I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 271Book 2: : Two Iron Laws, Thirst for Talent

Vol 2 Chapter 271: Two Iron Laws, Thirst for Talent

As Zheng Fa’s words fell, the hall fell silent.

Every face was filled with confusion—clearly, this news couldn’t have been worse.

“I was being overly optimistic.”

Xie Qingxue sighed lightly, bringing Head Seat Mingde back to himself. He shook his head, bitterness in his tone: “We were all being overly optimistic.”

Great Sage Qingyun’s face was even paler. He murmured in a low voice, “If that’s the case, then Qin Mu summoning the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor must’ve happened in the sea region as well?”

The likelihood of this guess was extremely high.

Great Sage Qingyun added, “That Demon Ancestor… wouldn’t he deal with us first?”

Zheng Fa knew the “us” in his words referred to the Seven Great Sages, perhaps even the entire demon race.

Looking at Great Sage Qingyun’s panicked expression, Zheng Fa also felt a bit sorry for him—the Seven Great Sages had turned their backs very late in the game. They watched the Soul Formation cultivators of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect die off one by one, saw Jiao Wuji and the others captured, and might have even confirmed ahead of time that the Netherworld Immortal would perish.

They couldn't be called careless.

But if the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor truly revived, he probably wouldn’t sympathize with how long they had held out...

Great Sage Qingyun understood this too. He now looked more helpless than anyone in the hall. He looked toward Head Seat Mingde, his expression almost on the verge of tears: “Head Seat, what… what should we do about this?”

Head Seat Mingde just looked at him, frowned without speaking, clearly not fully trusting this person.

Which was understandable. The Seven Great Sages didn’t appear to be the culprits who stole the Blood Fiend Banner.

But what was the truth? No one could say. For Head Seat Mingde to remain wary was entirely reasonable.

Besides, if the Seven Great Sages could betray the Great Freedom Demonic Sect, how loyal could they be to the Immortal Sect?

The Five Sects of Xuanyi would likely never treat the demon race as one of their own.

Even if Head Seat Mingde had a way to deal with the Demon Ancestor, he would never speak of it in front of this person.

Great Sage Qingyun looked around at everyone in the hall. Seeing that no one spoke for him, his face grew even more sorrowful. He sighed and composed himself, then said, “I know. Everyone thinks we Seven Great Sages are fence-sitters…”

“But if we weren’t, our demon race wouldn’t have survived to today.”

There was no telling whether his tone carried more explanation or indignation.

“In the Xuanyi Realm, the human race reigns supreme. How dare we demons stick our necks out? The Immortal Sects treat us like dogs and pigs—did the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor really regard us as his right-hand men?”

“Our demon race has long since lost our fundamental grand techniques, scattered like sand. The Demon Ancestor wanted to build his own force—how could we resist?”

“For generations, every time disaster struck, who suffered first if not the demon race?”

Now it was clear. This entire explanation from Great Sage Qingyun boiled down to one thing—their actions were only for survival.

If the Demon Ancestor rose, they would serve the Great Freedom.

If the Demon Ancestor died, they would be loyal friends of the Immortal Sect.

“Head Seat, ancient lore of my demon race says Taishang Dao has a long history and should best understand our demon race’s plight…” Great Sage Qingyun looked at Head Seat Mingde, his tone earnest. “Now that we Seven Great Sages have betrayed the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor, it’s truly impossible for us to betray the Five Sects of Xuanyi again!” ꭆ𝓪ℕ𝔬ᛒĘş

Head Seat Mingde heard this and lowered his head in thought. After a long pause, he looked at Great Sage Qingyun. He didn’t say whether he believed him—he only asked one question: “Tell me the truth. Have your Seven Great Sages ever cultivated the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s techniques?”

“…No…”

Head Seat Mingde closed his eyes.

“Yes! Yes, yes!” Great Sage Qingyun panicked. “In order to take control of the Seven Sage Heavens, we had to refine its cave-heaven treasure, so we did practice one secret method!”

“But we don’t carry the Demon Ancestor’s bloodline. We definitely never learned the sect’s fundamental technique.”

“Is… is there some hidden danger?”

Head Seat Mingde’s gaze suddenly turned pitying. He looked at Great Sage Qingyun, his voice heavy with a sigh: “In that case, I can’t trust you Seven Great Sages.”

“Why…”

“Your demon race has lost its fundamental technique—and the iron laws of cultivation weren’t passed down either?”

