Chapter 445
It was a dilemma; she only had a vague idea of how to conduct the experiments.
...
Zheng Fa and his companions were so engrossed in their research on the Tianhe Sword Dao and the Nine Turns Golden Elixir Method that they unconsciously left others behind.
But while the Jiu Shan Sect could forget about others, others could not forget about them.
Zheng Fa was receiving the visiting Cheng Kong Shang Ren on Tian Gong Island, feeling a bit puzzled, he asked, "What brings you here, Shang Ren?"
Cheng Kong Shang Ren first glanced at the few people beside Zheng Fa, his gaze lingering for a moment on Xue He Lao Zu and Jiao Wu Ji, a hint of surprise crossing his face—he had long been curious about what hidden means the Jiu Shan Sect possessed that allowed them to kill two demon clan transformation gods.
But now, upon arriving in the Jiu Shan realm, he realized that regardless of what hidden means the Jiu Shan Sect had, their surface strength was certainly not what it used to be!
Zheng Fa, Zhang Wu Yi, Xue He Lao Zu, and Jiao Wu Ji were almost equivalent to four transformation gods.
After the battle with the Da Zai Zai Mo Jiao, the strength of the Jiu Shan Sect had at least doubled!
Although they still couldn't compare to the Xuan Wei Five Sects, beneath the Xuan Wei Five Sects, the Jiu Shan Sect was now undoubtedly at the top, even deserving to be called the sixth sect of Xuan Wei!
He took a deep breath, a smile appearing on his face as he cupped his hands towards Zheng Fa and said, "I am here to express my gratitude."
Zheng Fa was taken aback, not quite understanding what was going on.
Cheng Kong Shang Ren began to recount the matter of the Seven Dragon Hanhai Great Formation, saying, "If it weren't for the Jiu Shan Sect, we would have been left to wait for death. The Jiu Shan Sect has saved our lives..."
His expression was sincere, and the meaning behind his words was clear:
For the first time, while Zheng Fa had played a role in sending messages, the main force was still Cheng Kong Shang Ren.
During the second attack on Chen Jun, Zheng Fa had again contributed by seizing the flag, but it could also be said to be a collaborative effort.
Since everyone had contributed, it was merely a matter of the size of their achievements.
Only this time, they had actually done nothing; instead, it was the Jiu Shan Sect that had single-handedly turned the tide. This was not merely an achievement but a life-saving grace!
He took out a pile of jade bottles from his storage bag and said, "Words cannot express my gratitude for saving my life. Here are some Taishang Dao elixirs, a collection I have accumulated over the years, along with some given by the head of Ming De... Though it may not be worth even a fraction of the Jiu Shan Sect's kindness, it is a small token of my appreciation."
Beside him, Uncle Pang looked at the jade bottles in his hand, feeling a bit emotional.
Previously, during the distribution of spoils in the hall of Tong Ming Mountain, that was essentially a reward for merit. Since it was a reward, Cheng Kong Shang Ren still held himself in a high position.
But now, personally coming to deliver elixirs was a gesture of thanks.
From looking down to looking eye-to-eye, which was more sincere, which showed more respect to the Jiu Shan Sect, was clear to everyone.
Uncle Pang couldn't help but straighten his back, a smile appearing on his face.
Zheng Fa glanced at the elixir bottles, pondering for a long time, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Cheng Kong Shang Ren felt he had seen this expression before, and suddenly recalled, "You want to trade again?"
"…Huh?"
"…The Qing Jing Bamboo is gone."
"Gone? If it's gone, then what about the Fusang Wood?"
Cheng Kong Shang Ren's hand trembled, feeling it was absurd.
"My Taishang Dao has no Fusang Wood..." he sighed, "In fact, I've never even heard of anyone possessing such a top-tier spiritual root."
He had originally thought that upon hearing this, Zheng Fa would be disappointed, but to his surprise, when Zheng Fa heard that no one had Fusang Wood, the smile on his face couldn't be contained.
"Shang Ren, you misunderstood. I just wanted to ask, have you heard of any spiritual roots related to Fusang Wood in this world?"
The Qing Jing Bamboo had been cultivated.
But Zheng Fa still had some lingering thoughts about Fusang Wood.
Most importantly, one spiritual root wasn't enough for security; adding another would be worth a try...
After all, you could never have too many of these things!
Moreover, the Qing Jing Bamboo wasn't particularly close to him.
"Related?" Cheng Kong Shang Ren's expression shifted, and he suddenly thought of something, "I know of a spiritual root called Hao Ri Sang... It is rumored to have some connection to Fusang Wood."
"Hao Ri Sang..."
"Yes, it is a unique spiritual root of Hao Ri Mountain. The techniques of Hao Ri Mountain are special, excelling in archery. I've heard that bows made from the branches of Hao Ri Sang possess extraordinary power..."
Listening to this, Zheng Fa understood that this matter was going to be difficult.
The transformation god from Hao Ri Mountain had not interacted much with him, or rather, apart from Chang Kong Shang Ren, even Xie Qing Xue had never come to the Jiu Shan realm—perhaps the Xuan Wei Five Sects still had barriers with other sects.
This was a bit troublesome.
"You want Hao Ri Sang?"
