Chapter 413
But when she thought about the way Taishang Dao recruited disciples everywhere, she understood the intentions of Chengkong Shangren.
The celebration was just a pretext; the real motive was to win over Zheng Fa.
Did they really think that Tongming Shangren was so generous?
Celebrating the fact that Youming Xian was still alive, there was likely a sense of urgency to draw Zheng Fa in.
In the end, it was all about the jealousy over Jiushan Sect, wrapped up in this meal of dumplings.
Xie Qingxue pondered for a moment. Among the tales she had heard about Taishang Dao's recruitment, such a gesture was indeed quite grand.
In fact, she had never heard of anyone else doing something similar.
To her surprise, Zheng Fa didn’t seem to be moved at all!
Zheng Fa was taken aback, staring at Chengkong Shangren's earnest gaze, momentarily at a loss for words.
But Chengkong Shangren's expression suddenly changed; he didn’t look at him but instead at his senior sister, Zhang.
Zheng Fa turned to look at Senior Sister Zhang, only to find her fixated on the serene bamboo on Tongming Shangren's Qiyun.
Her eyes were completely still.
He almost blurted out: Who wants the serene bamboo? What do I want with that bamboo!
But, deep down, Zheng Fa really did want it…
They had studied those dry branches over the past few days and found nothing special; they were just ordinary bamboo leaves.
Senior Sister Zhang… understood him too well!
“…”
Chengkong Shangren’s mouth twitched as he stared at Senior Sister Zhang for a long while, but she remained calm, her gaze unwavering.
It was all about the unspoken understanding: even if I don’t say it, you should know.
In the end, Chengkong Shangren was the one who lost ground. After a moment of thought, he really did hand the serene bamboo to Zheng Fa.
“This item… I can only lend it to you; it must be returned!”
Zheng Fa widened his eyes slightly. Why was this person so stingy!
“Spiritual roots are precious. Even if this serene bamboo is dying, it cannot be given to outsiders without permission. The sect will certainly try to save it… You need to return it to me before my master uncle arrives.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa understood. From the endless words, it was clear that this item was related to some Buddhist or Daoist fruit, far beyond the value of an ordinary magical artifact.
Taishang Dao placed great importance on it; even Chengkong dared only to lend it.
He nodded, grasping one end of the serene bamboo, gently pulling it, but it wouldn’t budge.
“Shangren?”
“You have to return it to me…”
It was evident that Chengkong Shangren was far more reluctant to part with the bamboo than he had been about giving up the two states.
Of course, it could also be because the two states didn’t belong to him, while the serene bamboo was his…
“Absolutely, absolutely!”
“Tell me, what do you want the serene bamboo for?”
“I just want to cut a couple of slices… to take a look!”
“... Just don’t kill it!”
Finally, Zheng Fa managed to hold the serene bamboo in his hands.
Chengkong Shangren sighed and suddenly confirmed, “You really just want to borrow this thing?”
Zheng Fa nodded firmly.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking…” Chengkong Shangren looked puzzled, and it was clear that the other Huashen and Yuanying cultivators were just as confused.
Yes, the serene bamboo was extremely precious, and Taishang Dao valued it highly—but what use would it be to Zheng Fa?
Did he dare not return it?
Leiyin Temple might dare to snatch it, but Jiushan Sect didn’t have that capability!
In the eyes of these people, Zheng Fa was giving up the resources of Tai and Liang states for just a chance to borrow the serene bamboo…
It was truly a case of throwing away a watermelon to pick up a sesame seed.
However, Zheng Fa didn’t care what others thought. He waited until the celebration feast ended, then walked out of the main hall with Senior Sister Zhang, slowly making their way to the small courtyard where Jiushan Sect was temporarily residing.
He had wanted to say something all along but hadn’t found the right moment until they reached the courtyard gate. Then he asked:
“Senior Sister Zhang, why did you…?”
That scene earlier was far from her usual style—he knew how proud she was.
To put it simply, she would rather fight for something than adopt such a shameless posture to obtain a treasure.
Getting Senior Sister Zhang to do what she did today would be harder than killing her.
Moreover, obtaining the serene bamboo wasn’t important to her, but it was crucial for Zheng Fa.
“You’re the head of Jiushan, so it’s not good for you to ask for favors, and you can’t lose face. If Chengkong Shangren had rejected you, it would have hurt the relationship.”
“…”
“I’m not the head, so I’m not afraid of losing face.”
“Senior Sister?”
Zhang stopped at the door of her house, pausing her steps. Suddenly, she said, “Didn’t you just give me your face earlier?”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, realizing she was referring to the moment they had both accepted toasts from everyone.
“That’s enough.”
