Zheng Fa and Tongtian got more and more into their conversation.
At first, their Dao Discussion mainly focused on the takeaways from this sermon.
Zheng Fa relied on the Earthly Fiend Seventy-Two Transformations, but these four were the legendary people with great enlightenment.
They had grasped just as much as he had, and to say that would be somewhat immodest—they had grasped far more than he had. This made Zheng Fa deeply realize that his mind was not up to the task.
Of course, this is also related to the cultivation level of these four Sage: in terms of strength, these people are almost saints, so when they look at various cultivation methods, they naturally have a superior understanding of them.
Therefore, Zheng Fa felt he had gained a lot from the brief exchange.
"Wonderful!" Tongtian seemed quite pleased as well. "Your Earthly Fiend Seventy-Two Transformations are truly wonderful!"
Yuanshi nodded in agreement, saying, "This Cultivation Method is very suitable for enlightenment, combat, and concealment. Among all the Divine Ability I have seen, it is in a class of its own... one could even say it is the top Divine Ability in the world."
"Your cultivation level is still low, yet you have managed to create such a remarkable achievement; this is all the more commendable."
Tongtian, look at that person, how sweet-talking they are!
Yuanshi looked at Zheng Fa with admiration, "My Kunlun will soon hold the Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly. I wonder if you have the time?"
Upon hearing this, Tongtian looked at Yuanshi with a strange gaze. "Second brother, didn't you always say that we shouldn't let outsiders disturb the tranquility of Kunlun?"
Yuanshi glanced at him, seemingly unwilling to answer Tongtian's question.
"You wouldn't believe it," Tongtian grinned as he explained to Zheng Fa, "My second brother is extremely arrogant and has the utmost contempt for two types of people."
Which two?
"You look down on him, and he looks down on him too."
"..."
Tongtian, his lips coated with honey, quickly tried to cover up his mistake under Yuanshi's icy gaze:
"But my second brother still values you. The Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly is always Dao Discussion among our own family members; we rarely invite outsiders."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa felt quite honored, and the others who heard it reacted even more strongly than he did.
Nuwa laughed and said, "So it seems I've never had this fortuitous opportunity before."
"It's just a family gathering," Yuanshi explained, then glared at Tongtian, "It's not that I'm arrogant."
He looked at Zheng Fa without speaking, only asking with his eyes – Are you coming?
Zheng Fa bowed slightly and said respectfully, "It would be an honor, I will certainly go."
"Then it will be six months from now," Heavenly Dao said happily. "Don't blame me for not reminding you, the Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly involves separate lectures."
This sounds quite like a seminar that Zheng Fa and his team organized.
"Then I'll have to make a fool of myself."
White Lotus and the others stood behind him, their expressions somewhat distorted—they could also make a fool of themselves!
Not to mention White Lotus, who received instruction from Zhunти and the other two, everyone else knew that Dao Discussion with these three sages was a great fortuitous opportunity for anyone.
It could even be said that this was more valuable than preaching at the Purple Cloud Palace —especially since they didn't gain much from preaching.
Daoist Hongjun's sermons seem to follow their own set of rules, unlike these three who can communicate with each other.
These three people invited Shi Nandang, yet they completely ignored them. Their attitudes were drastically different, which was enough to make one feel sour.
The others listened intently, only to see Yuanshi nod to Zheng Fa and walk out of the hall.
"Senior brother, please wait."
Yuanshi stopped and turned to look at Nuwa, his eyes filled with questions.
Nuwa called out to him, but addressed Zheng Fa instead. "Have you thought about how to answer my question?"
Zheng Fa honestly replied, "Your Majesty's question is too broad; I only have some superficial understanding."
Nuwa nodded gently and said, "My attainment of enlightenment cannot be delayed any longer."
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood what was going on—although Nuwa had her own will, she was only an illusion existing in the past, and they had to act according to the memories of the Fusang Wood.
The creation of humans by Nuwa was an inevitable event.
From the very beginning, the creation of human beings was a foregone conclusion; the only question was whether Zheng Fa could benefit from this great Merit.
