Chapter 137: You Guess

After Zheng Fa finished speaking, he saw the eyes of these Foundation Establishment instructors in the classroom grow complex.

These people hadn't misjudged.

He was literally cursing them to their faces.

In fact, from the start, he'd intended to reprimand them.

To be fair, these senior brothers were surprisingly courteous—they didn't wait for Zheng Fa to seek them out, but came to him themselves, as if afraid he'd have to take two extra steps.

Zheng Fa wasn't someone who liked to clash with others without cause.

For instance, he'd once helped Zhang Shijie manage the marketplace, yet he'd always treated those senior brothers there with courtesy.

When he wanted to do something, he usually discussed it with them first.

Of course, under the watchful eyes of Yuan Shijie, it was usually Zheng Fa who did the discussing, while the senior brothers simply agreed.

But to be honest, Zheng Fa felt he had always respected those senior brothers.

But in the Talisman Hall, he wouldn't behave that way anymore.

The reasons were complex; first, since he would one day take charge of the Talisman Hall, he needed to establish his authority—whereas in the marketplace, he was merely Zhang Shijie's subordinate, acting as an executor, even a consultant.

But on the other hand, he genuinely felt these instructors were nearly destroying the entire Talisman Hall.

The two-line rivalry within Jiushan Sect, viewed from the level of Zhang Shijie and Pang True Person, wasn't really a big deal.

It was merely a difference in philosophy.

Master Pang wasn't opposing Zhang Shijie out of personal grudge.

Zhang Shijie wasn't the type who couldn't tolerate dissent.

At most, they competed for resources.

From the bottom level, what did these newly admitted disciples even know?

They were simply fed the idea that the two lines were irreconcilable from day one, then blindly followed their senior brothers.

Yet in "The Great Dao Strives for Immortality," they actually began killing each other!

In Zheng Fa's view, the biggest problem was this group of instructors.

Perhaps they weren't acting out of selfish motives, but the atmosphere in the Talisman Hall was inseparable from them.

If Zhang Shijie had no intention of handing the Talisman Hall over to him, fine—but since she planned to entrust him with the position, he must take a stance like today's, even if it meant going too far.

Under his gaze, all these Foundation Establishment senior brothers lowered their heads, daring not to refute.

This was why Zheng Fa chose "The Great Dao Strives for Immortality" as his opening strike—the facts don't lie.

The Qi Refining disciples' performance in trials was abysmal.

Their embarrassing displays aside.

Attacking their own comrades was utterly indefensible.

The dangers of the two-line rivalry were so obvious that these senior brothers had no room to argue.

In fact, not just the instructors, but the Qi Refining disciples also understood Zheng Fa's implied meaning.

Some wore expressions of resentment—after all this time, the old grudges between the two lines had been carved into their bones, not just by a few.

Zheng Fa saw their discontent.

"Starting today, I will select a few students each day to experience 'The Great Dao Strives for Immortality,'" Zheng Fa said slowly.

Unsurprisingly, Zheng Fa saw longing on the faces of these students.

"But not everyone can participate," Zheng Fa smiled. "I'll randomly divide you into small groups; only the group with the highest daily score will earn the chance to experience it."

The students' expressions turned blank.

Could you make your intentions any clearer?

What do you mean by "random" grouping?

There are no fools here—they all knew Zheng Fa would deliberately break up the disciples' factional ties.

"Any objections?"

Seeing their expressions, Zheng Fa smiled even more broadly.

He'd never intended to hide his intentions—he lacked the cunning to do so.

But wasn't there a saying: adults only screen, they don't educate?

Those who wanted to play the game—or improve their combat skills—had to accept his philosophy.

"None!" The disciples all shook their heads.

This scene left the instructors watching him with complicated feelings, yet speechless.

"Alright, today I'll first teach you the Stasis Talisman…"

Zheng Fa waved his hand, and a water screen appeared before them.

On the screen appeared the figures of several disciples present.

"Look, this senior brother is trying to draw a Stasis Talisman—can you see it?"

"..."

"Can't see it? Of course not—he failed to draw it."

One disciple's face flushed red, clearly embarrassed, but Zheng Fa didn't mock him; instead, he nodded and praised him:

"This senior brother's idea to use a Stasis Talisman is clever."

The disciple froze, his embarrassment fading, his gaze sharpening.

"The only problem is—the stroke here broke," Zheng Fa continued. "The core glyph of the Stasis Talisman isn't hard, but everyone must pay attention: there are two places where the line easily breaks, and they must be continuous."

Seeing the disciple was listening, Zheng Fa gestured, and the screen showed several other disciples, highlighting their most obvious mistakes.

This method of teaching talismans through real examples had the disciples hanging on every word.

In the past, the instructor senior brothers had also taught them talisman precautions.

But how could that compare to the impact of firsthand experience?

Besides, they'd just learned that making these mistakes could truly cost lives.

…

The sun slowly sank until it hung on the horizon, staining the clouds red, when they realized Zheng Fa had been lecturing for a full day.

Seeing the late hour, Zheng Fa said to them: "Today's talisman discussion ends here. Senior brothers, junior brothers, we'll meet again next month."

As soon as he finished, the disciples spontaneously rose and bowed to him.