…
Xie Qingxue returned to her small courtyard, thought for a moment, and called for Yan Wushuang.
“Are you and Zheng Fa close?”
“Of course!”
Yan Wushuang puffed out his chest proudly at the question.
“Then you should go visit Jiushan Sect more often in the next few days.”
“Senior Sister?”
Yan Wushuang was a bit puzzled. He had wanted to find Zheng Fa to hang out for a while, but his sister had not allowed it:
Mainly because he had been too obvious in his betrayal…
“Zheng Fa from Jiushan Sect is someone worth befriending.”
“Ha, he’s the great contributor this time! You think he’s extraordinary too, right?” Yan Wushuang’s eyes sparkled as he smiled, “I knew I had an eye for heroes!”
Xie Qingxue nodded.
To be fair, there was some truth to that—Zheng Fa’s performance in Chengjun was indeed remarkable, especially considering he was just a Jindan cultivator, which made it even more terrifying.
At least she knew that their ancestor… probably couldn’t have achieved this.
That was also why Chengkong Shangren went to such lengths to win over Zheng Fa.
Xie Qingxue had some doubts about whether she could borrow the serene bamboo herself.
But Zheng Fa could.
However, her willingness for her junior brother to go to Jiushan Realm was actually due to another reason: “Of course, I value his exceptional strength and rare talent, but he is much more than that.”
“Hmm?”
“When Zheng Fa said he would give up the two states today, none of the Yuanying cultivators from Jiushan Sect showed any dissent…” Xie Qingxue’s gaze became a bit distant as she spoke softly,
“The resources of two states are a wealth Jiushan Sect has never had.”
“Just because Zheng Fa said so, they agreed to give it up…”
Yan Wushuang hadn’t expected that the senior sister would place such importance on this, but did this mean it was more important than Zheng Fa’s talent and strength?
“You don’t understand; geniuses are common. People like him are actually quite rare in the Xuanwei Realm. I believe he’s not trying to seduce you into betrayal.”
“Really?” Yan Wushuang’s expression lit up with excitement.
Xie Qingxue shook her head, her tone dismissive: “You’re just being naive…”
She looked at her junior brother and added, “You should go and learn how Zheng Fa managed to unite the sect.”
“Also learn about the loyalty these people have to the sect; don’t betray them again.”
Yan Wushuang scratched his head, thinking for a long time before suddenly saying:
“Senior Sister, shouldn’t this be something my father should learn?”
“…”
“If I learn it and go back… wouldn’t that mean the position of sect leader is mine?”
…
In the laboratory on Daxue Island in Jiushan Realm, everyone gathered around, looking at the two biggest gains from this battle:
The serene bamboo and the Blood Slaughter Flag.
Oh, it should be said that there were three major gains—the third being the Blood River Ancestor, who was standing next to Zheng Fa, eyeing the serene bamboo and the Blood Slaughter Flag with a predatory gaze, as if he were not part of either.
“How should we deal with this Blood Slaughter Flag?” the elder asked with a frown.
Once the Blood Slaughter Flag arrived in Jiushan Realm, it was suppressed by the realm’s rules, so it didn’t show any extraordinary powers. However, this item was related to the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, and everyone felt a bit wary.
“Destroy it?”
Elder Huang suggested.
Zheng Fa looked at the Blood River Ancestor, who shook his head:
“The Blood Slaughter Flag is powerful; it’s hard to destroy without the serene bamboo…”
At this point, he seemed a bit pained: “This is also a treasure of my Holy Sect, and besides, this item doesn’t harm the balance of heaven…”
Doesn’t harm the balance of heaven?
Right, the one Zheng Fa snatched was the very flag that Youming Xian used to practice with the Yin-Yang Rakshasa, which indeed didn’t harm the balance of heaven; only the Yin-Yang Rakshasa was hurt…
It might even bring great merit.
With the Blood River Ancestor saying this, Zheng Fa found the Blood Slaughter Flag much more agreeable.
He thought for a moment and didn’t immediately deal with the Blood Slaughter Flag, instead turning his attention to the serene bamboo.
“Cut a little?”
After a long silence, Zheng Fa finally spoke.
Youming Xian was still alive and currently missing, with four Blood Slaughter Flags in hand.
Zheng Fa naturally didn’t dare to pursue; he was just fast on his feet.
At that time, Xie Qingxue didn’t take action, leaving a huge hidden danger.
In fact, Youming Xian probably didn’t know whether to hate Zheng Fa more or to resent Xie Qingxue more…
Chengkong Shangren seemed to be placing his hopes on his master uncle or had other plans and confidence.
After all, Youming Xian came from Taishang Dao, and Zheng Fa wasn’t clear about the entanglements and mutual understanding between them.
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