BOOK 2: CHAPTER 415: GATHERING AT TIANHE, ALL-KNOWING

Vol 2 Chapter 415: Gathering at Tianhe, All-Knowing

The cultivators Yun Zhenxian was bringing to the Tianhe Sect numbered far more than just Zheng Fa, totaling over a thousand. Most were cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage, with the lowest cultivation level being Golden Core.

Thus, the departure scene was quite grand:

A thousand war chariots flew in the sky, their wheels spinning with blazing flames, trailing vast red clouds across the heavens.

Zheng Fa leaned inside one of the war chariots. As his divine consciousness shifted, he realized the chariot was a magical treasure with extraordinary speed and defensive capabilities.

Placed on the market, it would be very valuable. At least the Jiushan Sect couldn’t afford such luxury.

It seemed that although Haori Mountain’s income had sharply declined, its foundation remained deep. Besides, this sect was originally skilled in crafting magical tools and treasures. These chariots must have been accumulated over many years.

Now that Yun Zhenxian had brought them all out at once, even Zheng Fa felt a bit envious.

He involuntarily glanced at a nearby chariot.

With Zheng Fa’s current status in Haori Mountain, he was practically the second most important person there.

This time heading to Tianhe Sect, his precious chariot was positioned right at the front and center of the array, next to Yun Zhenxian.

He wasn’t sure if it was just his illusion, but the way Yun Zhenxian had looked at him a few days ago was especially complicated.

These past two days, however, things had improved.

Even though this treasure chariot was incredibly fast, the group still took several months to cross the border between Haori Mountain and Tianhe Sect.

Suddenly, Yun Zhenxian waved his hand, and Zheng Fa felt the chariot tremble as it landed atop a fiery cloud.

Thousands of fiery clouds linked together, forming a unified imposing force that felt suffocating.

As if noticing the doubt in Zheng Fa’s eyes, Yun Zhenxian explained, “There might be disciples of the Nine Nether Demonic Sect here at Tianhe Sect. We have to be cautious.”

Zheng Fa nodded.

“We can’t let Taishang Dao and the others underestimate us.”

Underestimate?

Zheng Fa suddenly understood the meaning behind those words: this journey was naturally to deal with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

But on the other hand, there were hidden conflicts among the Four Sects, filled with internal scheming.

Haori Mountain was currently at its weakest moment, so it had to stand tall and exaggerate its strength, lest anyone belittle it.

No wonder everything was so ostentatious.

After another month, Zheng Fa suddenly felt a sharp pain in his soul. He looked up and saw the sky ahead flickering uncertainly. An ancient black-and-white formation diagram appeared intermittently among the clouds. 𝙧άꞐՕʙЕꞩ

Tianhe Sect had arrived.

Though he had seen Tianhe Sect from afar before, seeing it in person now gave a completely different feeling.

It was hard to describe.

If he had to choose a word, the most accurate would be fear.

As soon as he arrived, an instinctive, heart-deep terror of death welled up inside him.

In the distance, Tianhe Sect was silent, not a sound stirring. The empty mountains stood silently under the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram.

The dim and flickering daylight shaped the mountain ridges like the spine of a fierce beast. This beast lay low on the ground, seemingly ready to pounce and devour.

The breeze in the valley carried a thick murderous aura, chilling to the bone.

“Can you feel it?”

“Hm?”

Zheng Fa turned his head toward Yun Zhenxian, who had spoken.

“The Four Slaying Immortal Swords,” Yun Zhenxian said, gazing at the formation diagram with a flat tone. Zheng Fa felt even colder hearing it. “If they were truly refined...”

“Not just you. We will die too.”

Zheng Fa fully understood that “we” referred to Dao Fruit cultivators.

Even a Dao Fruit cultivator like Yun Zhenxian felt fear toward the Four Slaying Immortal Swords.

An enemy like the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor wielded such powerful treasures. How could the Four Sects rest easy?

Zheng Fa lightly inhaled, feeling the biting cold in the air reach his nostrils.

As the Haori Mountain group descended from the clouds, they saw Ancestor Xuanding standing at the camp gate with three Dao Fruit cultivators from the three sects.

“Brother Xuanding, Lady Nishang, Master Zhitong,” Yun Zhenxian greeted as he led Zheng Fa and the others forward.

“Patron Yun, we have been waiting a long time.”

Xuanding didn’t speak, but Old Monk Zhitong smiled pleasantly.

Zheng Fa observed quietly from the side, finding this scene rather interesting: despite the fact that they were close to fighting, everyone was outwardly amicable, even displaying warm expressions.

“The sect affairs are busy, and Junior Nephew Luo has not revived yet,” Yun Zhenxian apologized. “He really can’t come.”

Old Monk Zhitong nodded lightly, then suddenly fixed his gaze on Zheng Fa with curiosity. “Who is this?”

