Chapter 68: Like Me

Zheng Fa still knew which was true peace and which was mere appeasement.

The Hundred Immortal Alliance keeps calling for universal harmony, but without the power to subdue the world, it can only be swallowed by it.

Zhang Shijie seemed to read Zheng Fa’s thoughts and, as if wanting to defend the Hundred Immortal Alliance, said to him: “Besides the Five Profound Heaven Sects, we fear no one—calling us the Sixth Great Force of the Profound Heaven is not unreasonable.”

Sounds decent.

He suddenly thought of a question: “Zhang True Person, may I ask… how many factions in the Profound Heaven claim to be the Sixth Great Force?”

“…”

Understood.

“...Let’s not talk about that. You only need to know that while the Hundred Immortal Alliance isn’t as ancient as the Five Great Sects, its member sects exchange resources and support each other, growing rapidly—now we have nine Nascent Soul sects under our banner, and even a Soul Transformation elder resides among us, making us a major power among the immortal sects.”

“Understood.”

Seeing her confident demeanor, Zheng Fa realized the Hundred Immortal Alliance wasn’t as weak as he’d assumed.

And the alliance model’s focus on expansion was indeed formidable.

“By the way, not just our Hundred Immortal Alliance—no sect has had a conflict above the Nascent Soul level in a thousand years.”

Zhang Shijie suddenly said something that startled Zheng Fa.

Are immortal sects truly this fond of peace?

“Since you hold the Immortal Rank Token, I won’t hide this from you: for ten thousand years, spiritual energy has steadily declined, spiritual materials have grown scarce, and cultivating a Nascent Soul has become increasingly difficult.”

Zheng Fa suddenly understood: “Can’t afford to fight anymore.”

“Exactly. For major sects, losing even a Nascent Soul—or even a Golden Core cultivator—is a heavy cost, and it’s growing heavier.”

Zheng Fa felt slightly relieved; regardless of the reason, peace in the cultivation world suited him well.

“Don’t get too comfortable. In my view, this won’t last—every major sect is concentrating resources on geniuses, preparing for the future.”

Zheng Fa understood Zhang Shijie’s meaning: even hiding has its limits; when resources run out, peace will vanish.

It’s just like an arms race now.

For immortal sects, the gap between cultivators of different realms is so vast that one Nascent Soul might rival a small sect—training a genius is far more cost-effective.

“I’m telling you this because time waits for no one… and…” Zhang Shijie repeated to Zheng Fa: “Don’t hide.”

“Thank you for your guidance, True Person.” Zheng Fa understood her goodwill. He hesitated, then asked: “Zhang True Person, do you know how to test for spiritual roots?”

This had always been his secret torment; his wife assumed he was favored by a great cultivator, never suspecting he didn’t even know if he had spiritual roots.

He couldn’t ask his wife to examine his own spiritual root quality.

But Zhang Shijie was different…

At least compared to his wife, he trusted Zhang Shijie a little more.

Sure enough, Zhang Shijie merely glanced at him, flicked a finger through the air, and a golden talisman flew onto Zheng Fa’s body.

A blend of green and red light erupted from Zheng Fa’s chest and abdomen.

“Fire and Wood dual spiritual roots,” Zhang Shijie said, then paused: “...Not bad.”

“Thank you, True Person.” Zheng Fa was genuinely moved; those two words, “not bad,” likely held all the emotional intelligence Zhang Shijie possessed.

He was satisfied. Hearing her speak, he’d already decided: if his roots were worse than Seventh Young Master’s, he’d return the Immortal Rank Token and live out his century in the mortal world on a spiritual crane—it might even be more pleasant.

“…”

The two fell silent. Zhang Shijie glanced at the workbook in her hand, then at Zheng Fa, her expression clearly spelling out four words:

Do you have more?

She looked eager to enjoy the game.

Zheng Fa said nothing, bowed to Zhang Shijie, and walked toward the door.

“This Immortal Rank Assembly…”

“Hmm?” Zheng Fa turned back to look at Zhang Shijie.

Zhang Shijie’s tone was uncertain: “These families convened the Immortal Rank Assembly early out of self-interest. The Hundred Immortal Alliance probably won’t stand idle—it’ll likely bring changes.”

Zheng Fa was curious, but Zhang Shijie seemed to be only speculating—she said no more.

…

Zheng Fa tucked away the Immortal Rank Token and headed toward Seventh Young Master’s study.

As he reached the courtyard gate, he met the eldest daughter stepping out.

She glanced at Zheng Fa, said nothing, and merely gave a slight nod.

Zheng Fa bowed to her, stepped aside, and watched her back with quiet confusion.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that the eldest daughter’s gaze at him was strange…

Inside the study, Seventh Young Master wasn’t lost in books—he was huddled with Gao Yuan, discussing something.

Seventh Young Master’s face beamed with joy.

But Gao Yuan’s happiness looked forced.

“What’s going on?” Zheng Fa entered and asked the two.

“Zheng Fa, you’re here!” Seventh Young Master strode over, his demeanor warmer than usual. He clapped Zheng Fa on the back: “I’ve got news—we’re family now!”

“Huh?”

My sister just came to tell me—Mother intends for you to become a son-in-law, and she’ll marry you to one of her concubine-born sisters.

“...”

Zheng Fa froze, staring at Seventh Young Master’s face—his delight wasn’t feigned.

He glanced at Gao Yuan, who was also smiling, bowing slightly as if offering congratulations.

Yet his expression carried a hint of unease, almost a touch of envy.

That small envy confirmed to Zheng Fa that Seventh Young Master wasn’t lying.

Seventh Young Master kept talking excitedly.

“All my sisters? Not good enough. You’re being slighted. But don’t worry—I’ll treat you like a real brother from now on!”

Gao Yuan couldn’t hold back: “How’s that a slight? He was a servant, now he’s a master of the household!”

Seventh Young Master fell silent, muttering: “The people in the front courtyard… they don’t share our loyalty—not with me, not with Mother…”

Zheng Fa could guess part of the history; Seventh Young Master’s family likely consisted only of his sister and mother—his father’s status was questionable.

Gao Yuan sneered: “If you won’t take him, I’d be happy to.”

Seventh Young Master glared at Gao Yuan with disdain: “Why do I feel you’re not happy? Did your petty jealousy just resurface?”

Gao Yuan whispered: “Three people in this study—now two are masters, and I’m the only servant. Masters outnumber servants… who could be happy?”

Zheng Fa patted his shoulder: “I won’t be your master.”

Gao Yuan laughed: “I knew it—you won’t change!”

“No, I have changed.”

“Huh?”

“Zhang True Person gave me an Immortal Rank Token.”

Seventh Young Master’s eyes widened as he stared at Zheng Fa: “Who? What did she give you?”

“Zhang True Person. The Immortal Rank Token.”

Zheng Fa answered clearly and concisely—enough to leave Seventh Young Master speechless.

“What’s an Immortal Rank Token?” Gao Yuan was clueless.

“An invitation to the Immortal Rank Assembly,” Seventh Young Master’s joy hardened into gloom: “Ten years ago, my maternal grandfather, because our clan had too many heirs, took one of our Zhao family’s Immortal Rank Tokens—so I missed the Immortal Sect, wasted ten years.”

“...”

“So Zhang Shijie just gave you one?”

“Maybe because she’s unmarried and childless?”

Seventh Young Master’s expression was indescribable. Gao Yuan pulled out a bronze mirror from somewhere and held it before him.

“What are you doing?”

Young Master, look in the mirror—doesn’t this man look quite like me?

“...”