I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 260Book 2: : Making Full Use of the Demons, Who Is He Looking For?
Vol 2 Chapter 260: Making Full Use of the Demons, Who Is He Looking For?
Head Seat Mingde was in a hurry. The next day, each sect received their assignment and set out toward Donghai County of Liang Prefecture.
As a top disciple of the Tianhe Sect, and wielder of the Qingping Sword, Xie Qingxue bore one of the heaviest responsibilities—she was to accompany Head Seat Mingde directly to Haipu County, the place most likely to hide the Netherworld Immortal.
“You’re going to the Jiushan Realm.”
Yan Wushuang blinked, a little suspicious that he had heard wrong.
“The Jiushan Realm?”
“Yes, for this operation against the Netherworld Immortal, you are to stay in the Jiushan Realm. Do not come out.”
Xie Qingxue frowned, her expression tinged with concern.
“Senior Sister, you… don't have much faith in Head Seat Mingde?”
Yan Wushuang asked in a low voice.
He felt extremely uneasy: four of the Five Sects of Xuanyi had sent people. Although Leiyin Temple’s Wuzhi wasn’t here, they had gained Head Seat Mingde instead.
Their strength should be greater than last time, not weaker.
The Great Freedom Demonic Sect had lost so many Soul Formation cultivators. According to intelligence, only the Netherworld Immortal was left, struggling alone.
Given this, people feared more that he would go down fighting than that he would actually win.
No one thought they might lose.
But Senior Sister sending him to the Jiushan Sect felt like sending him into hiding…
“Winning is one thing. Killing the Netherworld Immortal is another,” Xie Qingxue said, glancing toward the great hall, her voice very low. “This isn't the first time Taishang Dao has tried to wipe out the Netherworld Immortal.”
“Not the first time?”
“The Netherworld Immortal didn’t just break away easily. From the records, Taishang Dao has hunted him down at least three times—and he escaped every time.”
“Besides, Donghai County is not simple.”
Hearing this, Yan Wushuang looked a little confused.
“You think the Netherworld Immortal fled to Donghai County for no reason? Donghai borders the sea…”
Yan Wushuang slapped his forehead and exclaimed, “The demon race!”
“Yes. Across the East and West continents, the demon race has declined, but in the seas, human forces are weak and scattered across islands, giving the demon race the upper hand,” Xie Qingxue said quietly. “Although the demon race is disorganized, there are many powerful old demons in the sea. Even our Tianhe Sect does not underestimate them.” ℞άΝȮ𐌱Ès
Yan Wushuang frowned. “The rise of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect… was linked to the demon race!”
Seeing he understood, Xie Qingxue added, “Last time only the Great Sage Qingyun acted, and none of the other demon Soul Formation cultivators appeared. But near Donghai County, the Great Sage of the Seas’ forces are strong.”
“Senior Sister, do you think the Netherworld Immortal fleeing to Donghai County means he has other plans?”
Xie Qingxue shook her head. “I don’t know. But we must guard against it. You staying in Jiushan Realm is the safest.”
Yan Wushuang hadn’t expected Senior Sister to plan so far ahead for him, feeling a little moved.
Still, he worried about Head Seat Mingde being careless, so he asked quickly, “Then what about Head Seat Mingde…”
“Head Seat Mingde is not without precautions either. He's bringing so many people exactly to intimidate or resist the demon race,” Xie Qingxue said. Compared to others, she seemed to have discussed this with Mingde already.
Yan Wushuang was much relieved after hearing that.
“Actually, even without the demon race, I would still want you to stay away from the Netherworld Immortal,” Xie Qingxue said again.
Yan Wushuang looked puzzled.
“The Netherworld Immortal’s escape techniques are only a few types: fleeing, feigning death and revival, changing appearance, or body possession.”
“In recent years, although the demonic sects have been a headache, we've also learned some of their methods. They are masters of disguise and possession.”
“For us Soul Formation cultivators, that's nothing to fear. But you…”
Yan Wushuang understood—Senior Sister thought he was too weak, worried the Netherworld Immortal might possess or impersonate him—and couldn't help but complain, “Senior Sister, you watched me grow up. If the Netherworld Immortal turned into me, wouldn’t you be able to tell?”
“...When you came back last time, I already thought you’d been possessed by someone from Jiushan Sect.”
