Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 569 A True Lesson, Unexplained Confidence
Inside the Stone Ancestor's cave, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Yun and Luo clans bowed in unison before Zheng Fa, saying, "Thank you, Stone Ancestor, for saving our lives!"

Although Zheng Fa acted extremely secretly, no one is a fool.

Before Shi Nandang returned, the Lu clan had never had any problems feeding the Gu God. But as soon as he arrived, the Gu worms developed a bad habit of being picky eaters.

Otherwise, how could Shi Nandang's master have suspected his own disciple so immediately?

Zheng Fa looked at the Yunluo and Liang clansmen, whose faces were full of gratitude, and said with a serious expression: "Don't talk nonsense. This matter has nothing to do with me. How could I ruin such an important matter for the sect?"

"We understand now, it's all the Lu clan's own fault, they deserve to die!"

A clever elder of the Luo clan immediately spoke up.

The others nodded eagerly, indicating that they believed this shameless nonsense.

Zheng Fa didn't really do anything; he just added some seasonings to the Gu God's buffet to make the Lu Clan's food taste a bit better.

In the end, this matter is all the fault of the Lu clan.

Zheng Fa, using Shi Nandang's identity, secretly inquired within the sect, hoping to find out what the Lu clan's trump card was.

As a result, these Lu people lacked the most basic trust between people, causing him to spend more than half a year without success.

It truly chilled him to the bone.

However, he did figure out the situation of the Gu God. This person seemed to have suffered a great injury and had not shown up. Even the messages he sent to the Lu Clan were intermittent and incoherent, as if he was still recovering from his injuries.

His actions in the valley were also a way to test the Gu God once more...

Unfortunately, the Gu god seemed to be truly bewitched, showing no reaction whatsoever.

"Ancestor Shi, what are your plans for Haori Mountain in the future?"

Zheng Fa's eyes flickered slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "I'm the one who decides?"

"Of course, it's up to you!" The elder of the Naluo clan said loudly, looking quite surprised. "Your status, cultivation, and character—if we don't listen to you, Ancestor Shi, are we supposed to listen to someone else?"

"You think so too?"

The Nascent Soul cultivators of the Yunluo and Yunluo clans exchanged glances. Some remained expressionless, seemingly having expected this, while a large number of them wore strange expressions.

Most of them were from the Yun clan, presumably waiting for their holy ancestor, Immortal Yun, to return.

For a moment, no one answered Zheng Fa's question.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment. Zheng Fa looked at the Yun Clan members, waiting for them to express their opinion.

If these Yun Clan members don't know what's good for them, he won't even need to lift a finger; the Lu Clan members can torment them to death.

An elder of the Cloud Clan suddenly bowed to Zheng Fa and asked, "May I ask, what are the plans of Ancestor Shi after the Holy Ancestor's return?"

"My ambitions lie not in Haori Mountain."

Zheng Fa was unusually sincere. He was a perfectly good sect leader of the Nine Mountains Sect, so why did he want Haori Mountain? Besides, he thought it was dirty.

"Then I, this old man, am willing to attach myself to the wing of the Stone Ancestor."

He asked a question and then stepped back, but another young man from the Yun Clan, who had just reached the Nascent Soul stage, gritted his teeth, took two steps forward, and then said, "Ancestor Shi's cultivation is profound and his Dao is exquisite. I have some doubts about cultivation. May I ask him for some guidance?"

Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before saying, "I have not yet attained the Dao, so I dare not boast of my cultivation. Tell me about it."

The young Nascent Soul cultivator asked a question about how a Nascent Soul cultivator could achieve corpse liberation.

This problem is common, but what makes it different is that his own Dao body is special and has a hidden conflict with the fundamental law inherited by the Yun Clan. Even though he has accumulated enough, if he tries to break through the barrier, he will show signs of going into qi deviation.

Upon hearing this question, Zheng Fa fell into deep thought.

The Nascent Soul cultivators of the Yunluo and Yunluo clans exchanged glances, their expressions somewhat amused.

