Chapter 360
With Tongming Shangren feeling invigorated, he couldn't help but think about how much he often found Chengkong Shangren's idiosyncrasies irksome, harboring a few grievances in his heart.
But Chengkong Shangren was indeed powerful!
Tongming Mountain had been utterly powerless against the Da Zizai Demon Sect.
At this moment, he deeply understood the benefits of having a strong backing, which only increased his loyalty.
Chengkong Shangren shot him a glance, a slight smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, as if he could see through Tongming's thoughts. With a hint of sarcasm, he said, “So you’re finally seeing the light? My Taishang Dao has a profound foundation and a wealth of talent. If I didn’t have some skills, how could I hold my ground among the Xuanwei Five Sects?”
Tongming Shangren didn’t mind at all and flattered him, “With you around, those demons will surely flee at the mere sight of us!”
Chengkong Shangren glanced at the serene bamboo, shaking his head.
Following his gaze, Tongming Shangren noticed that the jade-colored bamboo had become somewhat murky, with more yellow spots appearing…
“What’s this…”
“The Da Zizai Demon Sect shouldn’t be underestimated. For now, they can’t figure out my methods, so they won’t disturb us.”
“Let alone the Da Zizai Demon Sect… With your powers, who would dare to disrupt the Hundred Immortals Alliance?”
Tongming Shangren continued to flatter him.
He was right—the Da Zizai Demon Sect had suffered a significant loss and would likely lay low for a while.
As for other forces, Tongming Shangren truly didn’t take them seriously.
Over forty flying boats soared through the sky, no longer hiding their presence, charging toward the Jiushan Realm with great momentum.
The shadows of the ships nearly obscured the sunlight above.
Along the way, indeed, everyone made way, with passing cultivators hastily descending from their clouds, gazing up at the procession.
Not a single person dared to fly alongside them, fearing they might provoke trouble.
Not just Tongming Shangren, but even the disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance were all filled with pride, laughter echoing as they reveled in their triumph.
Tongming Shangren understood their feelings; they had been oppressed by the Da Zizai Demon Sect for some time, and it was only natural for them to feel pent-up frustration… Today was a chance to vent some of that.
“Who’s that!”
A disciple exclaimed.
A streak of rainbow light crossed the sky, and before the Hundred Immortals Alliance could even blink, the light had landed right in front of them.
Tongming Shangren jumped to his feet, turning to Chengkong Shangren, who, indeed, had let the smile fade from his face, his fingers once again resting on the serene bamboo.
This rainbow light couldn’t escape their senses, but what puzzled them was that after detecting the incoming presence, they didn’t have time to relay the warning…
By the time the rainbow light reached their ship, their own senses finally issued a belated alarm…
Though they had their own protective measures, the speed of the rainbow light still left them feeling unprepared—if it had been hostile, they might have been in for a rough time.
As the rainbow light dissipated, Zheng Fa’s figure emerged, smiling as he clasped his hands toward the disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance. “Friends of the Hundred Immortals Alliance have come to visit. Zheng Fa regrets not welcoming you properly; please forgive me.”
After he spoke, he looked up, only to find that the cultivators on the ships were all staring at him, their faces somewhat solemn…
Wait, aren’t these friends from the Hundred Immortals Alliance supposed to be more cheerful?
Seeing Zheng Fa, Tongming Shangren opened his mouth, then turned to Chengkong Shangren.
The surprise in Chengkong Shangren’s eyes hadn’t yet faded, and in that moment, Tongming Shangren felt a sense of balance in his heart, a question he wanted to ask but didn’t dare to:
Does the Taishang Dao, with its wealth of talent, have someone like this in the Golden Core stage?
You’ve opened your eyes too, haven’t you?
…
Though the atmosphere was a bit strange, Zheng Fa was still invited aboard the ship where Chengkong Shangren was.
It was his first time seeing the real Jiang Chengkong, and at first glance, he thought the man was rather unremarkable.
“Greetings, Chengkong Shangren.”
Zheng Fa bowed.
To his surprise, Chengkong Shangren also slightly rose, though he didn’t stand up, he returned the gesture, saying, “Zheng Fa, the Sect Leader, I acknowledge your courtesy.”
His tone lacked much respect, yet it made Tongming Shangren glance at him again—this man had never returned his greeting!
Zheng Fa didn’t realize that Jiang Chengkong was being polite; he simply said, “The Jiushan Realm has prepared all the venues and equipment for the Hundred Immortals Conference. I just need to know when it will begin.”
Tongming Shangren replied, “As per our previous agreement, it will start in three days… Some friends who wish to attend need a bit more time to arrive.”
Zheng Fa nodded, smiling, “Then let the friends of the Hundred Immortals Alliance rest for three days. The Jiushan Realm has some sights worth seeing.”
Tongming Shangren seemed to recall something and spoke up, “The Zhao siblings are coming too.”