“……”
“Not just me, even the Sect Master—your father—suspected it.”
Yan Wushuang glanced up and saw Senior Sister staring thoughtfully at his forehead. He quickly covered his head and shouted, “I’ll go! I’ll definitely stay put!”
After asking around, he realized the Jiushan Sect had already left Mount Tongming for Donghai County.
Thinking it over, he realized Zheng Fa had to carry the Sun and Moon Bell, which slowed him down, so they must have departed as soon as they got their assignment, unlike Senior Sister, who had to accompany Head Seat Mingde.
Fortunately, Head Seat Mingde didn’t seem to value Jiushan Sect much, assigning them tasks far from Pu County—almost on the other side of Donghai County—so it shouldn’t be too dangerous.
Yan Wushuang first sent a Message Talisman to Zheng Fa, then tapped his sword sheath, and his longsword turned into a streak of light, carrying him toward the direction Jiushan Sect had gone.
Afraid of hidden remnants of the demonic sect, he deliberately slowed his flying speed, and the scenery of Liang Prefecture unfolded beneath his eyes.
Liang Prefecture, with its mountains and coastline, had always been prosperous. When he had traveled here in earlier years, he remembered it being lively.
Zhenren Chengkong had assigned this place to Jiushan Sect partly because of its wealth and population.
But now, passing through again, the scene was different.
Liang Prefecture hadn’t suffered as terribly as Chen Prefecture:
In Chen Prefecture, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect’s Five-Point Blood Fiend Formation had wiped out almost everyone after the magical disaster—barely one in a hundred survived.
Compared to that, Liang Prefecture’s death toll was less severe.
Yan Wushuang passed a county city—there were many people.
But there were even more corpses.
At the mass graveyard south of the city, men, women, and children were piled up like garbage, forming little mountains.
Survivors were crawling among the bodies on hands and knees, searching for their loved ones.
In the city, every household wore mourning clothes;every home echoed with wailing.
The sound drifted up into Yan Wushuang’s ears.
After listening for a while, he understood—the Great Freedom Demonic Sect had come, and life had been miserable.
Taxes increased.
Any woman with looks was abducted by demonic disciples.
Parents sold their children just to survive.
But after the sect retreated, the disaster only deepened.
Those demonic disciples who could escape did. Those who couldn’t became even more brutal and crazed.
Those with some cultivation used mortals to forge magical treasures, hoping to save themselves.
Those without cultivation slaughtered even more recklessly—the dead under their hands were countless.
Yan Wushuang’s heart grew heavier, but there was nothing he could do.
He only thought to himself—once the demonic sect was gone, things would surely get better.
He didn’t see any immortal sect disciples, but he did spot several hidden demonic cultivators in the city—and without hesitation, he turned his sword light and killed them.
He didn’t meddle with the civilians, simply flying out of the city.
The farmlands outside lay abandoned, no one working them.
He flew over several green mountains.
The mountains were rich in spiritual energy, indicating a spiritual vein.
From the mountains came the sound of fighting.
Someone shouted, “Remnants of the Demonic Sect, still resisting? Prepare to die!”
Yan Wushuang, filled with hatred for the demonic sect, pressed down his sword light and flew toward the fight.
In the mountains, two groups were fighting—one defending, one attacking.
Among the attackers were five Golden Core cultivators.
The defenders had a Golden Core cultivator too, but he was wounded, relying only on a sect formation to barely hold out.
The Golden Core in the formation roared, “Our sect belongs to the Immortal Sect! We've defended against the demonic sect for so long, suffering heavy losses. And now you accuse us of being remnants?”
Yan Wushuang hid and watched, puzzled.
Outside the formation, a Golden Core sneered, “Anyone who survived under demonic rule is a remnant.”
“My personal disciples are dead, my fellow brothers are almost all slain!” the defending Golden Core roared even more bitterly.
The disciples within the formation all had bloodshot eyes, filled with fury.
Judging from their aura, they did not practice demonic arts—in fact, they bore injuries caused by demonic techniques.
Yan Wushuang had his guesses. He showed himself, revealed his identity, and drove off the attackers.
“Zhenren Yan…”
The rescued Golden Core was immensely grateful. Yan Wushuang asked, “Are there many like you?”