This young Nascent Soul cultivator is also very famous in the sect. He can be said to be the leader among the younger generation of the Cloud Clan. His spiritual root and Dao body are both considered to be the best in the current generation of Haori Mountain. In his early years, before Shi Nandang rose to prominence, he was regarded as the next Dao Fruit of Haori Mountain.

Therefore, this person was quite arrogant and unwilling to submit to Shi Nandang, but dared not offend the number one person in the sect. So he came up with such a difficult question. If Shi Nandang could not answer it, he would naturally be too embarrassed to force him.

They had heard of this problem before. Because of it, this person went into seclusion several times, but not only did he fail to achieve the Corpse Liberation, his cultivation level even regressed, and he experienced the greatest setback since he began his cultivation.

Gradually, this person lost his previous momentum, and in recent years he has even faded into obscurity.

Even Master Yun heard about this matter, valued this talent, and specially summoned him to offer guidance, but in the end, nothing came of it.

Seeing Zheng Fa still pondering, the Yun clan members all revealed a hint of a smile on their faces—we are of the Holy Ancestor's bloodline, and we cultivate the Daoist arts created by the Holy Ancestor. Even the Holy Ancestor couldn't solve this problem, so how could you possibly succeed…

"This matter is actually quite simple."

Zheng Fa spoke up.

"Simple...simple?"

The young Nascent Soul cultivator's eyes and mouth widened simultaneously as he stared at Zheng Fa.

"It's not difficult."

This was indeed not a difficult task for Zheng Fa.

To put it bluntly, the concept of "going astray in cultivation" is actually quite thoroughly understood within the Nine Mountains Sect's research system.

There are only two reasons:

One is the inner demon, that goes without saying.

The other one is actually a kind of neurological disorder—the Yang spirit imitates the nerve structure, and once a mistake occurs, it will turn a person into a neurotic.

This is not a big secret in the Nine Mountains Sect. Therefore, although the disciples of the Nine Mountains Sect cultivate quickly, the probability of them going astray in their cultivation is extremely small—as long as they study hard, there will be no problem.

However, Hao Rishan did not understand what nerves were. He only knew that the technique would inexplicably go out of control during its operation. Even Yun Zhenxian, who created the technique, probably only had a vague sense of its key points.

This person's problem is simpler: his physical body is in conflict with the Cloud Clan's cultivation methods, so he cannot build a complete neural network.

"Try it, there's a place where you practice your skills, modify it."

Zheng Fa remembered the Cloud Clan's cultivation method from his last visit. Before he reached the Great Ascension stage, he had studied it several times and gained a deep understanding of it.

At that moment, to everyone else, it seemed like he had just said something offhand.

The young Nascent Soul cultivator from the Cloud Clan initially appeared skeptical, but after trying it out slightly based on his words, his face lit up with ecstatic joy.

Now everyone understood that this casual remark had actually worked!

When the Yun clan youth came to his senses, his lips trembled, and he actually knelt down on the ground, kowtowing heavily, again and again, without stopping.

Even Zheng Fa was somewhat surprised by this reaction, and asked, "It's just a sentence, why the fuss?"

The young disciple straightened up, his eyes glistening with tears, and said, "Ancestor Shi, this is just a single sentence from you, but for me, it represents ten thousand years of wasted time."

"I... thought I had no hope of ever achieving immortality in this lifetime."

At this moment, the people of the Yunluo and Luo clans felt a deep sense of unease, realizing that this person was not putting on an act—it concerned the path of cultivation, so who could not be moved?
"With the Stone Ancestor above, Yunfan will surely be shattered to pieces to repay the kindness of spreading the Dao."

Looking at the expression on the young Nascent Soul cultivator Yun Fan's face, everyone understood how loyal he was now, just as he had been so defiant earlier.

They looked at each other and finally bowed down, saying, "We beg Ancestor Stone to take charge of the overall situation!"

