Chapter 513
However, this idea could allow him and the Jiushan Sect to amass a significant amount of wealth and resources in a short time, thereby strengthening their own power.
Even without mentioning himself, research is incredibly costly. The deeper Jiushan Sect delves into their studies, the more resources they require.
What was once merely a fleshed-out persona has now become a matter of life and death for him, crucial to the future development of Jiushan Sect.
Sister Zhang glanced at him, seemingly sensing his subtle tension. Though she didn’t fully understand, her eyes were filled with anticipation as she looked at Master Yan and the others.
“This matter… well…”
The Hundred Flowers Fairy spoke first.
She seemed to be a person of many talents, and at this moment, it appeared she was trying to make up for her earlier probing, her tone notably more relaxed.
“Absolutely not!”
Suddenly, the old monk Zhi Xu from the Thunder Sound Temple interjected.
He raised his eyes to look at Zheng Fa, his tone carrying a sense of righteous authority:
“The sea is vast and complex, making it easy for ancient immortals to take advantage. Although Master Zheng’s strength is remarkable, the Hundred Immortals Alliance is not up to the task. If something goes wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.”
His words left the Hundred Flowers Fairy momentarily stunned, her brows furrowing.
Zheng Fa’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly he scoffed. While Zhi Xu’s reasoning had some merit, everyone understood he was actually targeting him and the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Unlike himself and the Hundred Flowers Fairy, there had already been several conflicts between the Thunder Sound Temple and Zheng Fa.
Previously, tensions had been high.
Zheng Fa had even subtly embarrassed the Thunder Sound Temple.
Though their grievances were few, they certainly didn’t see eye to eye.
Moreover, when Zhi Xu spoke, his gaze subtly fell upon the Qingjing Bamboo, as if he hadn’t given up on the idea of seizing this heavenly spiritual root.
All these factors combined led him to oppose the Hundred Immortals Alliance taking control of the sea—just because the five sects didn’t care about the benefits of the sea didn’t mean they were foolish and unaware of its potential. Not to mention, the spiritual materials in the ocean were very real.
Just then, Zhi Xu’s words prompted Luo Shangxian from the Haori Mountain to nod in agreement: “It’s not that we are stingy; the Hundred Immortals Alliance is simply too weak. With the current decline of the demon race, maintaining stability in the sea would likely be beyond your capabilities.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but shoot a glance at Luo Shangxian.
He could sense the Thunder Sound Temple’s hostility towards him.
But what about Haori Mountain…?
Was it because of the Fusang Tree? Or perhaps due to territory?
Or was it… because of the Thunder Sound Temple?
Zheng Fa felt that Luo Shangxian’s response was a bit too quick.
He even sensed a hint of tacit understanding between the two…
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s expression grew more hesitant, and Zheng Fa understood her dilemma. Although she was keen to befriend him, with two factions among the five sects opposing Zheng Fa’s control of the sea, it might not be worth it to fight for the Hundred Immortals Alliance against Haori Mountain and the Thunder Sound Temple.
At that moment, the Daoist Li from the Taishang Dao lazily spoke up:
“Since he has chosen the path of the Demon Emperor and occupies the sea, it is only right.”
Zheng Fa turned to look at the middle-aged Daoist, but saw that he wasn’t looking at him. Instead, he continued:
“As for strength, the Great Freedom has fallen, which shows that their power is even weaker. Yet you still let him occupy the sea?”
His reasoning was rather flimsy, even somewhat casual, but the Hundred Flowers Fairy immediately responded, “That makes a lot of sense. I, Yaochi, agree to Master Zheng taking control of the sea.”
Zhi Xu from the Thunder Sound Temple looked somewhat displeased, but his expression showed no surprise as he turned to Master Yan of the Tianhe Sect.
At this point, Zheng Fa began to grasp the underlying dynamics:
Among the five sects of Xuanwei, the Thunder Sound Temple and Haori Mountain seemed to be closer, while the Taishang Dao and Yaochi appeared to have some understanding.
The Tianhe Sect seemed to lean towards neutrality.
Considering the territories of the various sects, the reasons for the current situation became clear: it was a case of distant alliances and close attacks.
The Thunder Sound Temple was powerful, and Yaochi, in order to relieve pressure, would naturally lean towards the Taishang Dao, the largest sect in the Eastern Continent.
As for Haori Mountain, they likely feared the covert support of the Thunder Sound Temple.
Now, the Daoist Li from the Taishang Dao leaning towards him could certainly be due to Zheng Fa having saved the head of Mingde and the Master Chengkong.
However, objectively speaking, the Hundred Immortals Alliance bordered Haori Mountain on land and faced the Thunder Sound Temple across the sea, making it a thorn in the side of both sects.
