Chapter 220: Where Did This Wild Bird Come From!

Zheng Fa always felt that Xiao Yuying's face looked sour, as if she held some grievance against him.

The two walked out of the Heavenly Stele Realm, tacitly avoiding the crowd, and found an uninhabited corner at Lei Chi.

"What? Interested?"

Xiao Yuying looked at Zheng Fa, a smile on her lips; from her expression, it was clear she was not surprised by Zheng Fa's choice.

Zheng Fa hesitated slightly before bowing to Xiao Yuying and asking, "Then how is Tianhe Zunzhe connected to this treasure?"

Xiao Yuying seemed truly intent on inviting Zheng Fa; hearing this, she spoke quite straightforwardly.

"I am not certain of this matter myself, but that secret place bears the mark of the Tianhe Sect—you know, those people from the Tianhe Sect parade around with Tianhe Zunzhe's insignia every day, so I've grown quite familiar with it."

Zheng Fa fell silent.

Before, he only thought the Tianhe Sect was showy.

According to Old Han's account, this Tianhe Sect... how to put it... was absolutely not descendants that Tianhe Zunzhe could possibly acknowledge.

Such mental fortitude, such thick skin.

No wonder they are one of the Xuanweiwu Sect!

"Then why couldn't it be other elders of the Tianhe Sect?"

"Indeed possible." Xiao Yuying nodded, seemingly not denying Zheng Fa's rebuttal, and said, "But you also know, I have some experience in seeking treasures within secret realms."

"..."

For some reason, Zheng Fa felt the other person was showing off.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Yuying smiled lightly, a look of triumph on her face as if she had successfully countered, and spoke again:

"The treasures and architectural styles of each era are actually quite different." Xiao Yuying added, "Many treasures and secret realms, I can roughly determine their era just by a slight touch."

... What kind of wild archaeologist?

"That secret realm exudes a powerful aura, but its formations and spell styles belong to the previous epoch."

Zheng Fa understood Xiao Yuying's meaning: "In the previous epoch, within the Tianhe Sect, the only one using Tianhe Zunzhe's insignia was Tianhe Zunzhe himself..."

"..."

Xiao Yuying nodded with a smile, seemingly very satisfied with Zheng Fa's comprehension.

"Therefore, I can assert that whatever is inside, even if not left by Tianhe Zunzhe personally, must be the legacy of someone close to him."

Zheng Fa was convinced by Xiao Yuying's words.

Xiao Yuying continued, "I had already arrived at Taiyang Commandery, but accidentally discovered that secret realm; unable to enter it, I came to the Heavenly Stele Realm."

"So, what exactly do you need me to do, Xiao Xianzi?"

"This concerns the secrets of that secret realm; only once you confirm you will go with me can I tell you." Xiao Yuying shook her head and asked Zheng Fa, "How about it? Are you willing? As for the division... you know, I do not lack ordinary magical treasures."

Zheng Fa grinned.

He knew at least half of that statement was true.

It wasn't that Xiao Yuying was generous; mainly, one was Nascent Soul and the other Foundation Establishment, and Xiao Yuying, being famously wealthy in the Xuanwei Realm, likely had high standards.

A situation could easily arise:

Xiao Yuying: "What trash..."

Zheng Fa: "A great treasure!"

The two indeed had some room for cooperation.

Just...

Zheng Fa actually had no particular desire for magical treasures.

If it were up to his nature, he wouldn't want to get involved with secret realms either...

But this matter concerned Tianhe Zunzhe.

Zheng Fa hesitated for a moment and asked Xiao Yuying, "May I return to discuss this with someone?"

"Who?"

"Shijie Zhang." Zheng Fa thought for a moment, feeling that regarding matters related to Tianhe Zunzhe, Shijie Zhang's stance was most similar to his own.

"... Your family discipline is quite strict."

"..."

"What if I am unwilling?" Xiao Yuying seemed unwilling to let news of this secret realm reach others' ears.

