I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 476Book 2: : A Single True Teaching, Unfounded Confidence
Vol 2 Chapter 476: A Single True Teaching, Unfounded Confidence
In Shi Nandang's cave abode, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Yun and Luo clans knelt together before Zheng Fa: "We thank Patriarch Shi for saving our lives!"
Though Zheng Fa had acted with extreme secrecy, none present were fools. Before Shi Nandang's return, the Lu clan's blood offerings to the Gu God had never caused problems. Yet the moment he arrived, those gu insects developed picky eating habits. No wonder Shi Nandang's master had immediately suspected his own disciple.
Zheng Fa looked solemnly at the grateful members of both clans: "Don't speak nonsense. This matter has nothing to do with me. Would I sabotage our sect's important affairs?"
"We understand completely," a quick-witted Luo clan elder immediately said. "The Lu clan brought this upon themselves—they deserve their fate!"
The others nodded eagerly, pretending to believe this shameless lie. In truth, Zheng Fa had merely added some "seasoning" to the Gu God's buffet, making the Lu clansmen smell more appetizing. Ultimately, the blame still fell on the Lu clan.
Posing as Shi Nandang, Zheng Fa had been secretly investigating to uncover the Lu clan's trump card. Yet these Lu clansmen lacked even the most basic trust between people, leaving him empty-handed after half a year of effort—truly disheartening.
However, he had learned about the Gu God's condition. This entity seemed severely injured, never appearing in person, even its messages to the Lu clan were intermittent and incoherent, as if still recuperating. His actions in the valley had also been another attempt to test the Gu God... Unfortunately, the Gu God seemed truly deranged, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"Patriarch Shi," someone asked, "what are your plans for Haori Mountain moving forward?"
Zheng Fa's eyes flickered, a smile playing on his lips: "Do I get to decide?"
"Of course you decide!" the Luo elder declared loudly, as if this were obvious. "Given your status, cultivation, and virtue, who else would we follow if not Patriarch Shi?"
"Do you all agree?"
The Nascent Souls of both clans exchanged glances. Some remained expressionless, as if expecting this, but many—mostly from the Yun clan—looked uncomfortable, likely awaiting their Holy Patriarch Immortal Yun's return. For a moment, no one answered Zheng Fa's question.
The atmosphere grew heavy. Zheng Fa watched the Yun clansmen, waiting for their stance. If these Yun fools proved obstinate, he wouldn't even need to act—the Lu clan would finish them off.
Suddenly, a Yun elder clasped his hands toward Zheng Fa: "May I ask—when our Holy Patriarch returns, what are Patriarch Shi's intentions?"
"My ambitions don't lie with Haori Mountain," Zheng Fa replied with utmost sincerity. As proper sect leader of Jiushan Sect, why would he want Haori Mountain? Besides, he found the place filthy.
"Then this old man would gladly shelter under Patriarch Shi's wing."
After this exchange, a young Yun Nascent Soul gritted his teeth and stepped forward: "Patriarch Shi's cultivation runs deep and profound. This junior has some doubts regarding cultivation—may I seek your guidance?"
Zheng Fa pondered before responding: "I haven't achieved Dao Fruit myself and dare not boast of profound cultivation. But speak your question."
The young Nascent Soul asked about the process of Corpse Liberation for Nascent Souls—a common question, but complicated by his unique Dao body's latent conflict with the Yun clan's foundational techniques. Despite sufficient accumulation, each breakthrough attempt brought signs of qi deviation.
As Zheng Fa fell into thought, the Yun and Luo Nascent Souls exchanged meaningful glances. This youth was famous in their sect—considered the Yun clan's rising star, with spiritual roots and Dao body unmatched among Haori Mountain's current generation. Before Shi Nandang's rise, he'd been seen as Haori Mountain's next Dao Fruit candidate.
Proud by nature, he'd refused to submit to Shi Nandang yet dared not offend the sect's foremost expert. Hence this difficult question—if Shi Nandang couldn't answer, he'd lose face in pressuring them. Many had heard of this youth's predicament—multiple failed seclusions where his cultivation regressed instead of advancing, suffering his greatest setback. Gradually, his momentum faded until he became nearly indistinguishable from the masses in recent years.
Even Immortal Yun had taken notice, summoning him for guidance—to no avail. Seeing Zheng Fa still deliberating, the Yun clansmen hid smiles—as descendants practicing their Holy Patriarch's techniques, if even he couldn't solve this, how could Shi Nandang...
"The solution is actually quite simple," Zheng Fa finally said.
"Sim...simple?" The young Nascent Soul's eyes and mouth gaped.
"Not difficult." For Zheng Fa, it truly wasn't. Qi deviation in Jiushan Sect's research system was well understood—just two causes: inner demons, obviously, and neurological imbalance. The Yang Spirit mimics neural structures—any error turns one mentally unstable. This wasn't secret in Jiushan Sect, where disciples cultivated quickly with minimal qi deviation risk—just study properly.
But Haori Mountain knew nothing of "nerves," only that cultivation could inexplicably spiral out of control. Even the technique's creator, Immortal Yun, likely only vaguely sensed the crux. This youth's problem was simpler—his Dao body inherently conflicted with Yun techniques, preventing proper neural network formation. ṜÀΝȎᛒÈs̩
"Try modifying one cultivation point." Zheng Fa had memorized Yun techniques during his last visit, comprehending them deeply before his Great Ascension. To observers, he seemed to casually toss out advice.
The young Yun cultivator looked skeptical but tentatively tried it—his face immediately lit with ecstasy. Everyone instantly recognized this "casual remark" had worked!
