Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 547 A Gentleman's Heart, A Betting Agreement

Looking at the disciples of the Divine Firmament Legion again, the Dragon Lord Shuyu's eyes unconsciously became solemn.

If the Thick Earth Magnetic Array only had Nascent Soul level combat power, she would be amazed, but not wary.

However, if this grand formation can repel a rogue immortal, the implications will be entirely different.

There were three ironclad rules in the Xuanwei Realm, one of which was that the Dao Fruit was invincible.

But what she saw before her eyes shattered the understanding that the Jade Dragon Lord had held for millions of years.

A group of cultivators who were not even at the Nascent Soul stage actually managed to block an attack from a Loose Immortal using an array she had never heard of before.
But the performance of the Divine Firmament Legion went far beyond that.

The Heavenly Emperor took three steps back, but the Divine Firmament Legion showed no signs of weakness.

The drumbeats resounded, shaking all directions, and beams of light danced wildly, raining down on the Heavenly Emperor's body.

This group of Shenxiao Legion disciples not only did not fall behind, but also subtly gained the upper hand!
The white pillars of light in the sky wove together into a giant net, enveloping the earth.

The Heavenly Emperor's imposing presence was in no way inferior to that of other wandering immortals, yet he was trapped in the net, his massive body unable to break free for the time being.

The two techniques clashed, stirring up a fierce wind that rushed towards the Dragon Lord Shuyu with intense heat; she could almost smell the simmering tension of the battle.

Lord Shuyu clenched his fist slightly, unable to suppress his thoughts:

This thick earth magnetic array was more powerful than she had imagined.

Is it possible that one can only reach the level of a wandering immortal?
The moment this thought crossed her mind, she felt an even more complicated mix of emotions, unsure whether it was anticipation or bitterness.

The battle between the Heavenly Emperor and the Divine Firmament Legion lasted for nearly half an hour before it came to an end.

Zheng Fa, along with Shuyu Longzhu and the others, landed on the mountaintop and looked at the group of disciples from the Divine Firmament Legion.

These disciples also seemed to be suffering:

Almost everyone was pale, looking as if their spiritual energy had been completely depleted.

Several other disciples, their faces tinged with gold and purple, were clearly injured.

Regardless of their condition, the disciples remained upright, their formation intact.

Zheng Fa's gaze swept across the faces of each disciple before he spoke:

"You guys are fine."

Upon hearing this, the disciples' eyes trembled slightly, but none of them spoke; they simply listened quietly.

"At first, you were in a panic and were completely overwhelmed by the powerful enemy."

“You have made great progress today, even beyond my expectations.”

Zheng Fa paused, then looked at the group of disciples and chuckled, also saying with a smile:
"With the safety of the Nine Mountains Sect entrusted to you, the elders and I can rest assured."

The disciples roared in agreement: "As long as Shenxiao exists, the Nine Mountains will stand forever!"

Zheng Fa nodded gently: "I believe it, everyone in the Nine Mountains Sect believes it. Alright, take good care of yourself. The sect will reward you with pills and merits. If you suffer any injuries, do not hide them."

"Yes!"

The group left the mortal realm and flew towards the Purple Palace. Finally, the Jade Dragon Lord couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, Sect Leader, did you use your full strength with this avatar?"

Zheng Fa did not answer, but looked at the Heavenly Emperor.

The Heavenly Emperor grinned and said frankly, "About 50 or 60 percent. I didn't use the Sun and Moon Bell, otherwise we wouldn't have needed to fight."

"The Sun and Moon Clock?"

"A treasure of the Nine Mountains Realm."

Lord Shuyu understood: "That makes sense. The Thick Earth Divine Firmament Formation borrows the power of the earth veins in the Nine Mountains Realm. If you were to use a treasure from a grotto-heaven, then the Nine Mountains Realm would be under your control, and the earth veins would naturally be included."

"The Dragon Lord is indeed knowledgeable and insightful; what he said is absolutely correct."

