Chapter 171: Believe You

Xuanwei Realm.

"Uncle Pang, have you found Sister Zhang's whereabouts?" Zheng Fa asked Uncle Pang in the Five Dragon Celestial Palace.

Uncle Pang glanced at Zheng Fa, his face showing a hint of distress.

"We've pinned down the general location, but… we haven't found her yet."

From his expression, Zheng Fa knew the situation was likely troublesome.

"Are there any difficulties?"

"That place is near the secret realm of the Great Zizaimo Sect—there are too many demon sect disciples… and I dare not venture there rashly," Uncle Pang hesitated, then sighed: "I fear the Great Zizaimo Sect is setting a trap."

Zheng Fa understood Uncle Pang's hesitation.

He was afraid the Great Zizaimo Sect would lure them in with a siege-and-ambush tactic.

They couldn't kill Sister Zhang.

Killing one Jiushan Sect Nascent Soul would be worth it.

"Would they… target our Jiushan Sect specifically?"

Objectively speaking:

What rank is the Great Zizaimo Sect?

What rank is Jiushan Sect?

Is it worth their going to such lengths?

"If they weren't in the same place, they'd certainly ignore us," Uncle Pang didn't feel Zheng Fa was belittling their own sect—he spoke frankly: "But now, one mountain cannot hold two tigers. The Changchun Sect has been wiped out—and there's also the Heavenly Stele."

That's true.

Jiushan Sect considers Taiyang Commandery its territory.

The Great Zizaimo Sect believes its secret realm lies here too.

Conflict is inevitable.

Uncle Pang's concerns are not unfounded.

"It's just that the Lei Chi's environment is unique—those demon sect Nascent Souls fear capsizing in a ditch…" Uncle Pang shook his head: "But Jiushan Sect is still the weaker side."

Zheng Fa nodded.

The Lei Chi's current environment greatly narrows the cultivation gap between cultivators.

Although higher-level cultivators can maintain a relative advantage through treasures and such.

But compared to the outside world, the chance of disaster is far greater.

Uncle Pang dared not enter the Lei Chi because he feared they'd trade low-level disciples for his life.

Moreover, the Heavenly Stele has drawn many immortal sect figures, forcing the Great Zizaimo Sect to keep a low profile.

"Even if they have no scheme, and are merely defending their own secret realm, this situation is still troublesome," Uncle Pang thought for a moment and said: "Our only option now is to rely on Foundation Establishment and Qi Condensation disciples."

Zheng Fa fell silent.

The Lei Chi's unique conditions make it a poor trade-off to send in Jin Dan or higher cultivators.

They must still rely on a human wave tactic.

But then, casualties are unavoidable.

"Zheng Shizhi," Uncle Pang, sensing his expression, sighed: "For Jiushan Sect, Sister Zhang is more important than a hundred ordinary disciples."

"I understand."

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

Zheng Fa froze, looking beyond the Five Dragon Celestial Palace.

Half of the Jiushan Sect disciples who came to the Lei Chi were from Uncle Pang's own lineage.

"Uncle Pang…"

"A leader must never be soft-hearted."

…

Walking out of the Five Dragon Celestial Palace, Zheng Fa strolled slowly through the Lei Chi marketplace.

He didn't look at the newly opened shops, nor at the growing crowds in the marketplace.

He was watching his fellow sect members.

The Lei Chi marketplace had grown increasingly prosperous.

Their lives were not bad.

Patrol disciples walked in small groups, chatting quietly with smiles.

When they saw Zheng Fa, many bowed with smiles.

Their expressions were respectful yet warm.

Zheng Fa felt a quiet pride—

Regardless of other things, Jiushan Sect's overall situation had improved, and smiles had become more common on disciples' faces.

Zheng Fa felt he had contributed his share.

But Uncle Pang's words might shatter this seemingly beautiful illusion—perhaps these very people would enter the Lei Chi in a few days, fighting to the death for Sister Zhang against the Great Zizaimo Sect.

"Zheng Shidi?"

A familiar voice came—Yang, former subordinate of Sister Zhang.

Zheng Fa had interacted with him when he first took charge of Jiushan Sect's marketplace.

Later, when they came to the Lei Chi, Yang Shixiong contributed greatly to establishing the new marketplace, and now their relationship was close.

He noticed Zheng Fa's expression and looked curious.

"Yang Shixiong."

"How is it? Do you have news of Shijie Zhang?"

Yang Shixiong asked with concern.

Zheng Fa shook his head, somewhat hesitant, but spoke anyway: "There is a general direction, but there are too many disciples of the Great Zizaimo Sect there."

Yang Shixiong was stunned for a moment.

It seemed he understood something, his expression slowly changing.

After a long while, he finally spoke: "... Are we going to Lei Chi?"

"..."

"Actually, when Senior Brother Sun Daoyu was selecting people, everyone understood." Seeing Zheng Fa remain silent, Yang Shixiong instead smiled.

Zheng Fa nodded lightly.

"If we don't save Shijie Zhang, perhaps we can survive for now, but if Jiushan Sect loses a Shijie Zhang in the future... I don't think we will live long either. Besides, even if we go in and fight to the death with those thieves of the Demon Sect, we aren't necessarily going to die, are we?"

Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled: "I didn't see things as clearly as Senior Brother."

"No, Zheng Shidi." On the contrary, Yang Shixiong waved his hand, looking at Zheng Fa: "It's not that you don't understand, it's that there are too many people in your eyes."

"Hmm?"

