Shi Nandang was in the formation, his hands constantly Method Formula, his eyes fixed on the Immortal-Trapping Sword, his gaze filled with worry.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword has been arrogant and unruly lately, and even the seven Nascent Spirit Transformation have struggled to control it. Now that Li Hao has taken over, he is naturally worried.
After all, although Li Hao has good talent, he is only at the Nascent Soul. If his strength is insufficient and the formation malfunctions, he cannot bear the responsibility.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword was still struggling, seemingly even more fiercely than before, which made his heart skip a beat, and his gaze involuntarily turned to Li Hao.
But then they saw Li Hao also looking at the Immortal-Trapping Sword, his eyes... full of curiosity, amusement, and eagerness.
He was puzzled, but then he saw Li Hao's gaze suddenly become calm and his expression serious, as if he was concentrating on operating the great formation and refining the Immortal Sword.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword seemed to be a little tired and fell into a brief period of calm.
Shi Nandang was secretly pleased. He ignored Li Hao's gaze, his fingers flying and his Method Formula swirling, trying to force the Immortal-Trapping Sword back into the volcano.
What he didn't know was that the key to suppressing the Immortal-Trapping Sword was no longer in this great formation, but in Zheng Fa's sea of consciousness.
"How?"
Looking at the Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit in his sea of consciousness, Zheng Fa's eyes were smiling, but his tone was leisurely.
Seeking the Secret Method from the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor was naturally a precaution.
Playing tricks and deception may have an effect, but it also carries risks—schemes and tricks can never bridge the gap in strength.
He was only Nascent Soul cultivator, while the Immortal-Trapping Sword was equivalent to True Immortal, their cultivation levels were vastly different, and this was especially true.
Zheng Fa had no choice but to be cautious.
"I... you mean, you want to keep one of us?" the sword spirit asked in a childish voice, "Any one will do?"
"Whichever Secret Method offered is more effective, and whichever is more willing to obey, I will keep." Zheng Fa paused, looked at the sword spirit, and continued, "As the original sword spirit, you have the strongest control over the Immortal-Trapping Sword, so naturally I favor you the most."
A flicker of excitement crossed the sword spirit's youthful face, but she pursed her lips, her gaze suddenly changing.
Do you know our origins?
The old man's voice suddenly rang out.
"Of course I know." Zheng Fa looked at the sword spirit, a hint of emotion in his eyes. " The Tianhe Sect throughout history, the former master of the Immortal-Trapping Sword..."
"You! Really! Know!"
The old man spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seeming to be stained with blood and tears, and filled with hatred.
The one he hated was not Zheng Fa in front of him, but the Founder of the Immortal-Trapping Sword lineage.
The woman's voice rang out, filled with utter despair. "Back then, when we wielded the Immortal- Immortal-Trapping Sword, we thought we were blessed by the Founder and had received a great destiny... But alas, alas..."
" Founder, you've deceived us so cruelly!"
Zheng Fa sighed inwardly.
This is why Sect Leader Tianhe Sect Master Yan is so determined to rebel: if the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor hadn't awakened him, and he hadn't continued cultivating, he and these sword spirit personalities would probably have met the same fate.
The Tianhe Sect has no fundamental doctrine.
In other words, the four Founder of the Tianhe Sect could not control or even absorb the cultivation achievements of their disciples like other Dao Fruit cultivators.
Even they themselves were unable to act independently, unable to break free from the shackles of the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords.
Zheng Fa also had some guesses about this:
If Venerable Tianhe were here, they probably wouldn't be in such an awkward situation. After all, the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords were practiced by Venerable Tianhe, and the Celestial River Method was created by him. He wouldn't have left his disciples with nowhere to go.
But these disciples rebelled.
Therefore, the Celestial River Method is actually an incomplete method.
After the Supreme Dao Yang Spirit, there is Corpse Liberation.
The Tianhe Sect's existence ended abruptly at the point of the Union Realm.
Simply put, the research was forced to stop because the academic leader was gone.