"Well-informed?" To everyone's surprise, the Jade Dragon Lord's expression was complicated, and his tone was full of self-mockery. "I think I'm just ignorant. I've lived for almost a million years, and today's battle almost left me completely bewildered."

When she said this, her expression was sincere, clearly from the bottom of her heart.

"Although you did not use your full strength, the power you revealed is no less than that of an ordinary rogue immortal. Your Nine Mountains Sect's Divine Firmament Legion..."

Shuyu Dragon Lord suddenly paused, seemingly unsure how to describe what he had seen and heard that day.

Zheng Fa knew how to describe it—Sir, times have changed!

The combination of the Divine Firmament Legion and the Thick Earth Magnetic Array truly achieved a result greater than the sum of its parts.

The ability to fight against a rogue immortal across realms is fundamentally due to the powerful magnetic force of the earth's veins.

Before modifying the Hundred Immortals Alliance's ley lines, Zheng Fa and his group first surveyed the ley lines of the Nine Mountains Realm.

Because of the existence of the Heavenly Emperor's body, this process is much easier; in fact, it can be said that most of it can be completed with just a thought.

Today, the entire mortal realm of the Nine Mountains is covered with the Thick Earth Magnetic Array.

Unlike the Hundred Immortals Alliance, the Yuan Magnetic Array within the Nine Mountains Realm is primarily an infrastructure project used to improve transportation efficiency and industrial production capacity.

In addition, it was used for training the Divine Firmament Legion.

The Nine Mountains Sect has conducted five or six such exercises before the disciples of the Divine Firmament Legion have gradually become proficient and can be said to have made initial progress.

"The Dragon Lord probably guessed it too. The reason it can unleash such power is because this great formation actually integrates the earth vein magnetic power of the entire Nine Mountains Realm."

Lord Shuyu nodded slightly and then asked, "What does the Divine Firmament Legion do?"

"Schedule".

"Scheduling?"

Seeing her puzzled expression, Zheng Fa simply explained:

"The sound of the drum, besides enhancing divine sense, breaking illusions, and inspiring disciples, also carries the meaning of communication. When the Divine Firmament Legion at other nodes receives the sound of the drum, they will activate the great formation to cooperate with the disciples here to fight the enemy."

"What about the mirror?"

"It is mainly for transmitting and receiving the power of the elemental magnetic field."

The Jade Dragon Lord roughly understood and suddenly realized, "You make it sound simple, but I dare say that there has never been such an exquisite formation in the Xuanwei Realm."

Zheng Fa chuckled softly, a hint of pride in his heart.

In fact, this formation combines the "Sleeve Universe Divine Power," the Myriad Immortals Formation of Venerable Tianhe, and even some ideas from the Nine Chapters Calculation Formation.

Each one is a unique and wonderful method.

It could even be said that this is one of the highest scientific research achievements of the Nine Mountains Sect.

Today, my first attempt at using my skills seemed to have frightened even the Dragon Lord Shuyu.

Suddenly, the Jade Dragon Lord asked, "From what you're saying, if the range of this Thick Earth Magnetic Array is wide enough, then its power... could it be even greater? Perhaps in the future, it could even contend with True Immortals?"

That really scared me.

"We hope so, but of course it may not work out. There are still many areas for improvement in this Thick Earth Magnetic Array."

Zheng Fa's words caused Shuyu Longzhu's expression to change slightly.

This grand formation can defeat even a Nascent Soul cultivator, so the Jade Dragon Lord doesn't mind.

It's not bad that it can defeat a scattered immortal.

But it can fight against true immortals...

The Dragon Lord Shuyu panicked, after all, she was a true immortal. She had to admit that if Zheng Fa was demonstrating against her, then it was indeed very successful.

"Of course, this great formation also has many limitations; it can only be used for defense." Seeing her worried expression, Zheng Fa spoke of the formation's shortcomings as if to comfort her, "The Thick Earth Magnetic Formation cannot be moved."

“I know that…no wonder you’re so confident.”

"Shuyulongzhu said softly."

"Dragon Lord, what I want you to see is not just this."

