Chapter 611
"That Zheng Fa is quite the force, a stubborn one at that. Previously, I was the only one in charge, and the pressure was immense. But now, you are also a disciple of the Lu clan, so you can help share the burden."
In his words, he seemed to dismiss the other six Transformation stage cultivators, elevating Zheng Fa to the second-in-command position at the mountain peak.
The other six Transformation stage cultivators exchanged glances, their expressions slightly strange, yet no one spoke up.
This clearly demonstrated the dominance of the three clans of Haori Mountain.
Only the Elder Jiu, who had been keeping his head down, finally lifted it, unable to contain his gaze on Shi Nandang. His expression was one of disbelief—
You want Zheng Fa to lead us against the Jiu Shan Sect?
Master, you truly have an eye for talent!
Zheng Fa humbly replied, "My cultivation is merely at the Nascent Soul stage; I can't really share the burden. If you have any tasks, please just give the order."
Shi Nandang looked deeply at him, and the smile on his face became more genuine.
The others watched this scene, their gazes toward Zheng Fa filled with intrigue, as if they were getting to know this disciple anew.
Li Hao's fortune was extraordinary; in just two short years, he had risen to prominence, enough to draw attention.
What was most impressive, however, was his mindset—calm and composed, able to navigate both advance and retreat with ease.
They could all see that, due to his status, Shi Nandang was treating Li Hao quite differently than before.
Moreover, this young man had a mature disposition...
Regardless of whether this attitude was sincere, it was clear that this disciple would not stop here.
After pondering for a moment, Shi Nandang waved at Zheng Fa and said to the three leaders of the Chong Xuan Sect, "You may leave for now."
The three leaders exchanged glances, hesitant to ask further, and walked out of the grand formation side by side.
Once they had left, Shi Nandang glanced at the others and asked Zheng Fa, "Did you obtain the inheritance of the Chixiao Yuce in the secret realm?"
"Only up to the Nascent Soul stage," Zheng Fa replied honestly.
"That makes sense; the situation was different before, and the threshold for the Chixiao Yuce inheritance is extremely high." Upon hearing this, Shi Nandang suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Zheng Fa's forehead.
Zheng Fa instinctively wanted to step back but forced himself to stay still, curious about what Shi Nandang was about to do, relying on the Fusang wood and the Yin-Yang fish talisman in his mind.
A stream of divine consciousness flowed from Shi Nandang's fingertip into Zheng Fa's sea of consciousness.
The complete Chixiao Yuce?
Shi Nandang is quite perceptive!
Just as Zheng Fa was about to say something, he heard Shi Nandang speak:
"You can obtain this when you return to Haori Mountain; giving it to you in advance is no big deal."
"Just one thing: this inheritance must not be shared with outsiders. It cannot be written down in a jade tube, lest it be lost."
"Within the Chong Xuan Sect, only you are allowed to learn it. Do you understand?"
At this point, his tone turned somewhat stern.
Zheng Fa finally understood why he had sent away the three Nascent Soul cultivators from the Chong Xuan Sect; it was likely to avoid prying ears.
He nodded at Shi Nandang, who continued, "Although you have received the inheritance now, the sect is currently placing great importance on the Hundred Immortals Alliance and Zheng Fa. If you can achieve merit within the Chong Xuan Sect, you may have the chance to advance further when you return to the sect."
"Now is a time of great contention; seizing opportunities is crucial."
Zheng Fa nodded slowly, realizing that once he became a "clan member," Shi Nandang's attitude toward him had changed completely from before.
He was now offering him earnest guidance, and every word seemed to be for his benefit.
As if sensing his confusion, Shi Nandang chuckled lightly, "Under the Holy Ancestor, we are all one body."
As Zheng Fa descended the mountain, he reflected on the expression Shi Nandang had when he said that—his sense of belonging to the clan seemed much stronger than Zheng Fa had imagined.
Watching Zheng Fa's figure leave the grand formation, the thin old man couldn't help but sigh, "The Master is truly devoted to this clan member."
"Devoted, indeed," Shi Nandang replied with a smile, though his tone revealed no joy or anger. "The Holy Ancestor's release of the cultivation method inheritance is an unstoppable trend; don't you understand?"
The old man was taken aback, suddenly realizing something.
"Master... do you have doubts about Li Hao?"
Shi Nandang shook his head, seemingly uncertain. "His aura is pure, and when I tested his physical and spiritual body, I found no issues. I just... find it strange; this young man is rising too quickly."
"...A person of great fortune?"
"Perhaps so. However, whether Li Hao possesses great fortune or secrets, as long as he cultivates the Chixiao Yuce, he will remain under the Holy Ancestor's control."