This resulted in the four lineage Founder, despite wielding the Four Immortal-Slayer Swords, being unable to transcend or cultivate.
Despite their strength, their path forward is blocked.
However, these four people were no ordinary individuals to be accepted as Venerable Tianhe.
They found another, slower but highly effective path: find a host, have them refine the Immortal-Trapping Sword, and ultimately absorb their cultivation and insights...
The Tianhe Sect, being one of the Five Sects, attracts cultivation geniuses from all over the world.
A cultivator who can successfully Spirit Transformation and wield four swords is the most talented person among all the cultivators in the history of the Xuanwei Realm.
With their wisdom and cultivation, over hundreds of thousands of years, the four lineage Founder have almost completed this strange path of transcendence.
The Divine Sense of the previous Trapped Immortal-Trapping Sword masters was naturally sealed within this Immortal-Trapping Sword, causing the Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit to suffer from a split personality.
The old man then asked, "Then how can you bear to let our souls be scattered?"
"Are you still reluctant to part?"
"..."
The sword spirit fell silent for a moment, clearly unable to utter a word.
As the original sword spirit, she naturally didn't want to become a lunatic.
Even the hosts who were later refined into this world were all extremely proud, and being sword cultivators, their personalities were mostly unyielding.
Being stuck together like this is really frustrating.
Zheng Fa's words struck a chord with them.
After a long silence, the old man sighed softly again, "Very well, it's not a bad thing to be free. Let's do as you say!"
Having said that, the Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit her hand, and a stream of light containing Secret Method fell into Zheng Fa's sea of consciousness.
Then, as if they had planned it beforehand, the several personalities of the Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit seemed to have resigned themselves to their fate, and each of them took out a Secret Method.
Zheng Fa closed his eyes and read through the Secret Method they provided, seemingly engrossed.
Which one do you choose?
"This < Tongming Sword Art >..." Zheng Fa hesitated, seemingly tempted.
The old man asked anxiously, "How so? This is the most profound Swordsmanship in my Tianhe Sect!"
"Not enough!"
"... What?"
"Although you incorporated the Blood-Transforming Divine Sword technique into it, intending to implant a blood curse into my body, someone skilled in the Demonic Sect Cultivation Method could easily break it and even use it against you. It would be better if you could add some methods to control the Divine Soul."
"..."
"The idea is good, but it needs improvement!"
After speaking, Zheng Fa glanced at the sword spirit twice, his eyes showing a hint of regret for him.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit kept changing its expression, as if it were rapidly switching personalities, but each personality was unable to utter a word, only staring blankly at Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa, however, seemed intrigued and said to the sword spirit:
"Speaking of which, this Law Treasure's ability to devour its master has some pretty good Secret Method."
The woman's voice came from the sword spirit. "A decent Secret Method?"
"Yes, just like you. That ' Nether-Penetrating Treasure-Refining Art' you gave me, the idea is not bad. You want to hide your divine sense in my sea of consciousness, so that you can substitute one thing for another and turn the tables on me later."
"But you didn't do one thing right: your divine sense was too obvious, making it easy for me to detect. There's a technique from the Demon Sect Era called < The Daoheart Demon-Seeding Method > that you could definitely learn from..."
"If you modify it and incorporate this Cultivation Method, I'm afraid many people will fall for it."
"..."
"< The Daoheart Demon-Seeding Method >? Isn't this one of the supreme Secret Method of the Demonic Sect? Even my Tianhe Sect doesn't have such a lineage, how do you know?"
Zheng Fa smiled and remained silent.
It was naturally taught by the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor.
But the more the Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit looked at Zheng Fa, the more horrified she became.
"You... who exactly are you, this old monster?"
Zheng Fa did not answer, but continued in a tone that sounded like he was commenting on homework:
"And that guy, yes, the original sword spirit, your < Violet Mansion Sword-Nurturing Method > wasn't very good. It's too obvious. Anyone who saw it could tell that you were planning to pierce my Purple Mansion with a single sword strike."
