Chapter 430
"Do you feel any sense of rejection or even a sting when you touch this Qingjing Bamboo?"
Uncle Pang looked puzzled. "I come here every day to touch it, and I don’t feel anything like that..."
Sister Zhang reached out, placing her hand on the Qingjing Bamboo, then shook her head.
The others took turns trying, only to discover that this bamboo seemed to have no regard for Zheng Fa, just like it had for them.
"You... do you have something special about you?"
Zheng Fa was equally confused. Of course, he was special; the most unique thing about him was the Yin-Yang Fish jade pendant in his mind, a relic of the Tianhe Zunzhang.
Could it be that the Buddha was also killed by the Tianhe Zunzhang?
He reached out to gently stroke the Qingjing Bamboo while using his spiritual sense to observe himself. That’s when he noticed the problem—his hand barely touched the bamboo when the Fusang wood within him stirred restlessly.
It felt uneasy.
"Spiritual roots of heaven and earth... mutually repelling?"
Upon hearing Zheng Fa's words, everyone looked surprised and puzzled.
However, the concept of spiritual roots of heaven and earth was something the Jiushan Sect had never even heard of before, and their nature was indeed beyond their understanding.
Elder Yuan frowned with concern. "This could complicate your future control over the Qingjing Bamboo."
The Qingjing Bamboo was not just a spiritual root; it was also a treasure for dealing with the Great Freedom Demon Sect.
Zheng Fa's mutual repulsion with it could indeed pose some risks, especially when using the bamboo in battle. Would it be able to kill his enemies? Who knew? But it could very well end up hurting him instead!
He wasn’t Yan Wushuang; he didn’t have that kind of penchant!
After thinking for a moment, he looked at Sister Zhang, and the meaning in his eyes was clear.
Not just Sister Zhang, but the others could also see what Zheng Fa was implying.
Madam Xuanhua lowered her gaze, suddenly realizing where the Jiushan Sect's peculiar habits came from—spiritual roots of heaven and earth were incredibly precious. Even if Zheng Fa and the Qingjing Bamboo weren’t a perfect match, most Xuanwei cultivators would likely think of claiming it for themselves, hoping to use it in the future.
Even the most generous person would probably find some other way.
But someone as decisive as Zheng Fa...
She had never seen anyone like that.
If the sect leader was like this, then the others would follow suit.
She heard Zheng Fa say, "Sister Zhang controlling the Qingjing Bamboo is the same as me holding it myself."
Madam Xuanhua watched as Zhang Wuyi didn’t hesitate at all, merely smiling as she placed her fingers on the Qingjing Bamboo. It was unclear whether she was laughing at her own ability to control the bamboo or at the idea that it was the same.
...
Within the Jiushan Realm, everyone was united in purpose. Outside, the atmosphere at Tongming Mountain was even more harmonious and friendly.
In the main hall of Tongming Mountain.
The Yuanying from various sects gathered together, all eyes on Master Mingde.
As soon as he arrived, not only did the Chengkong Shangren step aside, relinquishing his position, but even Xie Qingxue from the Tianhe Sect treated him with deference, clearly showing great respect.
The disciples of the five Xuanwei sects were the same, and the other Huashen or Yuanying cultivators naturally followed suit.
Even though this person usually acted aloof and didn’t bother to speak much to them, they didn’t dare to act out.
Today, Master Mingde, who typically said little to them, had a smile that never left his face.
Zheng Fa sat among a few Yuanying from the Jiushan Sect, listening to Master Mingde share his thoughts.
"Although the Great Freedom Demon Sect has been largely decimated, there are still remnants that must not be underestimated." Master Mingde glanced at the crowd, even allowing them to voice their opinions, asking, "What do you all think?"
"Eradicate the evil completely!"
"Exactly! The Great Freedom Demon Sect has committed heinous crimes; they cannot be let off easily!"
"We will follow the sect leader's lead!"
Zheng Fa listened as various Huashen and Yuanying spoke up, their themes boiling down to three statements—
Master Mingde is right!
The Great Freedom Demon Sect deserves to die!
Even if they don’t deserve to die, if the sect leader says they do, then they should die!
Madam Xuanhua sat to the side, feeling the atmosphere of unity in the hall, and for some reason, she found it a bit strange.
Master Mingde nodded slightly, looking quite pleased with these people.
"That’s perfect; I have already found the whereabouts of the ghostly immortal Qin Mu. I will eliminate this child soon."
The crowd cheered even more, exclaiming, "The ghostly immortal is a great evil; this action by the sect leader is truly for the sake of our immortal sect!"
The flattery nearly lifted the roof off the hall.
The smile on Master Mingde's face grew even more pronounced.
