Chapter 465
As they reflected on the seemingly absurd biological experiments conducted by the ancestors of the Da Zizai Demon Sect, neither of them found it laughable anymore. On the contrary, it seemed that this was precisely the ambition of the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor!
In the realm between heaven and earth, anyone who was not a human cultivator could be considered a demon. The demon race, however, placed great importance on bloodlines. Under the suppression of the Xuanwei Five Sects, they governed themselves separately, making coordination difficult.
If the Dao Fruit was related to unique methods, then it could be inferred that:
After countless years of biological experiments, the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor had somehow discovered a way to merge his own bloodline with various others? From that point on, the demon race would possess a truly universal method?
The implications for the demon race would be immense. In fact, one could argue that only those demons who possessed this method could truly be called a race.
The Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor likely stemmed from this very idea. As for those demons who were sacrificed, they were probably just the final step, perhaps even an unimportant one.
If this speculation were to come true, the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor's plans could not be considered short-sighted.
Zheng Fa's heart was in turmoil, and the expression on Ming De's face fluctuated between gloom and uncertainty, as if he were pondering something. Suddenly, four purple talismans flew in from the horizon, landing in the hands of Ming De and his three companions.
The four of them bowed to receive the edicts and exchanged glances, as if they had anticipated this moment.
Zheng Fa sensed that something had changed. Sure enough, he heard Ming De say, "In that case, we can only deliberate further."
...Does that mean they were preparing to retreat?
Ming De seemed to have seen the confusion on his face and spoke up:
"An order has been sent from the sect: the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor intends to refine the Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor, and we need not intervene."
"He will likely focus on the demon race in the future, which has little to do with our Xuanwei Five Sects."
This somewhat alleviated Zheng Fa's confusion. He then heard Xie Qingxue add, "The Dao Fruit is already difficult to kill; now that he has control over the Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor, he may be even stronger."
This reasoning was quite pragmatic.
What puzzled Zheng Fa was that, at first, everyone had been fighting fiercely, yet now it seemed they were preparing to call it a day. The change was simply too rapid!
Ming De sighed, "Our immortal sect still values the human race the most. The ancestors would never engage in a war of attrition with the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor... This Da Zizai Demon Ancestor, by advancing, is actually retreating; he seems to want to step out of the game entirely."
This implied that... the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor had opened up new technologies and found a new blue ocean, suddenly eliminating all competitors?
Xie Qingxue nodded from the side, "The Dao Fruit is inherently hard to kill. Now that the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor has revived, we are already at a disadvantage. If he wishes to achieve the status of Demon Emperor, he likely won't want to provoke us."
The situation was changing too quickly. It was only now that Zheng Fa finally understood the mindset of the Xuanwei Five Sects—no more fighting out of spite, only weighing gains and losses. Even the so-called righteous and demonic paths were not within the considerations of the sect leaders.
After assessing the situation, they seemed prepared to let the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor go free.
"The Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor... Is no one from the Five Sects competing for it?"
"Our ancestors have tried, but the Dao Fruit is inherently difficult to achieve, and there are no leads."
At this moment, Yan Wushuang spoke up, seemingly perplexed, "Are we really just going to watch the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor regain his strength?"
Ming De smiled faintly, a hint of nostalgia in his expression, "When it comes to dealing with the Dao Fruit, our thoughts no longer matter..."
The Tongming Elder's face darkened. If anyone had a grudge against the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor, it was him; his Tongming Mountain had been destroyed, which was a deep-seated enmity.
"Moreover, the demon race has its own foundation. It won't be that simple for the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor to unify the demon race and truly achieve the status of Demon Emperor."
"Since he can't obtain the Qingping Sword and the Qingjing Bamboo, if he wants to achieve the Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor, he likely won't easily provoke us again. This matter holds no benefits for him."
Yan Wushuang still looked confused, as if he wanted to say something, but was silenced by a glare from Xie Qingxue. He suddenly thought of something and looked at Zheng Fa, worry etched on his face.
If the Xuanwei Five Sects were to retreat, what would become of the Jiushan Realm?
Staying here, given the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor's interest in him and his desire for the Qingjing Bamboo, he might not find peace, and could even face great danger.
Now that the Da Zizai Demon Ancestor had achieved the Dao Fruit of the Demon Emperor, he was even more formidable than before.
With this shift in power, the situation was indeed grim.
Moreover, the Qingjing Bamboo was still attracting the attention of the Leiyin Temple!
The earlier refusal of Ming De's invitation now seemed hasty.
Ming De seemed to have thought of this as well. He glanced at Zheng Fa but said nothing.
The Yaochi Huashen and others also looked at Zheng Fa, their expressions quite strange.