"besides?"

Lord Shuyu asked in surprise, his tone even changing slightly, sounding surprisingly unexpected.

"No, I meant, what if we built the Thick Earth Magnetic Array in the sea?"

"Build...build it in the sea?" The Dragon Lord of Shuyu stopped in his tracks, turned sharply to look at Zheng Fa, his eyes shining, as if he couldn't believe it, and repeated, "It can be built in the sea?"

“Of course we can,” Zheng Fa laughed. “There are also earth vein magnetic fields on the seabed, and the sea area is even larger than the Nine Mountains Realm and the Hundred Immortals Alliance combined. If we can build a thick earth magnetic array, its power will be ten or even a hundred times greater than it is today!”

Shuyu Dragon Lord stared intently at Zheng Fa, seemingly trying to determine whether his words were true or false. After a short while, she lowered her eyes and flew towards the Heavenly Palace with the others without saying a word. However, her flickering eyes still revealed her turbulent emotions.

"Sect Leader Zheng, is it true that you said you would build a Thick Earth Magnetic Array on the seabed?"

“As long as the cooperation is achieved,” Zheng Fa said frankly, “Dragon Lord, our Nine Mountains Sect values ​​the ocean no less than you do. Completely controlling the ocean with a grand formation will also greatly benefit us.”

Lord Shuyu nodded slightly, seemingly convinced.

"On the other hand, the Thick Earth Magnetic Array can also regulate the marine environment and improve transportation efficiency, which will help our Nine Mountains Sect's marine aquaculture and maritime trade routes."

"Is that so?" Lord Shuyu pondered for a moment before speaking, "Is this the kind of confidence you speak of?"

"Of course." Zheng Fa smiled. "If the Thick Earth Magnetic Array in the sea is established, and you, Dragon Lord, cooperate with it, I dare not say we will be invincible in the world. What is the mere Cangming Dragon Palace compared to that?"

Lord Shuyu couldn't help but sigh, "Your confidence is truly genuine."

She didn't refute Zheng Fa's words, because both of them were well aware that the Thick Earth Magnetic Array would be of great help to the Jade Dragon Lord:
The reason she is no match for the Cangming Dragon Palace is not because her cultivation is weak, but because she has fewer people.

With the Cangming Dragon King holding them back, the Xuanwei Sea of ​​the Shuyu Dragon Lord was practically leaking air everywhere.

Essentially, this is because both are ancient dragons, and neither has a greater advantage in the deep sea.

But with the Thick Earth Magnetic Array, things are different!
Even if they cannot unleash greater power than they did today, the performance of the Divine Firmament Legion just now was enough to be of great help.

If we can go even further, the Mysterious Sea will become an impregnable fortress.

Now, when she thought of the Divine Firmament Legion and the Thick Earth Magnetic Array, she no longer had any worries. Instead, she liked them more and more, wishing that the array's power would be even stronger, so that a single beam of light could blast the Azure Sea Dragon King to death.

Seeing the emotion on her face, Zheng Fa knew that the matter was now almost certain to succeed.

He turned to look at Senior Sister Zhang and the others. Uncle Pang nodded at him repeatedly, and even Senior Sister Zhang was smiling. Of course, the happiest person was Xiao Yuying.

"Sect Leader Zheng..."

"Dragon Lord, I can entrust you with the management of the Thick Earth Magnetic Array in the sea area in the future."

Shuyu Dragon Lord's eyes widened, as if he were stunned.

"Of course, the ultimate control is still in the hands of my Nine Mountains Sect, but if you, Dragon Lord, join my Nine Mountains, you will be just like a disciple of my Nine Mountains, and you should rightfully control the great formation."

The Dragon Lord Shuyu was completely speechless, and could only smile bitterly, "Sect Leader, you have quite the audacity."

"The Dragon Lord has come with sincerity, and my Nine Mountains Sect naturally has its own sincerity as well."

Zheng Fa explained, "I won't hide it from you, Dragon Lord. Without your help, building such a large array on the seabed would be too costly. Moreover, if you are unwilling, we cannot build it."

