
Indeed, world peace is most detrimental to arms dealers…
“Also, the return on investment is too slow.”
Zheng Fa looked at the other masters, noticing their contemplative expressions, as if they understood why he had proposed the archaeological project.
He thought for a moment and continued from Sister Zhang’s point, “Aside from the resource issues, I have another consideration…”
Everyone turned to him, eager to hear what he had to say.
“The Jiu Shan Sect is too safe.”
“...Are you saying we should be wary in times of peace?” Elder Yuan asked.
“Yes, I don’t wish for the Jiu Shan Sect to live in fear, but… it seems we can’t afford to be complacent.”
Two matters had been weighing on Zheng Fa’s mind:
One was the incident with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor entering the Jiu Shan Sect and killing the Celestial Master.
This indicated that the Jiu Shan Sect was far from invulnerable.
The other was even more pressing—the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor actually wanted to abandon the Great Freedom Heaven.
The implications of this kept Zheng Fa on high alert.
Others nodded in agreement, and Elder Yuan chuckled, “I’ve thought this for a while; I thought you might soften up.”
“Exploring the secret realms can serve two purposes: it can train the disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect.”
“Additionally, it allows us to gather resources and knowledge without getting embroiled in the conflicts between the demon and immortal sects.”
In truth, what Zheng Fa valued most was the various inherited knowledge—and knowledge is something that can be shared.
This was also why he wanted to collaborate with Xiao Yuying.
His intention was clear: to find a high-yield, relatively safe project to train the disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect.
After hearing his thoughts, Elder Yuan said, “I think this is feasible.”
Sister Zhang and the other three nodded in agreement.
“Now, the question is which secret realm to explore.”
Zheng Fa pointed to the stack of documents beside him and looked at Xiao Yuying, “Fairy Xiao, we intend to collaborate with you.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuying replied, “Collaboration… isn’t out of the question, but I’m not interested in every secret realm.”
Zheng Fa smiled and handed her the top document.
Xiao Yuying glanced at it a few times, and when she looked up again, her eyes were filled with surprise, “Celestial Master Tianhe? Where did this come from?”
“A disciple reported it.”
“Wow… your Jiu Shan Sect is truly a hidden gem.”
Zheng Fa thought for a moment and honestly replied, “Not really; this person was sent by the Hundred Immortals Alliance…”
“…” Xiao Yuying paused, surprised, “Is the Hundred Immortals Alliance really that generous?”
Zheng Fa felt that the Tongming Master probably wasn’t that generous…
“I’ll take it!”
Zheng Fa suddenly pulled out a piece of paper, “Then please sign this ‘Archaeological Collaboration Contract.’”
“…”
Xiao Yuying glanced at him, then at the terms of the contract, realizing that the stipulations were relatively lenient—essentially confidentiality, no mutual harm, and principles of profit distribution and knowledge sharing. After signing the contract, Xiao Yuying stood up, seemingly unable to wait to set off.
“Fairy Xiao!”
“Hmm?”
“I have some new ideas about this archaeological project…”
Xiao Yuying quickly sat back down, looking at Zheng Fa’s head.
It seemed she found Zheng Fa’s mind more intriguing than the secret realm left behind by Celestial Master Tianhe.
…
Mu Qingyan was brought into the conference room, feeling a bit lost as she looked at the room full of Yuanying (Nascent Soul) cultivators.
Sister Zhang was beside her, holding a pen, seemingly preparing to record something.
Zheng Fa looked at her and said, “Mu Qingyan, the sect is preparing to explore the secret realm you submitted earlier.”
Mu Qingyan bit her lip and replied, “...Yes.”
Zheng Fa took out another contract, “Take a look; if you have no objections, just sign it.”
Mu Qingyan lowered her head to examine the contract.
On one side was Zheng Fa, whose main obligations were to ensure Mu Qingyan’s safety and guarantee her share of the profits, among other things.
On the other side, Mu Qingyan had to promise to provide all the information she could.
Clear and straightforward, it was consistent with what Zheng Fa had said before.
“…”
After a moment of silence, Mu Qingyan signed the contract and said, “This secret realm should be related to Celestial Master Tianhe…”
“Wait, elaborate on why you think that?”
Zheng Fa interrupted her, asking directly.
“…” Mu Qingyan hesitated, thinking to herself: Everyone said the same thing in my past life!
“What I mean is, what is it inside that makes you believe it was left by Celestial Master Tianhe?”
“Oh!” Mu Qingyan understood, “As far as I know, there should be Celestial Master Tianhe’s legacy inside, along with some artifacts bearing his mark.”
Zheng Fa nodded and continued to ask, “Alright, next question: what potential gains could there be in this secret realm?”
“...Aside from that legacy, there seem to be two magical treasures…”
“Do you have any understanding of the architectural structure within the secret realm?”
“Yes… it seems the secret realm is a large lake, with an island in the middle…”
“What kind of dangers or restrictions might there be?”
“...Many; there’s a restriction in the lake… it seems to be a formation that can obscure a cultivator’s five senses…”
Zheng Fa nodded and turned to Xiao Yuying, “Fairy Xiao, in your opinion, what types of soul-confusing formations were popular in that era? Are there any common countermeasures?”
Xiao Yuying gradually began to understand what Zheng Fa was doing. After pondering for a long time, she said, “To be honest, Celestial Master Tianhe is a figure of great renown; his methods are beyond my imagination. However, there were indeed some commonly used formations in that era…”
After explaining a few types of formations, she added, “Later on, as they developed, some soul-confusing formations also acquired universal countermeasures…”
After listening to her explanation, Zheng Fa looked at the three elder masters.
Elder Yuan spoke up, “If that’s the case, I have a few talisman formations that should be more effective than the common spells.”
Uncle Pang added, “The洞虚灵眼 (Dongxu Lingyan) also has some effect.”
Uncle Huang… Uncle Huang remained silent, appearing somewhat out of place.
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