Chapter 694
Zheng Fa remembered that Xie Qingxue was talking about that Yin-Yang Rakshasa. Not only did he possess both male and female forms, but he could also be briefly resurrected.
This indicates that in the Xuanwei Realm, such a technique of splitting one's essence was indeed not unprecedented.
It seemed that in Xie Qingxue's eyes, the current ability to transform into the Three Pure Ones, while not entirely useless, sounded less extraordinary compared to the various powers Zheng Fa had previously acquired.
Suddenly, both Zheng Fa's forms smiled at the same time. One of them flickered and, when he reappeared, had taken on the appearance of Li Hao.
The other, however, still looked like Zheng Fa.
Sister Zhang's eyes lit up, and she immediately understood Zheng Fa's intention: "You can hide your identity even better now!"
"Li Hao" nodded gently and said, "Not only that, but I can also leave a clone behind to guard the Jiushan Realm."
When he had gone out to have some fun before, he had been extremely anxious.
On the other hand, leaving the Jiushan Realm made him constantly worry about its safety.
In Zheng Fa's view, the greatest benefit of this splitting technique was that if he ever had to leave the Jiushan Realm again, he wouldn't have to rush back and forth between two places.
Sister Zhang suddenly asked, "What happens if one of them dies?"
"If one survives, it doesn't count as death; it just loses some vitality."
Xie Qingxue's eyes widened: "Dao Fruit?"
"Not quite like a Dao Fruit. If both forms were to perish, I would die as well, but this greatly enhances my ability to survive."
Zheng Fa had made up his mind: he absolutely had to leave a clone in the Jiushan Realm!
Upon hearing this, all the cultivators present from the Jiushan Realm nodded in agreement, their faces filled with joy.
Zheng Fa feared death, and they feared for Zheng Fa's safety.
If the Jiushan Realm lost Zheng Fa, it would likely fall apart by the next day.
This splitting technique, with its unique ability, was enough to rival other powers for the Jiushan Realm.
"Splitting, resurrection, what else?" Sister Zhang asked curiously.
"Self-cultivation and enlightenment."
"Self-cultivation and enlightenment?"
"And it's experimental cultivation."
As he spoke, the clone that had transformed into Li Hao shimmered with purple light. Moments later, it changed back to Zheng Fa's appearance, but its aura was not that of the "Huangting Jing" (Yellow Court Classic), or rather, it only had one-third of it.
"Yang Shen Fa?" Sister Zhang immediately recognized the anomaly on the clone and asked in surprise.
"Yes, this clone can comprehend techniques and cultivate to advance," Zheng Fa nodded. "And I can synchronize with its cultivation results."
At this point, a smile appeared on Zheng Fa's face.
Before anyone else could speak, Sister Yuan's expression turned envious: "One for eating, one for sleeping—this technique is way more powerful than the ones you had before, Junior Brother!"
"…"
That made sense; for Sister Yuan, cultivation equated to sleeping.
Zheng Fa gently shook his head, thinking that this ability to transform into the Three Pure Ones truly suited him at this moment.
On one hand, it alleviated Zheng Fa's concerns about the limitations of his clones.
On the other hand, this technique granted him survival capabilities akin to a Dao Fruit, even though he didn't possess one.
Now, if he encountered that Haori Mountain's Yun Zhenxian again, he would be ready to strike!
Who wouldn't want to be resurrected?
But what Zheng Fa was most satisfied with was actually this ability to cultivate on its own—this was a solution to his pressing needs.
"Sister, my dharma body is too strong; I originally wanted to cultivate the Yang Shen separately," Zheng Fa said softly. "Without this technique of transforming into the Three Pure Ones, my Yang Shen would inevitably be influenced by the Fusang tree during cultivation. Now, I can let the clone cultivate the Yang Shen technique independently."
In simple terms, Zheng Fa wanted to split off a Yang Shen body to directly cultivate it—since the Yang Shen was weak, it made perfect sense to have extra lessons.
Sister Zhang nodded silently and smiled, "This technique may not seem very novel, but it certainly has its uses."
Xie Qingxue thought for a long time and suddenly asked Xiao Yuying, "Fairy Xiao, you know a lot; have you ever heard of a splitting technique that allows for self-cultivation, even with different techniques?"
Xiao Yuying pondered for a long time, shook her head, and said, "Strangely enough, I really haven't heard of that."
Zheng Fa's heart jolted, and he looked at the others.
Jiao Wuji and Blood River Ancestor were also shaking their heads, saying, "In the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor's sect, there is no such technique."
Zheng Fa and Sister Zhang exchanged glances, and in each other's eyes, they saw a shared thought:
Could it be that this was the most unique aspect of the technique of transforming into the Three Pure Ones, as a gifted ability?
…
Before Zheng Fa could fully grasp the wonders of the technique of transforming into the Three Pure Ones, Li Shangxian could no longer contain himself and sought out Zheng Fa multiple times.
