On the island of the Nine Mountains Realm Paradise Island, Bixia, the ninth elder of the Profound Mystery Sect, walked among the crowds with several disciples.
They were surrounded by a festive and joyous atmosphere.
Disciples of sects, family members of those from Paradise Island, and even ordinary people who had been admitted to the Vocational Academy from the mortal realm—regardless of their background or cultivation level—all crowded into Paradise Island's largest square, laughing and joking to their hearts' content.
All the shops in the Marketplace are closed today.
But the shop owners didn't rest; instead, they set up all sorts of stalls in the square, displaying a dazzling array of goods and shouting all sorts of sales pitches:
"Roasted Spirit Fish! Deep-sea spirit fish, personally bred by Elder Jiao Wuji and developed with passion by Fairy Yuan!"
"New flying sword test flight! Flying sword test flight!"
Junior Sister Ye followed behind Elder Bixia. She had never seen such a lively scene before, and she looked left and right, not having enough eyes to take it all in.
Seeing her like this, Elder Bixia chuckled inwardly and said, "Play for a while if you want."
A flicker of excitement crossed Junior Sister Ye's face, but she pursed her lips and said, "This disciple... this disciple is short of funds."
Elder Bixia was also somewhat at a loss for words after hearing this:
These disciples were lucky to survive, and it was also thanks to Zheng Fa's mercy.
The problem was that, back then, they felt their lives were numbered and their future uncertain, so they spent their Spirit Stone like water.
Now it's all right, the person is still here, but the Spirit Stone are gone.
Fortunately, they provided food while I was imprisoned at the Nine Mountains Sect...
"It's free."
Elder Bixia shook her head and smiled.
"Free of charge?" Junior Sister Ye was stunned. She stretched out her finger and gestured a large circle around the hundreds of stalls, saying incredulously, "Free food and drinks?"
" Zheng Fa told me that the sect would pay for the ten-day celebration."
The Profound Mystery disciples behind Elder Bixia couldn't help but start whispering among themselves after hearing this:
"Sect Leader Zheng is truly generous."
"I knew it! Those stories are all true! And what they describe is far too conservative."
"These disciples of the Nine Mountains, how come they always get all the good things?"
Hearing the whispers of her disciples behind her, Elder Bixia noticed a mixture of envy and hesitation on Junior Sister Ye's face and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I... I'm not from the Nine Mountains Sect."
"What did you think I brought you here for?"
"Ah?"
" Zheng Fa gave me these instructions."
Upon hearing this, Junior Sister Ye's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked towards the east end of the square, where Zheng Fa, High Person Zhang, and several elders from the Nine Mountains were together, watching the lively and joyous scene in the square and talking with smiles on their faces.
Seemingly having overheard their conversation, Zheng Fa looked up at Junior Sister Ye and the others, nodding with a smile.
Junior Sister Ye's face lit up with joy, and she said, "Master, I'm going!"
She walked quickly to a stall, where the stall owner greeted her:
"My lady, would you like to try our Fairy Smile?"
Upon hearing this Junior Sister Ye asked curiously, " Fairy Smile?"
"This is a product recently developed by the Agriculture Academy. It is brewed from twelve special spiritual fruits, has a smooth taste, a pleasant fruity aroma, and can also enhance cultivation and moisturize the skin. It is most suitable for all of you fairies."
Junior Sister Ye was intrigued, but then shyly asked again, "It's free?"
"No! The Sect Leader said he's treating everyone today!"
Junior Sister Ye picked up the wine glass, drank it all in one gulp, then looked up at her surroundings, her eyes glazed over, a smile playing on her lips.
Elder Bixia looked at her and sighed inwardly: It's just a cup of wine, how could this disciple really be drunk?
The scene on Paradise Island at this moment was nothing more than a kind of peaceful joy for this disciple who had just escaped death—a joy so profound that he felt intoxicated by the atmosphere itself, even without the intoxication of wine.
She couldn't help but look at Zheng Fa as well. She knew that although Zheng Fa and the Nine Mountains Sect had spent some Spirit Stone this time, she had been an elder of the Profound Mystery Sect after all, so she could see that the sect's celebration after the battle had made the Nine Mountains disciples even more loyal to the sect, and their pride was evident on their faces.
