Chapter 231: Plan

Zheng Fa well knew that Zhang Shijie usually kept a cold face in public, but he hadn't seen her look cold in a long time.

Today, seeing her cold expression—it was rather fresh.

"What is it?"

Speaking so briefly, she must truly be upset.

Zheng Fa was baffled—had he offended her lately?

Seeing him confused and hesitant, Zhang Shijie lowered her gaze slightly, her tone softening: "I just saw you looking quite happy—is it something good?"

"Something good!"

Zheng Fa nodded firmly and said to Zhang Shijie: "Sister, I've gained something new in the Heavenly Stele Realm!"

He pulled out the newly acquired bronze seal and held it up.

"This is…"

"This is the Divine Register transformed. According to my estimates, I'm the first cultivator to obtain this bronze seal!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shijie's lips curved into a faint smile: "You've worked hard, younger brother. This Heavenly Stele Realm is currently our Jiushan Sect's best escape route…"

Zheng Fa nodded and said: "Sister, this bronze seal has another function!"

"Hmm?"

"It can bring people into the Heavenly Stele Realm!" Zheng Fa smiled. "As long as I infuse my blood essence and spiritual soul into it, I can take you through the Lei Chi and into the Heavenly Stele Realm!"

Previously, although Zhang Shijie's cultivation base was formidable,

entering the Heavenly Stele Realm was difficult—she had never cultivated Thunder Dao, and the fierce thunder near the Heavenly Stele alone could block her.

But now, with this bronze seal, when Zheng Fa entered the Heavenly Stele Realm, Zhang Shijie could accompany him inside the seal.

Zhang Shijie froze for a moment, then seemed to grasp Zheng Fa's meaning:

"You were so happy just now because of this?"

"Exactly!" Zheng Fa nodded. "Sister, you've always protected me before."

"Now I can protect you!"

Zhang Shijie opened her mouth, looked at Zheng Fa, her features gradually softening, a small smile secretly tugging at her lips.

"Sister, this bronze seal has two slots. I want to bring Yuan Shijie in too."

Zheng Fa had considered this—he was closest to Zhang Shijie in Jiushan Sect.

Then came Yuan Shijie, then Master, then Master Pang.

Yuan Shijie might be naive and always had designs on him, but Zheng Fa hadn't forgotten how she stood before him during her battle with the Bronze Coffin Elder.

For the second divine position, his first thought was Yuan Shijie.

"She doesn't deserve it!"

Unexpectedly, Zhang Shijie snorted.

Huh?

Weren't the two sisters on good terms?

Who's stirring up trouble between them?

Remembering Zhang Shijie's earlier cold face, Zheng Fa understood—Yuan Shijie must have offended her.

But after saying that, Zhang Shijie looked at Zheng Fa again, her brows slightly furrowed, as if hesitating.

"Sister?"

Zhang Shijie stared at the bronze seal for a long while, then suddenly spoke again:

"Fine. Since you like her, take her along."

Looking at Zhang Shijie's face, Zheng Fa couldn't help wanting to scratch his head—what do you mean "I like her"?

Today's Zhang Shijie was acting so strangely—her words were impossible to understand.

…

Xiao Yuying slowly walked into the Jiushan Sect disciples' encampment.

As she walked, she observed the layout—the majority of disciples' courtyards clustered near the Lei Chi, seemingly to leverage it for defense.

Yet the disciples' faces showed no signs of tension—they likely didn't know the demon clans were about to attack Jiushan Sect.

She followed a guiding disciple to Zheng Fa's courtyard, glanced around, and understood: Zheng Fa was highly valued within Jiushan Sect.

The courtyard to his left held an aura of Nascent Soul—placing Zheng Fa here clearly had protective intent.

That was understandable.

But further left, another courtyard held yet another Nascent Soul, also with subtle protective intent!

She knew Jiushan Sect currently had only two Nascent Souls near the Lei Chi.

Both were guarding Zheng Fa?

Zheng Fa hurried out, apologizing: "I was just cultivating—forgive me for not greeting you sooner!"

Xiao Yuying nodded, and before she could speak, Zhang Wuyi stepped out from the left courtyard.

Zhang Wuyi stared at her, eyes holding unmistakable emotion—not friendly at all.

Xiao Yuying lightly frowned but said nothing, merely nodded to Zhang Wuyi and followed Zheng Fa into the courtyard.

Yet her mind kept returning to Zhang Wuyi's gaze—she was deeply puzzled.

Only after a while did she realize: that gaze was… jealousy?

She looked at Zheng Fa's back and shook her head with a wry smile.

Who would have thought someone like Zhang Wuyi could be blinded by romantic feelings…

She greatly admired Zheng Fa's mastery of Thunder Dao.

She also recognized his talent.

But mostly, she wanted to cooperate with Zheng Fa.

As for romantic feelings… Zhang Wuyi was probably imagining things.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help sighing—Zhang Wuyi had once been so haughty, yet now she was so emotionally unstable over a man, losing all composure.

Her horizons had narrowed.

She had lowered herself.

There were countless male cultivators in the world—why should Xiao Yuying compete for his attention?

Zheng Fa turned back, as if sensing her sigh, and asked: "Lady Xiao?"

Xiao Yuying shook her head, dismissing her earlier thoughts, and said: "I helped you capture that demon. Is your earlier promise still valid?"

"Of course!" Zheng Fa nodded. "For the secret realm exploration, I'm at your command, Lady Xiao."

Previously, Zheng Fa and Xiao Yuying had agreed:

Xiao Yuying would help them set up the scheme.

