Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 177 - 77 Trust You

Chapter 177: Chapter 77 Trust You

Xuanwei Realm.

"Master Pang, have you found Zhang’s whereabouts?" In the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace, Zheng Fa asked Master Pang.

Master Pang glanced at Zheng Fa, his face showing a bit of bitterness.

"We have determined the general location, but... we haven’t found her yet."

Seeing his expression, Zheng Fa knew that things were probably a bit troublesome.

"Are there any difficulties?"

"That place is close to the secret realm of the Great Freedom Demon Sect. There are too many disciples from the Demon Sect... Moreover, I dare not go there rashly." Master Pang hesitated for a while, then sighed: "I’m afraid that the Great Freedom Demon Sect has a trick up their sleeve."

Zheng Fa somewhat understood Master Pang’s hesitation.

He feared that the people of the Great Freedom Demon Sect would cut off help to the isolated individual.

If they can’t kill Zhang,

killing a Nascent Soul disciple from the Jiushan Sect is also worth it.

"They... would they target our Jiushan Sect like this?"

Objectively speaking:

What level is the Great Freedom Demon Sect?

What level is the Jiushan Sect?

Is it worth such a big deal for them?

"If it isn’t in one place, they certainly wouldn’t care about us." Master Pang didn’t think Zheng Fa was belittling their own sect and spoke very frankly: "But now that two tigers cannot share one mountain, the Chang Chun Sect has been destroyed - and there is also the Heavenly Stele."

That’s right.

The Jiushan Sect considers Taiyang County as its own territory.

The Great Freedom Demon Sect also thinks that their secret realm is here.

There is a natural dispute.

Master Pang’s concern is not impossible.

"It’s only because the Thunder Pool has a unique environment, those Nascent Soul disciples of the Demon Sect also fear capsizing in the ditch..." Master Pang shook his head: "But my Jiushan Sect is after all at a disadvantage."

Zheng Fa nodded.

The current environment of the Thunder Pool greatly reduces the difference in cultivation between cultivators.

Cultivators with higher cultivation can still maintain a relative advantage with the help of magical treasures and such.

But compared to the outside world, the possibility of a mishap is much greater.

Master Pang dares not enter the Thunder Pool, also fearing that others would trade his life with those lower-cultivation disciples.

What’s more, the Heavenly Stele has attracted many figures from the Immortal Sect, and the Great Freedom Demon Sect also had to keep a lower profile.

"Even if they have no conspiracy, just because they are protecting their own secret realm, this matter is also very troublesome." After thinking for a while, Master Pang said: "The only strategy for now is to rely on Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation disciples."

Zheng Fa was silent.

The Thunder Pool is so special that it’s a loss for cultivators above Golden Core to enter.

We still have to rely on a multitude of people to fight desperately.

But this way, casualties are inevitable.

"Zheng, my nephew." Apparently seeing through his expression, Master Pang sighed and said: "For the Jiushan Sect, Nephew Zhang is more important than a hundred ordinary disciples."

"The disciple understands."

Master Pang said softly: "Do you know why I brought so many disciples here?"

Zheng Fa was startled and looked outside the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

Among the Jiushan Sect members who came to the Thunder Pool this time, half were disciples from Master Pang’s lineage.

"Master..."

"As the one in power, one must not be soft-hearted."

...

Walking out of the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace, Zheng Fa slowly walked through the Thunder Pool workshop.

This time he didn’t look at those new shops or the increasingly crowded workshop.

Instead, he watched those fellow disciples.

The Thunder Pool workshop is becoming more prosperous.

They are also living good lives.

The patrolling disciples walked together in small groups, talking and laughing softly.

Seeing Zheng Fa, many disciples would respectfully greet him with a smile.

The expression was respectful and friendly.

Zheng Fa couldn’t help feeling a bit proud—

Not to mention others, the situation of the Jiushan Sect has improved a lot now, and there are more smiles on the disciples’ faces.

Zheng Fa felt he had contributed to this.

But a word from Master Pang might just burst this seemingly beautiful illusion—perhaps in a few days, these people will have to enter the Thunder Pool and fight desperately with the Great Freedom Demon Sect for Zhang.

"Zheng?"

A somewhat familiar voice came through, it was Yang, who used to be under Zhang.

Zheng Fa had contact with him when he just took charge of the Jiushan Sect’s workshop.

Later, after coming to the Thunder Pool, Yang also contributed a lot to the establishment of the new workshop, and now he has a close relationship with Zheng Fa.

He saw Zheng Fa’s expression and became curious.

"Senior Brother Yang."

"How is it going, is there news about Zhang?"

Senior Brother Yang asked with concern.

Zheng Fa shook his head, a bit hesitant, but still spoke: "We have a general direction, but there are too many disciples from the Great Freedom Demon Sect there."

Senior Brother Yang was stunned.

Seeming to understand something, his expression slowly changed.

After a long time, he finally said: "...Are we going to the Thunder Pool?"

"..."

"Actually, when Sun Daoyu selected people at that time, everyone understood." Seeing that Zheng Fa did not speak, Senior Brother Yang instead started to smile.

Zheng Fa nodded gently.

"If we don’t save Zhang, maybe we can live for a while temporarily, but without Zhang in the future... I don’t think we can last long. Besides, if we go in and fight those thieves from the Demon Sect, we may not necessarily die, right?"

Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled: "I’m not as insightful as Senior Brother."