Nuwa looked at Yuanshi and asked, "Senior Brother, may I attend the Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly?"
Yuanshi glanced back at her, his eyes filled with surprise, then turned to look at Taishang, as if asking a question.
The Taishang Daoist gazed intently at Nuwa and asked, "Of course."
Zhunти and Jieyin exchanged glances and then chimed in, "I wonder if we could join in this grand event?"
The Taishang and said, "In that case, why not hold the Kunlun Dharma Assembly?"
"Good."
Everyone nodded, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Zheng Fa watched from the side, quite surprised. He didn't know if these people had ever Dao Discussion together before, but this was the first time Kunlun Dharma Assembly.
The Yuanshi Daoist first invited himself, then Nuwa inexplicably wanted to come, and Zhunти and Jieyin joined in the fun.
White Lotus and the others were even more eager to hear this. It was already a rare opportunity to Dao Discussion the Dao with the Three Pure Ones, but now that all six of them were gathered together, it was an even greater fortuitous opportunity. Who wouldn't want to go?
Zhunти seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly pointed at White Lotus: "Although my junior is useless, she can still manage to serve tea and water..."
White Lotus's eyes showed some gratitude; her Founder still valued her.
Yuanshi looked at the White Lotus and suddenly asked:
"Does he also possess Cultivation Method as wondrous as the Seventy-Two Transformations?"
"..."
Seeing White Lotus remain silent, Yuanshi gently shook his head.
Although he was expressionless, Zheng Fa had been talking to him for so long that he could already decipher his eyes.
Simply put, in three words, you still need to practice.
Tongtian, standing to the side, seemed completely unsurprised. Clearly, his earlier statement that Yuanshi was arrogant and disliked having too many people on Kunlun Mountain was probably true.
Even White Lotus, who has powerful backers, was turned away, so naturally, the Creation Daoist and the others had even less hope.
The group agreed to meet at Kunlun six months later, and then they all departed.
White Lotus and the others watched Zheng Fa bid farewell to everyone, their expressions complex, but Zheng Fa's mood was not very pleasant.
Before Nuwa left, she gave him one last deep look, and he knew the meaning behind that gaze:
If his answer six months later fails to satisfy Nuwa, then he will likely miss out on the Merit of creating humankind.
This is not only about the Primordial Purple Qi, but also about the use of the Cosmos Cauldron.
Zheng Fa and the others left Purple Cloud Palace and returned to the Five Organs Temple. On one hand, they consolidated what they had learned from listening to the Dao, and on the other hand, they continued to ponder the questions Nuwa had asked them.
Outside the Nine Luminaries Heaven, on the Three Palaces Hall Vast Sun Mountain, a disciple suddenly pointed east and shouted, "Look over there!"
The other disciples looked in the direction he was pointing and all gaped in astonishment.
East of Vast Sun Mountain, which was originally the territory of the Tianhe Sect, has now been occupied by the Nine Nether Emperor and become the Underworld.
The Underworld is quite different from other places in Xuanwei. It is shrouded in a thick black mist all year round. When you look towards the Underworld from Vast Sun Mountain, you will see a high wall. The wall is pitch black and Tongtian, separating Vast Sun Mountain and the Underworld.
Nobody dared to go there.
Over the years, they have grown accustomed to the unyielding black wall, even regarding it as the end of the mortal world.
But today, a dazzling door of light suddenly opened in the wall.
The black mist opened to both sides, like two doors, and figures emerged from them.
"Ancestor Yun?" a sharp-eyed disciple exclaimed, "Ancestor Yun has escaped from the Underworld?"
As Cloud True Immortal stepped out of the Underworld, he squinted in the bright sunlight, feeling as if he had been transported to another world.
Not to mention him, even the people from the other Four Sects showed expressions of joy or sorrow.
He looked at the Nishang Yuanjun beside him and asked, "Where does the Lady of the Rainbow Robes wish to go?"
"Return to Jade Pool," Nishang Yuanjun replied. "I have deeply failed the sect's trust this time, and I must return to the sect to apologize."
