Chapter 471
A straightforward path: find a Xuánwēi Wǔzōng and seek refuge there.
Another path, seemingly out of reach: carve out a peaceful existence through one’s own efforts!
Zheng Fa leaned towards the latter, yet he still sought out Sister Zhang and the others to discuss—after all, this was a matter of life and death for their Jiushan Realm.
After hearing the current situation, the elders fell into silence.
“Fusang wood... tsk...”
“With Qingjing bamboo, Fusang wood, and the Jiushan Realm, we shouldn’t fear the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, right?” Uncle Pang calculated with his fingers.
“Not so fast. What worked last time was mostly the Qingping Sword,” Sister Zhang said softly. “Moreover, that Great Freedom Demon Ancestor might have just been testing us last time.”
“We haven’t truly faced him in battle.”
Uncle Pang nodded in agreement.
“As for joining the Xuánwēi Wǔzōng, Taishang Dao is probably the best choice,” Zheng Fa continued. “Taishang Dao has a tradition of accepting Xuánwēi cultivators, and besides, both Master Chengkong and Headmaster Mingde are decent people.”
“Though it may sound a bit rash, if such individuals hold such status in Taishang Dao, it can’t be all that dangerous.”
Zheng Fa’s words prompted nods of agreement from the others.
Uncle Pang pondered for a long time before sighing, “I don’t know if Taishang Dao is good or not, but I do know it’s nowhere near as good as Jiushan Realm.”
(End of this chapter)
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**Chapter 372: Qingxue’s Indifference, Zheng Fa’s Path**
Uncle Pang’s words plunged the hall of Tiangong Island into silence.
Madam Xuanhua seemed to recall what she had seen in the hall of Tongming Mountain and slowly nodded, murmuring, “Those who have grown accustomed to life in Jiushan Realm truly won’t adapt to Taishang Dao.”
This wasn’t merely a compliment to Jiushan Realm.
It was that the current state and traditions of Jiushan Realm were increasingly diverging from those of the traditional Xuánwēi sects. Whether Taishang Dao was good or not was secondary; the customs would surely be vastly different.
The mundane world of Jiushan Realm was gradually getting on the right track.
In terms of food, Master Qian’s achievements were piling up, and the diet of Jiushan disciples was becoming increasingly diverse.
In terms of spiritual materials, the research on the “Jindan Project” had already alleviated urgent needs.
In terms of talent reserves, in recent years, many children in the mundane world had learned literature and mathematics.
One could say that the foundation for Jiushan Realm’s great development was gradually solidifying, yet external changes kept coming one after another.
The immediate threat was the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, while distant troubles loomed, including Leiyin Temple.
This pressure of survival was what led Zheng Fa to consider a second path, aside from self-development.
What he hadn’t expected was that his desire for independent development was quite normal—after all, from the very beginning, he had never quite adapted to the style of the Xuánwēi sects, feeling out of place even in the original Jiushan Sect.
Yet Uncle Pang and Madam Xuanhua, having lived in the Xuánwēi realm for so many years, should have been accustomed to it. Now, they too seemed to harbor a reluctance to seek refuge in Taishang Dao.
One must understand, this was the Xuánwēi Wǔzōng, the highest-ranking sect in the hearts of Xuánwēi cultivators!
He raised his eyes to look at the others.
Sister Zhang, Elder Yuan, Uncle Pang, Uncle Huang, and Madam Xuanhua were all looking at him. They exchanged glances and unexpectedly burst into laughter.
Sister Zhang’s eyes sparkled with excitement: “Looks like we’re on the same page?”
Uncle Huang nodded, a smile gracing her usually expressionless face, making her quite charming.
Uncle Pang suddenly spat, “When we left the Hundred Immortals Alliance back then, I thought to myself, I’m done with that nonsense!”
“If we go to Taishang Dao, where would we find today’s carefree days?”
After a lively discussion, it turned out that everyone leaned towards not seeking refuge in Taishang Dao.
Seeing Zheng Fa silent, they ceased their discussions, leaving only Sister Zhang to accompany him as one by one they exited the hall.
Watching their retreating figures, Zheng Fa sighed, “My master and uncles... seem to have seen through me.”
How much of their choice was genuine reluctance to seek refuge in Taishang Dao, and how much was simply understanding his true feelings? Zheng Fa was clear in his heart.
The reason he sought these people for discussion was, to be honest, to hear some opposing opinions.
But in the end, this group was more resolute than the last!
Sister Zhang first nodded, then slowly said, “So we’re not suited to seek refuge in Taishang Dao.”