The Golden Core hesitated, then shook his head. “Hard to say. Some sects may have surrendered to the demonic sect. But many, like us, had nowhere to go without their spiritual veins—barely surviving. Now that the demonic sect has fallen… those people say Taishang Dao gave them this land, labeling us as remnants…”
After asking a few more questions, Yan Wushuang continued toward Jiushan Sect.
But he couldn’t stop thinking about what he had seen.
Zheng Fa hadn’t wanted Liang Prefecture. So Zhenren Chengkong had divided it among many small and medium sects—partly to have them help clean up demonic remnants.
But it now seemed those sects didn’t care about rogue demonic disciples—they just wanted to sweep away the local forces and seize resources.
That sect he saved was probably targeted over a spiritual vein.
He suddenly started to doubt his earlier thought—would things really get better after the demonic sect left?
After two days, Yan Wushuang finally caught up with the Sun and Moon Bell.
“Brother Yan!”
Seeing him, Zheng Fa barely paused to exchange pleasantries and hurried him toward the medicine garden.
To avoid trouble, the Tranquility Bamboo had been hidden. But now many disciples were gathered.
Before them was a large map—of the Jiushan Realm’s mountains, rivers, and geography.
Zhenren Qian was waiting by the map.
“Sect Master!”
Seeing Zheng Fa and Yan Wushuang arrive, the disciples immediately saluted, as if they had been waiting.
Yan Wushuang, familiar with Jiushan Realm, counted and was shocked—the disciples here numbered over a thousand, more than seventy percent of Jiushan Sect!
Clearly, something major was happening!
Sensing the solemn atmosphere, he obediently stayed silent, just watching.
Zheng Fa walked to the map and waved his hand—the map floated into the sky, expanding until it covered half the heavens.
Text and diagrams appeared on the map.
Yan Wushuang looked—and saw names of crops densely filling the map—every corner had a different crop labeled.
“Now is the spring planting season. Zhenren Qian has already surveyed the water and soil quality across the mortal world and created this agricultural planning map.”
“You have all studied some agricultural knowledge. Now you are to descend to the mortal world, guide the people, reclaim the land, and begin spring farming.”
Yan Wushuang’s eyes widened.
He hadn’t expected Zheng Fa to gather nearly the entire sect with such solemnity—for the sake of helping mortals farm!
“This is a major event for our Jiushan Realm. If you perform well, there will naturally be Merit Points awarded!”
Zheng Fa was extremely serious, not treating the matter as small at all.
“On the other hand, after you return, I also hope you can write a summary: how you interacted with mortals, how you motivated them, how you coordinated manpower…”
“If the summary is well written, I will award additional Merit Points.”
The disciples loudly accepted the orders and headed to the mortal realm.
Only Yan Wushuang was still standing there, dazed.
Zheng Fa didn’t seem to have time to mind him, only turning to Zhenren Qian.
Zhenren Qian reported, “As per your instructions, I’ve already sent disciples to all places suitable for planting spiritual crops.”
“For the remaining areas, given that the Jiushan Realm is rich in rain and water, in most places I selected newly cultivated rice varieties.”
“Oh, and also spiritual mulberry.”
Zheng Fa nodded. No matter what, planting staple food first was the right move. Given Jiushan’s conditions, rice was indeed more suitable.
He carefully examined the map again, noting the dense annotations that showed Zhenren Qian’s painstaking effort, and praised, “When the spring planting ends, I’ll award you a big chunk of Merit Points.”
“Your humble servant…” Zhenren Qian looked a little embarrassed.
Zheng Fa patted his shoulder and smiled, “Exchange it for more spiritual materials, cultivate well, and once you reach Golden Core, serve Jiushan Realm for another eight hundred years!”
Zhenren Qian, hearing this, didn’t feel bitter at all. Instead, he grinned broadly.
Yan Wushuang watched the two, then glanced at the map in the sky, and suddenly thought of those Golden Core cultivators earlier who only thought of snatching spiritual veins. Looking back at Zhenren Qian, he found himself, like Zheng Fa, hoping that this man would soon reach Golden Core.
He stared at the map, the corners of his mouth slowly lifting into a smile. The frustration accumulated during his journey seemed to gradually melt away.
After sending off the gleeful Zhenren Qian, Zheng Fa turned to Yan Wushuang and said, “Sorry, it’s just that spring planting season is busy.”