Not to mention the disciples of the Nine Mountains, even my own disciples are laughing and joking around right now, some even putting their arms around each other's shoulders, practically treating me like one of the Nine Mountains Sect members.
It's uncertain whether they'll be more willing to listen to him or to Zheng Fa in the future.
It's obvious to everyone that this is a blatant attempt to win people over; it's naked and blatant.
She glanced around Paradise Island, the air filled with the aroma of wine and elixirs, her eyes reflecting a radiant light, and every face adorned with a smile.
After a moment, she couldn't help but laugh and walked towards a stall selling Spirit Treasure jewelry.
Zheng Fa, of course, had no idea that Elder Bixia had been bribed.
He was sitting with Senior Sister Zhang and others.
Senior Sister Yuan went back and forth, selecting some delicious food and drinks from various stalls and placing them in front of them.
This wasn't for any other reason than that they didn't want to disturb the disciples and mortals who were out enjoying themselves.
After all, the Xuanwei Realm has a strict hierarchy, and even in the Nine Mountains Realm, truly sharing joy with the people is more about form than emotion.
Uncle-Master Pang glanced at the disciples and smiled, "Although it cost some money, the disciples are tired, so it's good to let them relax a bit."
"Actually..." Zheng Fa glanced at Senior Sister Zhang and smiled, "It won't cost much."
"Um?"
Zheng Fa gestured with his chin towards the stalls and chuckled, "These items have limited Spiritual Qi and aren't expensive; otherwise, ordinary people wouldn't be able to afford them."
Uncle-Master Pang nodded in sudden realization.
Zheng Fa added, "There are many more, such as Fairy Drunk and the new flying sword, which are all newly launched products of the sect and need to be promoted."
In short, this celebration was actually a large-scale food and entertainment tasting event.
In recent years, most of the agricultural products from the College of the Agriculture Academy, as well as the research results from the Alchemy Academy and the Artifact Refining Academy, have been moved here to be tested on these people first.
"..."
Uncle-Master Pang, holding the wine cup and looking at the spiritual wine inside, suddenly laughed, "You've fallen for my trap."
"Um?"
"This wine is quite good; I'm actually planning to buy a few jars to take home and drink."
Yan Wushuang, however, took a big bite of a skewer of grilled fish and mumbled, "What kind of setup is this? In Tianhe... in other sects, what Sect Leader would be willing to go to such lengths?"
Upon hearing this, the others couldn't help but turn their gazes to the son of the Tianhe Sect Master Yan.
Yan Wushuang, now at the Nascent Soul stage and familiar with everyone, was naturally not intimidated. Instead, he said, " In the Xuanwei Realm, where does Sect Leader fight to the death while his disciples eat and drink for free?"
"Judging from these disciples, they probably wish Zheng Fa would give Vast Sun Mountain another beating."
The others were taken aback, not expecting Yan Wushuang to have such insights. Uncle-Master Pang pondered for a moment, then finally looked at Zheng Fa, his gaze containing a strange undertone:
"You don't really think that, do you?"
Zheng Fa glanced at Yan Wushuang, laughed, nodded and shook his head, and explained:
"Brother Yan is half right."
"Half?"
"The credit for the battle at Vast Sun Mountain can be attributed to me, Senior Sister Zhang, the Founder, and Fairy Xie. But to be honest, Uncle-Master Pang and you, including these disciples and mortals, also made many contributions."
Uncle-Master Pang thought for a moment, then stroked his chin and said, "That's not wrong. Putting aside everything else, without these disciples, we really couldn't earn those spiritual materials."
"What my senior uncle says is true. Fundamentally speaking, the reason why our cultivation has progressed so rapidly, and we were even able to obtain the Immortal-Trapping Sword, is because they all played a role. This expense is naturally nothing."
Zheng Fa's meaning is very simple:
Most of the spiritual materials were earned by these disciples, and even the Incense Power of the Nine Mountains Realm depended on their efforts. He would naturally not forget this contribution.
Needless to say, the celebration was not expensive at all.
