Chapter 341
“Just about a month…” The old elder counted on his fingers as he calculated the time Zheng Fa had spent revising the *Shenxiao Jindan*, a pained expression crossing his face as if he had a toothache.
“The *Shenxiao Jindan* is revised, so it’s time to put the other eleven types of Jindan methods on our agenda,” Sister Zhang said, seemingly unfazed.
As soon as she spoke, the disciples observing the external alchemy couldn’t help but show their excitement, especially the ten or so disciples from Jiushan who had reached the Foundation Establishment stage.
Xiao Yuying could fully understand their enthusiasm—wasn’t this akin to everyone having a nine-leaf Bodhi seed, everyone possessing an enlightened spiritual body?
Sister Zhang turned to Zheng Fa and asked, “Are you planning to form your Jindan soon?”
Zheng Fa furrowed his brow in thought before replying, “I have a feeling…”
“What is it?”
“That the Fusang wood requires an immense amount of Taichu Gangqi…”
Previously, the fruit of the Fusang wood had absorbed some Taichu Gangqi, but the changes were minimal. This indicated that to fully mature the Fusang fruit, a significant quantity of Taichu Gangqi was necessary.
Correspondingly, the demand for the Earth Sha Qi would greatly increase, surpassing what an average person would need to form their Jindan.
The old elder paused for a moment before nodding, “That’s not a bad thing. The more Tian Gang and Di Sha Qi absorbed, the more profound the power of the Jindan…”
Zheng Fa’s tone was somewhat resigned, “But Jiushan doesn’t produce Taichu Gangqi. The Fusang wood’s demand is enormous; it’s going to cost a lot.”
He had not only revised the *Shenxiao Jindan* to require Tian Gangqi but also modified the Di Sha Qi requirements—primarily to save costs, changing it to the Jiushan realm’s available Jiu Yin Lei Sha.
However, Taichu Gangqi could only be imported from outside.
He would have to inquire with the Baixian Alliance or the Wushuang Society to see if they had any reserves of Taichu Gangqi.
“Buy it!” Uncle Pang said decisively. “Whatever the amount, buy it! Jiushan Sect will go bankrupt if we have to!”
The others from Jiushan nodded in agreement.
Even Xiao Yuying understood the weight of this statement—regardless of her feelings towards Zheng Fa, his success was tied to Jiushan’s fate. Moreover…
The significance of the *Jindan Project* to Jiushan Sect was clear even to an outsider like her.
“Since acquiring Taichu Gangqi will take some time, why not head to Changji Lake first?” Sister Zhang suddenly suggested.
Changji Lake was precisely where Mu Qingyan had mentioned, the secret realm left behind by the Tianhe Venerable.
Everyone turned to her as she analyzed, “As the secret realm of the Tianhe Venerable, there might be some heavenly materials and earthly treasures that could supplement Jiushan’s income.”
The others nodded in agreement.
“On the other hand, it also prevents unnecessary delays.”
“That’s true; the disciples are about ready,” Uncle Pang said, nodding slowly.
After discussing for a while, everyone felt Sister Zhang’s suggestion was sound and dispersed to prepare.
Only Zheng Fa remained in Sister Zhang’s courtyard.
“Sister?”
“Hmm?”
“Why the sudden suggestion to go to Changji Lake?”
Zheng Fa asked, honestly feeling that the proposal was a bit abrupt, almost urgent.
“The Tianhe Venerable… I fear he may have opened another path in Jindan cultivation,” Sister Zhang explained after a moment of silence.
“...Indeed!”
According to Elder Han, the Tianhe Venerable, like Zheng Fa, possessed innate divine abilities.
Only by comprehending a realm to an unparalleled degree could one resonate with the Dao…
Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang had previously discussed that, based on the methods of the life-bound treasures, the Tianhe Venerable’s highest attainment was likely during the Jindan stage.
“I want to go to Changji Lake and see if he left behind any Jindan inheritance…”
Zheng Fa paused, his mind racing with speculation.
“If I can obtain the Tianhe Venerable’s Jindan cultivation methods… it would save me from taking detours in the future.”
The expression on Sister Zhang’s face made Zheng Fa realize that she had likely pondered this matter for more than a day, only bringing it up today.
His thoughts were a whirlwind.
While others looked at the *Jindan Project*’s repeated successes, marveling at Zheng Fa’s abilities and believing his Jindan formation was foolproof, only Sister Zhang…
She seemed even more worried than he was, anxious and concerned, even pursuing absolute certainty. This kind of care, he had experienced from his mother, and now he had another person.
