Chapter 190: Junior

Zheng Fa had not misjudged.

This Residual Sun Sword Immortal held a very strange attitude toward him.

"This is..."

Looking at the several jade boxes before him, Zheng Fa turned his gaze to the two of them.

Yan Wushuang's expression was helpless; he pointed toward the Han Lao nearby.

That Han Lao smiled and said, "I am visiting for the first time and cannot be impolite; these are merely humble gifts."

Nearby, Uncle Pang scratched his head, his expression both confused and troubled.

He always felt that this kindly old man before him was not the same person as the old man who had been too lazy to draw his second sword when saving him back then...

Thinking of this, his expression became somewhat wary: Could these two perhaps be people from the Demon Gate in disguise?

"This distinguished one, True Person Han..." Zheng Fa was also somewhat bewildered: "You have done Jiushan Sect a great favor; we should be the ones visiting you. Previously, we only feared disturbing your old cultivation."

"Great favor?" That True Person Han paused, as if understanding something, glanced at Uncle Pang, and said, "Saved him? No matter; his life isn't worth much. I just swung a sword casually."

The wariness on Uncle Pang's face slowly vanished; his expression even became somewhat relieved—this is how an old man should speak!

"Look..." True Person Han pointed at the jade boxes before them.

Unable to refuse, Zheng Fa opened a few of the jade boxes and took a look.

His expression became even stranger.

"True Person Han... this gift is far too generous."

There were not many jade boxes; only three.

Two boxes of pills, one box of spiritual materials.

Zheng Fa did not recognize them all, but the few pills and spiritual materials he did recognize were not of low value.

"Too generous?" True Person Han waved his hand and said, "I heard you cultivate the Thunder Method and wanted to buy some thunder-related spiritual materials, but..."

True Person Han tilted his head toward Uncle Pang's direction, as if remembering something again, forcibly turned his neck, and continued, "I don't know who it was, but they bought up every single thunder-related spiritual material on the market..."

"True Person Han, I cannot accept this." After a moment of silence, Zheng Fa still refused: "When a True Person visits our Jiushan Sect, it brings honor to our humble abode. Moreover, we have yet to repay your kindness; how could we possibly take your things?"

To speak plainly, this Residual Sun Sword Immortal was truly baffling to him.

Moreover, when one offers gifts to another, there must be a request behind it.

A Nascent Soul Great Cultivator so eagerly seeking friendship—Zheng Fa felt a chill deep in his heart.

Seeing Zheng Fa's expression resolute, True Person Han seemed somewhat dejected, but he simply obediently packed up the jade boxes before him, frowned in thought nearby, and his short stature even appeared somewhat aggrieved.

Instead, Yan Wushuang began talking with Zheng Fa.

"Talisman Seals?" Hearing Yan Wushuang mention Talisman Seals, Zheng Fa set aside this strange Residual Sun Sword Immortal, nodded lightly, and said, "Brother Yan, how do you envision this cooperation?"

He had previously promised Yan Wushuang; of course, he had never considered breaking his word.

"I have thought it over, and I still say the same: I can provide talisman paper and spiritual ink, even demon blood, and can assist with sales. You only need to handle the production..." Yan Wushuang spoke confidently: "We split the profits fifty-fifty!"

Zheng Fa nodded lightly.

This method was fair enough; Yan Wushuang should not be thinking of taking advantage.

According to this plan, Jiushan Sect could almost be considered a business with no capital investment in the future.

Previously, one Talisman Seal could earn about ten-plus spirit stones.

Now, it would be about half, a few spirit stones.

But the problem is—they are almost risk-free.

No need to pay costs in advance.

It is equivalent to investing technology as equity.

Zheng Fa had another consideration—

This layer of cooperation is equivalent to establishing some preliminary contact between Jiushan Sect and Tianhe Sect.

After this storm passes, he truly has little confidence in the Baixian Alliance.

This thing is not even as good as fighting alone.