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yuying's eyes lit up with a strange light, and she said:
"I've never thought of your perspective before... but it makes some sense, and the achievements of any cultivator throughout history can be understood from this angle."
Those around him were confused, but Zheng Fa gave Xiao Yuying an approving look, thinking to himself that this historian was truly insightful.
On a larger scale, this represents a shift from a heroic view of history to a people-centered view of history. Of course, the situation in the Xuanwei Realm is different, so it's impossible to apply this rigidly, let alone abandon the heroic view of history.
However, Xiao Yuying could also see that, in any case, a cultivator's achievements could not be separated from the environment, other cultivators, or even the era in which they lived.
To put it more simply, if Zheng Fa were to lose, the fate of these Nine Mountains disciples would certainly not be good; most of them would probably not survive.
In Zheng Fa's view, these disciples not only made real contributions, but also shared risks with them.
It can't be that if they lose, these disciples will be buried with them, while if they win, all the credit will go to Zheng Fa and his group.
Xiao Yuying seemed to have thought of something, picked up a Jade Slip, and appeared to be recording something.
" Xiao Fairy, what is this...?"
Xiao Yuying glanced at Zheng Fa, then suddenly laughed, "Since the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor wrote 'The Tianhe Biography,' I naturally want to write ' The Biography of Zheng Fa.'"
" The Biography of Zheng Fa?" Zheng Fa felt a toothache. "This is a bit too... excessive."
"Passed?" Xiao Yuying asked blankly.
She looked around at the people, as if asking for their opinions.
From Xie Qingxue to Aunt-Master Huang, although their faces showed some surprise, everyone shook their heads, as if they all felt that Xiao Yuying's idea was unexpected, but upon closer inspection, it made perfect sense.
Zheng Fa glanced at Xiao Yuying, about to say something, when Xiao Yuying said, "Actually, I feel that you have some very interesting insights that are different from those of Xuanwei cultivators, and I need to record them."
"Lest..."
She glanced at the disciples who were still making a ruckus, and seemed unable to continue.
Zheng Fa remained silent for a moment, then stopped trying to stop them, and a heavy feeling inevitably rose on everyone's faces.
"This is the second reason I'm holding this celebration." Zheng Fa glanced at Yan Wushuang and frankly said, "Slaying Loose Immortal Luo and winning against Vast Sun Mountain... only gives us a brief respite."
"With the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor at our disposal, and the deterrent effect of Loose Immortal Luo's slaying, our Nine Mountains Sect should have no fear of being coveted in the short term."
"But... the situation in Xuanwei will definitely become tense again."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
" The Nine Mountains Sect is far from being able to rest easy. The disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect must be prepared for war."
Ultimately, holding this celebration was not merely a manifestation of Zheng Fa's idealism; it also served a practical purpose—somewhat like victory parades in later generations.
Let the disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect enjoy the benefits and joy of victory, and cultivate their courage.
Let them know that Nine Mountains Realm has won, and that they will be able to live better and enjoy the benefits of victory.
Uncle-Master Pang suddenly sighed, "For cultivators, the struggle... Wuzhi."
" Zheng Fa, are you about to Spirit Transformation stage?" Xie Qingxue suddenly asked.
"Well, I've accumulated enough power now. Immortal Cloud True Immortal of Vast Sun Mountain can't hold out alone, so he won't bother us again for a while. But I don't know how long my Nine Mountains Sect can remain peaceful. The sooner I reach the Nascent Spirit Transformation, the sooner I can have peace of mind."
At this point, Zheng Fa suddenly paused, took out the Creation Jade Disc, and frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"Senior Sister Zhang asked curiously."
"A letter from the First Seat Mingde says that the Supreme Dao Immortal Li wants to visit our Nine Mountains Sect."
The group exchanged surprised glances, and Senior Sister Zhang asked again, "What do you think?"
After a moment's thought, Zheng Fa sent a Spirit Message to the First Seat Mingde, then smiled at Senior Sister Zhang and said, "Of course, I'm the one in charge."
In the Heaven Pool Waterside Pavilion of the Supreme Dao, the First Seat Mingde took out the Zizhi Comprehensive Mirror, read Zheng Fa's reply, and his expression immediately became strange.
