Chapter 128: Shame!

Zheng Fa looked at Zhou Qianyuan, his gaze holding a hint of expectation—

The reason he and Zhang Shijie discussed things without hiding from Zhou Qianyuan was twofold.

First, it was due to the change in his own status:

Now that he had become the Sect Master's disciple and had Zhang Shijie's support, he felt no competitive thoughts when looking at peers like Zhou Qianyuan.

He even hoped that through this mode of mutual discussion, he could cultivate some allies for the future.

Moreover, now that Pang Shushu had thrown Zhou Qianyuan to his side, this junior brother could be considered one of his own people.

If Zhou Qianyuan's strength increased a bit, he would have more say within Pang Shushu's lineage.

This would also be beneficial for him to subdue Pang Shushu's lineage in the days to come.

But the main reason was—since the "Tao of Talismans Foundation Establishment Method" had already been given to Pang Shushu, if you hid it from Zhou Qianyuan, wouldn't Pang Shushu teach him anyway?

The things they were discussing now were already clearly written in the "Tao of Talismans Foundation Establishment Method."

With Pang Shushu's Nascent Soul capabilities, how could he not see the mysteries within?

As his direct disciple, Zhou Qianyuan would eventually learn it too.

But there was another point, an expectation shared silently between Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie—

They wanted to pry through Zhou Qianyuan's mouth to spill out the stockpile hidden in Pang Shushu's belly!

Ever since obtaining the "Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye," Zheng Fa immediately realized a problem:

Since he cultivated the "Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye," he could see those faintly appearing talisman diagram lines.

In Zheng Fa's view, this cultivation technique might help him and Zhang Shijie further perfect the "Tao of Talismans Foundation Establishment Method."

But to be honest, the "Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye" currently didn't help the two of them much.

This was probably because his and Zhang Shijie's attainment in the "Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye" was still shallow.

But Pang Shushu was different!

That was a True Person!

His realm in the "Void-Piercing Spiritual Eye" was heaven-high compared to his and Zhang Shijie's!

Who said the microscope had to be used by oneself?

Pang Shushu had been using it for so many years!

Therefore, towards Zhou Qianyuan, Pang Shushu's most cherished disciple, both Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie held a certain expectation.

But alas—under their gaze, Zhou Qianyuan stammered, his eyes dull, his mind seemingly blank.

Zheng Fa sighed lightly in his heart; Zhou Shidi had entered the sect too late, and his cultivation was still a bit shallow.

Pang Shushu probably hadn't had time to teach those deeper lessons yet.

He shifted his gaze, looking at Yuan Shijie who was secretly laughing nearby.

"Yuan Shijie, you've been listening for a few days now; do you have any thoughts?" he asked sincerely.

"Huh?"

The dullness on Zhou Qianyuan's face slowly transferred to Yuan Shijie's face.

On the Eighth Peak, silver light flickered in Pang Shushu's eyes as he looked down the mountain, shaking his head repeatedly.

"Shizun?"

Seeing his behavior, the Daoist Sun Daoyu beside him couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Qianyuan has suffered these past few days..."

Pang Shushu's tone held some heartache, yet also a hint of hidden joy.

"Suffered?" Sun Daoyu was stunned: "Did Zheng Shidi treat him badly?"

The silver light in Pang Shushu's eyes slowly faded, and his face showed a trace of disappointment as he said:

"I saw that when Qianyuan first arrived under Zheng Fa's hand, although his face was gloomy, there was also a hint of expectation; perhaps he was even happy to be able to get away from your senior and junior brothers."

"But after two days, the lights in Qianyuan's home burned day and night; I saw him unable to sleep night after night."

"These past few days, he has shown even more pain; every time Qianyuan went out to walk towards Zheng Fa's house, his face even wore an expression of nervousness and fear..."

Hearing his Shizun say this, Sun Daoyu's face also showed some worry: "Then what did Zheng Fa do to Zhou Shidi?"

Pang True Person shook his head, anger visible in his expression: "They often go to Junior Niece Zhang's house; I see that every time they come out of Junior Niece Zhang's courtyard, Qianyuan looks like he has lost his soul—certainly he has suffered inhuman torture."

"Then why did Shizun call me here?"

"Summon Qianyuan!" Pang Shushu declared domineeringly: "He should now know who treats him best!"

"Yes!"

Sun Daoyu hurried away, and soon returned bringing Zhou Qianyuan up the mountain.

Looking at this disciple again, Pang True Person felt a bit of bitterness in his heart—

Compared to the desolation of the previous period, the current Zhou Qianyuan could even be called sloppy.

His head and face seemed neglected for a long time; his hair was messy, and he even had some stubble on his face.

The Daoist robe on his body also looked like it hadn't been cleaned for several days, covered in dust.

What troubled him even more was this disciple's expression—dull and wandering, as if his spirit was roaming the heavens.

Upon seeing this Shizun, the disciple took a long time to react before slowly bowing.

Pang Shushu felt a silent anger in his heart:

Sending Qianyuan over was done out of goodwill towards Zheng Fa!

Yet this Zheng Fa actually tormented his disciple into such a state?

"Qianyuan, you have suffered these past days..."

He softened his tone and spoke to his beloved disciple.

"Hmm..."

Hearing these words, Zhou Qianyuan seemed to recall something; his expression shifted from dazed to bitter, and his eyes even turned slightly red.

Seeing him like this, Pang True Person grew even more angry and directly slammed the table, declaring: "From today on, you need not follow Zheng Fa anymore!"