"Zheng Alliance Leader, you really keep me waiting."
As soon as they met, Li Shangxian reproached him, though his expression was friendly.
Zheng Fa was not entirely unfamiliar with him, having heard from Uncle Pang about his character. He knew this person was somewhat carefree and not overly formal, so he smiled and said, "Is the Immortal comfortable in the Jiushan Realm?"
Li Shangxian plopped down in a chair and laughed, "The Jiushan Realm is indeed quite nice, especially the wine; though the spiritual energy is shallow, the taste is good."
"If you like it, buy a few jars when you head back."
Li Shangxian paused, looking at Zheng Fa with confusion: "Buy?"
"Uh-huh?"
Zheng Fa looked back at him, equally puzzled as to why he was asking.
Li Shangxian pointed at Zheng Fa and chuckled, "Zheng Alliance Leader, you really are… frugal."
"I can't help it; the Jiushan Realm is small and modest, not comparable to the Taishang Dao," Zheng Fa smiled, seemingly genuinely discussing wine. "Many things are truly beyond my capabilities."
Li Shangxian's smile faded as he looked at Zheng Fa, speaking in a serious tone: "Zheng Alliance Leader, just because you feel powerless doesn't mean things will avoid you."
Zheng Fa remained silent, simply gazing at Li Shangxian.
Li Shangxian stood up, pointing outside the courtyard, his tone rising slightly: "I've been in the Jiushan Realm for half a year, and I can see that the common folk here live in peace and harmony, united in purpose. The elders are kind, and the disciples are diligent."
"It’s clear that you, Alliance Leader, have put a lot of thought into the Jiushan Realm."
"But do you know that your Jiushan Realm is on the brink of disaster?"
Zheng Fa chuckled: "What makes you say that?"
"Because of Haori Mountain and Lu Zhenxian!" Li Shangxian replied immediately. "This person is currently at the Leiyin Temple, focused on attaining the Golden Immortal Dao."
"Haori Mountain has already made things difficult for you, and recently you even killed Luo Sanxian. You and Haori Mountain, as well as Lu Zhenxian, are practically sworn enemies."
"Previously, Yun Zhenxian held back, partly due to my Taishang Dao's covert threats, and partly because he was alone and had to guard against the Jiuyou Demon Ancestor, so he didn't dare to risk it."
At this point, Li Shangxian paused and continued, "But if Lu Zhenxian succeeds in his Dao, returns to Haori Mountain, then no matter how talented you are, Alliance Leader, it will be extremely difficult to contend with him."
Zheng Fa listened, his expression unchanged, seemingly unfazed by Li Shangxian's words.
"Do you think I'm just trying to scare you?"
Zheng Fa shook his head.
Li Shangxian's face showed a hint of satisfaction as he smiled: "Perhaps you don't know Lu Zhenxian's background… I won't say much, but I just want to remind you that he is far from an ordinary true immortal."
"I know."
"Huh?"
Zheng Fa sighed, his tone sorrowful: "How could I mistake the former Demon Emperor, a certain Demon Ancestor, and the founder of Haori Mountain for an ordinary true immortal?"
"…" Li Shangxian's body stiffened, his eyes wide as he looked at Zheng Fa, whispering, "You know?"
"Shouldn't I know?"
"Not really." Li Shangxian said softly, "I was just worried that saying too much would frighten you."
Hearing this, Zheng Fa felt a headache coming on: the identity of this Lu Zhenxian was too much for even the Jiushan Realm to contain.
Li Shangxian lowered his voice: "Actually, he is not just any Demon Ancestor."
"Uh-huh?"
"According to the Daoist Master’s speculation, he established the Dharma Body Law and should be the first Demon Ancestor, known as the Primordial Heavenly Demon."
Zheng Fa leaned back in his chair and said, "Immortal, what do you think about me seeking refuge in the Leiyin Temple?"
Li Shangxian looked at Zheng Fa, who had a carefree expression, and smiled, seemingly finding him a bit naive: "Do you really think the Leiyin Temple would accept you?"
"Don't they want the Qingjing Bamboo?"
"…"
Li Shangxian was momentarily speechless. He thought for a moment, and if he were a member of the Leiyin Temple, he would indeed be tempted!
Not to mention the Qingjing Bamboo.
Zheng Fa's value was clear to the Taishang Dao; was the Leiyin Temple blind?
Looking at Zheng Fa's smiling face, Li Shangxian fell silent for a long time and finally said softly, "Actually… my Taishang Dao has a grand enterprise as well, which is not bad."
(End of this chapter)
Chapter 483: One Lifetime of Enlightenment, Sun and Moon in the Sky
Li Shangxian looked at Zheng Fa with a complex expression, and after a long while, he sighed: "I believe the Alliance Leader is not so foolish."
Zheng Fa smiled slightly, not refuting.
Both he and Li Shangxian understood that, for both the Taishang Dao and Zheng Fa, the best choice at present was each other.
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