Chapter 473 Words can be dangerous; techniques for persuading someone to surrender
Loose Immortal Luo didn't seem very satisfied.
He held the " Immortal-Trapping Sword," his gaze fixed, his lips pressed tightly together, as if he would never smile again.
The Immortal-Trapping Sword seemed to still possess some sentience, trembling slightly in his hand as if it were comforting him.
Loose Immortal Luo's eyes were even more aggrieved, as if he had seen his own son go out to make his way in the world and come back dressed as a woman—he dared not recognize him, yet could not deny the closeness of their blood ties.
No one uttered a sound on Divine Fire Mountain.
Everyone stared silently at the Immortal-Trapping Sword in Loose Immortal Luo's hand, secretly swallowing their saliva.
Everyone knows—this is a big deal!
Vast Sun Mountain spent an entire era researching and countless Spirit Stone to successfully refine a True Immortal- level Immortal-Trapping Sword into a Nascent Soul Law Treasure...
Not to mention the devastated Spirit Vein of Vast Sun Mountain.
Even Vast Sun Mountain, one of the Five Sects, felt the pain of this loss.
The Communication Talisman like raindrops from the direction of Vast Sun Mountain. Some were for Loose Immortal Luo, some for Shi Nandang, and even the young man who had driven the car earlier received dozens of them.
Not only the three of them, but also the other Spirit Transformation and Nascent Soul on the mountain received many Communication Talisman.
With such a major incident occurring at Vast Sun Mountain, it's natural that people would come to inquire about the cause.
However, none of the people in the mountains could explain the situation clearly; they were all completely bewildered, their minds a complete Chaos.
"There's something wrong with this formation," Loose Immortal Luo said coldly, his face grim.
Everyone was taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances, when Loose Immortal Luo continued, "It should have been the Hundred Immortals Alliance's Spirit Vein that were damaged... but now, most of the Spirit Vein that have been damaged are located within the territory of my Vast Sun Mountain."
He pinched a Communication Talisman, his tone growing increasingly chilling. "Preliminary statistics show that about 20% of the Spirit Vein of Vast Sun Mountain have been destroyed, a devastating loss."
Upon hearing this, Shi Nandang's heart tightened. Although it was only 20%, the area was twice the size of the Hundred Immortals Alliance. The Spirit Vein drained by this formation were actually twice as much as previously estimated.
He naturally had no idea why:
What Vast Sun Mountain seeks is merely a Trapping Immortal-Trapping Sword that they can control.
However, Zheng Fa was a perfectionist and wanted the sword to be complete and undiminished in strength— True Immortal- level Immortal-Trapping Sword. As for the fact that such perfectionism would consume more Spirit Vein, it wasn't part of his Hundred Immortals Alliance, so he didn't care.
"But... Founder, didn't you already inspect the great formation before?"
Shi Nandang said nervously.
He genuinely didn't understand.
On one hand, I also wanted to remind Loose Immortal Luo that everything was fine when I handed over the great formation to you!
You passed the inspection!
This has nothing to do with us!
Loose Immortal Luo's expression froze, seemingly speechless. He frowned, glanced at the four people in front of him, Shi Nandang, and gently shook his head.
"The four of you are indeed not in the formation..."
Shi Nandang breathed a sigh of relief.
Loose Immortal Luo cast a suspicious glance at the seven Spirit Transformation before him.
" Holy Ancestor! I..."
The young man driving also felt something was wrong and shouted.
Loose Immortal Luo didn't speak, but simply curled his five fingers downwards.
A hemispherical light shield then appeared.
The five red dragons that had been driving the vehicle roared to the sky, entwined with a protective light barrier, chasing each other, their heads and tails touching.
The light shield descended with bursts of dragon roars, trapping the six Nascent Spirit Transformation were operating the formation.
The young man who had brought him to drive the car breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his Holy Ancestor still trusted him.
Loose Immortal Luo seemed to have thought of something again. He turned his head and looked at the Eighth Elder, who was looking blankly on the mountainside. He pointed his finger, and a red dragon flew out, grabbed him with its claws, and threw him into the light barrier.
In an instant, apart from Zheng Fa and the four others and the young man driving the carriage, all the cultivators on Divine Fire Mountain whose cultivation level was above the Nascent Soul stage were captured by Loose Immortal Luo.