"Whether it's Junior Uncle Pang, Shijie Zhang, or even the Sect Master, when have they ever had us in their eyes?" Yang Shixiong smiled: "I don't know how you grew up, only you would look at us disciples at a time like this."

"I was being pretentious."

Zheng Fa smiled self-mockingly.

He was simply more inclined toward the modern era, so his concepts often seemed somewhat out of place.

"Zheng Shidi, before we disciples came, we actually all understood." Yang Shixiong said in a low voice:

"For some, they had no choice; who dares to disobey the orders of a Nascent Soul?"

"As for me, because I am a direct subordinate of Shijie Zhang, I had to come."

"And there is another part, perhaps very few people, but I know they exist." Yang Shixiong paused, then spoke: "They believe in you."

"Believe in me?"

"They believe you won't let us die for nothing."

"They are not doing it for Shijie Zhang, but because of you."

"..."

Zheng Fa was a bit stunned.

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

Yang Shixiong smiled: "Junior Brother, no one in Jiushan Sect is blind; everyone knows clearly in their hearts what anyone has done."

Having finished speaking, he cupped his hands toward Zheng Fa: "I will go back and prepare."

Zheng Fa watched his back, and for a moment could not find words either.

Several days later.

A clear, piercing bird cry sounded above the Lei Chi market.

A green phoenix spread its wings and swept across the sky, its two talons each clutching a person with a rather unpleasant expression.

The green phoenix landed in the market, transforming into the form of a round-faced girl, and rushed hurriedly into the Five Dragon Tiangong.

"Zheng Shidi! I'm here!"

Before Senior Sister Yuan even arrived, her voice, filled with spiritual energy and cheerfulness, reached into the room.

Zheng Fa smiled and came out of the room, looking at the three people before him.

"Here! I brought the people you wanted!"

Senior Sister Yuan pointed to Lin Lin Bu Fan and Li Nuo beside her.

Both of them looked somewhat pale, as if the journey had not been easy.

"Young Master."

"Zheng Shidi."

Both looked at Zheng Fa, confusion on their faces.

Zheng Fa nodded lightly to the two, did not speak to them, but asked Senior Sister Yuan: "Senior Sister, I asked you to get more 'Great Dao Contending Immortal' talisman arrays from the Sect Master; did you get them?"

"That old man is very stingy! He even said he had no time, he was making a play." Senior Sister Yuan snorted: "But when I said it was for you, he threw a bunch at me."

She handed over a storage bag.

Zheng Fa opened it and saw they were all complete sets of spiritual talismans.

"Junior Brother, why do you need so many talisman arrays? You even specifically asked the Sect Master to swap for a Lei Chi map."

Seeing his satisfied expression, Senior Sister Yuan couldn't help but ask.

"Junior Uncle Pang is going to send disciples into Lei Chi; I want to give them some special training."

To put it plainly, highlighting key points before the exam to increase the pass (survival) rate.

Senior Sister Yuan understood immediately, clapping her hands: "That could work, but why bring the two of them?"

"Lin Bu Fan."

Zheng Fa turned to look at Lin Lin Bu Fan; the expression on this person's face was complex, and he also seemed not to have expected to return home so soon.

"Young Master, regarding the matter of the Great Zizaimo Demon Sect, I have told you everything I can."

"I know."

Zheng Fa waved his hand; the other party's soul seal was in his possession, so they might have some hidden thoughts, but their loyalty to the Great Zizaimo Demon Sect was hard to judge.

"Then does the Young Master want me to infiltrate the Great Zizaimo Demon Sect?" Lin Lin Bu Fan's face went pale, suddenly as if he realized something.

The faces of Senior Sister Yuan and the other person showed a bit of sympathy.

This matter would be a near-certain death for anyone.

Moreover, who knows if the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect has any means to identify traitors?

But on the other hand, aside from being unfriendly to Lin Lin Bu Fan, this is truly a good method:

Currently, the Jiushan Sect knows far too little about the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect; if someone could truly infiltrate it, they might even directly learn Sister Zhang's whereabouts.

"You are unwilling?"

Zheng Fa asked.

"Willing!" Lin Lin Bu Fan gritted his teeth and said, "I only ask one thing of Young Master."

"What thing?"

"If Young Master meets Lin Yangtian in the future and takes his life, please go to my uncle's grave and inform him." Lin Lin Bu Fan spoke in a low voice.

Sister Yuan's expression was somewhat reluctant.

She also seemed to hear the resolve for death in his tone.

"It has not reached that step yet." Zheng Fa looked at him twice, shook his head, and said, "I called you here to participate in this special training."

Lin Lin Bu Fan raised his head, his face a mixture of shock and joy.

"You are the test question."

"Ah?" Lin Lin Bu Fan stared blankly at Zheng Fa, still not quite understanding.

"Every Jiushan Sect disciple who wishes to participate in the attack on the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect must adapt to your methods within the 'Great Dao Contending for Immortality' and kill you before they can depart..."

Lin Lin Bu Fan blinked his eyes and repeated in his mouth, "Every one?"

"Mm."

"How many people in total?"

"... Uncle Pang said the more the better."

"Young Master! I am willing to infiltrate the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect!"

"... Good boy, your life is mine now; do not waste it."

"..."

After soothing—no, forcing Lin Lin Bu Fan to accept reality, Zheng Fa turned his head to look at Li Nuo beside him.

Li Nuo trembled at the sight of his gaze and hurriedly waved his hands, saying, "I do not know the Great Zizaimo Mo Sect's cultivation technique!"

"Senior Brother Li, what kinds of talisman seals can you create using Lin Bu Fan's blood now?"