Everyone could tell Zheng Fa’s status in Haori Mountain was special:

He was only a half-step behind Yun Zhenxian, and none of the Haori Mountain disciples behind him, even the Yun clan cultivators, dared to surpass him.

“I am Shi Nandang, greetings to all Dao Fruit cultivators,” Zheng Fa hurriedly stepped forward and bowed.

Old Monk Zhitong’s eyes grew stranger. “Surname Shi?”

He seemed very familiar with Haori Mountain. Upon hearing Zheng Fa’s surname, he realized he was not from the three clans.

But obviously Zheng Fa wielded great influence in Haori Mountain, which puzzled him.

“Surname Shi,” Zheng Fa said nothing, but Yun Zhenxian’s reply was loaded with meaning: “In the future, if more disciples with the Shi surname appear in Haori Mountain, everyone will get used to it.”

Upon hearing this, even Ancestor Xuanding’s expression subtly changed as he deeply looked at Zheng Fa twice.

Who didn’t understand the implication?

Yun Zhenxian had such confidence in this Shi Nandang?

Zheng Fa glanced at Yun Zhenxian with an unspoken word:

So in the end, I’m just part of your show of strength?

After some polite exchanges, Li Sanxian finally spoke: “I ask the Haori Mountain disciples to rest for a while. Yun Zhenxian, please come to the main tent for detailed discussion.”

Yun Zhenxian nodded and told a Yun clan cultivator beside him, “Take the people down to settle in.”

Then he turned to Zheng Fa: “You come with me.”

Everyone was even more surprised.

To know, only Dao Fruit cultivators could enter the main tent, where all discussions were top secret.

No matter how talented Shi Nandang was or how high his future achievements, he was currently not qualified.

Under the gaze of others, Zheng Fa lowered his eyes silently and followed the group into the camp.

As soon as he crossed the camp gate, he felt a change.

The heavy murderous aura from the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram vanished, replaced by an energy force locking onto him tightly.

Lady Nishang had once introduced this—a monitoring formation for the camp,

first to prevent the Nine Nether Demonic Sect’s disciples from attacking,

and second to lock onto and monitor the cultivators inside the camp.

Even Dao Fruit cultivators could not escape this detection.

If Zheng Fa hadn’t followed Yun Zhenxian, he feared he wouldn’t have been able to enter this camp.

The six of them entered the main tent together. The atmosphere suddenly grew awkward as Xuanding and the other three all looked toward Zheng Fa:

His cultivation level and presence were so out of place compared to the others in the tent, making them feel strange.

“Please forgive us. Haori Mountain is hollowed out. Although protected by mountain formations, I’m afraid I must return to the mountain from time to time,” Yun Zhenxian said. “To prevent anyone from causing trouble.”

Ancestor Xuanding and the others nodded, clearly understanding Haori Mountain’s current manpower shortage.

Zheng Fa knew even better—Yun Zhenxian was probably guarding against a Hundred Immortals Alliance surprise attack on Haori Mountain.

Then Yun Zhenxian said something more: “When I return to the mountain, the Tianhe side and Haori Mountain shall be commanded by Shi Nandang.”

The four looked at Zheng Fa with increasing astonishment—they now fully understood why Yun Zhenxian had brought Shi Nandang into the tent.

But what was strange was that Yun Zhenxian entrusted such a major matter to this person, rather than his own trusted clansmen.

Zheng Fa hadn’t even expected this arrangement.

Since Yun Zhenxian had said this, no one else objected.

“Brother Yun, how long until the formation flags for the Inverted Five Elements Formation are refined?”

Old Monk Zhitong directly asked.

Yun Zhenxian pondered for a moment, as if calculating silently. “No matter the cost, twenty years to complete.”

Lady Nishang nodded: “With the Inverted Five Elements Formation disrupting the natural energies, we will have confidence to attack the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation.”

Zheng Fa listened carefully.

Yun Zhenxian seemed worried that he might not understand the Inverted Five Elements Formation, so he explained: “Once activated, the Yin and Yang positions lose balance, the Five Elements become chaotic. Even if it cannot break the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation, it can suppress its power.”

Li Sanxian asked, “Why bother with such trouble?”

“The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor is unfathomable,” Old Monk Zhitong sighed. “And the Four Slaying Immortal Swords have killed True Immortals...”

It was clear.

These people were all afraid.

The Four Slaying Immortal Swords combined were definitely beyond True Immortal level. They shouldn’t be facing them personally.

But since no Golden Immortals from the Four Sects had appeared yet, the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor seemed to have seized a time advantage.

Therefore, Xuanding and the others could only bear the burden.

They didn’t have the strength to directly break the Slaying Immortal Formation and didn’t want to die trying, so they relied on formations to grind it down.