“Hmm?”
Zheng Fa turned to look at Sister Zhang, who continued, “Junior Brother, your nature is sincere; in other words, you’re not very scheming.”
Zheng Fa felt this was true.
“Your master and uncles often see through your thoughts…” Sister Zhang paused, then said, “This isn’t a bad thing. While people think that a profound and inscrutable sect leader is impressive, your clarity and sincerity have allowed you to govern Jiushan Realm quite well.”
“The words of your master and uncles are also a testament to your abilities.”
Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa, her gaze filled with a hint of pride. She added, “But this kind of character is only suited for an environment like Jiushan Realm, where you can control the situation, or for a sect with a very friendly atmosphere.”
“Taishang Dao might be such a sect…”
“But more likely, it’s not.”
Zheng Fa blinked. What Sister Zhang said was quite insightful—whether a person’s personality is a blessing or a curse is often closely related to their environment. Kindness on the battlefield is foolishness, and loyalty in a ledger is... well, a quirk.
With his character, to be honest, engaging in intrigue, power plays, and schemes—regardless of willingness—would likely lead to his downfall.
Seeing the change in his expression, Sister Zhang continued:
“Junior Brother, what you excel at is moving hearts with facts, utilizing the wisdom of the crowd to solve problems, and nurturing a sect to grow gradually.”
“Joining an old-fashioned Xuánwēi sect isn’t suitable for you, nor for me, and certainly not for the current Jiushan Realm.”
“Moreover, who says Taishang Dao isn’t coveting Qingjing bamboo, Fusang wood... or the ‘Jiushan Jindan Method’?”
Zheng Fa fell into silence. Sister Zhang’s words weren’t profound, yet they struck at the heart of the matter—within a traditional Xuánwēi sect, whether Zheng Fa or Jiushan Realm wished to grow according to his wishes was a mere fantasy.
Whether seeking refuge in Taishang Dao could resolve the current troubles was uncertain—at least the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor was now in a life-and-death struggle with him.
But new troubles would surely arise.
“Are you saying...”
“Let’s fight first!” Sister Zhang’s face flashed with determination. “We’ve faced the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor before.”
“With Qingjing bamboo, the already-formed Fusang wood, and now the assistance of the Qingping Sword…”
“Are we weaker than last time?”
Zheng Fa slowly nodded. Sister Zhang’s character was different from his; he was relatively conservative, often preparing for the worst.
But Sister Zhang... she was a traditional Xuánwēi genius, a seasoned fighter who often battled beyond her level, with a track record to prove it!
When in doubt, her style was to test the waters with a fight.
After parting with Sister Zhang, Zheng Fa returned to his small courtyard to assess his resources.
To deal with the Dao fruit, others truly wouldn’t be of much help.
The first useful asset was Qingjing bamboo, which was extremely effective against the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor; it had successfully defended Jiushan Realm last time.
Next was the human-shaped Fusang wood—his Qingyang Dao body was still transitioning towards completion, not yet a true Fusang wood, but the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s demon emperor Dao fruit was, after all, a youthful version.
Misery loves company; neither could mock the other.
One could barely consider it a draw?
If the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor had hidden strength, then it would depend on...
Xie Qingxue’s efforts!
...
But Xie Qingxue was not cooperating.
In recent days, aside from cultivating and researching, Zheng Fa had been practicing the Qingping Sword with her.
In simple terms, Zheng Fa acted like a switch, responsible for awakening the Qingping Sword, while Xie Qingxue... was like a battery, providing spiritual power.
During their practice, Xie Qingxue was unwilling and even quite resistant.
After one session, Zheng Fa turned to look at Xie Qingxue, who met his gaze defiantly, pursing her lips, her face clearly displaying the words “deliberately difficult.”
The two stared at each other in silence for a while.
Zheng Fa had long anticipated this—
He and Xie Qingxue were now wary of each other, rather than genuinely collaborating.
He coveted Xie Qingxue’s Qingping Sword and her cultivation, while also fearing the troubles brought by the Jiushan Jindan Method.
On one hand, Xie Qingxue feared Zheng Fa exposing her secrets; on the other, she was also drawn to the “Jiushan Jindan Method.”
The combination of fear and interest was naturally unstable, especially since Xie Qingxue was the passive one in this practice.
Sister Zhang had been proud of Zheng Fa, and it was clear that Xie Qingxue, with her background, experiences, and talents, was at least as strong as Sister Zhang, if not stronger. Thus, her pride and sense of grievance were even more pronounced.
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