Chapter 540
Zhang Shijie’s anger faded instantly.
“No matter if it’s intentional or not, he has his own battles to fight, and I have mine,” Zheng Fa said, gazing at the Shenxiao battleship overhead. His tone was calm, as if he truly didn’t care about the Chongxuan Sect or even Haori Mountain.
“No matter what schemes they have…”
“Time is on our side.”
Song Zhangmen listened, wide-eyed, as Zhang Shijie softly acknowledged with a gentle “mm,” showing no signs of dissent. It was as if whatever Zheng Fa said was law.
When he looked back at Zheng Fa, his eyes were filled with gratitude. He could only imagine that if it weren’t for Zheng Fa’s persuasion, with Zhang Wuyi’s impulsive nature, they wouldn’t have been able to wait for any technological alliance.
They would have long since surrendered, submitting their secret arts and obediently playing the role of a dog…
And what about that agreement?
Sign it!
Sign it quickly!
…
Song Zhangmen led the Qingmu Sect members back to their guest quarters on Wanxian Island.
Zhao Jingfan was just about to take his leave to visit Zheng Fa’s mother and sister on Letu Island when he was called back by his own master.
“Jingfan, come in with me.”
Confused, Zhao Jingfan followed him inside.
Inside, Elder Xiong sat in a chair, sizing him up from head to toe.
Even Zhao Jingfan, who usually had a carefree heart, felt a bit anxious under the gaze of two Yuanying cultivators.
But he didn’t dare to speak.
After a moment, Elder Xiong suddenly said, “You’ll study alchemy with me from now on.”
“Ah?”
Zhao Jingfan’s mouth fell open, unsure why Elder Xiong would make such a suggestion. The problem was… he already had a master!
“I’ve spoken with your master. You might not know, but in terms of seniority, he should be my disciple’s disciple, so you’re not an outsider.”
He knew his master wouldn’t refuse. The Grand Elder held a high position and great respect within the sect, and with such a request, no one would dare to oppose it.
Moreover, the Grand Elder wasn’t trying to steal a disciple; he simply…
Wanted to pass on his skills?
Was he really that selfless?
Zhao Jingfan was puzzled and glanced at Song Zhangmen.
“Your current cultivation and alchemical skills are hard to impress the sect. In the future, if you take charge of Qingmu Sect, some may not accept it.”
Who’s taking charge of Qingmu Sect?
Me?
Zhao Jingfan finally understood why the two had summoned him—he was being groomed as the next leader of Qingmu Sect!
“Disciple… my talent isn’t good enough.”
“I’m skilled in alchemy,” Elder Xiong interjected.
Does that mean I can just pop pills at will?
“But… I started late.”
“I’ve agreed, and the Grand Elder has agreed. Who in the sect would dare to speak out?”
“…”
That was true. With only these two factions in the sect, as long as he wasn’t completely useless, he would be fine in the future.
Zhao Jingfan understood the reason—Zheng Fa.
He fell silent, seemingly reluctant.
“You’re a smart person. We chose you because of Alliance Leader Zheng,” Song Zhangmen said bluntly. “Whether it’s Zheng Fa or Jiushan Sect, their future potential is limitless…”
His expression was complex, as if he recalled that external elixir.
That giant wheel flying in the sky.
“I’ve discussed it with the Grand Elder. We’ve decided to ally with Jiushan Sect, and there’s no need to hesitate.”
“Handing Qingmu Sect over to you is also a gesture of loyalty.”
Zhao Jingfan remained silent.
His voice was small, unusually meek: “Disciple, I’m not worthy of the position.”
“No, you don’t understand. The Alchemist Guild… the benefits are immense! It seems that the current Alchemist Guild will likely be dominated by our Qingmu Sect… Jiushan Sect needs us now, but what about in the future?” Song Zhangmen revealed a reason that left Zhao Jingfan stunned.
“Zheng Fa wouldn’t do that…”
“He might have the magnanimity not to, but what about Jiushan Sect? What about the alchemists they cultivate?”
Zhao Jingfan’s eyes widened, but he didn’t dare to argue.
Trusting Zheng Fa was one thing, but did everyone in Jiushan Sect treat Qingmu Sect like family?
He didn’t dare to say.
“Others may not say it, but Zhang Wuyi… has a nature that brings fortune and ruin. In the Xuanwei Realm, there are many like her, but few like Zheng Fa…”
When it came to Zhang Shijie, even Song Zhangmen seemed a bit wary…
But he was right.