"No, Zheng," Senior Brother Yang waved his hand and looked at Zheng Fa: "It’s not that you don’t understand, it’s that you see too many people in your eyes."

"Hm?"

"Whether it’s Master Pang, Zhang, or even the Sect Leader, when have they ever really considered us?" Senior Yang said with a smile, "I don’t even know how you grew up to be; you’re the only one who would care about us disciples at a time like this."

"I’m being overly sentimental."

Zheng Fa laughed at himself in self-deprecation.

He was simply more inclined toward modernity, and some of his ideas often seemed a bit out of place.

"Zheng, we disciples understood the situation before coming here," Senior Yang said in a low voice.

"Some of them have no choice; who dares to disobey the commands of a Nascent Soul?"

"Like me, I’m directly under Zhang, so I had to come."

"And then there’s a part, perhaps a small group, but I know they exist." Senior Yang paused, then continued, "They believe in you."

"Believe in me?"

"Believe that you won’t let us be sent to our deaths for nothing."

"They’re not here for Zhang; they’re here because of you."

"..."

Zheng Fa was a little stunned.

He hadn’t expected there to be such people in the Jiushan Sect.

Senior Yang chuckled and said, "Zheng, nobody in the Jiushan Sect is blind; everyone knows very well what has been done."

After saying that, he gave a respectful bow toward Zheng Fa: "I’m going back to get ready."

Zheng Fa watched his retreating figure and found himself at a loss for words for a moment.

...

Several days later.

A clear bird call came from above the workshop in Taiyang County.

A green phoenix soared across the sky, its talons gripping a person whose complexion did not look too good.

The green phoenix descended into the workshop, transforming into the appearance of a round-faced young girl, and hurriedly ran into the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

"Zheng! I’m here!"

Yuan’s voice, carrying her essence Qi and cheerfulness, reached the room before she did.

Zheng Fa smiled and went out to greet her, looking at the three people in front of him.

"There! I’ve brought you the person you wanted!"

Yuan pointed to Lin Bufan and Li Nuo standing to the side.

Both appeared somewhat pale, seemingly having had a rough journey.

"My lord."

"Zheng."

The two looked at Zheng Fa, their faces filled with bewilderment.

Zheng Fa nodded gently to them, said nothing to either of them but turned to Yuan and asked, "Senior Sister Yuan, I asked you to request more talisman formations for the Great Dao Competition from Master; did you get them?"

"That old man is really stingy! He even said he didn’t have the time, as he was making a drama," Yuan huffed in response, "But I told him they were for you, and he tossed quite a few my way."

She handed over a storage bag.

Zheng Fa opened it to find complete sets of spirit talismans.

"Zheng, what do you need so many talisman formations for? You even had the Sect Leader exchange it for a Thunder Pool map," Yuan asked, seeing his pleased expression.

"Master Pang is sending disciples into the Thunder Pool; I’m thinking of giving them some special training."

To put it plainly: emphasizing key points before the exam to improve the pass (survival) rate.

Yuan caught on instantly, clapped her hands, and said, "That’s actually a great idea, but why bring those two along?"

"Bufan."

Zheng Fa turned his head to look at Lin Bufan, whose expression was complex, as if he hadn’t expected to be home so soon.

"My lord, I’ve told you all I can about the Great Freedom Demon Sect."

"I know."

Zheng Fa waved his hand dismissively, knowing that while the other man might have his little schemes, his loyalty to the Great Freedom Demon Sect was questionable.

"Do you want me to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demon Sect?" Lin Bufan’s face turned pale, as if he suddenly realized something.

Yuan and the others looked at him with a hint of sympathy.

For anyone, this task was tantamount to a deadly mission.

What’s more, who could say whether the Great Freedom Demon Sect had methods to identify traitors?

But on the other hand, aside from being rather unfriendly towards Lin Bufan, this idea was indeed a good one:

Currently, the Jiushan Sect knew too little about the Great Freedom Demon Sect. If someone could indeed infiltrate it, they might even be able to find out Zhang’s whereabouts.

"Are you unwilling?"

Zheng Fa asked.

"Willing!" Lin Bufan gritted his teeth and said, "I only ask one thing of you, my lord."

"What is it?"

"If you encounter Lin Yangtian in the future and take his life, please inform my uncle at his grave," Lin Bufan said in a low voice.

Yuan’s expression showed some pity.

It seemed she could hear the resolve of certain death in his tone.

"We’re not at that stage yet." Zheng Fa looked him in the eyes and shook his head, "I called you here to join this special training."

Lin Bufan looked up, his face a mix of shock and joy.

"You’re part of the test."

"Huh?" Lin Bufan looked at Zheng Fa blankly, still not quite understanding.

"Every Jiushan Sect disciple who will participate in the assault on the Great Freedom Demon Sect must adapt to your methods within the Great Dao Competition, kill you, and then they can set out..."

Lin Bufan blinked and muttered to himself, "Every one of them?"

"Mhm."

"How many in total?"

"...Master Pang said the more, the better."

"My lord! I’m willing to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demon Sect!"

"...Good, your life is mine now; don’t waste it."

"..."

...

After... calming—no, coercing Lin Bufan to accept reality, Zheng Fa turned his attention to Li Nuo standing by.

Li Nuo shuddered at his gaze and quickly waved his hands: "I definitely don’t know the cultivation techniques of the Great Freedom Demon Sect!"

"Senior Li, using Bufan’s blood, which talisman can you produce now?"