"Yes... even borrowing it for a while would be fine, um, even just the branches."
Zheng Fa spoke candidly.
"This... isn't very easy. They hold Hao Ri Sang in high regard and never let it flow outside. Even the disciples of Hao Ri Mountain wouldn't dare to lend it out."
Cheng Kong Shang Ren shook his head, seemingly helpless.
After all, although Zheng Fa had saved that transformation god from Hao Ri Mountain, it was uncertain whether the latter would acknowledge this favor.
Even if he did, as a disciple, he couldn't offer Hao Ri Sang in return.
...
On the way back to Tong Ming Mountain, Cheng Kong Shang Ren was still pondering Zheng Fa's words. Hao Ri Sang was even more special than he had said—he had heard that spiritual energy was dwindling, and it was now difficult for Hao Ri Sang to grow. Some disciples of Hao Ri Mountain even struggled to obtain such materials for their treasures.
"What's wrong?"
Ming De, the head, saw him return deep in thought and curiously asked.
"Zheng Fa... he wants Hao Ri Sang. No, I think he's fixated on Fusang Wood," Cheng Kong Shang Ren sighed, "It's understandable; although the Da Zai Zai Mo Zu cannot descend, the situation will only worsen day by day. He is doing this for self-preservation."
Ming De replied, "Are you saying he first borrowed Qing Jing Bamboo, then sought Hao Ri Sang, all for the sake of the Jiu Shan realm?"
"You know, once there is a spiritual root, the cave world can grow on its own, making it harder to invade."
"He borrowed Qing Jing Bamboo before, probably didn't gain much, but didn't give up, and now has his sights set on Hao Ri Sang..." The more he spoke, the more Cheng Kong Shang Ren felt regret, "Though it's a desperate measure, this is the helplessness of a small sect leader."
As he said this, Cheng Kong Shang Ren felt a bit of sympathy for Zheng Fa, and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in being a disciple of Taishang Dao.
After listening, Ming De fell silent, saying nothing.
...
A few days later, Ming De suddenly walked into Cheng Kong Shang Ren's room and placed a box on the table.
Cheng Kong Shang Ren was taken aback, opening the box to find a branch of a mulberry tree, planted in a flowerpot, with various spiritual items and restrictions at the bottom, seemingly to prevent the branch from withering.
The branch was entirely red, with leaves shaped like flames, exuding waves of scorching wind that slapped against Cheng Kong Shang Ren's face.
"Head? Is this... Hao Ri Sang?"
Though he had never seen Hao Ri Sang, he had heard of its appearance.
"Head, you are..."
"I traded for it!" Ming De's face flashed with a hint of pain, then he scolded, "That Hao Ri Mountain sect leader is truly shameless. I told him Zheng Fa saved the lives of the Hao Ri Mountain disciples, and he said Hao Ri Sang is his life!"
"…"
"Head, this... Hao Ri Mountain must have asked for a lot, right?"
Ming De snorted coldly:
"He is shameless, but I have my pride! My life is worth something!"
---
**Chapter 360: Extraordinary Character, Unparalleled Insight**
Zheng Fa was unaware that Ming De had procured Hao Ri Sang for him.
He only learned the full scope of the recent battle after Cheng Kong Shang Ren finished recounting the events of the Seven Dragon Hanhai Great Formation. It was from Cheng Kong Shang Ren that he discovered that You Ming Xian had died.
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment, then looked at Xue He Lao Zu and Jiao Wu Ji beside him.
"Does the Da Zai Zai Mo Jiao still have transformation gods?"
The two exchanged glances, Xue He Lao Zu's expression uncertain: "The ones I know are gone, but I can't say for sure about the ones I don't know..."
Zheng Fa turned to Jiao Wu Ji; what Xue He Lao Zu didn't know was likely the arrangements of the Da Zai Zai Mo Zu within the demon clan.
Jiao Wu Ji shook his head: "The Holy Ancestor has only cultivated the four of us transformation gods; at least, I don't know of any others..."
Given their statements, Zheng Fa believed them—so, it seemed that the Da Zai Zai Mo Zu had no one left under its command?
He nodded slowly, suddenly asking Jiao Wu Ji, "Then... what about the four Blood Sha Flags?"
Jiao Wu Ji's face also showed confusion, as if he didn't know where the Blood Sha Flags were.
"After You Ming Xian's death, Ming De and the others at least searched once... but they didn't find the Blood Sha Flags."
The elder proposed a thought: "...It could also be in You Ming Xian's storage treasure."
"That's possible. I previously thought the Blood Sha Flags were in You Ming Xian's possession." Zheng Fa agreed while staring at Jiao Wu Ji, "But now, after hearing about You Ming Xian's arrangements, I don't think so anymore."
Jiao Wu Ji's face suddenly turned pale.
"He trapped himself in the Seven Dragon Hanhai Great Formation; he couldn't escape without dying. What use would he have for the Blood Sha Flags in his hands?"
The elder immediately understood, narrowing his eyes as he looked at Jiao Wu Ji, his gaze sharp: "That's right; only by handing them over to the four transformation gods of the demon clan could they be used to summon the Da Zai Zai Mo Zu."
Jiao Wu Ji lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time before finally saying, "They were given to us."
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