Upon hearing this Cloud True Immortal remained silent. He recalled the formidable power of the Four Sects when they besieged the Tianhe Sect, vowing to slay the Nine Nether Devil Ancestor.
What about now?
The Nine Nether Devil Ancestor are already too powerful to control, and they have been trapped in the Underworld for many years, making them a laughing stock of Xuanwei.
The two Supreme Dao were also eager to return to the mountain.
Because the Supreme Dao is in the south, Cloud True Immortal and Nishang Yuanjun traveled east together until they reached the foot of Vast Sun Mountain.
"Why don't you rest on the mountain for a while, my lord, so that I may fulfill my duty as your host?"
Although there are still conflicts within the sect, the two have now gone through thick and thin together, and Cloud True Immortal's tone was quite sincere.
"Thank you for your kindness, fellow Daoist, but I am currently unaware of the situation at Jade Pool and am truly eager to return." Jade Pool Nishang Yuanjun nodded in agreement and said, "I need to borrow the passage of the Hundred Immortals Alliance to inquire about Xuanwei's situation."
Seeing that he had no intention of staying, Cloud True Immortal cupped his hands in farewell to Yuanjun.
Some of the surviving disciples of Leiyin Temple followed Yuanjun, but one young monk remained. He approached Cloud True Immortal and transmitted his voice, " High Immortal Yun?"
"Who are you?"
Instead of answering, the monk asked, " The Founder has issued a decree asking if you remember the last time the Underworld opened?"
Cloud True Immortal's expression turned slightly serious. "Of course I remember, I often regret that I missed the opportunity."
"There seemed to be something fishy about that opening of the Underworld."
"Strange?"
"According to the Founder, the Nine Nether Emperor's power in the Underworld is unfathomable. The fact that the Underworld's barrier was breached that time was truly... strange."
Cloud True Immortal was slightly taken aback, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes, before calmly nodding to the young monk.
Watching the monk walk away with Nishang Yuanjun, Cloud True Immortal then spoke to the disciples of Vast Sun Mountain behind him, "Come with me... home."
The Vast Sun disciples behind him shouted in unison, "Go home!"
My home... my home is gone!
Cloud True Immortal sat in the Three Palaces Hall, staring blankly at the empty hall.
"You mean, the Hundred Immortals Alliance has attacked?"
"They've already occupied most of our territory!" an elder of the Yun Clan said with a mournful face. "Our disciples are still suffering defeat after defeat, and those small sects and Lineage are not safe either."
Cloud True Immortal closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said angrily, "It's alright. He's just taking advantage of the fact that Vast Sun Mountain has no Dao Fruit. Now that I'm back, I won't let them run rampant... After I rest for two days, I'll lead you to crush the Hundred Immortals Alliance!"
Unexpectedly, the Nascent Spirit Transformation below him, upon hearing his grand pronouncements, were not only not invigorated, but instead looked at each other in bewilderment, hesitant to speak, and extremely unwilling.
"What else?"
"We have the assistance of Dao Fruit."
Cloud True Immortal frowned, then suddenly realized. "Could it be the Nine Luminaries Heaven?"
"Yes, the Gu God has specifically left the mountain to resist the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
Cloud True Immortal's expression softened slightly, and then he heard the clan elder say, "Then he returned severely injured."
"..." Cloud True Immortal's eyelids twitched, suppressing the horror in his heart, and asked, "Is the Gu God injured?"
"Yes, we don't know whether they're alive or dead now."
Cloud True Immortal pursed his lips, unable to speak for a long time.
" The Hundred Immortals Alliance actually possesses such strength?"
The Nascent Spirit Transformation of Vast Sun Mountain nodded in agreement, their faces still showing lingering fear. "Over the years, we haven't gained any advantage."
Seeing the timid expressions on their faces, Cloud True Immortal was even angrier. These people had actually been scared out of their wits by the Hundred Immortals Alliance!
He scanned the crowd, then suddenly narrowed his eyes and asked in a cold voice, "Why are so many people missing?"
"..."
Silence fell over the Three Palaces Hall once more, and everyone lowered their heads.