Looking at the cave filled with Nascent Soul cultivators, Zheng Fa sighed inwardly, "How did I, the head of the Nine Mountains Sect, become the person in charge of Hao Ri?"

With their titles and statuses established, people became much more direct in their speech.

"Ancestor Shi, what are your thoughts on Haori Mountain now?"

Luo Yun spoke directly.

The expressions of everyone turned serious. It wasn't that the Yunluo and Liang clans were without conflict, nor did they really want to find a patriarch to manage them. It was just that given the situation at Haori Mountain, they had no choice but to stick together.

With the Nine Mountains Sect's army outside and the Demon Ancestor inside, and the Lu Clan not even human, Haori Mountain is almost empty.

“The Demon Ancestor, the Lu Clan, and the Nine Mountains Sect.” Zheng Fa slowly tapped the table and said, “They are all major threats to my sect. Each one of them could cause the destruction of Haori Mountain Sect.”

To be honest, Zheng Fa never expected the situation at Haori Mountain to develop in this way.

The expressions on the faces of the Yunluo and Luo clans' Nascent Soul cultivators were indescribable; they seemed unable to understand how Haori Mountain had fallen to such a state. "I ask you, do you have the confidence to protect Haori Mountain? Are you prepared for the demise of Haori Mountain?"

"Stone Ancestor!"

Everyone in the cave changed color, but Zheng Fa's expression remained unchanged. He then said, "Now that Ancestor Yun is not here, I am alone and cannot handle the situation. I am willing but unable to deal with any one place."

"Even if Yun Zu returns, can he stop the Demon Ancestor, or the Nine Mountains Sect?"

His words gradually quieted down the cave.

A hint of despair appeared on everyone's face.

Zheng Fa's words starkly tore open the truth they had been avoiding, presenting a fact to everyone—Haori Mountain was doomed!

"Why is it so...why is it so..."

An elderly man from the Luo tribe couldn't help but shed tears, it was unclear whether it was for Haori Mountain or for himself.

Inside the cave, a chilling wind and bitter rain blew.

Luo Yun suddenly looked at Zheng Fa and asked expectantly, "Master Shi, when you say this, do you perhaps already have a plan in mind?"

"Me? I didn't." Zheng Fa shook his head slightly, pretending to be serious, and said, "I'll just say one thing: among these three parties, only we have a way to survive."

"I...I surrender..."

Luo Yun's expression changed, and she understood.

But upon reflection, everyone realized that it was indeed the case. Given Haori Mountain's current situation, their only chance of survival was to find a powerful backer.

"Logically, we should be looking for the Lu Clan..."

Someone whispered.

"The Lu clan? What Lu clan?" someone immediately retorted. "Don't you want to die fast enough? I think those with the surname Lu are the worst people to be chosen!"

It's obvious to everyone that the Lu Clan has some plans, and that the Gu God is behind them.

Given the previous situation at Haori Mountain, the friendship between the three clans, and the prestige of the Lu clan, in the past, there would have been no need to choose; one could simply follow the Lu clan.

Unfortunately, the Lu tribe is ruthless and cruel, sacrificing people from both tribes to insects. Now the two sides are at odds, and it seems like a life-or-death struggle.

Therefore, of the three parties, the one least suitable to choose is actually the Lu Clan, who were once the closest to them.

"Then it can only be the Demon Ancestor and the Nine Mountains Sect..."

Luo Yun murmured.

"Could it be that we're choosing the Demon Ancestor?"

Someone in the cave immediately retorted, "Another Gu god has arrived?"

These words silenced everyone. The behavior of the Gu God was simply unbearable for the people of Haori Mountain—to put it bluntly, this Demon Ancestor didn't need subordinates, he only needed food.

What sheep would seek refuge with a wolf?

"But the First Ancestor Hao Ri has some connections with them. Why don't we just go find the Creation and the White Bones?"

"The Demon Ancestor and his group are undoubtedly the strongest," sighed an elder of the Luo clan. "But their temperaments are unpredictable; we don't know what their attitude is towards us..."