“No problem!” Yan Wushuang waved his hand and said, “I actually enjoy watching.”
“Enjoy watching?”
Zheng Fa glanced at him, a little puzzled, but he really seemed too busy. Seeing that Yan Wushuang wasn’t upset, he hurried toward University Island.
They entered a courtyard.
As soon as Yan Wushuang stepped in, he jumped in shock.
Demonic sect remnants!
Real demonic sect remnants!
The Ancestor of the Blood River was floating inside the courtyard, surrounded by several demonic Golden Core cultivators. Lin Bufan stood among them.
No one was speaking.
Except for Lin Bufan, all the disciples from the Great Freedom Demonic Sect wore expressions of utter despair.
They silently stared at the room, where wooden racks held layer upon layer of mulberry leaves.
Among the leaves, little spiritual silkworms were wriggling their heads as they happily ate.
“How’s it going?”
Zheng Fa asked as soon as he came in.
The Ancestor of the Blood River turned his head away, clearly unwilling to speak to him.
Lin Bufan reported, “We have found a spell to induce the silkworms into mating.”
The Ancestor of the Blood River’s face darkened further.
Yan Wushuang rubbed his ears, wondering if he had heard wrong.
Inducing silkworms?
The demonic sect’s charm techniques had always been notorious—even within the immortal sects, many feared them deeply.
Yan Wushuang, too, had always found such methods despicable.
But the image of the mighty Ancestor of the Blood River staring at a bunch of soft little silkworms while casting charm spells…
Yan Wushuang’s mouth twitched—suddenly, demonic sect techniques felt oddly pure and wholesome.
Of course, judging from the Ancestor’s expression, he clearly didn’t appreciate being too wholesome.
Zheng Fa smiled and said, “What, feeling embarrassed, unwilling?”
“...Willing!”
Anyone who managed to survive entering Jiushan Sect—none of them had stiff spines.
“Very good. First, focus on cultivating silkworm breeds. In the future, if we develop animal husbandry, you’ll be a great help!” Zheng Fa laughed. “If you make contributions, I’ll grant you freedom.”
He pointed to Lin Bufan and said, “Of course, if anyone stays stubborn, I won’t need so many demonic disciples.”
Upon hearing this, the demonic Golden Cores nodded vigorously.
Zheng Fa took another careful look around the silkworm house, confirmed that the breeding was proceeding smoothly, and left with Yan Wushuang.
Seeing that he seemed done, Yan Wushuang couldn’t help but ask, “You plan to have these demonic disciples breed spirit beasts?”
“Not just spirit beasts.” Zheng Fa sighed. “Our Jiushan Realm is dirt poor. We need to feed a whole realm. Even ordinary pigs, ducks, cattle, and sheep need to be bred.”
“Those silkworms too—I plan to find high-yield breeds and distribute them among the mortals.”
Since Yan Wushuang was sincere toward him, Zheng Fa didn’t hide anything. He explained, “This way, once the mortals are planting rice and raising silkworms, they won’t worry about food and clothing.”
“So you’re using demonic disciples for that?”
“Well, we don’t have many talents in this field,” Zheng Fa shook his head and added thoughtfully, “The demonic sect does have some expertise in this area.”
After all, the Great Freedom Demonic Sect ancestors had some notorious plant manipulators.
Yan Wushuang fell silent for a long moment, then suddenly spoke of the conflict he had witnessed earlier.
Zheng Fa listened without surprise—after a hard battle, many sects naturally scrambled to seize resources. Whether the locals were demonic remnants didn’t matter.
He looked at Yan Wushuang, who seemed unusually melancholic.
“All the way here, not a single immortal sect thought about spring planting… most of Liang Prefecture’s fields are still barren,” Yan Wushuang said with a sudden laugh. He looked at Zheng Fa and continued, “And worse yet, immortal sect cultivators labeled others as demonic just to steal spiritual veins.”
He glanced back at the little courtyard. His youthful pride made him feel a little embarrassed to outright praise a friend, so he muttered,
“And you—turned demonic disciples into something more like true cultivators.”
Zheng Fa didn’t comment and merely led him to the main hall on Heavenly Palace Island.
Senior Sister Zhang was busy calculating manpower and rice seed allocations, as well as dividing farmland—clearly very busy.
