Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 567 Sect Master's Benefits, Lu Clan's Ambition

The great Shi Nandang Patriarch returned to his loyal Haori Mountain.

As Zheng Fa passed through city gate after gate, he was greeted by nothing but warm smiles, expectant eyes, and courteous greetings:
"The man on the stone!"

"It's too difficult to be a founder!"

"Master, you've finally returned!"

This scene reminded Zheng Fa of his last visit to Haori Mountain:

Back then, he was a criminal, and everyone avoided him. Compared to today, his situation is worlds apart.

He walked from the outer city inwards, secretly observing the situation at Haori Mountain. The cultivators he encountered were unwilling to leave and followed behind him.

When Zheng Fa saw the jade steps of Haori Mountain, he was already followed by a large number of Haori Mountain disciples.

From the three palaces, a dozen or so figures emerged. They looked at the thousands of troops following Zheng Fa, seemingly preparing to attack Haori Mountain. They exchanged silent glances, their expressions varied.

"The man on the stone!"

"Master Shi".

"It's difficult!"

Regardless of what these people were thinking, they all bowed and greeted Zheng Fa with a slightly respectful attitude.

They all still remember Shi Nandang's battle on the jade steps that day, where he fought against more than ten Nascent Soul cultivators from the Luo Clan. Now, in terms of strength alone, there are not many people in Haori Mountain who can rival this young man.

The Luo clan, especially those who had lost their ancestor, were even more respectful at this moment, and it was they who called out "Ancestor Stone".

The one who cried out "It's difficult!" was a member of the Lu clan, Shi Nandang's master. He looked at Zheng Fa with complicated eyes, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

But when he looked at the many disciples behind Zheng Fa, a smile immediately appeared on Shi Nan's face:

"Oh no, you're finally back!"

"Master."

Zheng Fa cupped his hands slightly, unwilling to reveal his identity, but his attitude was somewhat more perfunctory than Shi Nandang's before.

A shadow appeared in Shi Nandang's eyes, but the curve of his lips remained unchanged. He nodded and smiled, "As expected of someone who obtained the Holy Blood Seal in the Lu Clan's secret realm, it's remarkable that you have now become the heart and soul of Haori Mountain, quite different from before."

This person speaks in a sarcastic and unsettling way, and every word he utters is full of hidden meanings.

What Lu Clan Secret Realm, what's different from the past? It's just saying that everything Shi Nandang received was given to him by the Lu Clan, and now he's become an ingrate, ungrateful wretch.

Zheng Fa remained unmoved. What did Shi Nandang's cursing have to do with me, Zheng Fa?
There is one point that this person made, and it hit the nail on the head—Zheng Fa's great momentum today is partly due to his previous outstanding achievements, but more importantly, it is due to the Holy Blood Seal he obtained from the Nine Luminaries Heaven.

This thing holds a very special position in Haori Mountain, giving him the potential to become a future patriarch. It is precisely because of this that many people have called him Patriarch Shi along the way.

At this point in time, with Immortal Yun Zhen not yet back, for those disciples who are unwilling to submit to the Demon Ancestor or even hate the Gu God, Shi Nandang is the number one person in Haori Mountain!
"By the way, where is Ancestor Yun?" Seeing his shameless appearance, Master Shi Nandang suddenly laughed and asked with concern, "Did he come back with you?"

"I know nothing about Master Yun's whereabouts."

"So, you escaped from the underworld all by yourself?"

"Yes."

Shi Nandang's master's gaze suddenly changed as he stared at Zheng Fa, his tone tinged with suspicion: "That Nine Nether Emperor of the Underworld is incredibly powerful. Many powerful figures from the four sects are trapped inside, and even Ancestor Yun hasn't returned. How could you..."

The laughter behind Zheng Fa suddenly stopped.

The cultivators who emerged from the three palaces also stared at Shi Nandang.

Countless suspicious gazes were fixed on Zheng Fa from the top and bottom of the jade steps.

This master, who is so difficult to deal with, is full of traps in his words!

Although he didn't say it explicitly, everyone could tell that Shi Nandang's master suspected that he had sided with the Nine Nether Emperor in order to escape.

Otherwise, how could Shi Nandang, whose cultivation level was not yet at the Dao Fruit stage, have escaped from the Underworld?