"Failed."
"..."
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit blinked, and a few small tears welled up in its eyes, whether from grievance or fear, it was hard to tell.
Zheng Fa reviewed each of the Secret Method they submitted, his tone surprisingly regretful:
"No wonder you were trapped in such a predicament by the Founder the Immortal-Trapping Sword..."
"..."
"I still have to learn!"
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit was greatly shocked and couldn't help but sit down heavily in Zheng Fa's sea of consciousness, bursting into tears:
"I told you I couldn't do it!"
"Cultivators... cultivators are terrifying!"
Zheng Fa also shook his head slightly.
Although I don't know much about the Immortal-Trapping Sword, the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor and the Tianhe Sect Leader are different.
One of them was a friend of Venerable Tianhe, and he even witnessed the creation of the Immortal-Trapping Sword.
One was the Sect Leader the Tianhe, who knew the most about the sect's secrets after the fall of Venerable Tianhe.
Zheng Fa has a comprehensive understanding of the Immortal-Trapping Sword, from ancient times to the present, and from its inside out.
These people were nurtured by the Founder of the Tianhe Sect, but when they arrived at Vast Sun Mountain, they were suppressed.
How can one's vision compare to Zheng Fa's?
Now, after Zheng Fa's comments, he naturally felt even more desperate.
"You... you..."
The old man's voice trembled, but he couldn't utter a word.
Zheng Fa was thoroughly familiar with these Secret Method, and even innovated upon them, drawing on a wide range of sources, which was indeed frightening.
What's even more terrifying is that his seemingly sincere comments, along with the appearance of offering suggestions for improvement, instantly made him feel that their petty tricks were like those of a three-year-old child, merely meant to elicit laughter.
My heart was filled with fear, and I couldn't muster even the slightest thought.
"I know you don't want to die and perish," Zheng Fa suddenly said.
The sword spirit was startled and stared blankly at Zheng Fa.
"Cultivators naturally seek longevity, which is understandable," Zheng Fa said, his tone somewhat sincere. "But as I said, being trapped in a sword, unable to escape, isn't that more terrifying than death?"
"... Which of us wants to live like this? But how can we be content to die like this?" the old man suddenly shouted. "How could you understand this discontent?"
"Those days in the Immortal-Trapping Sword were dark and gloomy!"
"The years of suppression on Vast Sun Mountain!"
"The feeling of being burned in flames every day."
How could you understand?
Zheng Fa nodded as he listened, then suddenly asked, "So... you want to take revenge on the Founder of the Trapped Immortal-Trapping Lineage?"
"..."
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit, who was sitting on the ground, suddenly looked up at Zheng Fa.
"Revenge?"
"He wants to transcend, so I'll prevent him from transcending."
Can you do it?
"With the Immortal-Trapping Sword, at least I can be of some help."
Zheng Fa's words came from the heart. Although he and Sect Master Yan both wanted the other to take the fall, they were bound together by fate. With the Immortal-Trapping Sword in his possession and his increased strength, it would naturally be a good thing for him to cooperate with Sect Master Yan's plans.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit's expression shifted repeatedly, as if it were struggling with a dilemma.
But then Zheng Fa said, "Whether you believe it or not, I have given you the choice."
The Immortal-Trapping Sword Spirit gradually hardened its resolve.
Zheng Fa was not surprised.
These sword spirit personalities have no choice; they can't trick them anymore, they're all going to die anyway.
Now, there's even the possibility of retaliating against the Founder of the Immortal-Trapping Lineage, which makes it impossible for these people not to be tempted.
Even before Sect Master Yan had been refined into a sword spirit, his rebellious intentions were already burning fiercely.
This group really suffered a huge loss.
Zheng Fa served for about ten days before being replaced.
He was only at the Nascent Soul, and his cultivation was far from sufficient to control the grand formation for an extended period of time, so he would only take a break every thirteen or fourteen days.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword calmed down, Shi Nandang seven had some strength left, so they released Zheng Fa and let him go down the mountain.