Shi Nandang's skin tightened in front of him, clearly showing some fear.
Loose Immortal Luo frowned and glanced at him, then suddenly said, " The Immortal-Trapping Sword was destroyed during the forging process, and I am also partly to blame. I need to go back and explain to the sect."
"They too will face interrogation within the gates to uncover the truth."
"The four of you have little to do with this matter. Someone from the sect will surely come to ask you what happened. Just tell the truth."
Shi Nandang immediately understood Loose Immortal Luo's meaning.
This problem is too big. Even Loose Immortal Luo doesn't dare say he can handle it. He also has some doubts. He arrested these people, partly to shirk responsibility.
Secondly, it is naturally for the purpose of finding out the truth.
Unfortunately, the four of them were some distance from the Divine Fire Mountain, which cleared them of most of the suspicion.
Having figured this out, Shi Nandang slowly lowered his head, clenching his fists as if lamenting the loss of the Immortal -Immortal-Trapping Sword.
Zheng Fa watched coldly from the side, somewhat worried:
Shi Nandang finally escaped this huge pit; if he were to laugh out loud now, things would get complicated.
Fortunately Shi Nandang was valued by the Lu Clan, which showed his profound self-control, and he managed to suppress his laughter.
The young driver, however, was truly inexperienced. Seeing that Loose Immortal Luo had let him go, he immediately felt at ease and even asked:
" Holy Ancestor, shall we still go to the Nine Mountains Sect?"
Loose Immortal Luo's expression froze. He looked down at the " Immortal-Trapping Sword " in his hand and remained silent for a long time.
A crimson dragon leaped out from the surface of the light shield, grabbed the young man driving the car, gagged him, and threw him into the shield.
Loose Immortal Luo seemed to realize something as well, and without saying Shi Nandang, he flew out of the Divine Fire Mountain in a hurry. Judging from the direction, he was clearly not going to the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Watching Loose Immortal Luo's retreating figure, the crowd on the mountaintop remained silent for a long time before Shi Nandang finally laughed and said, "That Luo Clan Spirit Transformation really doesn't understand the principle of 'disaster comes from the mouth.' If the Immortal-Trapping Sword were in good condition, he might still dare to go to the Nine Mountains Sect... But with the Immortal-Trapping Sword in its current state, how dare he still ask that question? Doesn't that make it difficult for Ancestor Luo to save face?"
It was clear that even though he had narrowly escaped death, he still harbored some resentment towards Loose Immortal Luo and that young man.
"Master... how should we conduct ourselves?"
Profound Mystery Sect Leader Chongxuan looked at Shi Nandang with deep concern, his face full of bitterness.
Shi Nandang's smile gradually turned into bitterness, and he shook his head slightly.
"I thought it would be a great achievement, but I never expected such a turn of events," he said to the three. "I doubt the sect will let this go easily."
This is also what Profound Mystery Sect Leader is worried about.
Although their suspicion is relatively minor, the loss of a True Immortal is too great, and someone has to take responsibility. In fact, Vast Sun Mountain will definitely send people to investigate again.
"Now that's settled, the merit of my being granted the surname is gone. It seems difficult for your Profound Mystery Sect to return to the sect. We are in the same boat."
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader's expression turned even more bitter.
This is also what he's worried about.
The reason why their Profound Mystery Sect was chosen by Vast Sun Mountain was simply because of its geographical location. In the end, a sect like theirs was really not worth Vast Sun Mountain's attention.
Now that the Immortal-Trapping Sword is in trouble, and the Spirit Vein of Vast Sun Mountain near the Hundred Immortals Alliance are almost all severed, the situation is dire for the Profound Mystery Sect.
Let alone the possibility that Vast Sun Mountain might abandon Profound Mystery Sect, even if it didn't want to, it would be much more difficult for the Profound Mystery Sect to contact Vast Sun Mountain now.
Not to mention, the powerful figures of Vast Sun Mountain would probably think of the Immortal-Trapping Sword as soon as they saw them, which would be extremely troublesome.
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader Chongxuan asked himself honestly, and he didn't want this group of useless good-for-nothings.
