Chapter 116: Late Arrival

It could be picked up easily; as a Jin Dan cultivator, this small building was probably within one palm-strike of Master Yuan.

But she had magical abilities and refused to use them, insisting on carrying everything in her arms.

Back and forth, up and down, she never seemed tired, her expression strangely proud and cheerful.

It was clear the gifts weren’t from a single person.

The assorted foods were one thing.

There were also spirit talismans, elixirs, and handcrafted items.

What Zheng Fa found hardest to accept—probably from some tailor’s shop—were several dresses.

It felt like they’d been delivered to the wrong person.

“Master Zhang, why don’t you take these dresses back and wear them yourself?”

Master Zhang reached out and picked up the nearest dress.

Only when the hem unfurled before Zheng Fa did he realize the dress was cleverly designed—

Where no covering was needed, it was tightly sealed, conservative, and archaic.

Where covering was required, there wasn’t a single thread of fabric.

Master Zhang simply stared at Zheng Fa, silent, but her gaze piercingly sharp.

Zheng Fa bit his lip and spoke dryly: “Cough, I’ll take them back… I’ll return them!”

He was deeply shaken—who said cultivators of the Xuanwei Realm were closed-minded? Their thinking was quite open!

But couldn’t you at least ship them discreetly?

The gifts weren’t many; Master Yuan made three trips and moved them all.

Their value wasn’t high—after all, the givers had little money.

Yet Zheng Fa and the other two sat in silence before the pile of gifts for a long while, until finally Master Zhang spoke:

“The ferry cannot stop.”

Zheng Fa and the other nodded lightly.

…

Han Qi and the other two had their mouths full as they slowly strolled through the marketplace.

“Master, is it my imagination, or has the number of arguments dropped today?” The tall, thin one swallowed a bite of bread and asked doubtfully.

Han Qi wasn’t surprised; he smiled and explained: “When people can earn money and have hope for the future, their resentment naturally lessens.”

The tall, thin one nodded, unsure if he understood, then turned his gaze to a few senior brothers at the street corner, his tone tinged with resentment: “Those guys were the ones gossiping before—now they’re eating like kings!”

“No matter,” Han Qi’s face showed no anger; his tone was relaxed: “Don’t get angry over these people. Zheng’s younger brother has won the people’s hearts—no amount of their gossip can tarnish that.”

“That’s true!” The tall, thin one brightened up: “Zheng’s younger brother has Master Zhang above him and the people’s support below—he’s clearly the tide of the future. He’ll be firmly established in this marketplace.”

“Master Zhang?” Han Qi’s tone turned oddly: “Given Zheng’s younger brother’s talent and potential, it’s uncertain whether this marketplace will belong to Zheng or to Zhang in the future.”

…

“I will take Zheng Fa as my disciple!” Master Pang’s expression was resolute, as if he’d made up his mind.

Zhou Gan looked at his master, wanting to speak but dared not.

He turned to his senior brother Sun Dao Yu and saw faint opposition on Sun’s face too.

Zhou Gan had no objection to Zheng Fa; in fact, he admired Zheng’s talisman craftsmanship.

He could even treat Zheng with the respect due a master.

A little face and status meant nothing to him.

But… the meaning behind his master’s wish to take Zheng Fa as a disciple was different.

It might affect his own future path to Nascent Soul.

Given his master’s current regard for Zheng Fa, all the spirit materials he’d accumulated might end up going to Zheng.

How could he accept that?

As for why Senior Brother Sun was reluctant, he could understand a little.

Senior Brother Sun had previously clashed with Zheng Fa and even tried to seize the Immortal Token.

If we’re being more pragmatic, Senior Brother Sun had once treated Zhou Gan with great care, investing much.

If the master takes Zheng Fa as his disciple, won’t all that past investment be wasted?

But Master Pang was a Nascent Soul True Person—his decision left no room for their objection.

As if sensing their reluctance, Master Pang glanced at them and spoke:

“Do you think I’m valuing Zheng Fa too highly?”

The two exchanged glances, then bowed their heads: “We dare not question. We follow only our master’s command.”

“If Zheng Fa were merely slightly more talented, I wouldn’t insist on taking him as my disciple—he’s already under Master Zhang’s guidance…” Master Pang explained: “Do you think I truly need another disciple?”

“Then why—”

“No matter how powerful he is, can he threaten a Nascent Soul True Person like me?”

Master Pang smiled coldly.

“But Master, why now—”

“Because you’re both fools!” Master Pang frowned at them: “I told you not to care about the scheming below—competition is fine, but keep it within bounds. But now? The two branches are at war. I can still hold them back—what about after I’m gone?”

“….”

Sun Dao Yu’s face flushed red then pale.

The growing rift between the two branches was not Master Pang’s intention.

His own master, Huang True Person, and Master Zhang’s master, Huang True Person, merely held differing philosophies.

But the disciples first argued over philosophy, then over resources, and now no one even knew what they were fighting for.

For decades, old grudges piled up, and now it’s impossible to say who’s right or wrong.

On the other hand, it was also due to the inaction—or even encouragement—of these mid-level disciples.