Zheng Fa would assist Xiao Yuying in exploring the secret realm seemingly linked to the Heaven River Venerable.

Xiao Yuying smiled: "Then let's depart tomorrow."

"This…?" Zheng Fa blinked. "So soon?"

"Not soon—I've waited long enough."

Xiao Yuying added: "Besides, Taiyang County is crowded with eyes. Delaying further will only invite trouble."

"Lady Xiao, you…"

"I don't mind the trouble, but with you, I must be cautious. If you don't return…"

She glanced toward Zhang Wuyi's courtyard. "I fear someone might kill me."

"…."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa's expression softened with gratitude. He bowed to Xiao Yuying: "What exactly is the situation in this secret realm?"

Xiao Yuying thought for a moment, then sent a streak of light from her hand—a pale green gauze scarf.

The scarf rose with the wind, expanding until it covered the sky above Zheng Fa's courtyard.

Zheng Fa asked: "What is this?"

"A minor magic treasure that blocks others' spiritual sense and hearing," Xiao Yuying said casually. "Let me tell you about the secret realm."

"Understood…"

Zheng Fa listened, glanced at the scarf, then pulled out a small notebook.

The notebook was already densely filled with writing—Xiao Yuying couldn't help feeling curious.

"The secret realm isn't near the Lei Chi, but at the edge of this spiritual vein. Travel east from here, over ten thousand li."

Zheng Fa listened, pen in hand, meticulously recording Xiao Yuying's words.

Xiao Yuying's curiosity deepened, yet she continued: "The secret realm is dangerous, but I can handle it. Only one bronze hall remains—the likely treasure chamber."

Zheng Fa nodded, watching Xiao Yuying—he sensed she was about to reveal the key point.

"That bronze hall has a massive lock. I tried opening it—it requires extremely high mastery of Thunder Dao."

"So… you want me to unlock it?" Zheng Fa mused.

"Yes. Though there may be other traps inside."

Xiao Yuying admitted frankly.

After a moment's thought, she added: "I won't say much else, but one thing must be clear."

"Lady Xiao, please speak."

"Though your cultivation base is low, you hold some status in Jiushan Sect—you're used to making decisions, so you likely have your own ideas."

"…."

Xiao Yuying saw Zheng Fa's expression was calm, not angry, and continued: "But on this trip to the secret realm, I hope you won't act on your own initiative—after all, it's extremely dangerous for you, and I can't guarantee I'll fully protect you."

"Understood…"

Xiao Yuying thought for a moment, then added: "I've entered many secret realms before… I've partnered with others before, and the ones who die easiest are always those with their own ideas…"

She genuinely valued Zheng Fa, and spoke with sincerity.

Zheng Fa seemed to sense her goodwill; not only did he not grow angry, but his face showed gratitude: "Lady Xiao, rest assured—I'll remember."

He glanced at the small booklet in his hand, smiled, and shook his head: "I did have some ideas, but since I've never entered a secret realm, I'll follow your lead, Lady Xiao."

"Oh?" Seeing him so receptive, Xiao Yuying smiled, intrigued. "You have ideas? May I see them?"

"Just random thoughts of mine."

Zheng Fa handed her his booklet.

Xiao Yuying flipped through it—the first page bore a single line: "Treasure Hunting (struck out) Archaeology Plan."

She didn't understand, and flipped further.

The next page's heading read eight large characters: "Data Collection, On-Site Investigation."

Below it were several subpoints:

First, gather biographical data on the Heaven River Elder, focusing especially on records of the Heaven River Sect's activities within the secret realm.

Second, map the secret realm's terrain, with emphasis on the safety and accessibility of its entrance and exit.

Third, collect intelligence on nearby hostile cultivator factions.

…

Xiao Yuying pursed her lips and flipped further.

She discovered Zheng Fa had divided the secret realm exploration into three phases: preliminary preparation, exploration priorities, and risk assessment, followed by several contingency plans.

For instance, under exploration priorities, Zheng Fa emphasized that besides gathering magic treasures and spiritual materials, equally important was collecting data on the realm's sealing patterns, architectural structures, and historical records.

This was a direction Xiao Yuying had vaguely sensed but never paid much attention to.

The most detailed section was Zheng Fa's risk assessment.

"Risks primarily stem from three sources—"

She read softly:

"First, consider entities within the secret realm that threaten explorers' lives—dangerous seals, ancient demons suppressed beneath them… Solution: Prepare magic treasures or spirit talismans for breaking seals and escaping."

"Second, competition from surrounding cultivators…"

Third, after acquiring treasures, be wary of those who covet them... Solution: Conceal your identity and employ the ancient trick of demon hunting.

"Your…"

Xiao Yuying gently closed the booklet, at a loss for words.

Some of these ideas were novel; most had been vaguely sensed before, but such a systematic summary and plan—she had never encountered anything like it.

She had never met anyone like Zheng Fa, who insisted on planning every detail before entering the secret realm, and prepared so many contingencies.

"How did you come up with this?"

How did he come up with this?

Copied…

"Lady Xiao, I'm just the type who likes to daydream…" Zheng Fa smiled sheepishly. "Of course, with your experience, my booklet is surely laughable."

"No… your thinking is excellent," Xiao Yuying said softly.

After a moment, Zheng Fa heard Xiao Yuying sigh:

"No wonder… Zhang Wuyi has excellent taste!"

Huh?

What does this have to do with Sister Zhang?

Why is Xiao Yuying so odd?