The atmosphere at the table was very lively, and soon Zhao Jingfan and Yan Wushuang were drunk.
"Let me tell you, that so-called Creation Devil Ancestor was nothing more than a single sword strike!" Yan Wushuang chuckled, his eyes wide. "The revenge my father couldn't take, I've done!"
Zhao Jingfan's eyes were glazed over, and his tone was disdainful. "Is this your revenge? Isn't this the power of the sword formation?"
After saying that, he looked at Zheng Fa and held up two fingers. " Zheng Fa, there are two things about you that I admire most..."
Zheng Fa was taken aback. Zhao Jingfan was a rather arrogant person, so it wasn't easy for him to clearly express his admiration; it was a very meaningful statement.
I doubt he'll admit that when he wakes up.
"First..." Zhao Jingfan pointed at Senior Sister Zhang, "When I first met Senior Sister Zhang, I was intimidated. How dare you..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but a knowing smile appeared on his face.
Now Zheng Dharma Aspect Zhao Jingfan was truly drunk.
"Second... is... is the Nine Mountains Sect." Zhao Jingfan murmured, slumped over the table, " The Nine Mountains Sect, yours, our Nine Mountains Sect, how wonderful."
"Why can't everyone just let you do what you like?"
" Thunderclap Temple, Lu Mo..."
Zhao Jingfan seemed to be very drunk, and his words were incoherent, but Zheng Fa could still understand what he was trying to say.
He took a sip of his drink, gazed into the distance, and before he knew it, he had fallen into a stupor.
When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on Senior Sister Zhang's bed, with plain white curtains and warm bedding.
"Woke up?"
When Senior Sister Zhang's voice came, Zheng Fa turned his head and saw that she was sitting on a low couch, cultivating. He didn't know how long she had been there with her.
Zheng Fa sat up, put his feet on the edge of the bed, and supported himself with his hands on the blankets. He smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."
Tired?
In front of Senior Sister Zhang, Zheng Fa made no attempt to hide his feelings, offering a wry smile, "A little."
His personality isn't the competitive type; he's even a bit of a homebody and prefers to do his own thing.
Those who only saw him lead the Nine Mountains Sect to conquer the once-powerful Vast Sun Mountain and seize the Primordial Purple Qi would probably be shocked or even envious.
But for him, it was more exhaustion than triumph— Zhao Jingfan knew him well.
Therefore, he later completely let go, seeking only to get drunk.
Coming to his senses, Senior Sister Zhang looked at him quietly, without saying a word, yet it seemed as if she had said a lot.
Zheng Fa smiled, briefly recovering from his slightly depressed mood, and looked at Senior Sister Zhang: "Senior Sister, how far are you from achieving the Dao Fruit?"
"It'll be soon," Senior Sister Zhang replied. "I'm preparing to integrate the Primordial Eight Trigrams and the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation. I'm already making some progress, but it's a gradual process and can't be rushed."
"We can use the Zizhi Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) to complete the rituals."
Zheng Fa's kind of fortuitous opportunity is rare and hard to come by, and they can't be like Lu Mo, who wreaked havoc on the entire Xuanwei.
The scope of Ke Comprehensive Mirror is already very large, Senior Sister Zhang's improved < Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method > is practiced by everyone in the Nine Mountains Sect. If we add the mortals within the Nine Mountains Sect, Senior Sister Zhang's audience is unprecedented in history.
For the past century, the Nine Mountains Sect has been promoting education, the most fundamental of which is Mathematics. If we were to be precise, Senior Sister Zhang, as the mother of mathematics in the Nine Mountains Sect, could be considered her audience, as almost every mortal who had ever attended school was her student.
"Starting with Senior Sister, the audience of the Nine Mountains Sect cultivators consists of two groups: those who cultivate the methods he created, and ordinary people whose lives have been changed because of him."