A few days later, Shi Nandang looked at the Immortal-Trapping Sword inside the mountain, his eyes filled with some confusion:
"Why is this Immortal-Trapping Sword so much more obedient today?"
Beside him, the gaunt, Spirit Transformation nodded slightly. "A few days ago he was just not so domineering, but these past few days... he's even become a bit more proactive. Perhaps he's tired?"
Shi Nandang frowned, unable to come up with an answer.
But it's understandable that a Spirit Transformation like him couldn't fully comprehend such a supreme treasure as the Immortal-Trapping Sword. However, looking at the obedient Immortal Sword within the flames, he was truly puzzled:
Just a few days ago, you were like a mythical beast Kunpeng, eager to spread your wings and fly away, desperately trying to escape.
Why do you look like a domesticated chick now?
Seemingly noticing his gaze, the Immortal-Trapping Sword moved and burrowed into the depths of the mountain, remaining quiet and sometimes even turning over as the great formation shifted.
It's the kind of docile creature that not only wants to stew itself, but also voluntarily puts the lid on the pot.
Shi Nandang didn't know was that Immortal-Trapping Sword wasn't the only one who liked being burned.
"Junior brother! It's my turn!"
Full of anticipation, Senior Sister Yuan strode into Zheng Fa 'Zheng Fa courtyard, tossing a Storage Bag at him.
"This is?"
"Your senior sister gave you this as payment!"
Zheng Fa weighed the Storage Bag in his hand, but didn't open it. He simply smiled and said:
"Is Senior Sister getting anxious?"
"Of course I'm in a hurry!" Senior Sister Yuan nodded vigorously, muttering, "That little Little Golden Crow Little Golden Crow is almost at the Golden Core Middle Stage! If I don't get burned soon, won't I be overtaken by it!"
Zheng Fa chuckled inwardly:
The Great Sun True Fire has the effect of evolving bloodlines, which is extremely tempting for Senior Sister Yuan and Little Golden Crow.
Zheng Fa was naturally happy to lend them a hand.
Firstly, it would enhance the strength of the Nine Mountains Sect.
Secondly, this is also a form of research on Demon Beast, which will greatly help him achieve final mastery of the < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation >.
After burning these two, he still needs to help Aunt-Master Huang, Uncle-Master Pang, and other Nascent Soul modify their < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation >, which is truly a huge undertaking.
In other words, Zheng Fa's current cultivation level relies on absorbing the Founder.
Most of the miscellaneous tasks were left to the Calculation Spirit.
Only then did I have some free time.
The Little Golden Crow was the first to be burned.
He had the lowest cultivation level and the simplest process, so I won't go into details.
This Golden Crow is inherently very compatible with the Great Sun True Fire, so naturally the effect is quite good.
A few days ago, not only did he successfully Core Formation, but it seems that he even awakened a bit of the Demon Emperor's bloodline and rushed straight to the Golden Core Middle Stage!
This made Senior Sister Yuan anxious.
"It's one thing for you to surpass me, Junior Brother! But you're no match for Little Golden Crow!"
Senior Sister Yuan gritted her teeth, a rare fighting spirit appearing on her face.
"Are the news reports and interviews all arranged?"
"Alright! The new disciples are in charge, and the results are quite good!"
Senior Sister Yuan nodded vigorously.
Senior Sister Yuan was placed at the back, partly because Zheng Fa was unsure of his own skills and wanted to test the waters with the Little Golden Crow.
Secondly, since this senior sister's bloodline has evolved, she will most likely be going to sleep a lot.
But now she is the top anchor in the Nine Mountains, and the responsibility is heavy, so it took another six months to train a group of new disciples who can take her place as host.
Zheng Fa also intended to cultivate a group of news talents: Comprehensive Mirror the Zizhi Tongjian became increasingly popular, the programs in Nine Mountains Entertainment seemed somewhat insufficient, and naturally some fresh blood was needed.