He continued, "That ghostly immortal Qin Mu is cunning and may have schemes. I would like to invite you all to help me ensure he has nowhere to escape. What do you think?"
"…"
Silence.
The roof of the hall was suddenly saved...
This silence made Zheng Fa feel a bit awkward.
He glanced around and saw that the previously excited faces of the Huashen and Yuanying cultivators were now marked with reluctance.
It was quite different from when Chengkong Shangren had summoned the various sects.
He realized why:
These people had gained their territories and were likely content with their small fortunes. Many probably thought that as long as the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor didn’t resurrect, other matters were none of their concern.
Moreover, the ghostly immortal Qin Mu was indeed a tough opponent, and these people likely harbored some fear, worried he might act out of desperation.
Most importantly, it was Master Mingde's attitude—he had always looked down on them, and now he was all smiles, treating them with respect...
When a usually stern boss smiles at you, who wouldn’t have doubts?
Who knows if this sect leader would send them to their deaths?
He looked at Master Mingde, only to see a flash of anger cross his face, as if he was also irritated by the crowd's silence. Just as he was about to speak, the Yaochi Huashen interjected, "The ghostly immortal Qin Mu is, after all, a matter for your Taishang Dao."
At this, everyone nodded in agreement.
How did the ghostly immortal come about?
Wasn’t it due to the incompetence of your Taishang Dao disciples?
Many had thought this, but few dared to say it. Only the Huashen from the five Xuanwei sects had the courage to voice it.
Sure enough, seeing that it was the Yaochi Huashen speaking, Master Mingde seemed to suppress his anger and patiently explained, "Qin Mu is indeed my disciple... His escape is my fault; he is exceptionally skilled at fleeing. I ask you all to help me to prevent him from escaping again."
"I am asking for your assistance out of necessity, and I have no other intentions."
Master Mingde's words seemed directed at the Yaochi Huashen.
But others understood the implication—what Master Mingde meant was that although he looked down on the Xuanwei people, he was willing to use any resources to eliminate his troublesome disciple.
His expression seemed sincere.
Many felt a bit more at ease.
"Furthermore, I won’t let you all help for free." He waved his hand, and a dozen jade bottles landed on the table. "These are secret elixirs from my Taishang Dao. After the battle, I will reward you based on your contributions."
Zheng Fa watched as many cultivators revealed expressions of interest.
Clearly, the reputation of the Taishang Dao's secret elixirs was immense.
Madam Xuanhua sighed inwardly, finally understanding why she found the previous atmosphere so strange:
The people of the Jiushan Realm spoke little, but they shared their secret techniques in casual conversation. The Qingjing Bamboo was offered freely, almost as if there was no distinction between them, all for the betterment of the Jiushan Realm.
But the people of the Xuanwei Realm...
They spoke more beautifully than the last.
Their voices grew louder and louder.
Yet their thoughts were entirely different, filled with calculations and precautions.
Sitting among them, she suddenly felt a wave of annoyance and even thought about returning to the Jiushan Realm.
She paused, realizing... she had unconsciously used the term "return"?
...
Zheng Fa also looked at Master Mingde, who was both explaining and offering benefits.
Given his previous attitude, it was clear that this was not for the Xuanwei people, but rather for the Huashen of the five Xuanwei sects—after all, the ghostly immortal was indeed a problem created by the Taishang Dao.
Thus, Master Mingde's words were mostly directed at the Yaochi Huashen.
The Yaochi Huashen thought for a moment, then nodded slightly, saying, "Then, Master, do you have confidence?"
Master Mingde smiled, and auspicious clouds slowly appeared above his head.
Zheng Fa looked at the clouds and vaguely saw a divine figure sitting among them, gazing down at the crowd in the hall. A sudden chill ran through Zheng Fa's body, as if he had encountered an existence he could never hope to resist.
Was this... a higher realm of the Taishang Dao?
Chengkong Shangren didn’t possess such an aura.
Master Mingde seemed to be deliberately demonstrating his power. He watched as everyone in the hall fell silent, then smiled with satisfaction. From the auspicious clouds, a piece of Qingjing Bamboo flew out.
This Qingjing Bamboo was only about the length of a forearm, with half of it yellowed and looking rather pitiful.
But the Yaochi Huashen's eyes lit up, exclaiming, "This Qingjing Bamboo seems to have gained some vitality?"
"Exactly!" Master Mingde declared proudly. "This bamboo is the bane of the Great Freedom Demon Sect. Qin Mu has been scheming to destroy it, but little did he know his efforts would be in vain. With this treasure, that wretched disciple will surely have nowhere to escape!"
The Yaochi Huashen pondered for a moment, then nodded, as if convinced.
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