The problem is that the Nine Nether Emperor can be considered a major enemy of Haori Mountain.

"Master, you may not know this, but I was able to escape from the underworld entirely thanks to the great power of Leiyin Temple."

"Leiyin Temple?"

"With my own cultivation level, I was naturally unable to escape the palm of the Nine Nether Emperor. I also thought that I would die in the Underworld. But by chance, I met several eminent monks from Leiyin Temple in the Underworld, and we gathered together to watch over and help each other."

"It was also the disciple's good fortune. It seems that a powerful figure from Leiyin Temple wanted to rescue his disciple. He used a lotus-shaped magic weapon to break through the Netherworld and open a gap, which allowed the disciple to escape."

Upon hearing this, an elder of the Cloud Clan suddenly realized, "I also saw what happened that day. There was indeed a golden lotus attacking the Underworld. The Nine Nether Emperor seemed to have suffered a great loss and even called out for Leiyin Temple."

They didn't suffer any losses; it's all thanks to their excellent delivery of lines.

Before Zheng Fa left the underworld, he asked the Nine Nether Emperor to help him release a few people.

In fact, he had considered impersonating Immortal Yun, which would have been more legitimate.

But later he decided to pretend to be Shi Nandang.

Firstly, he doesn't understand Yun Zhenxian's temperament and interpersonal relationships well enough, so there are many problems in his portrayal and he is prone to making mistakes.

But his main consideration was the Holy Blood Seal. His goal was the Nine Luminaries Heaven, and the Holy Blood Seal was closely related to this secret realm, so it might be of some help.

“If Master doesn’t believe me, he can go to Leiyin Temple to believe me.” Zheng Fa stared at Shi Nandan’s master. “The eminent monks of Leiyin Temple will testify for me!”

He really has witnesses!

"How could I not believe you?" Master Shi Nandang laughed, slightly flustered. "Only when you came back could I finally put my mind at ease."

Zheng Fa remained silent for a while, then seemed somewhat disheartened and said in a low voice, "I also suffered some injuries in the underworld, so I will take my leave and return to my residence to recuperate."

Without waiting for the other party to say anything, he turned around and left the Three Palaces.

Seeing that Zheng Fa didn't turn his head, the elders of the Yun and Luo clans exchanged glances quietly, their eyes bright.

……

Zheng Fa sat in the Stone Cave, gently tapping the table, as if waiting for something.

A communication talisman flew to his hand.

"Luo Yun requests an audience with the Stone Ancestor."

coming.

Although he didn't know why his return to the mountain had aroused such fear among the Lu Clan, he simply went with the flow and showed a look of disappointment with the Lu Clan, while waiting for the other two clans.

The Nine Mountains Sect has gathered comprehensive intelligence on Haori Mountain, so they naturally know that there are now major problems between the three races.

The Lu Clan as a whole leans towards the Demon Ancestor of the Nine Luminaries Heaven, willingly serving as the wings of the Gu God.

The other two races are different—it's not that they are inclined towards the immortal sect, but that the Demon Ancestor... doesn't want them.

Originally, the Lu Clan was powerful, but because Lu Yao was not in Haori Mountain before, the Yunluo and Lu Clans were able to contend with them.

Now things are different. Haori Mountain is under the control of the Demon Ancestor, Yun Zhenxian is trapped in the Underworld, and Luo Sanxian has even returned to the Netherworld.

In particular, because the Nine Mountains Sect occupies a large area of ​​Haori Mountain, the resources on the mountain are becoming increasingly scarce, which has led to a growing conflict of interests among the three races.

The most tragic of them all was the Luo clan, whose patriarch had passed away. If it weren't for the fact that they had accumulated dozens of Nascent Soul cultivators before, they would have long since faded into obscurity.

"Please come in."

Luo Yun walked in quickly.

She is the youngest Yang God of the Luo Clan, and has never had a Daoist partner. She is very famous in Haori Mountain.

Zheng Fa heard that this woman was single-mindedly devoted to the Dao and had rejected many marriage proposals from talented young men of the Lu and Yun clans.

Although Zheng Fa and the Luo clan had fought before, Luo Yun kowtowed on the ground as soon as she entered the door, her posture extremely humble and her expression respectful.