"Then I will not go." Zheng Fa stated directly.

"... Very well! I know Zhang Wuyi; he is not a chatterbox, but let me be clear—I only need you." Xiao Yuying nodded after a long silence.

"Then may I discuss it with my master and my uncle..."

Seeing Xiao Yuying's face gradually darken, Zheng Fe felt quite regretful—

What good student goes to a competition without bringing the headmaster!

Inside the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on the bed, taking out and consuming one by one the spiritual materials and pills collected from the Heavenly Stele Realm and Uncle Pang.

Uncle Pang had originally come to deliver spiritual materials; seeing such extravagance, he clutched his chest and walked out, looking as if his heart ached.

To be honest, given the current situation in the Xuanwei Realm, consuming spiritual materials as Zheng Fa did was truly too extravagant.

Zheng Fa's divine soul settled inside his dantian.

Various spiritual materials and pills transformed into abundant spiritual energy, nourishing that Lei Tian like sweet dew.

Before Lei Tian could even warm up this spiritual energy, the red spiritual sprout above it snatched it away.

The sprout even shook lightly twice, appearing somewhat pleased.

But it didn't grow at all!

Zheng Fa gritted his teeth and produced another batch of spiritual materials.

Two full storage bags of spiritual materials were consumed at a rapid pace:

Thirty percent.

Sixty percent.

Ninety percent...

The spiritual bud of the Fusang Wood remained completely unchanged.

Zheng Fa felt a touch of despair.

Until he consumed another pill.

The spiritual bud, having swallowed this surge of spiritual power, was suddenly enveloped by a dense red light rising from its roots.

After the red light faded, the appearance of the spiritual bud finally changed—

It transformed from a tender sprout into a small tree.

The small tree had bark that was entirely red, with only a single trunk, no branches, and no leaves, looking utterly bare.

No further changes occurred.

That's it?

Zheng Fa could not help but feel somewhat depressed.

Aside from becoming harder and longer, there was basically no change at all!

In Sister Zhang's courtyard.

Sister Zhang said to Sister Yuan, "Now that you are attracted by Zheng Shidi, it must be due to the Fusang Divine Tree; this matter is not your fault."

Sister Yuan nodded vigorously, feeling that Sister Zhang truly understood her.

"Yes, yes, yes, I can't control myself either!"

"Even if you can't control it, you must control it!" Sister Zhang then said, "First, you cannot throw yourself at Zheng Shidi every day!"

"..."

"What if you scare Zheng Shidi?"

"..."

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"I think Zheng Shidi isn't as bothered as you, Sister..." Sister Yuan muttered in a low voice.

"Hm?" Sister Zhang's voice was somewhat cold.

"I won't throw myself at him!"

Sister Yuan shivered all over and said with solemn determination.

Only then was Sister Zhang satisfied, nodding lightly.

"Sister Zhang?" Zheng Fa's voice came from outside the door: "Are you available now?"

Sister Zhang glanced at Sister Yuan, as if signaling her to remember the words just spoken.

Sister Yuan quickly nodded.

But as soon as Zheng Fa entered... Sister Yuan felt her head buzzing.

The pleasant scent on Zheng Shidi's body was several times more intense than before!

She squinted her eyes and, unable to help herself, rubbed against Zheng Fa.

"Ahem!"

Sister Zhang's cold cough sounded.

Sister Yuan's mind cleared slightly; she looked at Sister Zhang fearfully and shrank her head back a little.

But as Zheng Fa took two more steps forward.

The scent on his body caused Sister Yuan's eyes to fall into fanaticism again—

Forget it!

Better to die under the Fusang Wood; even as a bird, it would be romantic!

She charged straight at Zheng Fa with her head.

Bang!

Zheng Fa watched with his eyes wide open as Sister Zhang waved her sleeve, sending Sister Yuan flying out of the courtyard in a whoosh, landing in the market district.