"Master, even if you are not a direct descendant of the Lu Clan, you are still a member of the Vast Sun Mountain. But what about us?" His voice was almost sorrowful. "We have no way to return to the mountain, and we are facing the retaliation of the Hundred Immortals Alliance..."
Shi Nandang simply means he has no future.
They, the Profound Mystery Sect, might lose their lives.
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader, seeing the Profound Mystery Sect empty of disciples, felt even more grief-stricken. He then looked in the direction Loose Immortal Luo had gone, his voice slightly lowered. "Didn't you see Ancestor Luo? He ran off incredibly fast..."
" Bixia, don't you think so?"
" Bixia?"
He looked at the Ninth Elder and saw that the Ninth Elder was completely absorbed in his own world and did not seem worried at all.
When the Ninth Elder saw that Profound Mystery Sect Leader was looking at him, he realized that he had been somewhat careless because of Loose Immortal Luo's departure, and he couldn't help but turn his gaze to Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa could certainly sense the tension and apology in the Ninth Elder's eyes.
To be honest, he didn't mind too much.
At this moment, Li Hao's identity is no longer of any use.
He used Li Hao's identity solely for the purpose of acquiring the Immortal-Trapping Sword. Now that the Immortal-Trapping Sword is safely residing in his sea of consciousness, there's little point in continuing the disguise.
He nodded slightly to the Ninth Elder, indicating that everything was alright.
The Ninth Elder was taken aback, then seemed to understand Zheng Fa's thoughts and couldn't help but laugh easily.
Shi Nandang and the other two weren't fools; in this situation, how could they not see the problem?
"You... you guys?"
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader's voice trembled, as if he had understood something.
Shi Nandang's eyes widened in disbelief.
But Li Hao, standing before him, was surrounded by golden light. When the light faded, a face that he recognized very well was revealed.
" Zheng Fa!" Shi Nandang flew ten zhang high into the air. "So it was you!"
No wonder!
"No wonder the formation malfunctioned!"
Not to mention him, even the Profound Mystery Sect Leader now understood part of the truth.
Shi Nandang could finish speaking, he stepped on flowing clouds, as if trying to escape.
But as soon as he turned around, he saw a pitch-black, familiar-looking Immortal Sword lying across his back.
" The Immortal-Trapping Sword!"
As soon as the Immortal-Trapping Sword released its murderous intent, Shi Nandang's face paled slightly, and he fell straight to the ground from the clouds, utterly powerless to resist.
Upon witnessing this scene, the Profound Mystery Sect Leader's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Shi Nandang was dizzy for a few moments before regaining his senses. He smiled wryly and said, "So the formation wasn't faulty after all."
Zheng Fa agreed, saying, " The Heaven-Earth Divine Baleful Array researched at Vast Sun Mountain for an entire era is indeed very useful."
"..."
Shi Nandang remained silent for a moment, then seemed to give up the struggle. "I just don't understand, why are you able to cultivate my < Scarlet Firmament Jade Register > Cultivation Method, Sect Leader Zheng? Aren't you afraid...?"
Zheng Fa smiled but did not answer the question.
But those smiles clearly conveyed two words: fearlessness.
Shi Nandang understood the expression on Zheng's face, sighed slightly, and said, "Things have come to this point. Sect Leader Zheng, you can do whatever you want with me, I will do as you please."
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader beside him was also pale-faced, clearly having also considered the worst-case scenario.
Although Vast Sun Mountain's schemes left the Hundred Immortals Alliance unscathed, in reality, the two factions were now locked in a life-or-death struggle, irreconcilable enemies.
Now that Sect Leader Zheng has shown himself, they have no chance of escaping.
Zheng Fa ignored the two of them, and simply pointed his finger at the Immortal-Trapping Sword. The Immortal-Trapping Sword suddenly transformed into a black portal, from which Junior Sister Ye and other disciples walked out.
"Master!"
Junior Sister Ye and the others were also bewildered, but seeing Zheng Fa's even more confusion, they clearly didn't understand the situation.
"I'm going to seek justice from that Loose Immortal Luo; I don't have time to waste with you."
Zheng Fa said quickly, also afraid that Loose Immortal Luo was running too fast.