The eldest daughter and the seventh son of the Zhao family are coming as well?
Zheng Fa smiled and nodded, understanding Tongming Shangren’s goodwill—
This time, the Hundred Immortals Conference was attended by elite disciples.
The seventh son might qualify now.
But Zhao Jinglan… she was probably just tagging along.
However, Zheng Fa felt quite grateful in his heart.
He led the disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance into the Jiushan Realm.
On Tiangong Island in the Jiushan Realm, three Taishang Elders, along with Sister Zhang, stood at the forefront, accompanied by the newly joined Madam Xuanhua.
Xiao Yuying stood a bit farther away. Han Lao, with his sensitive identity and the secrets of the Wushuang Society, was unwilling to meet outsiders and had left Jiushan Sect a few days ago.
The Hundred Immortals Alliance brought more Yuanying cultivators—
Under the leadership of two Huashen cultivators, over a dozen Yuanying and hundreds of disciples came to participate in this Hundred Immortals Conference.
After the greetings, Tongming Shangren couldn’t help but ask Madam Xuanhua:
“Is it… Madam Xuanhua in person?”
“I have met the Shangren.”
Madam Xuanhua paused for a moment before replying.
“Madam, you now…”
“I have joined Jiushan Sect and serve as an elder.”
Tongming Shangren fell silent, casting a deep glance at Zheng Fa, feeling quite puzzled.
Madam Xuanhua was merely a Yuanying cultivator; in terms of cultivation, he naturally didn’t take her seriously.
But he had heard of her prowess in artifact crafting… Tongming Mountain had invited Madam Xuanhua to join, but it hadn’t worked out.
Now, seeing that Madam Xuanhua had completely regarded herself as a member of Jiushan Sect, he couldn’t help but feel a bit uncomfortable.
…
After the two sides of Yuanying exchanged greetings, they were engaged in small talk.
Suddenly, a figure rushed over from the rainbow bridge, shouting, “Sect Leader, Sect Leader… we’ve discovered a new species!”
The newcomer was slightly plump; it was Qian Zhenren.
His cultivation was low, and in his excitement, he didn’t realize how many people were around until he got closer…
Looking around, he didn’t recognize the others, but he had once been part of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and he had admired several Yuanying cultivators from afar!
Everyone turned to look at this loud newcomer, and seeing he was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, their expressions shifted.
Such behavior from Qian Zhenren was extremely disrespectful in the Xuanwei Realm…
If he encountered someone with a bad temper, he might even lose his life.
Cold sweat broke out on Qian Zhenren’s face.
It suddenly dawned on him that these days were when the Hundred Immortals Alliance was visiting, but he had been so engrossed in the Jiushan Agricultural Classics that he had completely forgotten about it.
Moreover… because Zheng Fa was rather indifferent to status and quite tolerant of researchers like him, he had unconsciously let go of his usual caution.
Now, he had landed himself in trouble!
Under the pressure of so many Yuanying cultivators, he felt a bit shaky, his heart chilled, and his mind went blank, unsure of what to do.
Zheng Fa glanced at the panicked Qian Zhenren, then turned to the Yuanying cultivators of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, suddenly smiling, “Aren’t you going to greet your fellow friends?”
Upon hearing this, Qian Zhenren hurriedly said, “I greet all the esteemed Zhenren!”
Zheng Fa waved him over to his side and introduced him to the members of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, “This is Qian Zhenren, a leading figure in agricultural studies at Jiushan Sect. The well-being of everyone in Jiushan Sect relies on him.”
Seeing Zheng Fa speak so seriously, the members of the Hundred Immortals Alliance couldn’t help but bow to Qian Zhenren.
“Today, he has discovered a new species, just right for you all to sample.”
Hearing this, everyone understood that Zheng Fa wasn’t blaming the plump cultivator but was instead defending him.
They were guests from afar, and seeing that Chengkong Shangren hadn’t said anything, they naturally offered polite words.
As for Qian Zhenren… he was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage; how could he have ever encountered so many Yuanying and Jindan cultivators treating him so kindly?
He felt a bit flustered.
At that moment, an elder in the crowd suddenly looked at Qian Zhenren, as if recalling something: “Aren’t you from the Qianhe Sect…”
The elder seemed to have forgotten Qian Zhenren’s name.
“Does the Sect Leader remember me? I am Qian Qi, and I was indeed a disciple of the Qianhe Sect. After the Qianhe Sect was destroyed by the demon clan, I joined Jiushan Sect.”
“Right, Qian Qi, you used to manage the marketplace for the Qianhe Sect, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
Qian Zhenren replied honestly.
The Sect Leader nodded, saying nothing, but he scrutinized Qian Zhenren from head to toe, his eyes filled with confusion.
At this moment, Chengkong Shangren spoke up:
“You’re well-versed in spiritual plants?”
This question was, of course, directed at Qian Zhenren.
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