What neither Pang True Person nor Sun Daoyu expected was that Zhou Qianyuan's expression froze, his face twisted in conflict for a moment, and he actually spoke up: "Disciple wishes to go!"

Hearing this reply, Pang True Person furrowed his brows and looked at his own disciple: "... You wish to go?"

"Yes!" Zhou Qianyuan hesitated for a while, then spoke softly: "Not that I wish to go every time; I just thought of going once every few days."

"Hmm?"

"Master, why don't you speak with Senior Zheng Shidi and ask him to stop these pre-lesson quizzes!" Zhou Qianyuan suddenly pleaded: "Disciple truly cannot finish learning everything!"

"... Pang True Person somewhat understood that he seemed to have misunderstood: "Tell me, what did they do to you?"

"..."

After listening to Zhou Qianyuan's account, Pang True Person stared fixedly at Zhou Qianyuan; the pity in his eyes was long gone.

He asked in a low voice: "You mean the two of them discussed the Dao of Talismans together and did not mind you listening in?"

"Yes..." Zhou Qianyuan muttered: "It's just that after the two of them finished discussing, they liked to question the disciple."

"And every time before they began discussing, he and Senior Sister Zhang would test whether you had understood what came before?" Senior Uncle Pang's face showed neither joy nor sorrow; he simply continued asking.

"Yes, he and Senior Sister Zhang said this is called teaching and learning benefiting each other. Senior Zheng Shidi also said it was a learning method spoken by an ancient worthy named Fei..." Zhou Qianyuan's voice was like a cuckoo crying blood, bringing tears to anyone who heard it: "Master, these past few days, every night I have had to recall and review the discussions between Zheng Shidi and Senior Sister Zhang; I simply have no time to sleep!"

He looked hopefully at his master and pleaded once more: "Master, please persuade Senior Zheng Shidi for me; it would be better not to have these little quizzes."

Pang True Person looked at this disciple of his and remained silent for a long time.

He suddenly spoke: "In other words, the two of them spoke freely and confidently, while you stood aside with wide eyes and an open mouth?"

Zhou Qianyuan suddenly felt something bad coming; his voice involuntarily lowered a bit: "Yes."

"If you cannot compare to them, that is one thing; but if I send you home to study on your own, you still cannot learn it?"

"Yes..."

Zhou Qianyuan's head hung even lower.

"Then you deserve to be unable to sleep! Jiushan Sect has only three Nascent Souls! Three Nascent Souls!" Pang True Person roared: "The one surnamed Huang has Senior Sister Zhang; now Zheng Fa is the Sect Master's disciple; you are my disciple!"

"Among the three of you, you are the most unworthy! Is that why you cannot speak? No, it is because I cannot speak!" Pang True Person spoke with sheer anger: "In the future, when I meet that woman surnamed Huang, she will laugh me to death! And you still have the face to complain!"

"Disciple... Master, you haven't taught me anything either!" Zhou Qianyuan said in a low voice.

"What about Zheng Fa! Zheng Fa had not even taken a master before!" Hearing this, Pang True Person grew even angrier: "Can I not understand this person, the Sect Master? If he knew how to teach disciples, would it be that not a single disciple survived?"

"That woman surnamed Huang! Pfft, what disciples could she possibly teach? Senior Sister Zhang is purely self-taught!"

"In the end, my disciple is the most unworthy?"

"Then... I am not the most unworthy." Zhou Qianyuan weakly countered again: "There is also Senior Sister Yuan; she listened for even longer and is no better than me."

"That! Is! A! Bird!" Pang True Person heard these words and his lips trembled: "You compare yourself to a bird, and now you are proud?"

Zhou Qianyuan said nothing.

Pang Zhenran took several deep breaths and slowly calmed his tone: "Very well, this is not your fault."

"Master..."

A trace of emotion appeared on Zhou Qianyuan's face.

"It is my fault!"

"Ah?"

"It is my fault for not teaching you well and urging you!" Pang True Person gritted his teeth: "From now on, after you return from Senior Sister Zhang, come to me first!"

"Master, do you mean..." Zhou Qianyuan's face slowly turned fearful.

"If the disciple is inadequate, I can only give you private lessons!" Pang True Person shouted angrily: "Your master cannot afford to lose face!"

"..."

After descending the Eighth Peak, Zhou Qianyuan's expression was still somewhat dazed.

"I asked Master to reduce my burden..." He said grievously to Sun Daoyu beside him: "Why does it feel like the burden has increased?"

"How about, Senior Brother, I swap with you?"

Sun Daoyu beside him glanced sideways at him.

"Let Junior Brother endure this bitterness!" Zhou Qianyuan said with great righteousness, walking very quickly.

"Pfft!" Sun Daoyu watched his back, then looked toward the direction of Zheng Fa's courtyard.

The expression on his face was somewhat—desperate to marry.

In the market district, Han Qi and the other two stood within the crowd, watching a group of senior brothers constructing a somewhat novel building.

Several Foundation Establishment senior brothers threw out several Laborer Talismans, summoning several rock giants several zhang tall, who transported huge stone blocks from a distant mountain.

In just one night, this new building slowly took shape.

The building was cylindrical overall, with no dome on top, and a large open space in the middle.

Surrounding it were rows of seats arranged from high to low, capable of accommodating roughly ten thousand people.

This was already the largest building in Jiushan Sect—knowing that Jiushan Sect, top to bottom, even including family members in the market district, numbered only several thousand.

"Building it so large, will it be filled?" The tall, thin man beside Han Qi said in a low voice.

"Shut up!" Han Qi scolded: "This is something Zheng Shidi wants built!"