In the Xuanwei Realm, cultivators like Zhang Shijie were indeed more common, especially among geniuses.
“You have a good relationship with Zheng Fa. As long as he’s alive, you’ll have a bond, and others won’t dare to act recklessly towards you. Our Qingmu Sect holds a special position in the Baixian Alliance… At that time, as long as you remember you’re from Qingmu Sect, you’ll be the most suitable leader.”
“…”
“This choice is good for our Qingmu Sect. Zheng Fa cares deeply about this technological alliance and the Alchemist Guild. Navigating through it would not be a bad thing for him.”
Zhao Jingfan pursed his lips, understanding the underlying meaning:
The Zhangmen wasn’t just trying to curry favor with Zheng Fa; he wanted to use their bond to protect Qingmu Sect.
He lowered his head, but didn’t oppose.
As he stepped out, Elder Xiong sighed, “It’s commendable that you’ve come up with such a plan, but I wonder how long the name Qingmu Sect can last…”
Both of them were not fools; they could see that Zheng Fa essentially wanted to unify the Baixian Alliance in his own way.
Only this method was more gentle.
“Zhao Jingfan is a person who values relationships. If he’s around, Qingmu Sect might fade, but the disciples within will never suffer too much.”
“If he’s not around…” Song Zhangmen chuckled, “How could I worry about that?”
“Valuing relationships, huh…” Elder Xiong pondered for a moment, then shook his head, “I’ll teach him well.”
…
When Zhao Jingfan stepped out, he still felt a bit dazed.
What was going on? How did he, a mere pawn, become the young leader?
This twist of fate was so bizarre and rapid that he could hardly process it.
Then, he suddenly realized something—he was the young leader now. The entire Qingmu Sect could be considered his, at least in the future.
If he continued to play the pawn…
Wouldn’t that mean giving away his own possessions?
At that moment, a surge of loyalty welled up within him, and he felt he had been too foolish in the past…
Having understood this, Zhao Jingfan couldn’t help but look back at Song Zhangmen’s room, feeling a sense of admiration:
This method of using the position of sect leader to win over a traitor was something he had never seen before…
The Zhangmen truly was sharp as a tack!
…
A few days later, when Zheng Fa saw Zhao Jingfan following Elder Xiong, he felt something had changed in him—his gaze seemed particularly conflicted.
“This is the alchemical formula.”
He didn’t bother with Zhao Jingfan’s confusion but handed over the extracted formula to Elder Xiong for study.
There was actually more than one formula on the paper.
Although Xie Qingxue had provided a formula from a predecessor of the Tianhe Sect, no one could be sure if it was truly useful for the “Jiushan Golden Elixir Method.”
Zheng Fa simply gathered all the formulas related to Wuxing Lan, including the Qingling Pill, and handed them to Elder Xiong.
Since they couldn’t be sure, they might as well experiment with each one.
Elder Xiong glanced down and quickly noticed a problem: “What is this Wuxing Lan? I’ve never heard of it before.”
Zheng Fa smiled warmly, “This spiritual plant should only exist in the Jiushan Realm now.”
“Is it that precious?”
“It’s not so much precious as…,” Zheng Fa pondered for a moment, then slowly said, “The five sects don’t allow people to cultivate it, no, they don’t even allow people to know about it…”
Elder Xiong first looked puzzled, then seemed to grasp Zheng Fa’s meaning, his mouth slowly opening in shock, his eyes fixed on Zheng Fa, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t utter a word.
“This is the most critical secret of our Jiushan Realm.”
“I ask you, Elder Xiong, to experiment carefully and not mention it to outsiders.”
Elder Xiong lowered his head. The paper in his hand was thin, yet at that moment, it felt as heavy as a mountain, and his expression was filled with regret for having boarded a pirate ship.
This thing could cost him his life!
Would he dare to mention it?
They might not be able to kill Zheng Fa, but could they not kill a mere Yuanying cultivator like him…?
Zhao Jingfan had known this thing came from the Tianhe Sect, but he didn’t realize it was so taboo; otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to ask around so boldly.
He couldn’t help but swallow hard.
Everyone was trying to win people over. Although his master was shrewd, he couldn’t compete with Zheng Fa’s cunning…
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 407: The Joy of Elders, The Invitation of Xuanhua
Zheng Fa felt that Elder Xiong’s gaze towards him was quite dirty.
Madam Xuanhua watched from the side, seemingly touched, as if she recalled her own initial days in the Jiushan Realm, her expression suggesting—this Jiushan Realm is truly a place you can’t leave once you enter…
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