Seeing Zheng Fa and Yan Wushuang approach, she showed a questioning look. Martial Uncle Pang and others also turned to look.
“Fairy Xie had some suspicions.”
Zheng Fa nodded at Yan Wushuang, who relayed his Senior Sister’s thoughts about the demon race and the Netherworld Immortal.
Senior Sister Zhang frowned. “The demon race?”
“Yes, after Great Sage Qingyun acted last time, no other demons appeared. I thought they might have taken over the Great Freedom Heaven and gone into hiding,” Zheng Fa said, “but seeing the Netherworld Immortal head toward Donghai… it might be more than that.”
Senior Sister Zhang nodded and asked, “So we need to be wary of great demons from the sea?”
“Yes.”
Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then smiled. “But no need to worry too much. According to Head Seat Mingde, the Netherworld Immortal should be in Haipu County, very far from us.”
“Even if something happens, within Jiushan Realm, we can protect ourselves.”
Indeed, his attitude toward this encirclement of the Netherworld Immortal was different from before.
Back then, it had been an emergency to stop the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s resurrection—he had to go all out.
Now, they had the Tranquility Bamboo, and their confidence was much stronger.
Most importantly, Head Seat Mingde didn’t trust them the way Zhenren Chengkong had.
During the Six Routes Campaign against Chen Prefecture, they were one of the main forces, commanding many Nascent Souls.
Now, with the main battlefield in Haipu County, they were stationed at the far end of Donghai County, with barely anyone to command.
Clearly, Mingde trusted himself and the Five Sects’ Soul Formation cultivators far more.
As for Jiushan Sect… probably not even worth a second glance.
Thus, Jiushan Sect was relaxed, focusing on its own development.
They had come to Donghai County not to offend the Five Sects, but mentally, they were just here as spectators—ready to applaud but not eager to stick their necks out.
No need to butter up people who didn’t value them.
…
“You care so much about Zheng Fa?”
Head Seat Mingde looked at Zhenren Chengkong and asked.
“Head Seat, Zheng Fa did achieve great merit last time. His methods are extraordinary. Why not entrust him with more?”
“I know, he’s cunning, but now it’s life-and-death fighting—there’s no room for trickery,” Mingde snorted and, seeing Chengkong’s reluctance, explained, “Zheng Fa’s cultivation is too low. If he gets possessed by my traitorous disciple, wouldn’t that make things worse?”
Zhenren Chengkong was stunned—he hadn’t thought of that.
“I’ve hunted him for so many years. There were times when I even had to act against my own people…” Mingde’s face showed some sorrow, his grip on the Tranquility Bamboo tightening, rage flickering beneath the surface.
“This time, if it weren’t Soul Formation level, I wouldn’t let them near Haipu County at all.”
“Zheng Fa’s combat strength is notable, but his cultivation is too low. Better he stays away and doesn’t cause trouble.”
Seeing Mingde’s firm reasoning, Zhenren Chengkong couldn’t argue further.
But he also understood—Mingde simply didn’t value Zheng Fa. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stationed them so far away.
“What, with so many Soul Formation cultivators here, are we going to lose just because we lack one Golden Core?” Mingde barked angrily, “Don’t disgrace the honor of Taishang Dao!”
“……”
Mingde truly had a way to track the Netherworld Immortal. Two days later, a group of Soul Formation cultivators found traces of him on a small island.
The island had a little cave overflowing with spiritual energy.
When they were still a hundred miles away, someone flew out of the cave—it was Qin Mu, the Netherworld Immortal.
His spiritual aura was unstable—clearly, he hadn’t fully recovered.
Seeing them, his expression changed—but strangely, his gaze didn’t fall on them.
Instead, he kept glancing behind them, as if searching for someone.
This reaction made Head Seat Mingde, who had been brimming with killing intent, freeze for a moment. He turned and looked at the empty sky behind them.
When he turned back, he saw his traitorous disciple visibly relax.
His heart filled with suspicion. He secretly sent a voice transmission to Zhenren Chengkong: “What’s he looking for? Why did he relax when he didn’t find it?”
Zhenren Chengkong raised his head, tightly pursed his lips, his expression strange, unsure if he should say what he was thinking—
Probably… he was looking for that Golden Core you don’t value.