Seeing his expression, Immortal Li asked, "What did he say?"
The First Seat Mingde said, " Zheng Fa said... he would very much welcome you, Founder, but he may not have time to receive you."
Upon hearing this, the old man's face immediately turned angry. "Does Zheng Fa think that by killing Loose Immortal Luo he can look down on my Supreme Dao? How dare he be so disrespectful?"
Immortal Li also frowned slightly, seemingly somewhat dissatisfied.
"It's not that I'm being negligent..." First Seat Mingde handed the Comprehensive Mirror to Immortal Li, explaining, "It's Zheng Fa who said he needs to prepare for the Spirit Transformation and goes into seclusion, so he really doesn't have time."
A moment of silence fell over the waterside pavilion; the old man's mouth was agape, as if he didn't know what to say.
After a long pause, it was still Immortal Li who laughed:
" Spirit Transformation?" His tone was ambiguous, whether it was amusement or bitterness. "He still wants to Spirit Transformation?"
"..."
"Then shouldn't I go Nascent Soul Formation?"
Elder Bixia, with a smile on her lips, walked into the courtyard where she was temporarily staying, thinking about Zheng Fa's preparations to Spirit Transformation.
Compared to Immortal Li's indescribable feelings, her thoughts were much simpler:
It's good that Sect Leader Zheng Spirit Transformation!
Ideally, Spirit Transformation in a day, an immortal in half a month, and sweep away the Xuanwei in a year!
Only in this way can I put her mind at ease.
When Shi Nandang asked her if she regretted it that day, she said she didn't, but to be honest, how could she not feel uneasy?
After all, her current fate is inextricably linked to Zheng Fa's.
Now that the Nine Mountains Sect had won a battle, she was naturally a little relieved, and even more eager for Zheng Fa to become stronger.
Upon entering the main courtyard, her expression froze. Looking at the Profound Mystery Sect Leader standing in the courtyard, she asked in confusion, "Senior Brother? Why are you here?"
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader, with a smile on his face, didn't answer but instead asked, "Is Paradise Island extremely lively?"
Elder Bixia nodded.
Now, she and her direct disciples are the most at ease in this courtyard—after all, they are on the side of the victors.
Therefore, they were able to participate in the Nine Mountains Sect's celebration quite naturally.
But the situation is different for Profound Mystery Sect Leader and even Shi Nandang: these two are genuine prisoners, and their status is awkward.
Therefore, I've been staying in the courtyard these past few days and haven't gone to Paradise Island.
Unexpectedly, he was waiting for her in the main courtyard today.
"Lively... it's good that it's lively. I've long heard that Alliance Leader Zheng cherishes his disciples, and now I know it's true. Unlike Vast Sun Mountain..."
Something about these words sounded off. After a moment's thought, Elder Bixia understood the purpose of this senior brother's visit.
She looked at her senior brother with a smile in her eyes.
Profound Mystery Sect Leader Chongxuan stammered, "I... I just saw those... Azure Wood Sect disciples living extremely well at the Nine Mountains Sect..."
"..."
"To be honest, junior sister, I deeply regret my actions; I only regret that I was blind to your true nature..."
They really came to surrender.
"What is the purpose of your visit, senior brother?"
The Profound Mystery Sect Leader laughed, "It's not that you have a discerning eye, or that you have a close relationship with Alliance Leader Zheng. I thought that only by handing the Profound Mystery Sect over to you could it have a way out..."
"Senior brother, you flatter me," Elder Bixia said, shaking her head.
Profound Mystery Sect Leader's face darkened.
Then Elder Bixia continued, "Senior Brother is the Profound Mystery Sect Leader. I will convey your message to Zheng Fa."
"That's good, that's good!"
"There's just one thing I need to remind you, senior brother."
"You say!"
"Our Profound Mystery Sect, after all, betrayed the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
Profound Mystery Sect Leader.
"If you want the same treatment as the Azure Wood Sect, that's impossible. I think Madam Xuanhua of the Artifact Refiners Guild has extraordinary weapon refining skills and is deeply trusted by Zheng Fa. My Profound Mystery Sect cannot replace her position."