What surprised Zheng Fa was—several instructors also stood up.

Zheng Fa felt a quiet satisfaction—at least these disciples knew he'd put in effort.

After returning their bows, he walked out of the Talisman Hall.

The instructors left inside looked at each other, momentarily speechless.

Watching the new disciples whose faces still glowed with lingering interest, they felt a mix of defeat and shame.

"Why did you stand and bow just now?" someone suddenly asked his neighbor.

"Zheng Fa taught well!" his neighbor replied. "He cleared up many of my doubts—I saw you nodding along! Didn't you owe him a bow?"

"..." The man's face reddened. "But he was… too blunt."

"Enough!" Suddenly, an older instructor spoke. "Don't you understand Zheng Fa's nature yet?"

"..."

"He plays straight, overwhelming with sheer momentum! Forget the appeal of 'The Great Dao Strives for Immortality'—just look at his skill with the Echo Talisman, his idea of teaching through disciples' actual combat, and his talisman cultivation during the lecture—where does he fall short of us? He's more than qualified as an instructor; he's only lacking in cultivation level to be Hall Master."

With that, the instructor sighed, stood, and walked out, muttering: "At least, if he becomes Hall Master in the future, I have no objections."

Watching him walk away slowly.

The instructors exchanged glances, suddenly feeling the once-familiar Talisman Hall had become like the sunset on the horizon—ordinary on the surface, yet marking the end of a cycle.

…

Zhou Gan walked along the path toward the Eighth Peak, frowning slightly.

He was thinking about the jade cylinder his master had given him.

His master had said—if Zheng Fa could reconcile the two lines, he would hand the jade cylinder to Zheng Fa.

This left him uncertain.

He'd understood Zheng Fa's stance in the Talisman Hall.

Zheng Fa had courage, even pushed his philosophy with firmness.

He believed Zheng Fa would accomplish what his master had predicted.

What he hesitated over was whether to give the jade cylinder to Zheng Fa now—after all, Zheng Fa had only presented "The Great Dao Strives for Immortality." Could that truly reconcile the two lines? Zhou Gan had real doubts.

"My master's words are too vague," he muttered irritably.

Halfway up the mountain, he suddenly heard shouting from his master's pavilion—several senior brothers from the same line were yelling at someone.

"Give me a shield! Add a shield!"

"Don't charge! Ambush ahead!"

"Dead again?"

These urgent voices were occasionally mixed with suppressed curses.

But he didn't hear Pang True Person's voice.

If his master wasn't there, why were these senior brothers acting so brazen?

What struck him as stranger still was Sun Daoyu squatting by the door, seemingly unwilling to enter.

"Senior Brother Sun? What's going on?"

"Oh, our master asked the Sect Master for permission and learned 'The Great Dao Strives for Immortality,'" Sun Daoyu explained.

Isn't this only for Qi Refining disciples to play with?

"Just seal your cultivation base and spiritual sense," Sun Daoyu explained.

"Then… is Master not here?" Zhou Gan asked.

"He is! The Sect Master specifically ordered that only Master can learn this—he can't teach it to us," Sun Daoyu said regretfully. "Master's having a blast."

Zhou Gan listened again, carefully.

Among the curses, there was no sign of Master.

"I never thought Master had such a good temper…" Zhou Gan mused. "All these senior brothers are shouting and even using foul language, yet he doesn't get angry."

"…" Sun Daoyu stared at him, silent.

"Senior brother?" Zhou Gan was confused.

"Can you guess who they're cursing?"

"…"

"Master's talent is naturally exceptional—he'd never coordinate with others. Besides, he often forgets he's a Qi Refining cultivator."

Zhou Gan still didn't fully grasp what Sun Daoyu meant.

Sun Daoyu used a tactful phrasing: "Master… is a bit too bold."

Got it.

He loves to throw himself into danger!

Zhou Gan glanced at the main hall, then turned and walked away.

"Young brother, where are you going?"

"To deliver the jade cylinder!"

Can The Great Dao Contesting Immortality resolve the rift between the two branches?

Judging by how Master insists on playing despite the scolding—he's incredibly good at it!

…

Zheng Fa was receiving a middle-aged cultivator from Qianhe Sect in the marketplace.

"Master Qian," Zheng Fa smiled warmly. "How does our Jiushan Sect marketplace compare to yours?"

"..." The middle-aged cultivator's expression darkened, but he replied: "Your Jiushan marketplace has shuttle boats and operas—it's far livelier than ours."

"... heard you wanted to set up a shuttle boat back at your sect?"

"... es. Does Jiushan Sect object?" The middle-aged cultivator frowned, his resistance growing as he studied Zheng Fa's expression.

"No objection," Zheng Fa shook his head. "But I must warn you, Master Qian—all nearby cultivators now prefer coming to Jiushan Sect. If your sect sends a shuttle boat, few will go… you might even lose money."

The middle-aged cultivator's face grew even darker. He stared at Zheng Fa and said, "What do you mean, Master Zheng?"

"I propose a partnership with your Qianhe Sect," Zheng Fa explained his purpose in inviting him. "Look—our Jiushan marketplace draws such crowds. If your sect's spirit rice could be sold here..."

The middle-aged cultivator's eyes lit up.