"What is this doing?"

"Master Shi, please save Haori Mountain!"

"Save Haori Mountain?" Zheng Fa's heart stirred slightly, but he feigned surprise. "Does this mean I should fight against the Nine Mountains Sect? Although I am weak, I am willing to fight for the sect."

"Although the Nine Mountains Sect is a great enemy of our sect, the one who will destroy Haori Mountain is either outside the sect or inside the sect!"

Luo Yun spoke sharply and sternly, and it was clear that she truly meant it.

"Is what you're saying, Nephew Yun, a bit alarmist?" "Uncle Shi, please forgive me!" Luo Yun said bitterly, "Before, the Lu Clan captured people to feed to the Gu God. Although we couldn't stand it, the Nine Mountains Sect's army was pressing in, and we relied entirely on the Gu God's protection, so we had no choice but to take this expedient measure."

"But the Nine Mountains Sect launched a surprise attack on the Gu God, leaving him severely injured, and no one knows where he has gone."

"But she went even further, demanding blood offerings."

Zheng Fa was taken aback: "She's not in Nine Luminaries Heaven?"

"They should not be here. The Nine Luminaries Heaven has not been opened during this period."

"So, the Gu God is healing his injuries?"

“Exactly.” Luo Yun’s voice grew increasingly angry. “To recover from her injuries, she needs more and more blood offerings, and those Lu people actually dared to set their sights on my Luo clan disciples.”

"Now the Gu God is no longer an aid to Haori Mountain, but the Lu Clan is still willing to be the Demon Ancestor's henchmen, which is a disgrace to Haori Mountain!"

I understand. It's okay for insects to eat other people, but if they eat the Luo clan, it would be a disgrace to the Haori Mountain.

But Zheng Fa understood that the Gu God was indeed injured and was recuperating.

As for her wanting to torment these people of Haori Mountain, she probably can't find any other food sources.

She dared not go to the underworld to the east, nor did she want to provoke the Supreme Dao in the south, and to the west, the Nine Mountains Sect was still wary of her.

The only one we can bully is Haori Mountain.

"What about the Cloud Clan?"

"Master Yun is still alive after all."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly. Although Yun Zhenxian had not returned, the Lu Clan did not dare to act recklessly for the time being. Of course, the Yun Clan should also be fearful. They were not afraid of the Lu Clan, but they were afraid of the Demon Ancestor...

"Our Luo clan is willing to submit to Ancestor Shi and will obey his commands in the future." As she said this, Luo Yun suddenly stood up, her fingers trembling slightly, and untied the jade belt around her waist, causing her clothes to slip down.

With her eyes lowered, she whispered in a barely audible voice, "I... am willing too."

Does the sect leader of Haori Mountain enjoy such good benefits?
I should have joined Haori Mountain back then!

This is a heavy burden that Shi Nan cannot bear; it must be done by him.

Of course, Zheng Fa also understood that the Luo clan was probably really driven to desperation and would use any means necessary. Luo Yun's face truly showed a look of heroic sacrifice.

Just as he was about to refuse, another message talisman flew in from outside the cave, which turned out to be from Shi Nandang's master.

Luo Yun hurriedly fastened her belt again, looking left and right as if trying to find a place to hide.

"Go in first." Zheng Fa pointed to the inner room, watched as Luo Yun hid herself, then produced a soundproof talisman before opening the cave door.

It wasn't just Shi Nandang's master who came; beside him were three veteran Nascent Soul cultivators from the Lu Clan, whom Zheng Fa had met during his last visit.

"Difficult to bear."

"Master, Elders, is there something you need from me?"

Master Shi Nandang glanced around and suddenly asked, "Where is Luo Yun of the Luo Clan?"

"……gone."

Master Shi Nandang nodded slightly, without saying whether he believed it or not. He simply sat down with the other three before saying, "I know, she told you some things."

Zheng Fa remained calm and listened quietly.

"But everything we have done is for the sake of Haori Mountain!"

"Even making offerings to the Gu God?"

"Yes!"

Seeing that Shi Nandang's master was so resolute, Zheng Fa's eyes still held doubt, as if he did not believe it.

“We are the true descendants of Haori Mountain. Since ancient times, Haori Mountain has been the home of the Lu Clan, and the Lu Clan has been Haori Mountain. How could we be willing to give this mountain to the Demon Ancestor?”