"Of course I know that!" Profound Mystery Sect Leader quickly replied, "Junior Sister, please rest assured, I understand. Profound Mystery disciples are here to atone for their sins and perform meritorious service; how could we dare to harbor such ambitions?"
"I believe the Nine Mountains Sect's system Merit above all else. As long as Zheng Fa doesn't suppress us, with our skills, we can live a decent life... As for comparing us to the Azure Wood Sect, I naturally wouldn't dare to dream of it."
"Senior brother is quite insightful. Zheng Fa isn't so magnanimous as to be unable to tolerate us," Bixia reassured him. "Ultimately, we pose little threat to him right now."
The Sect Leader of the Profound Mystery Sect sighed, "Junior Sister is right."
The two fell silent for a moment, Profound Mystery Sect Leader Chongxuan asked again, "Junior Sister, are you laughing at me for being indecisive?"
"No, Senior Brother had no choice. I know that."
A look of gratitude flashed across the Profound Mystery Sect Leader's face. "Junior Sister understands me best. Whether it's Vast Sun Mountain or Nine Mountains Sect, which one can I possibly resist?"
" Venerable Shi has arrived, I will listen to Venerable Shi. Alliance Leader Zheng wins, I can only bow down and pay my respects."
Elder Bixia nodded gently and comforted him, "Senior brother, don't worry. Zheng Fa's bottom line is actually very clear. As long as they haven't truly harmed any of the Nine Mountains disciples, he'll spare their lives. Just look at Elder Jiao Wuji."
"This..." The Profound Mystery Sect Leader remained silent for a while, not only uncomforted but also increasingly gloomy. "So, our Profound Mystery Sect is incompetent and has even saved its own life?"
"..."
Even Elder Bixia couldn't calm them down; the fact that they hadn't harmed the Nine Mountains Sect disciples wasn't because they didn't want to...
Fortunately, Profound Mystery Sect Leader Chongxuan seemed to have regained his composure, and he suddenly asked, " Venerable Shi..."
"Um?"
"... Like me?"
Elder Bixia understood; this senior brother was asking if the Venerable Shi had betrayed his cause like him.
She shook her head at Profound Mystery Sect Leader.
A hint of shame appeared on the face of the Profound Mystery Sect Leader, who murmured to himself:
"Indeed, Venerable Shi is arrogant by nature and a top disciple of Vast Sun Mountain. How could he be like me?"
He had great confidence in Vast Sun Mountain; perhaps the death of Loose Immortal Luo wouldn't shake his resolve.
"He must have been loyal and courageous, willing to die rather than surrender."
As he spoke, he seemed to realize it wasn't very interesting, and said to Elder Bixia, "If it's for my junior sister, I'll go back and await Alliance Leader Zheng's decision."
Elder Bixia nodded gently.
Profound Mystery Sect Leader pushed open the courtyard gate, preparing to leave, when he suddenly froze, exclaiming, " The Venerable Shi?"
Shi Nandang stood straight outside the door, his expression suggesting he was also caught off guard.
"Master, you..." Profound Mystery Sect Leader looked at the stiff-faced Shi Nandang, then turned to Elder Bixia and asked, "Are you looking for Bixia?"
Shi Nandang, with a stern face, gave the Profound Mystery Sect Leader a deep look, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "No, I was just strolling around and happened to be passing by."
Having said that, he didn't wait for their reply and walked straight towards the right side courtyard.
Watching his figure disappear, Profound Mystery Sect Leader stood there stunned for a long time before suddenly transmitting his voice, "I think the Venerable Shi might have heard what we were saying."
"Um?"
"The way he looked at me just now was like he wanted to kill me." The Profound Mystery Sect Leader's face showed his heart pounding with fear. "He must have been furious when he heard that I wanted to pledge allegiance to Alliance Leader Zheng, but he couldn't show it in the Nine Mountains Realm."
Elder Bixia recalled Shi Nandang's expression and actions, and suddenly laughed, "I think the Venerable Shi is angry not because of this."
"Why is that?"
"Because you praised him for his loyalty, courage, and unwavering resolve, even unto death."
(End of this chapter)