…
Changji Lake lay thirty-four thousand miles southwest of the original Jiushan Sect.
The Xuanwei Realm was vast and boundless. From what Zheng Fa understood, it was roughly divided into two major continents, with the Baixian Alliance located in the western part of the eastern continent.
The area where Changji Lake was situated had already crossed out of the Baixian Alliance’s original sphere of influence.
Zheng Fa piloted the Sun and Moon Bell, taking over a month to slowly reach the vicinity of Changji Lake.
“This exploration of the secret realm…”
Zheng Fa looked at the ten or so people before him, especially noticing Sister Zhang’s face, and couldn’t help but feel a headache coming on.
“Sister, your injuries aren’t fully healed yet, are they?”
“I have to go,” Sister Zhang replied directly. “Otherwise, how can we maintain contact internally and externally?”
Zheng Fa was at a loss for words. According to his plan, the team exploring the secret realm needed to stay in constant contact with those remaining in Jiushan to serve as a command center.
The best way to do this was through the… *Fengshen Ce* (Book of Gods).
Once in the *Fengshen Ce*, not only could one be resurrected in Jiushan as a deity after death, but they could also communicate with Zheng Fa at any time and place.
In other words, Sister Zhang was now a communicator.
Currently, only Sister Zhang was on the *Fengshen Ce*.
The others were willing to accept this, as Elder Yuan had mentioned her going onto the *Fengshen Ce* to visit the Tianhe Venerable’s ruins.
But… Sister Zhang had refused.
“Sister, do you have enough thunder talismans?”
He couldn’t help but ask.
“I brought some.”
“Sister, are your injuries healed?”
“No major issues as long as I don’t use the Mountain River Seal.”
Sister Zhang added.
The Mountain River Seal was the embodiment of Jiushan, and when Sister Zhang activated it, she could wield the power of transformation.
“Sister Zhang, if there’s danger, don’t push yourself. Your safety comes first.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but remind her again.
Sister Zhang obediently nodded.
Uncle Huang’s expression was a bit strange as she glanced at Zheng Fa…
These words are all her own!
Did my disciple just find himself a father?
…
Changji Lake wasn’t large, its longest stretch barely reaching one hundred and twenty miles, while in its narrowest parts, the banks were only twenty miles apart, long and winding, resembling a poorly made scythe with gaps everywhere.
Yet this place had a certain reputation.
Surrounding cultivators and mortals knew that this lake was notoriously strange:
The lakebed had no aquatic plants, no swimming fish, the surface was calm without wind or waves, no boats or oars, and the shores were barren, devoid of human presence.
This lake had no hint of life, and naturally, no one lived by its banks; even the gentle breeze seemed to avoid this place.
Thus, it was named Changji (Long Silence).
However, in recent months, many cultivators had gathered by the shores of Changji Lake.
They stood alone or in small groups, whispering quietly by the lake, occasionally glancing around warily.
Sometimes, the name “Tianhe Venerable” would be heard, spoken in hushed tones as if afraid of being overheard.
Gradually, someone couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Yesterday, the Wugui Daoist entered Changji Lake… why hasn’t he returned?” a young man asked loudly. “Could it be he found a treasure and slipped away?”
A flurry of discussion erupted along the shore.
“The Wugui Daoist? He’s back!”
One person sneered, and everyone turned to see a burly-looking cultivator smirking.
“Back? How come we haven’t seen him?”
“He hasn’t returned, but his Soul Gathering Banner has floated back!”
The big man pointed to a distant embankment, and everyone hurried over to look. Sure enough, a tattered black banner was floating at the shore, devoid of any spiritual light.
“The Soul Gathering Banner is the Wugui Daoist’s life-bound treasure…”
Someone began to speak, but before they could finish, everyone understood the implication—Wugui Daoist was likely dead.
“Real Person Jinguang, Sword Immortal Yulou… twelve cultivators who entered Changji Lake, not a single one has returned…”
Someone counted, their voice trembling slightly.
Everyone fell silent.
“When the Wugui Daoist entered Changji Lake, I was nearby,” someone said. “He was controlling the five ghosts; at first, everything was fine, but then he suddenly turned around… I thought he had discovered something, but now it seems he got lost.”
“I saw it too. After he turned, he just vanished…”
After listening to their animated discussion, an elder-looking cultivator stroked his beard and said, “This Changji Lake is strange; it seems there’s more than one formation… as for the other methods, this old man cannot discern.”
The others nodded in agreement, seemingly convinced by the elder’s judgment.
“Master Mu, you are a master of formations; we trust your insight.”
Someone complimented.
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