Seeing that Senior Sister Yuan had made all the arrangements, Zheng Fa nodded slightly, and the Great Sun True Fire condensed in the air, transforming into a furnace.
Flames flowed like water inside. Senior Sister Yuan shrank back, seemingly a little scared, but then gritted her teeth, transformed into Azure Luan phoenix, and leaped into the cauldron.
"It itches!"
"Itching is normal," Zheng Fa said seriously. "Bloodline evolution is when your demon body is reconstructed, Senior Sister. Judging from the Little Golden Crow, you may even receive some inheritance!"
"Calm your mind and circulate your spiritual energy!"
The Azure Luan seemed to know that now was not the time to act out, so it nodded its head and began to experience the changes in its body.
Zheng Fa carefully controlled the Great Sun True Fire, enveloping Senior Sister Yuan completely.
More than half a month later, Zheng Fa's face turned somewhat pale.
Evolving Senior Sister Yuan's bloodline was an extremely delicate task, and even Zheng Fa's divine Divine Soul was being greatly depleted at this moment.
"Junior brother... I... I want to sleep."
"Um?"
Zheng Fa was overjoyed and said to Senior Sister Yuan, "This is good news!"
"Junior brother, you... you wait for me to wake up."
Zheng Fa was taken aback and looked at Senior Sister Yuan.
Then I heard Senior Sister Yuan say intermittently:
"The old man is in seclusion, and so is my senior sister... I bought some snacks, but I can't find anyone to eat with, so I had to come here." Senior Sister Yuan said drowsily, seemingly extremely sleepy.
If I fall asleep, then... then you'll have no one to play with.
"Wait until I wake up..."
"If you... if you're bored and have no one to talk to, there are some snacks I bought in the Storage Bag I gave you... eat slowly, I'll wake up when you're done."
Zheng Fa remained silent, watching as Senior Sister Yuan's head gradually drooped, struggling and unwillingly falling into a deep sleep, and suddenly chuckled softly.
With a slight twitch of his fingers, the Mystic Gate Mirror flew out, enveloping Senior Sister Yuan.
Zheng Fa didn't move Senior Sister Yuan to another place; he just sat next to her and slowly began his cultivation.
The peach tree in the yard has blossomed five times and borne fruit five times.
Heavenly Thunder roared.
"Junior brother! I 'Nascent Soul Formation!"
Senior Sister Yuan's chattering voice rang out.
"Senior sister, this is what I left for you."
"What?"
Dried peaches.
"Tasty!"
The peach tree in the yard has blossomed and borne fruit three times. Senior Sister Yuan is tired of eating fresh peaches, dried peaches, and peach pits all the time.
"Junior brother, when will senior sister wake up?"
"Have no idea."
"Junior brother, can you burn me again?"
"..."
"If I take another nap, I might see Senior Sister when I open my eyes!" Senior Sister Yuan thought to herself. "No, no, if I take another nap, I might even reach the Spirit Transformation before Senior Sister!"
"..."
Zheng Fa glanced at the whimsical Senior Sister Yuan. If he could burn himself to the Spirit Transformation, why didn't he burn himself too?
Senior Sister Yuan seemed to realize her dream had been a bit too beautiful. She tilted her head back, gazing at the courtyard where Senior Sister Zhang was in seclusion, and murmured, "Junior Brother, I miss Senior Sister so much..."
"..."
Like Zheng Fa, Senior Sister Yuan was actually closest to Elder Yuan in the sect, besides Senior Sister Zhang Old Yuan. Now that the two of them were in seclusion together... this little bird was naturally lonely.
"There's some noise in my senior sister's yard!"
Zheng Fa suddenly stood up, looked at Senior Sister Zhang's courtyard, then abruptly turned back and looked in another direction.
"Old man!"
Senior Sister Yuan also sensed something was wrong, turned around to look in that direction, and shouted loudly.
Zheng Fa hadn't expected that, in just one day, both Senior Sister Zhang and Old Yuan seemed to have experienced breakthroughs!
(End of this chapter)