"Without you, or without my Nine Mountains Sect, this great formation could not have been built."

In the Xuanwei Sea, the Lord of Shuyu Dragon is almost equivalent to a half-divine cultivator.

Constructing a massive earth-elemental magnetic array on land is inherently difficult.

If it were underwater, the engineering difficulty would be incomparable. Not to mention whether it would be feasible, even if it were feasible, the cost would be too high.

If Lord Shuyulong could help, that would be different.

Moreover, just as Zheng Fa said, if the Dragon Lord wanted to destroy the great formation, he had many ways to do so—just as the Heavenly Emperor could control the earth veins of the Nine Mountains Realm, the Jade Dragon Lord also had a certain degree of control over the Xuanwei Sea.

To put it bluntly, the development of the sea area is inseparable from the Lord of Shuyu, which is why Zheng Facai is so insistent, and one could even say he has gone to great lengths to achieve it.

"Our two sides will benefit from cooperation. After the great formation is established, it will not only promote the economic take-off of the sea area, but may also help us cope with changes in the Xuanwei situation," Zheng Fa said to the Dragon Lord Shuyu. "This is also one of the reasons why I sent Fairy Xiao to the Dragon Lord's side."

"Yu Ying?"

“Fairy Xiao is a renowned master of thunder magic in my Nine Mountains Realm. This Thick Earth Magnetic Array is the culmination of her hard work. Fairy Xiao is extremely knowledgeable about this array and can help you, Dragon Lord, establish it.”

Shuyu Longzhu then realized that his disciple was not entirely a military supervisor; on the contrary, he was truly sent by Zheng Fa to assist him.

Looking at Xiao Yuying, she couldn't help but marvel—to be able to create such a grand formation, even if she only did part of the work, her disciple was truly... remarkable.

Xiao Yuying seemed to see the pride in her eyes, pursed her lips, and smiled shyly and happily.

Lord Shuyu shook his head and said, "I thought you were trying to show me off... but I was just being petty."

"No, to be honest, my Nine Mountains Sect is bound to control the ocean, and you, Dragon Lord, will indeed have to cooperate with my Nine Mountains Sect in the future."

"You really are the type to say the unpleasant things upfront."

The same words, spoken by the Dragon Lord Shuyu now, carried no resentment whatsoever.

"Then what do you think, Dragon Lord?"

Unexpectedly, the Dragon Lord Shuyu fell into deep thought.

Zheng Fa frowned slightly: "The Dragon Lord won't agree?"

Shuyu Dragon Lord said frankly, "Sect Leader Zheng, I have witnessed the power of this Thick Earth Magnetic Array."

"But can this formation be built in the sea? And how powerful would it be once completed...?"

Lord Shuyu shook his head and said, "I don't understand it like you do. You have no proof, and I have no confidence in it either."

Xiao Yuying couldn't help but shout, "Master!"

Zheng Fa looked at the Dragon Lord Shuyu, who was staring directly at him, and said helplessly, "The Dragon Lord is indeed cautious."

"Didn't Yu Ying tell you? I'm all alone, how could I have survived this long if I wasn't careful?"

……

Zheng Fa paced back and forth in the hall, seemingly deep in thought, then turned and said:
“This matter concerns the Dragon Lord’s freedom and even his life, which I understand. So, how about we make a betting agreement?”

"A performance-based agreement?"

In merger and acquisition negotiations, if there are discrepancies between the terms of the two parties, then the only option left is to engage in a gamble.

“Since the Dragon Lord doubts the power of this formation in the sea, why don’t we give it a try? If it’s powerful enough, the Dragon Lord will grant our Nine Mountains Sect’s request; if it’s not, then we’ll do as the Dragon Lord says.”

"Is this the bet?" Lord Shuyu Dragon understood. "What are the stakes?"

"...Cangming Dragon Palace".

Upon hearing these four words, Lord Shuyulong's eyes lit up, and he smiled, as if he really liked the bet.

"Very good."

(End of this chapter)