"Sister?"

"Nothing, what do you need?" Sister Zhang shook her hand, acting as if nothing had happened.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment; it was good that Sister Yuan was not here. It seemed that Xiao Yuying's meaning was that he was only allowed to tell Sister Zhang—

This actually fit well with her claim of only believing in geniuses.

Zheng Fa recounted how Xiao Yuying had found him and how she had spoken of the spiritual treasure left behind by Tianhe Zunzhe.

Hearing this, Sister Zhang also frowned.

"How much of this do you think is credible?"

Zheng Fa had also considered this matter; he thought for a moment and voiced his analysis:

"First, from Tianhe Zunzhe's perspective, if he truly was desperate back then and abandoned by all, it is very possible that he did not leave his treasure in Tianhe Sect, but left it elsewhere."

"So, I do believe that the secret realm might be related to Tianhe Zunzhe."

Sister Zhang nodded, seeming to believe his judgment as well.

"Moreover, I feel that Tianhe Zunzhe might have had the intention of leaving a backup plan..."

Zheng Fa's words made Sister Zhang pause, then she agreed, saying, "Yes, Tianhe Zunzhe's mind must have been resolute; leaving a backup plan is very possible."

"Then let's analyze Xiao Yuying again. This person had the possibility of deliberately trying to befriend me from the very start. She herself said it was because she thought highly of geniuses." Zheng Fa, however, said thoughtfully: "But the gap between our cultivation levels is enormous. She was a bit too proactive."

"You mean she was originally looking for someone whose thunder techniques were stronger than her own."

"Yes, so this matter probably wasn't fabricated on the spot either."

After Zheng Fa finished speaking, Zhang Shijie thought for a moment and said:

"If it's all true, then now it comes down to one question — is that secret realm worth going to, and will Xiao Yuying burn the bridge after crossing it?"

Zheng Fa was silent for a long time, his brow tightly furrowed, seemingly hesitant as well.

In the end, he shook his head, as if he had made up his mind.

"Not going?"

"Not going." Zheng Fa said, opening his mouth: "I just thought it over and over, and the only thing that could attract me is that Tianhe Zunzhe's new technique."

Zhang Shijie nodded lightly.

"But before we control the Heavenly Stele Realm... if we are openly connected to that new technique, given what Setting Sun Sword Immortal said, there is likely great danger within."

Zhang Shijie started in fright, feeling a chill of belated fear: "I was actually bewitched by those four words, Tianhe Zunzhe."

"No, Zhang Shijie, your nature is inherently bold and ever-advancing." Zheng Fa consoled her.

"..." Zhang Shijie glanced at him and said: "Not fearing my own death doesn't mean I don't fear yours."

"..."

The courtyard fell into silence.

Yuan Shijie finally came running back in a fluster, standing at the doorway not daring to enter, unsure whether she was afraid of breaking the mood at that moment, or afraid she would fly into another frenzy.

A black shadow suddenly flew in from outside the courtyard.

This black shadow flew over Zhang Shijie's courtyard wall, as if with a set purpose, and pounced toward Zheng Fa's embrace.

Because no malice was sensed, even Zhang Shijie did not make a move.

Zheng Fa caught the black shadow in one grab. Looking at it, it was a crow entirely black in color, nuzzling against his chest.

"Where did this wild bird come from!" Yuan Shijie was furious even at the doorway, clearly a bit jealous: "Pouncing all over the place! No manners at all!"

Zheng Fa was about to send the crow away, but heard it open its beak and produce the voice of a young boy:

"Don't throw me! Don't throw me!" the crow said: "I have news that the Zizaimo Sect is colluding with the demon race to deal with your Jiushan Sect!"

Zheng Fa's hand paused.

Yuan Shijie grew even angrier, feeling in her heart not only grievance but also confusion—

So, Zheng Shidi likes them wild?

Or male?