Chapter 759
Zheng Fa pondered quietly to himself; it seemed that the Jiu You Mo Zu (Nine Nether Demon Ancestor) was not solely driven by revenge:
He appeared to be using the Tong Jian (Chronicle Mirror) to gather the power of incense offerings for this life-and-death ledger?
(End of this chapter)
**Chapter 515: The Buddha Light of the West Continent, the Hidden Hand of the Heavenly River**
Zheng Fa gazed at the life-and-death ledger for a long time before shifting his attention back to the Jiu You Mo Zu.
Now he had a clearer understanding of the demon ancestor's intentions.
The surface of the ledger was shrouded in swirling black and white light, with a faint, ethereal glow cascading down.
The surrounding white mist thickened, surging in all directions.
Within the mist, it seemed as if new land was emerging.
Zheng Fa had a feeling that the realm of the underworld was expanding.
“He’s refining treasures!” cried the disheveled Ni Chang Yuan Jun (Lady of the Rainbow Garment) from within the light screen. “This is the path of incense offerings!”
Beside her, Li Sanxian’s expression changed dramatically. “The path of incense offerings? Where’s the incense coming from?”
Ni Chang Yuan Jun shook her head.
Though she possessed the Tong Jian, she couldn’t see the live broadcast.
Within the Tianhe Sect, aside from the Jiu You Mo Zu’s side, it seemed that only Zheng Fa was privy to the details.
The Jiu You was orchestrating such a grand spectacle.
Aside from revenge, it was also about refining treasures—using the power of incense offerings attracted by the Tong Jian to forge them.
There were only tens of thousands of cultivators who held the Tong Jian, but their strength was formidable:
Aside from the disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect, those who could afford a Tong Jian were at least at the Golden Core stage.
More importantly, a single Tong Jian could be viewed by many.
Thus, the number of viewers likely far exceeded the actual number of Tong Jian in existence.
……
“Can this really generate incense offerings?” Xie Qingxue was momentarily stunned.
She wasn’t doubting Ni Chang Yuan Jun, after all, she was the expert.
She just hadn’t expected the Jiu You Mo Zu to play it this way.
The Tian Di Shen (Heavenly Emperor) thought for a moment and nodded. “The essence of incense offerings lies in the word ‘faith.’”
He practiced the path of incense offerings and had a deep understanding of it.
“In the past, we believed that the power of incense offerings came solely from mortals’ faith in deities.”
“But from my observations, the disciples within Jiu Shan University admire me not just for my divinity, but more for their respect for their mentor.”
Zhang Shijie (Sister Zhang) understood: “That’s exactly how the Jiu You Mo Zu operates.”
“A live broadcast that manipulates the four sects at will.” The Tian Di Shen nodded. “His strength and his ideals are enough to earn the respect and fear of cultivators.”
“Even the Jiu You Mo Zu’s pursuit of the truth behind the Tianhe chaos might have been a quest for recognition.”
After a single live broadcast, it was hard for cultivators not to feel sympathy, even faith, towards the Jiu You Mo Zu.
These emotions, in turn, fed back into the life-and-death ledger in the form of incense offerings.
“Actually, I’ve been wondering why the Jiu You Mo Zu, being so powerful, would use the Zhu Xian Sword Array to lure the four sects instead of directly attacking.” The Tian Di Shen continued, “Initially, I thought it was because each sect had its own trump cards, and the Jiu You Mo Zu was cautious.”
“Now it seems that the life-and-death ledger might have its own limitations.”
Sister Zhang found this reasoning sound and was about to speak again when suddenly the Tong Jian trembled.
She looked down, her brow furrowing.
“Is there a change in the West Continent?”
……
The one who sent the message to Sister Zhang was Sun Daoyu.
He had recently advanced to the Yuan Ying stage and had been dispatched to the sea area to maintain trade routes, currently stationed at Hongsha Island.
This island was the closest point to the West Continent along the maritime trade route, making it crucial. He was responsible not only for dealings with the people of the Yaochi (Jade Pool) but also for gathering intelligence from the West Continent.
Sun Daoyu held considerable prestige among the disciples of Jiu Shan and had inherited some of Uncle Pang’s adeptness in maneuvering, which earned him this important role.
He felt it was manageable:
With the information from the Shuyu Longzhu (Dragon Lord of the Shuyu), there wasn’t much danger.
However, being away from the Jiu Shan realm and amidst the vast sea made his days dull and monotonous.
Fortunately, he could watch the Jiu You Mo Zu stir up trouble for the four sects.
Sun Daoyu was engrossed in the live broadcast.
The more misfortune the disciples of the four sects faced, the higher the curve of his smile.
Just as he was getting into it, a disciple suddenly rushed into the courtyard, shouting:
“Sun Shixiong! Sun Shixiong!”
He quickly tucked the Tong Jian into his sleeve, his expression serious, and asked, “What’s got you so flustered?”
“West Continent… West Continent’s Lei Yin Temple…”
“Lei Yin Temple?” Seeing the disciple gasping for breath, Sun Daoyu realized something serious had happened. He swiftly dashed out of the courtyard and looked towards the West Continent, only to feel as if he were going blind:
From Hongsha Island, a large portion of the coastline shimmered with magnificent, radiant seven-colored Buddha light.