"The Demonic Sect..." Yun Fan, who had been excited just moments before, now looked somewhat disgusted. "How can the Demonic Sect and my Haori Mountain coexist?"

"Naive! In this day and age, strength reigns supreme. What's the point of talking about the distinction between good and evil?"

The group started arguing about it inside the cave.

Some people believe that Haori Mountain has a deep relationship with the Demon Ancestor, and that by siding with Creation and White Bone, there might be a way out.

Some people were terrified of the Gu God and felt that the Demon Ancestor was untrustworthy.

As the argument continued, everyone realized that Zheng Fa had been silent for a long time, so they turned to look at him and asked, "Please enlighten us, Ancestor Shi."

“What you’ve said makes sense,” Zheng Fa said with a slight smile. “There’s only one thing you probably don’t know.”

"what?"

"In the Nine Luminaries Heaven, there is a treasure left behind by Ancestor Lu. According to the Lu clan, only those with Ancestor Lu's bloodline have the opportunity to obtain this treasure."

"..."

The spirits within the cave all changed their expressions slightly, as if they had realized something.

Zheng Fa continued, "Both the Creation Demon Ancestor and the White Bone Demon Ancestor are determined to obtain this treasure, and haven't even left the Nine Luminaries Heaven yet..."

Upon hearing this, the faces of those who wanted to pledge allegiance to the Demon Ancestor immediately darkened.

Everyone knows this path is dead.

The Creation Demon Ancestor and the White Bone Demon Ancestor may not be as greedy as the Gu God, but they only care about that treasure.

If we want the lost treasure, we have to cooperate with the Lu Clan.

So, what could they possibly use to impress the two Demon Ancestors of Creation?
In the eyes of the two Demon Ancestors, the Lu Clan can be used to find treasures, but what are the Yun Clan and Luo Clan?
Even if they were to actually surrender, the Lu Clan might make a request and they would be sent by the Demon Ancestor to feed the Lu Clan to insects!

How could these Nascent Soul cultivators dare to gamble?
"So, only... the Nine Mountains Sect?"

The atmosphere in the cave became much stranger when the words "Nine Mountains Sect" were uttered.

Most people are unwilling to submit to the Nine Mountains Sect.

On one hand, there has been a long-standing conflict between the Nine Mountains Sect and Haori Mountain.

On the other hand, the Nine Mountains Sect's foundation was too shallow, which made these people still somewhat underestimate it.

"At this point, we have no other choice," someone sighed, their expression helpless.

Others vehemently objected, saying, "If the Demon Ancestor would harm us, wouldn't the Nine Mountains Sect also bully us? Remember, we were enemies before!"

Before Zheng Fa could speak, Luo Yun said softly, "They won't."

"how do you know……"

Luo Yun reached into her sleeve and pulled out a compendium. She pointed at it and said, "I know a few rogue cultivators who have also opposed the Nine Mountains Sect. Now they have joined the Nine Mountains Sect. If they follow the rules, they won't be troubled."

"That's true..."

"There are also quite a few storybooks here, written by the cultivators of our Haori Mountain..."

Surprisingly, seven or eight people in the room also produced the Zizhi Tongjian (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government) to testify for Luo Yun.

Even Zheng Fa was stunned. The Nine Mountains Sect now had running water?

"really?"

Luo Yun smiled wryly, "I can't guarantee it, but... do we have a choice?"

After a moment of silence, one of the Nascent Soul cultivators reluctantly said, "In that case, let's choose the Nine Mountains..."

"slow!"

Zheng Fa suddenly spoke up.

"Stone Ancestor?"

Zheng Fa looked at these people with a surprised smile, as if he found their confidence somewhat inexplicable.

“You have no choice, but the Nine Mountains Sect does.”

"..."

"You look down on the Nine Mountains Sect, so why should the Nine Mountains Sect want you?"

(End of this chapter)