The youth snapped back to reality, trembling as he kowtowed repeatedly without pause, startling even Zheng Fa: "Just words—why such extremes?"
The youth raised his head, eyes glistening: "To Patriarch Shi, just words. To me—ten thousand years of wasted time. I... thought Corpse Liberation beyond me forever."
The onlookers shared his sentiment—this was no act. When one's Dao path hung in the balance, who wouldn't be moved?
"Patriarch Shi," the youth vowed, "Yun Fan will repay this teaching with his very bones!"
His expression left no doubt—whatever resistance he'd harbored had transformed into absolute loyalty. The others exchanged glances before kneeling together: "We beg Patriarch Shi to take command!"
Surveying the cave full of Nascent Souls, Zheng Fa sighed inwardly—how had he, Jiushan Sect's leader, become Haori Mountain's decision-maker?
With roles established, discussions grew frank. "Patriarch Shi," Luo Yun spoke directly, "what are your thoughts on Haori Mountain's current situation?"
Expressions darkened. The Yun and Luo clans had their conflicts and hadn't sought a patriarch's rule—but Haori Mountain's plight demanded unity. With Jiushan Sect's armies outside, Demon Ancestors within, and the Lu clan's atrocities, Haori Mountain was nearly emptied.
"Demon Ancestors, Lu clan, Jiushan Sect," Zheng Fa tapped the table, "all threaten our sect's existence."
Even Zheng Fa hadn't anticipated Haori Mountain's deterioration. The Yun and Luo Nascent Souls' complex expressions suggested similar disbelief—how had mighty Haori Mountain fallen so far?
"Do you have confidence to save Haori Mountain? Or preparations for its demise?"
"Patriarch Shi!" The assembly blanched, but Zheng Fa remained composed: "Without Immortal Yun, I alone can't handle even one threat. Even should he return—could he stop the Demon Ancestors? Or Jiushan Sect?"
His words brought silence as despair crept across every face. Zheng Fa had ripped away their delusions—Haori Mountain was doomed.
"How...how did it come to this..." A Luo elder wept—whether for the sect or himself, none could say. Gloom filled the cave.
But Luo Yun suddenly looked hopefully at Zheng Fa: "Patriarch Shi speaks so—surely you've a plan?"
"Me? None." Zheng Feigned ignorance. "I'll just say—among these three forces lies our survival path."
"Sur...surrender?" Luo Yun jolted with realization. Indeed, aligning with a stronger power seemed their only hope.
"Logically, we'd choose the Lu clan..." someone murmured.
"Lu clan? Are you suicidal?" another snapped. "The last option is those Lu bastards!"
All knew the Lu clan had schemes, backed by the Gu God. Before, given the three clans' history and Lu prestige, choosing them would've been automatic. But their recent atrocities had made coexistence impossible.
"Then only Demon Ancestors or Jiushan Sect remain..." Luo Yun muttered.
"Choose Demon Ancestors?" someone objected. "Get another Gu God?"
Silence fell—the Gu God's behavior had traumatized them. The Demon Ancestors didn't want followers—just food. What sheep would seek the wolf's protection?
"But our founding patriarch had ties to them—why not approach Zao Hua and White Bone?"
"The Demon Ancestors are strongest," a Luo elder sighed. "But their temperaments are unpredictable—who knows how they'd treat us?"
"Demonic sects..." Yun Fan, earlier so moved, now frowned. "How could they coexist with Haori Mountain?"
"Naive! Strength rules now—forget righteous-demonic divisions!"
Arguments erupted until they noticed Zheng Fa's prolonged silence. "Patriarch Shi's guidance?"
"You all make valid points." Zheng Fa smiled. "But you overlook one thing."
"What?"
"The Nine Luminaries Heaven holds treasures left by the Lu Patriarch. According to the Lu clan, only Lu bloodline can obtain them."
The assembly paled as realization dawned. Zheng Fa continued: "Both Zao Hua and White Bone Demon Ancestors covet these treasures, remaining in Nine Luminaries Heaven for them..."
Those favoring the Demon Ancestors now looked ashen. This path was closed. Unlike the Gu God's gluttony, the Demon Ancestors only wanted the treasures—requiring Lu cooperation. What could Yun and Luo clans offer? To the Demon Ancestors, Lu clansmen could find treasures—what worth had Yun and Luo? Even if accepted, the Lu might demand them as gu feed!
Dare they gamble?
"Then... only Jiushan Sect remains?"
At "Jiushan Sect," the atmosphere turned odd. Most disliked submitting to Jiushan Sect—past conflicts aside, they still somewhat disdained its "shallow" heritage.
"Nowadays, we've no choice," someone sighed resignedly. Others vehemently opposed: "If Demon Ancestors harm us, won't Jiushan Sect abuse us? We were enemies!"
Before Zheng Fa could respond, Luo Yun softly said, "They won't."
"How do you—"
From her sleeve, she produced a Tongjian. "I know scattered cultivators who opposed Jiushan Sect—now under its banner. They say if you follow rules, you're treated fairly."
"It's true..." Seven or eight others produced Tongjians in support, some containing stories by former Haori Mountain cultivators.
Even Zheng Fa was stunned—had Jiushan Sect developed such influence?
"Really?"
Luo Yun smiled bitterly: "No guarantees... but do we have options?"
After silence, someone reluctantly said, "Then we choose Jiushan—"
"Wait!" Zheng Fa interrupted.
"Patriarch Shi?"
Zheng Fa regarded them with amused disbelief at their inexplicable confidence. "You've no choice—but Jiushan Sect does."