"If he truly is a talent, it would naturally be a good thing for the clan. Not only would the Holy Ancestor gain another talent, but when he returns to the mountain, he might also be an asset for me..."
"But if he harbors ulterior motives and covets the Chixiao Yuce, I can't see it, but the Holy Ancestor will surely notice something amiss. In the future, he won't be able to stir up any trouble, and he might even be digging his own grave."
The other six Transformation stage cultivators finally understood why Shi Nandang had been so generous.
...
Zheng Fa emerged from the Divine Fire Mountain, heading straight for the Jiu Shan Realm.
As soon as he entered the Jiu Shan Realm, the Nascent Soul aura of the Chixiao Yuce completely vanished from him, leaving no trace of Haori Mountain's cultivation methods.
"Senior Sister! Give me a jade tube!"
Zhang Shijie handed him a blank jade tube.
"Here!"
"What?"
"The complete version of the Chixiao Yuce."
"So soon?"
Zhang Shijie was somewhat surprised.
At this moment, Zheng Fa also understood Shi Nandang's intentions: "This true transmission method is not afraid of being cultivated by others."
Once one practiced the Chixiao Yuce, their life and death would be controlled by the Dao Fruit of Haori Mountain, which wasn't entirely a good thing for cultivators.
The thresholds set by the three clans of Haori Mountain had their own selfish motives, but that didn't mean the true transmission method was something good; rather, it was extremely dangerous for those with ulterior motives.
"In Shi Nandang's view, since I've already cultivated the Chixiao Yuce, I pose no threat."
Shi Nandang was right; without the Great Sun True Fire and the Tian Gang Di Sha transformation, Zheng Fa wouldn't dare to cultivate the Chixiao Yuce.
Previously, he had hesitated to practice the methods of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor until he obtained the Great Sun True Fire, only willing to reference them.
Once he practiced these fundamental methods, he would be completely at their mercy.
Zhang Shijie took the jade tube, examined it for a moment, and nodded, "This is indeed the complete version; it includes two more realms than before."
"Now it seems that the realms of Haori Mountain are quite similar to those of the Taishang Dao... perhaps the Yang God method is like this."
Zheng Fa had also reviewed this cultivation method.
In the Chixiao Yuce, after the Transformation stage and before the Dao Fruit, there were two more realms: the Yang God and Corpse Dissolution.
The names were identical to those of the Taishang Dao; perhaps all four sects were like this?
Seeing Zhang Shijie immersed in the Chixiao Yuce, he had a thought and sent a message to Xie Qingxue of the Tianhe Sect through the Zao Hua Jade Tablet.
...
At the Tianhe Sect, in the main hall of the sect leader.
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor was becoming increasingly brazen, standing at the entrance of the hall, gazing at the grass and trees outside the Tianhe Sect, lost in thought.
"Why do you keep staring? What’s so interesting out there?" asked Sect Leader Yan.
"Heh..." The Jiu You Demon Ancestor didn't answer, only chuckled lightly and said, "Your eldest disciple is back again."
Sect Leader Yan opened his eyes and sighed, "Is Zheng Fa still not giving up? Does he not understand that he won't be able to obtain the true transmission method from Haori Mountain..."
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor looked at him with a half-smile, "Have you tried?"
Sect Leader Yan nodded, "When it comes to life and death, how could I not give it a shot? I thought that now, aside from our Tianhe Sect, the other three sects are widely spreading their Dao Fruit methods... perhaps I could really obtain a few."
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor glanced at him and sneered, "It's not that simple."
"I was too naive. I only thought that no matter which sect's true transmission method, it would be beneficial for us. I went out a few times recently to see if there were any opportunities."
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor shook his head, "The Dao Fruits of the four sects are not foolish. Those who receive complete inheritances are all cultivators who have already practiced their fundamental methods."
Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Yan nodded, "They aren't afraid of the true transmission methods leaking..."
This was a deadlock.
Those who obtained the method inheritance, even if they initially had ulterior motives, once they practiced the corresponding methods, they would be bound to the Dao Fruit cultivators behind the methods—sharing both glory and loss.
They might even be controlled by the Dao Fruit cultivators.
There was no turning back.
As he pondered, he suddenly found it strange and looked at the Jiu You Demon Ancestor.
"Why do you know so much about this matter?"
"…"
"You've tried it too, haven't you?"
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor's expression darkened.
Sect Leader Yan's thoughts raced, and he suddenly understood.
The Jiu You Demon Ancestor before him was known as the most cunning and secretive person in the Xuanwei Realm, with many hidden schemes.
If he wanted to obtain the true transmission methods of the four sects, the Demon Ancestor surely had more tricks up his sleeve than he did!
He had sought opportunities to try, let alone the other party!
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