Zheng Fa also valued Senior Sister Zhang's attainment of enlightenment. Besides the relationship between the two, Senior Sister Zhang was more representative than himself. Senior Sister Zhang's success would further prove that the path of the Nine Mountains Sect was viable.
"In this way, once a cultivator creates a superior method, other cultivators can also switch to cultivating it through the < Yellow Court Scripture >, making it naturally easier for them to attain enlightenment in the future."
This sounds a lot like the practical application of the impact factor...
Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently and added, "These two are actually different. The one with more mortals as its audience leans towards the Divine Way Method, while the one that leans towards cultivators is the Immortal Way."
Zheng Fa thought it made sense, but he felt lazy all over and didn't want to think about it deeply, or even want to cultivate.
After attaining the Dao Fruit, cultivation becomes less effective in improving one's cultivation level.
He wandered around the courtyard a few times and sent a message to his two disciples, asking them to come over.
When Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan arrived together, Little Bird Yuan was already chattering away in the courtyard with Senior Sister Zhang.
Zheng Fa, sitting to the side, smiled upon seeing his two apprentices, his tone tinged with guilt. "I've been too busy lately and haven't had time to teach you; it's truly been a dereliction of duty..."
Deep down, he probably prefers being a teacher.
"We have already received immense kindness from our Master..."
Gu Chang hurriedly said.
Mu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, but couldn't say a word. Whether in her "past life memories" or in the Azure Wood Sect, she had never seen a teacher apologize to a disciple.
"The victory in the Battle of Vast Sun Mountain, and the Primordial Purple Qi, are inseparable from your contributions."
Zheng Fa looked at his two disciples with great pride.
Mu Qingyan's research enabled the Nine Mountains Sect to block the Gu God.
Gu Chang was even more remarkable; his Spirit Intelligence Network structure became the most crucial part of that paper on creating humans.
Under Zheng Fa's praising gaze, Gu Chang couldn't help but laugh.
"I've attained Dao Fruit, and I have some time lately," Zheng Fa said, his words carrying a hint of compensation. "If you have any questions about cultivation, I can answer them here."
"Yes!"
Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan expressed their gratitude, but to their surprise, Little Bird Yuan immediately flew out of the courtyard upon hearing this.
Zheng Fa and Zhang Taishang also got up and slowly walked out of the courtyard.
The two exchanged a glance, completely bewildered, and followed along.
It seemed that Zheng Fa and the others had planned this in advance. They flew out of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure and landed on a meadow in the mortal Nine Mountains Realm.
The clear river water flows down from the mountain, splashing against the rocks with a soft, tinkling sound.
The mountains are in full bloom, with orioles singing and butterflies dancing, resembling a colorful oil painting from afar.
Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on the grass, so light that not even the tips of the grass bent.
He nodded to Gu Chang, gesturing for them to sit down.
Gu Chang found it somewhat novel and, sitting opposite Zheng Fa, couldn't help but look him up and down.
Little Bird Yuan took a barbecue grill from her Storage Bag, stood it by the river, and held a fishing rod, seemingly preparing to fish and grill on the spot.
Senior Sister Zhang leaned against a rock by the river, smiling as she watched Zheng Fa, then took out her jade flute and placed it to her lips.
As the sound of the jade flute filled the air, Gu Chang felt a sense of relief wash over them, and before they knew it, they voiced the doubts that had been building up over the past few days.
If Zheng Fa knew something, he would say he knew it; if he didn't know something, he would look at Senior Sister Zhang.
Sometimes Little Bird Yuan would chime in with a few words.
Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan often drew inferences from one instance to another and came up with their own ideas, and Zheng Fa listened attentively.
While ostensibly providing guidance, Zheng Fa intentionally framed it as a discussion.
Unbeknownst to them, both Gu Chang felt that their past doubts had vanished, and they had gained a lot of inspiration, making great progress.
Seeing their satisfied expressions, Zheng Fa couldn't help but smile. As if remembering something, he asked, "After accepting you as disciples, I haven't had a proper chat with you yet."
Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan looked at Zheng Fa with some confusion.
"You two have both Nascent Soul stage. What are your thoughts on your future Dao Path?"
Seeing the two hesitate, seemingly unsure how to begin, Zheng Fa simply asked Senior Sister Yuan, " Senior Sister Yuan, what do you say?"
While grilling fish, Senior Sister Yuan looked up, wiped her drool, and chuckled, " Dao Path? What Dao Path?"
"I said yes, what are your wishes and aspirations?"
"A wish." Senior Sister Yuan put down the grilled fish in her hand, her expression serious as she fell into deep thought, looking rather solemn.
Everyone waited quietly, even Senior Sister Zhang put down her jade flute.
Senior Sister Yuan's gaze was firm. "I hope that in the future, I can go fishing and play with you and Junior Brother again!"
Everyone was silent, Senior Sister Yuan slowly lowered her head.
Zheng Fa then looked at Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan.
Gu Chang pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to continue my research on the Spirit Intelligence System."
Zheng Fa nodded slightly.
"I want to know what the differences are between people, and how intelligence arises." Gu Chang seemed to have thought for a long time. "I like to stay in the laboratory, simulating various Spirit Intelligence Network and seeing all sorts of possibilities."
Zheng Fa smiled, his face showing approval, and then looked at Mu Qingyan.
Mu Qingyan blushed and said softly, "I... I also like to study pharmacology."
"You like it too?"
"I... I don't have the same unwavering resolve as my senior brother."
Mu Qingyan looked somewhat ashamed, but Zheng Fa understood. Mu Qingyan's experiences were rather bizarre, and her mind was much more complicated. Compared to Gu Chang, she found it difficult to settle down as a researcher.
Zheng Fa was somewhat surprised. "You want to be the Sect Leader the Nine Mountains Sect?"
"This disciple wouldn't dare! It's Senior Brother's turn to succeed me," Mu Qingyan quickly said. "This disciple was born into the Azure Wood Sect and wouldn't dare to covet the position of sect Sect Leader. I just... I just want to do more for the sect."
She glanced at Zheng Fa, and as if afraid he wouldn't believe her, she explained, "This disciple... is afraid that Xuanwei will revert to the appearance in the dream."
Gu Chang smiled and said, "If Master were to appoint Junior Sister as the Sect Leader, I would be relieved."
Mu Qingyan was taken aback and turned to look at Gu Chang. She saw that her senior brother had a sincere expression on his face, as if he really did not want to take over the position of Sect Leader.
Seeing her surprise, Gu Chang said earnestly, "Junior Sister, the position of Sect Leader is far too heavy a burden for me. My mind is not as strong as yours..."
Mu Qingyan then believed it, after all, the current Sect Leader of the Nine Mountains Sect was incredibly powerful.
Seeing that they were still getting along relatively well, Zheng Fa smiled and shook his head, "I won't decide the next sect Sect Leader position on a whim."
Mu Qingyan was stunned.
" Qingyan, it doesn't matter that you come from the Azure Wood Sect, but if you want to become the Sect Leader, you can't do it just by being my disciple."
"Yes!"
Mu Qingyan beamed with joy, and Gu Chang also said from the side, "I will help my junior sister."
Zheng Fa was indifferent; he already had some plans for the sect's succession.
On the one hand, he would not follow the complete master-disciple succession and would insist on keeping the position of Sect Leader in his lineage.
On the other hand, he wouldn't hinder Mu Qingyan's ambitions for the sake of selflessness; in fact, he greatly encouraged her ideas.
Seeing through Zheng Fa's meaning, Mu Qingyan's expression became even more lively, and she suddenly asked boldly, "And what about you, Master?"
"I?"
What are your wishes for the future?
"Me?" Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Right now, I think the same thing as Senior Sister Yuan."
"Well?"