This perfectly aligned with the strategy of distant alliances and close attacks.
If the statements from both sides were viewed as votes, the current tally stood at two to two.
Master Yan’s opinion from the Tianhe Sect was, of course, extremely important.
In the hall, all eyes turned to him.
Sister Zhang seemed to understand Zheng Fa’s desire for the sea, her eyes glimmering with hope.
Standing among the disciples of the Tianhe Sect, Xie Qingxue finally couldn’t hold back and moved her lips as if to speak.
Master Yan didn’t turn around; he merely raised a finger slightly, and Xie Qingxue fell silent.
He looked at Zheng Fa, smiling warmly, almost affectionately.
Master Yan studied Zheng Fa for a while without speaking, then took out a jade array plate from his sleeve. The plate was engraved with intricate golden runes, ornate and impressive, but at its center was a shallow pit, clearly incomplete.
Zheng Fa’s heart skipped a beat. The shape of that shallow pit perfectly matched the Yin-Yang Fish jade pendant in his mind!
“This is…”
“Dear friends, our sect possesses a cave world known as the Wanjian Realm, from which a treasure has gone missing. You must have heard of it?”
Everyone in the hall nodded in agreement.
Xie Qingxue had once told Zheng Fa that Master Yan had retrieved something from the Wanjian Realm, and this was likely it.
But… a cave treasure?
His gaze fell on the shallow pit.
The Hundred Flowers Fairy’s eyes flickered, as if she had the same thought as Zheng Fa, curiously asking, “Is this the cave treasure of the Wanjian Realm? I thought it was a celestial sword. You say it’s missing, yet it’s still here?”
Master Yan smiled and countered, “Cave treasures and the cave itself are one and the same; if one is damaged, so is the other. How could they be separated?”
“The issues in the Wanjian Realm stem from this array plate’s incompleteness…”
“Thus, while the cave of the Wanjian Realm still exists, it cannot accommodate anyone, causing endless harm to our sect.”
Incompleteness…
Looking at the familiar pattern, it was clear that the missing part was the Yin-Yang Fish jade pendant!
Today, he finally understood the origin of the Yin-Yang Fish jade pendant!
What surprised him even more was that Master Yan had chosen this moment to present it.
Master Yan looked at Zheng Fa and spoke:
“This array plate has a resonance with the missing part.”
“Master Zheng, if you wish to take control of the sea, you only need to test this array plate…”
“If it works, our Tianhe Sect will fully support this endeavor.”
Zheng Fa’s expression remained calm, but a storm surged within him.
At this moment, he could not afford to say no—
Clearly, Master Yan had seen his desire for the sea. If Zheng Fa refused, it would appear he was hiding something!
Though he had been mentally prepared, Master Yan’s tone held no hint of coercion; instead, it felt like a gentle push, presenting the matter as if it were a natural progression.
He even wore a friendly smile.
Yet it was this very smile that had pushed Zheng Fa into the most precarious position since the alliance began.
The exposure of Zheng Fa’s strength was undoubtedly a disaster.
But the matter of the Tianhe Venerable was even more taboo; if he got involved, it could lead to certain death.
Master Yan was a bit cunning!
Zheng Fa furrowed his brows, remaining silent.
“Is Master Zheng unwilling?”
“...Is it really that simple, Master Yan?”
Unexpectedly, Zheng Fa countered.
“…”
He wore a look of suspicion, as if completely unaware of the dangers involved, and pressed on, “So, what does it take to pass the test of this array plate?”
“This array plate will only resonate with the missing item. If Master Zheng possesses it, there will be some unusual phenomena. If not, everything will remain normal, indicating that you have no connection to the missing item.”
Zheng Fa nodded slowly, looking at Master Yan, and asked, “Master Yan, how do I know there’s no hidden agenda from you in this array plate?”
Master Yan’s expression shifted, as if feeling slighted, and he immediately replied, “Does Master Zheng not trust me?”
Zheng Fa paused for a moment, then quietly muttered:
“I’m not unaware of what happened to the most famous person among those who trusted you.”
Though his voice was low, the hall was filled with powerful cultivators; who could not hear his muttering?
Daoist Li from the Taishang Dao chuckled.
Even Zhi Xu from the Thunder Sound Temple couldn’t help but smirk.
Wasn’t he just calling Zhi Xu a bald donkey?
Master Yan’s expression changed, but he couldn’t find the words to retort. Instead, Daoist Li walked over with a smile, picked up the array plate, examined it for a while, and then handed it to Zheng Fa, saying, “How about I act as a guarantor? If there’s a problem, I’ll be able to discern it myself.”
Zheng Fa knew that despite having taken a jab at Master Yan, there was no escaping this matter. He simply reached out to support the base of the array plate.
Table of Contents