“Gan Yuan, tell me honestly—can you match Master Zhang?”

Zhou Gan bowed his head in shame: “I… have no confidence.”

At Jiushan Sect, the more one learned of Master Zhang, the more one realized how terrifying she was.

Her temperament and ability were unquestionably the top among the next generation of disciples.

Her status within the sect was even comparable to that of their own master.

“Now comes Zheng Fa. He’s talented, yes—but he’s also won the hearts of the lower disciples.” Master Pang sighed: “If he and Master Zhang join forces, will there be any room left for you?”

“I am incapable…”

Sun Dao Yu and the other bowed their heads.

Master Pang shook his head, sighing: “That Huang has such luck—he picked up Master Zhang, and now Zheng Fa! If you want a better future, the best way is to take Zheng Fa into your branch.”

Sun Dao Yu slowly nodded, understanding Master Pang’s meaning: “If Zheng’s younger brother joins our branch, the balance between the two branches will be restored—we’ll be safe.”

Master Pang gazed beyond the mountains, as if watching something, then suddenly said to them: “Not only that—given his relationship with Master Zhang, he might one day resolve the conflict between our two branches.”

“Master?”

“The Hundred Immortals Alliance is beginning to unravel…” Master Pang glanced at them: “Do you understand?”

After parting from Master Pang, Zhou Gan and Sun Dao Yu remained silent. Zhou Gan felt stifled; Sun Dao Yu, however, seemed lost in thought.

At parting, Sun seemed to sense Zhou’s unease.

Sun spoke: “Our master cares deeply for us. Even if he values Zheng Fa more, he’ll still plan for you. Don’t worry.”

“Yes, thank you, Senior Brother Sun.”

Hearing this, Zhou Gan felt slightly better and bowed gratefully.

“You’re too formal, Junior Brother Zhou.”

“Hm?”

…

Zheng Fa sat on a cushion in his study, swallowed a newly purchased Ningyuan Pill, and prepared to condense his third Yuan Fu.

The spirit stones used to buy this Ningyuan Pill came from the ferry—Han Qi and the others no longer ran stalls, but still sold Zheng Fa’s spirit talismans.

Some of the talismans on the ferry had been newly drawn by Zheng Fa.

Within Jiushan Sect, these talismans might sell for only ten or so spirit stones.

But in other marketplaces, they fetched twenty—Jiushan’s talisman masters were too saturated, driving down the price of Xuan-grade talismans far below market value.

This time, Zheng Fa had far more options for his Yuan Fu.

Since discovering the Five Elements Sub-Fu and gaining Master Zhang as a top-tier experimental partner,

they’d mapped out many Yin-Yang and Five Elements properties of talisman patterns.

Especially since he was now condensing a Yin Water-element Yuan Fu—Master Zhang, likely a Water-element cultivator, had studied Water-element talismans the most.

Among nearly a hundred choices, he planned to condense a Yuan Fu called Yangshen Fu.

Its main effect was simple: nourish the soul and repair mental disorder.

It was meant for Tang Lingwumin’s mother.

Aside from the bond they’d built, the discovery of the Five Elements Sub-Fu

owed its greatest credit to Old White.

But Tang Lingwumin had also contributed significantly—she’d genuinely spent her own money.

On another level, Zheng Fa believed that if the Yangshen Fu worked on Tang Lingwumin’s mother, it could have great potential in the modern world.

He understood clearly: The “Foundation Establishment Talisman Method” could accelerate his own cultivation speed, but…

The environment where one can truly shine is the modern world.

In the Xuanwei Realm, spirit talismans are common and not particularly rare; the Yuanfu formed by the “Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method” struggles to produce a decisive effect.

But in the modern world, it’s different.

This thing allows me to cast spells in the modern world!

Following this logic, the choice of condensed runes need not focus on lethality—lesser auxiliary spirit talismans may prove more effective.

Zheng Fa had two principles for selecting his Yuanfu:

First, enhance his own self-preservation—such as the Upright Invisible Talisman.

This was to guard against the worst-case scenario.

Second, address problems modern science cannot yet fully resolve—such as the Nourishing Soul Talisman.

This was to secure more resources in the future.

His spiritual sense sank into his dantian, and he quickly condensed the Nourishing Soul Talisman.

After the Nourishing Soul Talisman appeared, it immediately nestled beside the Upright Invisible Talisman and the Frost Blade Talisman, as if fused into one.

……

Modern era, White Old Man’s home.

When Tang Lingwumin left the classroom to head to White Old Man’s home today, she suddenly said she had something to attend to and told Zheng Fa to go ahead while she would arrive later.

But she was late by more than just a little.

When Tang Lingwumin arrived, over an hour had passed.

What concerned Zheng Fa and the others more was the water stains on Tang Lingwumin’s face, as if she had washed it.

Upon closer inspection, her eyes were slightly red.

White Old Man leapt to his feet, his face flushed with anger: “Did you cry? Were you bullied on the way here?”

Zheng Fa walked over too, deeply worried, yet harboring other suspicions.

“No…” Tang Lingwumin sniffled, her voice thick and nasal: “Master, I may not be able to come to class anymore.”