Chapter 688
Tongming Shangren, the founder of the Baixian Alliance, was naturally well aware of the situation prior to the Jiushan Sect. He nodded gently, confirming that what Master Pang of the Jiushan Sect had said was indeed true.
Li Shangxian's expression grew increasingly astonished. Seeing this, Master Pang explained, "Later on, we did acquire a few methods of transformation, but Zheng Fah's ambitions are quite lofty..."
Upon hearing this, Li Shangxian truly understood, murmuring, "Well, who would be willing to settle for less?"
After pondering for a moment, he sighed, "It’s not easy. You say the Huangting Jing was created by the Jiushan Sect; shouldn’t it have been Zheng Fah who authored it?"
"To be honest, most of it was indeed his creation," Master Pang replied.
Li Shangxian pressed on, "Most of it?"
Master Pang smiled sheepishly, "Zheng Fah has always claimed that the Huangting Jing was perfected collectively by the sect's transformation and Yuan Ying practitioners."
At this, the room fell silent in astonishment, even Mingde Shouzuo couldn't help but ask, "Transformation is one thing, but Yuan Ying?"
Master Pang's smile grew even more bashful, "I did manage to refine a couple of chapters, but they are of little significance."
Despite his words, the pride on his face was hard to conceal.
Li Shangxian, however, maintained a rather indifferent expression, no longer pressing the matter, as if he had lost interest in the Huangting Jing.
Mingde Shouzuo and the others exchanged glances, feeling that Master Pang's pride was both shallow and pitiable:
To require so many people to discuss transformation techniques, even dragging Yuan Ying into it—what kind of method could be so trivial that even Yuan Ying could refine it?
The group decided to change the subject, and as they spoke, a sudden surge of spiritual energy rippled from deep within Wanshen Island.
Li Shangxian's brow twitched, narrowing his eyes as he said, "Is it starting to impact transformation?"
Master Pang stood up, gazing toward Zheng Fah's courtyard, a hint of worry in his eyes.
Li Shangxian reassured him, "Zheng Fah's strength is remarkable; how could he falter at the transformation tribulation? There's no need for the master to worry too much..."
But halfway through his sentence, his tone suddenly faltered, and he looked up sharply toward Zheng Fah's courtyard, "Failed?"
Not just him, but even Mingde Shouzuo and the others stood in shock, their faces filled with disbelief:
They were all transformation practitioners who had passed through the transformation tribulation; how could they not sense that the earlier surge of energy attempting to break through had suddenly dissipated, leaving no trace behind?
Even Li Shangxian was stunned:
He never expected that Zheng Fah would encounter problems during the transformation tribulation.
But when he glanced at Master Pang beside him, he saw that his expression had actually calmed down, returning to his seat as if he were completely unconcerned.
Noticing the oddity in his gaze, Master Pang chuckled, "Didn’t I mention that Zheng Fah is practicing a newly created technique? The Huangting Jing isn’t truly complete yet; Zheng Fah is currently in seclusion to conduct transformation experiments. I apologize for any concern caused."
The Huangting Jing was a concept proposed by Zheng Fah, perfected by the major transformation and Yuan Ying practitioners of the Jiushan realm, and then revised by modern scholars.
Theoretically, there were no issues.
But there was one thing: the nature of cultivation varies greatly among individuals, and turning theory into practice requires human experimentation.
The reason Zheng Fah hadn’t even taken the time to meet Li Shangxian was that he himself was uncertain how many attempts this transformation experiment would require and how long it would take, so he didn’t want to delay unnecessarily.
After hearing Master Pang's explanation, Li Shangxian cast a deep glance toward Zheng Fah's location and said, "Transformation experiments? I’ve never seen one before."
As he spoke, his expression grew noticeably colder.
Mingde Shouzuo observed his demeanor and then glanced at the other transformation practitioners whispering among themselves, sighing inwardly:
Although they had never heard of such transformation experiments, Zheng Fah's ability to create the Huangting Jing was indeed admirable.
Yet from this, one could also see a significant weakness of the Jiushan Sect—its foundation was truly shallow.
It wasn’t that he was being arrogant; in the realm of Taishang Dao, transformation was merely a step—how could it be so complicated?
This time, even the founder might have slightly underestimated Zheng Fah and the Jiushan Sect.
...
The spiritual energy fluctuations from Zheng Fah's courtyard occurred almost every three to five days.
But most of the time, they would subside within the duration of an incense stick.
The Taishang Dao group had been in the Jiushan realm for nearly three months, and they had gradually become numb, even accustomed to these fluctuations.
"Master, are we still waiting here?"
The old transformation practitioner seemed a bit impatient and boldly asked.