Now that relations with Tianhe Sect have been established, whether useful or not, adding another layer of tiger skin is good—to speak plainly, given the strength of their two sects, a true cooperation should actually be like that between Changchun Sect and Jiushan Sect.

That wouldn't even be called cooperation; it should be called paying protection money.

Thinking this way, this condition becomes even more advantageous.

He exchanged a glance with Shijie Zhang; Shijie Zhang simply said, "You decide."

Uncle Pang also nodded nearby.

Hearing this, Zheng Fa felt his heart settle, nodded toward Yan Wushuang, and said, "I accept these terms."

Yan Wushuang nodded with a smile, seemingly not surprised.

After the two reached a preliminary consensus, the rest were minor details; Zheng Fa had his own personnel, and Yan Wushuang was not a lone wolf; letting others discuss it would suffice.

Instead, Yan Wushuang raised another question: "Junior Brother Zheng, how many types of Talisman Seals exist now?"

Now that they were partners, Zheng Fa did not hide it: "There are currently fourteen types that can be stably produced."

"Are they all related to the soul and spirit?"

"Yes." Zheng Fa did not expect this person's observation to be so meticulous.

"Brother Zheng, I have an idea... Although soul-related Talisman Seals are very sought-after, we can also develop other types of Talisman Seals."

"This... at the very least, the blood of Zizaimo Sect disciples cannot achieve it."

Zheng Fa was also somewhat helpless.

The disciples of Zizaimo Sect are so disappointing!

"You mean..." Yan Wushuang immediately understood; his eyes lit up: "We can try those from other Demon Gates?"

Hearing this, Uncle Pang's face turned pale nearby.

He stiffened his neck and glanced around his Five Dragons Heavenly Palace, seemingly gauging how many Demon Gates he could withstand.

"Brother Yan!" Zheng Fa hurriedly interjected, "A Great Zizaimo Sect alone is already enough to give our Jiushan Sect a headache!"

Speaking reasonably, if the Great Zizaimo Sect were not established in Taiyang Commandery, leaving no room for reconciliation with the Jiushan Sect, Zheng Fa would not have dared to play with talisman seals so carelessly.

"What is there to fear! Those people..."

"It is better to be cautious!" The Cuiyang Sword Immortal, who had remained silent for a long time, suddenly spoke up, "The Demon Gates are not so simple."

Upon his words, everyone present froze.

Given his status, the credibility of his statement was very high.

Han True Person frowned and said, "The Ancestral Master... once truly slew several Demon Ancestors, but in this tribulation, the legacies of these Demon Ancestors have reappeared."

"..."

The implication of this was somewhat terrifying.

"On the other hand, the secret realms of the Demon Gates." Han True Person spoke as if warning, "The rules differ from those of the Xuanwei Realm; the performance of Demon Gate disciples in the Xuanwei Realm cannot be compared to their performance within the secret realms."

"Do not underestimate the Demon Gates."

Zheng Fa did not know what was going on, but he felt this person seemed to be reminding him.

"... This, why does it sound so much like the Heavenly Stele?" Yan Wushuang murmured.

"... It is not just you who thinks so." The Cuiyang Sword Immortal smiled strangely, "The Ancestral Master also thought so."

"The Ancestral Master once left behind a saying."

"What?"

"Among the Demon Ancestors, there is at least one Ancestral Master who opened a Dao path—only their path is one the Ancestral Master simply did not choose."

"..."

Zheng Fa could not help but feel a toothache.

Thinking of his own Positive and Negative Five Elements Divine Light.

According to these words, did he suddenly become the third in the Xuanwei, and was he only provisionally ranked?

"Remember, do not lightly enter the Demon Gate secret realms before reaching Nascent Soul! Even at Nascent Soul, one can only say there is a guarantee of survival." The Cuiyang Sword Immortal repeated himself once more. Zheng Fa felt he had not misjudged this time; when the old man spoke these words, he was actually looking at him.

These words made the faces of Uncle Pang and the others very heavy.

They were currently suppressing the Great Zizaimo Sect within the secret realm, preventing them from emerging, and Shijie Zhang had also advanced to Nascent Soul, so their hearts were indeed somewhat proud and satisfied.