But to establish a formation capable of countering the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation, even with the combined forces of the Five Sects, was extremely difficult.

Hence, this formation would take decades to complete.

“The Inverted Five Elements Formation will be controlled by the five of us,” Lady Nishang said, sweeping her gaze across the tent.

No wonder Tianhe Sect was gathering five Dao Fruit cultivators.

Ancestor Xuanding nodded lightly, clearly this had been planned for some time.

He looked at the group and said, “The remaining treasures.”

The tent fell silent.

Everyone’s expressions varied.

Everyone knew Xuanding was referring to the division of the Tianhe relics.

These relics held accumulations from the last era of Tianhe Sect.

Tianhe Sect had once been the overlord, and the wealth collected would tempt even the Four Sects.

Moreover, these people were only True Immortals, not the actual rulers of the Four Sects, so they weren’t equivalent to the Four Sects themselves.

Naturally, they were more tempted.

Yun Zhenxian and Old Monk Zhitong exchanged glances and said, “In this attack on Tianhe Sect, Taishang Dao has two Dao Fruit cultivators.”

“Although Haori Mountain has only me, the formation flags and various formation artifacts are all forged by our sect.”

“Yaochi and Leiyin have abandoned Tianhe Sect’s territory.”

Li Sanxian asked, “So Yun Zhenxian means an even split?”

“No...” Yun Zhenxian smiled. “We must control the Five Elements Great Formation. If we do not enter Myriad Swords Realm, it’s better to let our disciples compete among themselves.”

Everyone’s eyes fell on Zheng Fa again.

They understood where Yun Zhenxian’s confidence came from.

Old Monk Zhitong put his palms together: “Well said.”

Even Lady Nishang nodded slightly, as if in agreement.

Only Li Sanxian’s expression was a little sour. After all, they had one more Dao Fruit cultivator than others, but if Dao Fruit cultivators couldn’t intervene, it was a disadvantage.

Ancestor Xuanding remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

After a while, he suddenly said, “The formation diagram.”

Xuanding really didn’t miss a beat.

He had his sights on the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram.

The tent fell silent again. After a moment, Old Monk Zhitong sighed softly: “Well said.”

That meant agreement.

Lady Nishang smiled upon hearing this but then shook her head:

“Too bad there is no jade pendant.”

“I wonder how many treasures the disciples in Myriad Swords Realm will actually get.”

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhenxian and the others showed a trace of regret.

Zheng Fa stood quietly beside them, obedient and silent, looking puzzled.

......

After leaving the main tent, Old Monk Zhitong nodded to Yun Zhenxian as they arrived at the newly built Haori Mountain camp.

“Xuanding wants the Slaying Immortal Formation Diagram... is that okay?”

Old Monk Zhitong suddenly asked.

Yun Zhenxian shook his head and smiled:

“This formation diagram is almost useless without the cooperation of the Four Swords.”

“As long as we rescue the four ancestral masters of Tianhe, it will be enough.”

“Just a pity about the Trapping Immortal Sword.”

Zheng Fa listened confusedly.

He heard Yun Zhenxian say, “Otherwise, we would be like your temple, not only having an extra immortal sword but also an additional True Immortal cultivator.”

This made Zheng Fa suddenly speculate:

Could it be that the other three swords of the Four Slaying Immortal Swords were refined by Taishang Dao and the others?

Had the four ancestral masters of Tianhe Sect successfully pulled off the substitution?

Oh, no, the trapping immortal master probably hadn’t.

That would mean their goal of breaking the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation was likely to rescue the four ancestral masters.

If so, the Four Sects’ attack on Tianhe Sect had huge benefits—not only would they gain the Tianhe relics, but also a True Immortal-level combat strength.

After chatting a bit more about formations, the topic suddenly shifted to Zheng Fa:

“Master Zhitong, Shi Nandang, please look after him.”

Zhitong’s gaze fell on Zheng Fa, silent.

“He has the Sacred Blood Seal.”

Old Monk Zhitong was moved: “No wonder Patron Yun entrusted the Haori disciples to him.”

Yun Zhenxian shook his head, looking at Zheng Fa with a strange expression: “It’s not that I entrusted Haori disciples to him;

aside from me, the Haori disciples probably respect him the most. Entrusting them to others would ruin everything.”

Old Monk Zhitong’s gaze grew even more amazed.

He carefully appraised Zheng Fa, as if realizing his extraordinary nature, and said seriously, “Rest assured, Brother Dao.”

Zheng Fa clearly understood Yun Zhenxian wasn’t only guarding against the Nine Nether Demonic Sect, but was most afraid of Taishang Dao and Yaochi secretly making a move.

Yun Zhenxian was a peculiar person.