Li Shangxian, holding a cup of Xianzi Zui, appeared relaxed as he replied, "What’s wrong with being here? I think it’s quite nice."
"Well..." The old transformation practitioner lowered his voice, "Master, although Zheng Fah is strong now, if he struggles with even a transformation technique, how will he deal with that Lu Zhenxian..."
Li Shangxian squinted slightly, "This is the decree of the Xuanding Patriarch."
"Yes!"
Mingde Shouzuo remained silent.
Li Shangxian’s lack of rebuttal seemed to indicate that he didn’t hold Zheng Fah in such high regard; he simply didn’t want to give up halfway.
Just then, footsteps approached from outside the courtyard, and the door was gently knocked upon—Master Pang had arrived.
"I bring good news: Zheng Fah is officially going to attempt transformation today."
As soon as he arrived, he delivered a significant announcement.
Mingde Shouzuo understood that he was not here for any other reason but to ensure that the tribulation of the cultivator would not be influenced by others.
Although influencing another's tribulation would also draw the ire of heaven and earth, ordinary cultivators would never willingly engage in a mutual destruction scenario.
But they were outsiders, after all.
Moreover, Zheng Fah had conducted so many experiments previously; they had no way of knowing if he was truly attempting transformation. If something went wrong due to negligence, it would be even more troublesome.
Thus, Master Pang had come to notify them.
Mingde Shouzuo could even deduce that their group had likely already been targeted by the likes of Zhang Zhenren and others from the Jiushan Sect.
Li Shangxian, however, became intrigued. He raised his cup and walked to the courtyard, gazing toward Zheng Fah's courtyard.
The others followed behind him, waiting for Zheng Fah's transformation tribulation.
What they saw was a scene of wind swirling with spiritual energy, clouds carrying precious light—a true spectacle of a cultivator breaking through.
Li Shangxian took another sip of wine and leisurely commented, "Zheng Fah's accumulation of spiritual energy is indeed profound."
As soon as he finished speaking, the spiritual energy in the courtyard surged skyward, a peculiar aura of transformation enveloping the entire Wanshen Island.
Li Shangxian's expression stiffened, sensing that something was off about this transformation aura.
"Who is that?!"
The old transformation practitioner couldn't help but shout.
In the sky, a familiar purple mist surged forth.
A young Taoist figure stepped out from the purple mist, walking toward Zheng Fah's courtyard.
The Taoist's features were somewhat indistinct, but the Taiji diagram above his head was unmistakably familiar to them.
No wonder the old practitioner lost his composure; Li Shangxian's wine cup crashed to the ground, spilling its contents onto his robe, but he paid it no mind, murmuring:
"Daozun!"
The hearts of the Taishang Dao practitioners had already formed a guess, and upon hearing these two words, they were even more certain of the identity of the figure.
"Master, how could Daozun be here..."
Li Shangxian seemed to be explaining to them or perhaps recalling something:
"There are records in the sect that when the Dao emerges, Daozun appears... Once a new path emerges in the Xuanwei, Daozun will manifest. The last time Daozun appeared was when... Tianhe Zunren transformed."
The others were at a loss for words, but Li Shangxian seemed to have thought of something and turned to Master Pang, asking, "You said you perfected the Huangting Jing?"
Master Pang was still staring at the Taoist in the sky in a daze and casually replied, "Uh-huh."
Li Shangxian took a deep breath and suddenly clasped his hands, asking, "May I ask, what is your name, esteemed one?"
Master Pang came back to his senses and looked at Li Shangxian, feeling utterly defeated—I've been serving you for nearly three months, and you still haven't remembered who I am?
Li Shangxian clasped his hands at Master Pang, his expression conveying a single message:
I truly didn’t remember before, but now I genuinely want to.
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 480: The Three Ancestors Compete for the Dao, The Marvelous Huangting Secret
Seeing Daozun manifest, the faces of the Taishang Dao group were filled with excitement and reverence.
But Master Pang could not comprehend it, feeling lost. He quietly asked, "May I ask, who is Daozun?"
"…"
The courtyard fell silent.
Master Pang shrank his neck, seemingly realizing he had asked the wrong question.
Li Shangxian shot him a glance, his gaze carrying a hint of danger.
"Daozun is the founding ancestor of our Taishang Dao."
Master Pang forced a smile, his expression pained, "I apologize; I didn’t realize it was him."
"Is it a crime for the world not to know his name?" Li Shangxian seemed to find Master Pang quite talented, his tone softening further as he explained, "As for why Daozun is here, it relates to your Huangting Jing."
"Ah?"
"Daozun is the first person in Xuanwei to achieve the Yang Spirit."
Master Pang's eyes widened in shock.
The founder of the Yang Spirit method?
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