"Then why is the Lu Clan..."

"We are waiting for a treasure in the Nine Luminaries Heaven!" Master Shi Nandang said in a low voice, "A treasure left behind by Ancestor Lu!"

Zheng Fa's spirits lifted, but his expression became even more puzzled: "Ancestor Lu? Why isn't he back? Instead, Haori Mountain has been occupied by three Demon Ancestors."

Shi Nandang's expression was also somewhat gloomy: "The Creation Demon Ancestor said that Ancestor Lu was neither alive nor dead. What we are actually looking for is Ancestor Lu's... relics."

Neither life nor death?

The Nine Netherworld Emperor once said that none of Lu Yao's reincarnations, including the Demon Emperor and the Primordial Demon Ancestor, had entered the Underworld.

Even the primordial ancestor of Haori is neither alive nor dead.

This statement actually aligns with what the Nine Nether Emperor said.

But if it's a relic, then the appearance of reincarnation would likely have a significant impact on Lu Yao—it seems he's actually given up on Haori Mountain.
At least Haori Mountain was left to the Three Demon Ancestors of Creation.

"What relics?"

“We don’t know either,” Master Shi Nandang shook his head and said, “but we do know that only the most orthodox bloodline of the Lu Clan can obtain that relic.”

"The branch that originated from Lu Zu?"

"Exactly!"

Zheng Fa fell into deep thought.

Seeing that he remained silent, Master Shi Nandang continued, "Now that the Creation Demon Ancestor and the White Bone Demon Ancestor are not leaving the Nine Luminaries Heaven, it is all for that lost treasure. One can imagine that the treasure is probably a great opportunity!"

These words coincided with Zheng Fa's previous thoughts, and he even knew a little about the origin of this treasure.

"So the Lu Clan wants to enter the Nine Luminaries Heaven and seize this opportunity?"

"Yes and no."

"Ok?"

Master Shi Nandang explained, "As I just said, only those of the Lu clan bloodline have the chance to obtain the Lu ancestor's treasure. We have no choice but to go in, whether we want to or not. We might as well try our luck."

To put it bluntly, they were panicking. With the situation of the First Ancestor of Haori still unknown, the other two races didn't know, but the Lu race themselves understood that their situation was only slightly better than that of the Luo race.

The Lu Clan now has a special status because of the bloodline of their ancestor, so naturally they want another strong member to emerge from their clan.

"But how could the three Demon Ancestors be easily dealt with?"

Zheng Fa still didn't quite understand.

The Lu Clan's idea is quite good. If only they can get the relic, then I can refine it directly. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
But the question is, does he think Creation Three is a fool?

With such a huge gap in strength, their petty schemes are practically suicidal.

"Therefore, we cooperated with the God of Gu."

"Cooperation?" Zheng Fa suddenly understood the whole story. "You help her recover, and she helps you seize the treasure?"

"exactly."

So, it seems that the three Demon Ancestors were also scheming against each other.

"We have to thank Zheng Fa for this," Master Shi Nandang said with a smile. "If he hadn't injured the Gu God, the Gu God wouldn't have needed our help."

Is the Gu God credible?

Master Shi Nandang smiled and said, "It's nothing more than using one wolf to devour another."

Zheng Fa glanced at him and saw the inexplicable confidence on his face. He understood that the Lu Clan dared to play mind games with three Demon Ancestors, so they probably really had some trump cards up their sleeves.

"It is difficult, but we only need to endure humiliation for a while longer. Once we obtain the Holy Ancestor's treasure and another peerless expert emerges, the crisis of Haori Mountain will be resolved!"

"At that time, what Demon Ancestor, what Nine Mountains Sect, will be nothing but ants."

"Only in this way can Haori Mountain truly be revived!"

Zheng Fa was silent for a moment, then asked, "What does Master want me to do?"

A sudden gust of cold wind arose in the cave, causing the lamplight on the walls to flicker and casting shadows on the faces of the four Lu tribesmen.

Shi Nandang, the master, said quietly:
"Those two clans don't understand our good intentions and have been causing trouble in our sect. Now that you've returned, why don't you join forces with us and let them help the Gu God recover!"

(End of this chapter)