...
"Cheng Kong, go find Zheng Fa!"
Just as everyone was parting ways, the voice of Ming De echoed in Cheng Kong's mind. He looked up in surprise to see Ming De looking at him, a hint of urgency in his expression. "Tell him that if he is willing to join our Taishang Dao, my conditions remain unchanged."
"..." Cheng Kong was utterly confused. "Sect Leader, why didn't you say this earlier?"
"Zheng Fa is still young and proud. If I asked him on the spot, he might refuse out of pride."
Ming De explained.
Cheng Kong was taken aback, doubt written all over his face. "Zheng Fa... is he really that kind of person?"
"Moreover, he should have realized by now that having ambition is good, but he must choose a backing between the Demon Sect and the Five Sects. With his current low cultivation, despite possessing powerful treasures and a technique for nurturing spiritual roots, without the protection of a major sect, he will find it hard to progress in the future."
This made sense, and Cheng Kong nodded in agreement.
"But... Sect Leader, if that's the case, why not wait for him to come to us?"
"..." Ming De shot him a glance and scolded, "All the troubles with the Jiushan Sect are because of my Taishang summons!"
"..." Cheng Kong pressed his lips together, unsure how to respond.
He then heard Ming De say, "And wait for him to come to us?"
"Do you think Yaochi and Haori Mountain will wait for him to come begging us?"
"Ah?"
...
Yan Wushuang paced back and forth in his room, his expression shifting. Finally, he couldn't hold back and walked to the courtyard, pushing open the door to his senior sister's room, shouting, "Senior Sister!"
Xie Qingxue opened her eyes, gazing at him quietly, saying nothing.
Yan Wushuang's tone immediately dropped.
"Let Zheng Fa come to our Tianhe Sect..."
Hearing this, Xie Qingxue seemed unsurprised, as if she had anticipated his thoughts. She stood up and gently shook her head, saying, "Our Tianhe Sect is different from the Taishang Dao. Our sect's inheritance is fixed, and you know..."
"Yeah..."
"Not to mention, our sect would never trust outsiders like the Taishang Dao does." Xie Qingxue smiled lightly, "Even the Taishang Dao might not fully trust outsiders."
Yan Wushuang lowered his head.
"Furthermore, have you considered Zheng Fa's character..."
Xie Qingxue's words caught Yan Wushuang off guard.
"Zheng Fa..."
"Zheng Fa appears humble, but he actually harbors hidden pride..." Xie Qingxue's gaze was sharp, as if she had been contemplating this matter for some time.
"I can guess why he wouldn't go to the Taishang Dao."
"Our Tianhe Sect... might not be able to accommodate him either."
After hearing this, Yan Wushuang muttered in dissatisfaction, "If someone like me can join..."
"The sect leader isn't your father. Why don't you give it a try?"
Yan Wushuang fell silent.
Xie Qingxue shook her head at him and continued, "I acknowledge Zheng Fa's talent, but our Tianhe Sect is different. Joining us might not be a good thing for him..."
She seemed to think of something and paused for a moment before speaking again, "If you value his talent, your relationship with him is already good. Why force him to join the sect?"
"..."
Yan Wushuang was at a loss for words. Xie Qingxue added, "Building good relationships with outsiders will never be as effective as improving your own cultivation... If you truly want more talents in the sect, why not focus on comprehending the sect's secret techniques yourself?"
Yan Wushuang murmured, "Isn't that what I'm doing... to comprehend the ancestral secret techniques?"
"Mm?"
Yan Wushuang noticed Xie Qingxue's initial surprise, followed by a thoughtful expression. Realizing he had said something wrong, he quickly exclaimed, "Senior Sister! I understand! I'm going back to cultivate!"
With that, he turned to leave, but a cold voice called out from behind:
"Stop!"
Yan Wushuang froze, slowly turning his head.
"Explain to me what you mean by..." Xie Qingxue's gaze was sharp as she looked at her junior brother, her expression serious, "You will treat the Qingping Sword well?"
"..."
"What do you mean by you are comprehending the ancestral secret techniques?"
Yan Wushuang's expression grew increasingly pale.
"What have you done in the Jiushan Realm?"
Seeing his senior sister's hand slowly grip the sword hilt, Yan Wushuang fell to his knees with a thud, exclaiming, "Senior Sister, I haven't revealed a single bit of the sect's inheritance!"
"You! Really! Dare!"
Xie Qingxue enunciated each word, gritting her teeth, her Qingping Sword radiating an uncontrollable fury.
"Really! I just wanted to give it to him, but he didn't want it!"
Yan Wushuang wailed.
"You better not let a single word slip! Explain yourself clearly!"
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