"Were they killed by the Hundred Immortals Alliance? So many of you have lost your nerve?"
"No, no," someone whispered, "They were fed to the Gu God by the Lu Clan, no, they were sent to the Gu God by the Lu Clan!"
Upon hearing this, Cloud True Immortal realized that the absence of people was due to two reasons: firstly, the Yunluo and Lu clans were missing many Spirit Transformation, and secondly, none of the Lu Clan had come, making the Three Palaces Hall feel even more empty.
The crowd in the hall was filled with fervor. Someone shouted, " Our Founder has returned! He can avenge us! We beg our Founder to exterminate the Lu Clan and avenge our people!"
"Eliminate the Lu Clan!"
Cloud True Immortal listened, his face grew increasingly ashen, and he roared, "Enough!"
"You all hesitated and stammered when you said you were going to attack the Hundred Immortals Alliance, but you couldn't wait to deal with your own fellow disciples! What kind of behavior is this!"
Everyone fell silent, but one person still whispered Qi Ingestion, " The Hundred Immortals Alliance isn't as ruthless as our fellow disciples."
Cloud True Immortal urged, "Tell me in detail, start from the beginning, what exactly happened?"
The elder of the Yun Clan said, "Reporting to the Holy Ancestor, since you were trapped in the Underworld Holy Ancestor, the situation in Xuanwei has changed drastically..."
Cloud True Immortal listened attentively.
The elder began by recounting the changes in the world, starting with the meteor shower caused by the death of Dao Fruit, and adding some rumors about the Northern Continent and the Sea Region.
" Northern Continent? How much do you know about the Northern Continent?"
The elder said in a hoarse voice, "Not many. Our Vast Sun Mountain isn't strong enough... No one dares to go to the Sea Region, let alone the Northern Continent. We only know some vague legends."
Cloud True Immortal sighed inwardly. In the many years since he left Vast Sun Mountain, this group of people had lost their pride as a top-tier sect of Xuanwei.
To be honest, even if he were to return, the current state of Xuanwei is beyond the control of a mere True Immortal like himself.
He glanced at the sparse crowd in the Three Palaces Hall and for the first time realized that Vast Sun Mountain had fallen.
Then the elder spoke of the great Sea Region battle between the Nine Mountains Sect and the Azure Abyss Dragon King.
" The Golden-Winged Great Peng, the Azure Abyss Dragon Palace, and so many Dao Fruit combined..." Cloud True Immortal's face twitched. " The Nine Mountains Sect actually won?"
"A complete victory! The Golden-Winged Great Peng and his companion fled in disarray, barely escaping with their lives."
The elder of the Yun Clan said in a low voice, "If that weren't the case, why would we be so afraid of the Hundred Immortals Alliance?"
Cloud True Immortal closed his eyes. Vast Sun Mountain was gradually declining, but Nine Mountains Sect was like the rising sun, and now it was at its zenith.
"Go on."
"Later, the Nine Mountains Sect attacked our sect, and the Lu Clan summoned the Gu God, but the Gu God needs blood offerings," the elder recalled. "They first captured Rogue Cultivator, and when that wasn't enough, they captured some small forces affiliated with us."
"That would have been fine, but the Gu God was severely injured by Zheng Fa and the others, and needs even more blood food to recuperate. With not enough people, the Lu Clan has actually started capturing members of the Yunluo and Lu Clans!"
Cloud True Immortal frowned upon hearing this, finally understanding why the sect was on the verge of collapse.
"Fortunately, the Stone Ancestor returned and set things right, thus stopping the Lu Clan from going astray."
"Wait, Stone Ancestor?"
" Shi Nandang Founder."
Cloud True Immortal asked in surprise, "He's still alive?"
Among the Vast Sun Mountain disciples who escaped this time, Shi Nandang was not among them; he had thought that the other party had perished in the Underworld.
"Alive!" the elder of the Yun Clan laughed. "Last time, the Underworld was breached by the experts of Thunderclap Temple, and the Stone Ancestor seized the opportunity to escape."
Cloud True Immortal's eyes suddenly deepened. "Last time?"
(End of this chapter)