Shi Nandang looked as if he had seen a ghost. He glanced at the Immortal-Trapping Sword, his face saying only one thing—justice! Who will give Loose Immortal Luo justice?
Zheng Fa didn't say much, but stated directly:
You have two choices. The first is death.
Profound Mystery Sect Leader hurriedly said, "The second one, the second one!"
Shi Nandang glared angrily at the Profound Mystery Sect Leader, clearly feeling that this man was too spineless and ashamed to associate with him.
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader turned his face away, seemingly unable to meet his gaze.
Zheng Fa glanced at the two men and continued, "The second option is to secretly work for my Nine Mountains Sect."
Shi Nandang and firmly refused. "You want me to betray the sect? Impossible! I would never betray the Holy Ancestor!"
Zheng Fa wanted to keep Shi Nandang, mainly for the intelligence on Vast Sun Mountain.
The Nine Nether Devil Ancestor is currently causing trouble in the Tianhe Sect and has lost contact with Zheng Fa and the others.
This is really not a good thing for the Nine Mountains Sect:
Zheng Fa has few sources of intelligence regarding the Tianhe Sect's situation. If Vast Sun Mountain were to withdraw from the Tianhe Sect, the Nine Mountains Sect would face another crisis.
Previously, with " Li Hao " and Profound Mystery Sect around, he had full control over many of Vast Sun Mountain's actions. Now that Profound Mystery Sect is no longer a useful pawn for Vast Sun Mountain, he obviously wouldn't let them know about the sect's movements.
The value of Shi Nandang, the Lu Clan Spirit Transformation, was thus greatly amplified.
Given his status and cultivation level, he could gather far more information Profound Mystery Sect. The Five Sects Alliance was a major event, and Vast Sun Mountain sent Shi Nandang, which shows that this disciple still holds some position within Vast Sun Mountain.
However, it was clear that Shi Nandang still had some loyalty to Vast Sun Mountain. Although he did not fully understand what Zheng Fa wanted to do, he had already resolutely refused.
"So the Venerable Shi really wasn't one of the alliance leader's men after all..."
Before Zheng Fa could speak, the Ninth Elder murmured softly, seemingly incredulous.
Shi Nandang's expression froze.
Then the Ninth Elder laughed and said, " Venerable Shi promoted Alliance Leader Zheng himself, and this time he has rendered a great service to the Hundred Immortals Alliance... I originally thought..."
Shi Nandang's expression of loyalty froze even more.
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader, who had just felt somewhat ashamed, suddenly straightened his back, glared angrily at Shi Nandang, and cursed him with his eyes:
I have soft bones.
And you? You're blind!
Who is responsible for our current predicament?
Shi Nandang... He turned his face to the side, looked up at the sky, and dared not meet the gaze of the Profound Mystery Sect Leader.
But he still kept a straight face, seemingly unwilling to betray Vast Sun Mountain, even displaying a stubbornness that would rather die than submit.
" Elder Bixia is right, the Venerable Shi has rendered great service to our Hundred Immortals Alliance." Zheng Fa, however, seemed to be swayed by the Ninth Elder's words, shaking his head and smiling, "If he's unwilling, then so be it."
Shi Nandang was taken aback and looked at Zheng Fa blankly.
Zheng Fa simply stepped aside, as if to make way for him, seemingly wanting to let him off the hook.
Shi Nandang looked slightly puzzled and tentatively flew towards the outside of the mountain. However, Zheng Fa did not stop him. He was overjoyed and rode the flowing cloud again, intending to take advantage of Zheng Fa's momentary soft heart to escape from the Profound Mystery Sect.
Behind me, a voice that was all too familiar came:
"If you don't know about the Nine Mountains Sect, then my Vast Sun Mountain certainly deserves the title of one of the Five Sects."
Shi Nandang's body stiffened, and he slowly turned around, only to see a curtain of light standing on the top of the Divine Fire Mountain.
In the light screen, his image was vividly portrayed, his expression extremely indignant.
It was the footage of him complaining to Zheng Fa about Vast Sun Mountain.
Shi Nandang knelt down before the light screen with a thud, looking at his own face with utter despair.
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader and the others stared at him with strange expressions, their faces full of doubt.
You're saying others don't understand that loose lips sink ships?
(End of this chapter)