Behind the Buddha light, a continuous chant of praises echoed.
Even from over a hundred miles away, he could catch a faint whiff of sandalwood incense.
Though he couldn’t comprehend what this phenomenon meant, he understood that something significant had occurred and hurriedly sent a message back.
……
After reading Sun Daoyu’s message, Sister Zhang picked up the Tong Jian, thought for a moment, and asked the Shuyu Longzhu, “Dragon Lord, there’s a change in the West Continent. Do you have any insights?”
The Shuyu Longzhu seemed to have noticed the situation as well and replied quickly:
“I’ve seen it too.”
“I’m not sure what’s causing it.”
“But it seems related to the Jiu You Mo Zu.”
Jiu You Mo Zu?
Sister Zhang immediately turned her gaze to the light screen in the main hall.
Sure enough, the situation within the Tianhe Sect had changed again:
The Zhi Tong Lao Seng (Wise Old Monk) sat cross-legged on the ground, hands clasped together, and behind him appeared a Buddha.
However, the features of that Buddha were strikingly different from before, as if it had transformed into another person.
The compassion in the Buddha’s eyes had vanished, replaced by an air of supreme authority.
The chants of praise from countless families in the West Continent began to resonate.
The countless souls in the city of the wronged dead, influenced by this chant, gradually displayed expressions of calm and joy.
In the brief span of half a stick of incense, the previously dark and cold underworld had transformed into a scene of peace.
The only discordant note was the furious roar of the Jiu You Mo Zu:
“Lu Yao!”
Zheng Fa was startled, and upon closer inspection of the Buddha’s visage, he felt it was almost blinding.
How did Lu Yao get into the Tianhe Sect?
What was he planning?
……
Lu Yao smiled, his eyes fixed on the Jiu You Mo Zu, as if greeting an old acquaintance:
“Jiu You, it’s been a while.”
The Jiu You Mo Zu, who already harbored intense hatred for him, merely sneered in response: “You come uninvited to the underworld! If you were hiding in Lei Yin Temple, I’d have to put in some effort to kill you.”
Zheng Fa frowned.
He could tell that while the Jiu You Mo Zu spoke defiantly, his eyes were filled with suspicion.
Clearly, Lu Yao’s appearance had exceeded his expectations.
Lu Yao seemed far more confident than he was.
He didn’t respond to the Jiu You Mo Zu’s words but instead gazed at the life-and-death ledger in the void, his eyes brimming with joy.
“Jiu You, I’ve finally awaited this life-and-death ledger.”
“Awaited?”
The Jiu You Mo Zu’s expression shifted slightly.
“The Transmutation of Tribulations Sacred Method can indeed lead to the Tai Yi stage.” Lu Yao replied with a smile, patiently explaining, “But what I seek has never been just the Tai Yi.”
The Jiu You Mo Zu understood.
“You want the life-and-death ledger to perfect the Transmutation Method?”
“Jiu You, you truly are sharp-witted.”
Lu Yao praised him with a grin.
But judging by the Jiu You Mo Zu’s expression, it was clear he didn’t take it as a compliment.
Zheng Fa was also somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected Lu Yao to be scheming for the life-and-death ledger.
But where did he get his confidence?
The Jiu You Mo Zu fell silent, but his garments fluttered, clearly not as calm as he appeared.
The Zhu Xian Array Diagram rose slowly from behind Yin Mountain, unleashing thousands of sword lights.
The black and white light on the life-and-death ledger flickered.
“Back during the Tianhe chaos, what you wanted was the life-and-death ledger?”
He asked slowly.
Lu Yao chuckled, not denying it at all: “Unfortunately, the Tianhe Venerable gave the Zhu Xian Array Diagram to you.”
The Jiu You Mo Zu’s eyes flashed with astonishment, then transformed into realization:
“So that’s why he did it…”
His voice gradually lowered, becoming almost inaudible, yet his gaze grew ever brighter.
Zheng Fa knew what the Jiu You Mo Zu had left unsaid:
The Tianhe Venerable left the Zhu Xian Array Diagram for the Jiu You Mo Zu to protect this fellow.
In retrospect, the tragic fate of the Jiu You Mo Zu seemed closely tied to the Zhu Xian Array Diagram.
From the perspective of the Jiu You Mo Zu, it was hard not to feel puzzled:
If the Tianhe Venerable knew there was a problem with the Tianhe Sect, a great pitfall, why would he leave this pitfall for me?
The Jiu You Mo Zu’s own explanation was:
The Tianhe Venerable found no one trustworthy and hoped he would inherit his legacy.
But Lu Yao’s covetousness for the life-and-death ledger led Zheng Fa to another speculation:
Regardless of whether the Jiu You Mo Zu was the heir of the Tianhe Sect, Lu Yao would not let him off.
The Zhu Xian Array Diagram was, in fact, a means to protect the Jiu You Mo Zu’s life.
The Jiu You Mo Zu seemed to have considered this possibility as well.
His expression was complex, leaving one unsure whether it was joy or sorrow.
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