Senior Sister Yuan had been silently grilling fish nearby, suddenly looked up, her eyes bright, and stared at Zheng Fa.
With two or three close friends and disciples by my side, the spring day lingers, and I have nothing else to do.
But Zheng Fa's wish remained just a wish.
He didn't get to rest for long before the invitation from the Glazed Buddha Ancestor flew into his hands.
Inside the Heavenly Palace Hall, the high-ranking members of the Nine Mountains Sect looked at a name card surging with Buddhist light, their expressions solemn.
"An uninvited guest indeed..." Uncle-Master Pang sighed.
The expressions on everyone's faces were also rather unfavorable.
Everyone knows that Thunderclap Temple needs the Primordial Purple Qi, and this Great Luo Dharma Assembly is actually quite troublesome for the Nine Mountains Sect.
Yun Wuji in the hall, looked somewhat timid. He was probably the one in the hall who least wanted Thunderclap Temple to come.
Holding the visiting card in his hand, Zheng Fa looked at the worried crowd in the hall, casting aside his recent leisurely demeanor, his expression resolute:
Let's meet first and then talk.
His idea was actually very simple: he could talk to anyone. Besides, if the Glazed Buddha Ancestor dared to risk the Immortal Immortal-Slayer Sword Formation to enter the Nine Mountains Realm, then the Nine Mountains Sect wouldn't be so afraid not to even meet him.
Two days later, the Glazed Buddha Ancestor and his entourage finally arrived at the Nine Mountains Realm.
The group consisted of eleven people: a Glazed Buddha Ancestor, two True Immortal Bodhisattva, and eight Arhat. The group stood together, radiating a magnificent Buddhist light.
Even in the mortal Nine Mountains Realm, one could see half the sky bathed in golden light.
The Nine Mountains Realm has never seen so many powerful cultivators before; even the boundary walls have become somewhat transparent.
"Sect Leader Zheng."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor clasped his hands together in greeting to Zheng Fa from afar, his eyes gleaming with golden light as if he were assessing Zheng Fa's background.
"Welcome to our humble sect, Venerable Glazed Buddha Ancestor." Zheng Fa bowed from afar and welcomed the Venerable Glazed Buddha Ancestor and his entourage into the Heavenly Palace Hall of the Purple Tenuity Enclosure Palace Enclosure.
After a group of people exchanged some extremely pointless and uninformative remarks, the Glazed Buddha Ancestor finally revealed his purpose.
"I presume Sect Leader Zheng is aware that I have come here on the orders of the Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor, inviting you to Thunderclap Temple Sect Leader participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."
Why did you invite me?
Although Zheng Fa had some suspicions, he still simply asked.
" The Great Vehicle Buddha Ancestor once said that the Great Luo Dharma Assembly is to establish a moral compass for heaven and earth and to establish laws and regulations for the Immortal Way."
"Firstly, this concerns the entire Xuanwei Immortal Way. The Nine Mountains Sect is a major power within Xuanwei; how can it be absent?"
"Secondly, this also requires Primordial Purple Qi..."
" The Primordial Purple Qi belongs to my Nine Mountains Sect." Aunt-Master Huang, with his fiery temper, retorted directly, "Whether you need it or not, whether you give it to us or not, is not up to you to decide."
The Glazed Buddha Ancestor smiled, seemingly unconcerned about Aunt-Master Huang being a Nascent Spirit Transformation, and continued as if he hadn't heard, "This humble monk has come with another request."
What request?
"My Future Buddha of Thunderclap Temple, the White Lotus Bodhisattva, has been murdered by a villain." The Glazed Buddha Ancestor turned his head and stared at Yun Wuji, who was sitting below. "This person, I request Sect Leader Zheng, to hand him over to me to be taken back to Thunderclap Temple and executed in accordance with the law."
Yun Wuji, stared at by the Golden Immortal Glazed Buddha Ancestor, turned pale and became restless.
(End of this chapter)