After discussing Yun Zhenxian’s schedule, Old Monk Zhitong suddenly mentioned the Hundred Immortals Alliance: “What do you think of the Hundred Immortals Alliance?”

“If left unchecked, it will eventually become a serious threat,” Yun Zhenxian’s expression turned cold. “But the problem is that Lord Shuyu Dragon is blocking the way, and Haori Mountain’s strength is insufficient.”

Zheng Fa listened silently.

“Zheng Fa will seek outside help. Won’t Haori Mountain?”

Old Monk Zhitong’s words confused Zheng Fa.

But Yun Zhenxian’s expression suddenly changed, his mouth opening as if to say something.

Old Monk Zhitong continued, “This matter is Patron Lu’s idea.”

Yun Zhenxian was silent for a long time before saying, “I understand now...”

After Old Monk Zhitong took his leave, Yun Zhenxian’s face remained heavy with worries, brows furrowed as if trapped in a dilemma.

What silent riddles are you two playing?

But Zheng Fa could tell Yun Zhenxian wasn’t guarding against him but that this matter was somewhat taboo.

Neither he nor Zhitong wanted to speak openly.

Zheng Fa was in the courtyard of Tianhe Sect, right next to Yun Zhenxian’s courtyard. It was obvious Yun Zhenxian had a protective attitude.

He entered the courtyard, still thinking about Old Monk Zhitong’s words:

Outside help?

If it was outside help like Lord Shuyu Dragon, it was easy to guess.

Either an ancient immortal,

or... the Demon Ancestor.

Judging from Lu’s original identity as the Demon Ancestor and Yun Zhenxian’s hesitation, the Demon Ancestor was more likely.

That meant Haori Mountain seemingly had a secret channel to contact or even command some Demon Ancestor.

The problem was that this was top secret within Haori Mountain. Zheng Fa could only guess, never confirm, much less guard against it.

He didn’t know which Demon Ancestor or how many Haori Mountain could contact.

Thinking of this made Zheng Fa start to feel a headache.

He had originally thought Haori Mountain was extremely weak, but hadn’t expected this hidden ace.

Even with his current position, he couldn’t access such secrets.

Lady Nishang sat inside the hall with a relaxed expression, reporting changes in the Tianhe camp to Zheng Fa as before.

“Yun Zhenxian and the Haori disciples have already arrived at Tianhe Sect...”

“There’s a cultivator named Shi Nandang, highly valued by Yun Zhenxian.”

“Recently, the camp caught several spies from the Nine Nether Demonic Sect...”

She carefully avoided mentioning much about Taishang Dao.

As for Yaochi’s intelligence, it was sparse and somewhat unclear.

This way, she could both get closer to Zheng Fa and avoid harming her sect.

In fact, she even had a faint hope: if Zheng Fa could take advantage of Yun Zhenxian breaking the formation to strike Haori Mountain, that would be even better.

So she reported Yun Zhenxian’s movements particularly diligently.

After a while, Zheng Fa suddenly sent a spirit message:

“Didn’t Li Sanxian return to Taishang Dao?”

“Yes, he did...”

Lady Nishang had barely spoken when her eyelid twitched.

How did Zheng Fa know?

The camp’s formation was extremely tight;

no one could leave secretly.

But Li Sanxian’s movements were known only to Yaochi—only she was aware.

Where did Zheng Fa get the information?

Then Zheng Fa sent another question via Tongjian:

“Didn’t your Yaochi just receive another group of disciples last night?”

Lady Nishang’s eyes went blank.

Yaochi had indeed received a batch of Nascent Soul disciples last night.

This was because Yun Zhenxian said the Tianhe relics should be obtained by means, and Lady Nishang felt Yaochi’s Nascent Soul disciples were too few and might be at a disadvantage, so she summoned them.

Yaochi wasn’t alone—Taishang Dao also had disciples coming.

But Leiyin Temple couldn’t send Nascent Soul disciples due to the blockade of the sea region.

Lady Nishang stood up from her chair, her mind a muddle.

She wasn’t surprised Zheng Fa knew Yaochi had people arriving in Dong Continent—after all, anyone crossing the sea would be hard to hide from Lord Shuyu Dragon.

But Zheng Fa knowing those disciples had only just arrived last night... was terrifying.

Tianhe Sect and the Hundred Immortals Alliance were so far apart—could someone be feeding information to Zheng Fa?

Anyone who knew Li Sanxian’s whereabouts must be a core figure in the Four Sects!

Lady Nishang couldn’t sit still. She walked to the hall’s entrance and looked out, feeling a chill in her heart. Everyone seemed like Zheng Fa’s informant.

She even felt that an eye in the sky was watching the entire camp, the entire Tianhe Sect.

The alliance leader seemed all-knowing!

Lady Nishang’s face darkened bitterly:

Did he know about her previous concealments and even deceptions?