Now hearing the Cuiyang Sword Immortal speak, and thinking that this secret realm was right beside the Jiushan Sect.

Their hearts naturally grew heavy.

"I cannot clearly speak of the reality or illusion of the Demon Gate secret realms." The Cuiyang Sword Immortal continued, "If you wish to understand, you might as well borrow the Heavenly Stele."

The Heavenly Stele.

Zheng Fa and Shijie Zhang exchanged a glance.

Both understood the other's thoughts.

They must go and see the Heavenly Stele.

First, this thing sounds like it has a great connection to the Demon Gate secret realms.

On the other hand, it is because of Lei Chi.

If something happens to the Heavenly Stele and Lei Chi, and the Great Zizaimo Sect, having no more restraints, runs out...

It would be better for them to know in advance so they could flee.

Yan Wushuang chatted with Zheng Fa for a while longer before departing together with the Cuiyang Sword Immortal.

After walking out of the Lei Chi Market, both of their faces were thoughtful, seeming somewhat puzzled.

It was the Cuiyang Sword Immortal who spoke first.

"You say..." he asked with a frown, "If you wanted to befriend someone, what would be the best method?"

Yan Wushuang's face looked a bit strange as he opened his mouth:

"Han Lao... in the Tianhe Sect, you are famous for looking down on everyone; now at your age, isn't it a bit late to start learning human customs and worldly wisdom?"

"..."

"Today, you gave gifts to Brother Zheng."

"And reminded Brother Zheng not to enter that Demon Gate secret realm."

"You even advised Brother Zheng to go to the Heavenly Stele." Yan Wushuang spoke faster and faster, "You old master are looking at Brother Zheng cultivating the Thunder Method, and you said this because the Heavenly Stele would be of great benefit to him, right?"

"..." The Cuiyang Sword Immortal stammered, "Is it that obvious?"

"... Brother Zheng is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, and you old master are hiding and concealing things; how could anyone not suspect?" Yan Wushuang sighed, "However, Han Lao, I understand you; this matter cannot be rushed."

"... Hmm?"

"Brother Zheng is your descendant, isn't he? Which generation?" Yan Wushuang stroked his chin, feeling his deduction was very reasonable, "Did you abandon your wife and child back then? Now do you harbor guilt?"

"..."

"But why does he bear the surname Zheng?" Yan Wushuang's look toward Han Lao became somewhat contemptuous, "Did you not even leave him a true surname back then?"

"... To be his elder?" The Cuiyang Sword Immortal's mouth gaped wide, "Such a beautiful thing, I dare not even dream of it!"

"Ah?"

Modern times.

Zheng Fa had just walked out of the room when he saw Tian Laoshi frowning, looking at those few blades of grass from before.

She seemed to have some confusion.

Beside her, Old Bai accompanied her.

Zheng Fa had just approached the two when he saw Tian Laoshi tear off a blade of grass and shove it into Old Bai's mouth.

Into his mouth?

Zheng Fa watched helplessly as Old Bai chewed the grass twice, spat it out with a "Pah!", and shook his head.

"Tian Laoshi... what are you two doing?"

Zheng Fa asked, utterly baffled.

"I'm pondering a question." Tian Laoshi stood up, clapped her hands, and stated with certainty: "Although the spiritual qi has made these few blades of grass grow with deep roots and long leaves, they are worlds apart from the spiritual plants you described."

"... There is no spiritual qi in this grass?"

"Correct, and not just this one blade, but all of them." She pointed to the wheat seedlings: "They are all the same."

"Tian Laoshi, I understand what you mean, but I have one question... If I just use the Spiritual Eye Technique to confirm whether there is spiritual qi, why make Old Bai eat the grass?"

"... He wanted to eat it."

"Hah?"

Old Bai grinned proudly: "The grass picked by Little Tian is sweet!"

"..."

Looking at the expression on Old Bai's face, Zheng Fa felt it seemed to write a single sentence:

You brat, you're getting yours too!