There was surprise in Head Seat Mingde’s tone, as if he thought the Seven Great Sages weren’t too bright.

Iron laws of cultivation?

Zheng Fa looked up at the Soul Formation cultivators in the hall and saw that everyone from the Five Sects of Xuanyi wore an expression of comprehension.

So I’m lumped in with this pitiful Great Sage Qingyun at the kiddie table?

“May I ask, Head Seat, what are these iron laws of cultivation?”

“The so-called iron laws are just what we call them. There’s no official record in the Immortal Sects…” Head Seat Mingde glanced at the confused Zheng Fa, seemingly willing to explain, “Iron laws are rules on the path of cultivation that absolutely cannot be violated—at least, no one has ever succeeded in doing so.”

Zheng Fa exchanged glances with Senior Sister Zhang, both now fully attentive.

“The most widely known, and most certain, is this.” Head Seat Mingde suddenly lifted his gaze and glanced at Xie Qingxue, a deeper meaning in his eyes. “A cultivator cannot betray their lineage.”

“Cannot betray? Lineage?”

Not just Zheng Fa—Great Sage Qingyun looked puzzled too.

“Lineage refers to the legacy of a grand cultivator, or the fundamental cultivation method. Our Five Sects and the Thirteen Demonic Sects each have their own lineage.” Head Seat Mingde looked at Great Sage Qingyun and shook his head. “If that secret method you used to refine your cave-heaven came from the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor…”

Now everyone understood.

Zheng Fa suddenly saw a great many things clearly:

The fate of the Tianhe Ancestor.

The stone tablet with only the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method table of contents left.

He became even more thankful for his own caution—not only had he refrained from borrowing the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method, he had never touched any of the Demon Ancestor’s secret methods.

Yet he also felt confused. That confusion made him ask, “What counts as a grand cultivator? Can anyone’s method become a lineage? Doesn’t that mean those who created the path of cultivation can control all cultivators?”

Seeing he was the one asking, Head Seat Mingde did not hold back: “Let me answer the last question first. Those who created the path of cultivation… no longer appear in the world.”

“Don’t appear?”

Zheng Fa was stunned—so there really were such beings? And they weren’t dead?

“We don’t even know how many created the path, but one thing is certain—those who attain Dao Fruits do not die. You asked what makes a grand cultivator—in the eyes of the Five Sects, it is one who has attained a Dao Fruit.”

“So, we believe they are not dead.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa asked again, “Dao Fruit?”

“To attain Dao Fruit is to become an immortal and a founder.” Head Seat Mingde thought for a moment and explained, “The cultivation stages differ by sect, but they are broadly the same. I’ll just speak for Taishang Dao.”

“In the beginning are Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul—these we call the Three Realms of Shedding Mortality.”

“Then come Soul Formation, Yang Spirit, and Corpse Liberation—these are the Three Realms of Ascension to Immortality.”

“After Corpse Liberation comes becoming an immortal, attaining Dao Fruit.”

“Zhenren Chengkong is at Yang Spirit. I have already stepped into Corpse Liberation.”

Head Seat Mingde’s explanation was very sincere—it was the first time Zheng Fa had understood the full cultivation system.

“Dao Fruit… oh, so before becoming an immortal, there are six realms?”

Xie Qingxue spoke up: “Actually, it’s the same across the Five Sects of Xuanyi. The only difference is the name of the fundamental techniques in each sect.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Xie Qingxue, curious—where did the Tianhe Sect’s fundamental technique come from? From Tianhe Venerable?

That didn’t seem to make sense. After all, the Tianhe Sect was full of traitors—they’d long betrayed Tianhe Venerable.

“So the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor is an immortal?” Great Sage Qingyun finally understood. His body swayed, visibly shaken. “If we’ve practiced that secret method… we can’t resist him?”

“I don’t know—but it’s very possible.”

Indeed, anything from the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor couldn’t come so easily.

No matter how calculating the Seven Great Sages were, they were still outmatched in strength.

To be fair, this couldn’t all be blamed on them—had the Netherworld Immortal died, they might not be in such despair.

“But what if not?” Great Sage Qingyun’s eyes reignited with hope. He looked at Head Seat Mingde like reaching for a final lifeline.

“There is one more iron law of cultivation…”

“Hm?”

“Only Dao Fruit… can oppose Dao Fruit.”

“……”

Great Sage Qingyun’s face gradually turned white. He looked at Head Seat Mingde. The head seat had already closed his eyes and said no more.

He let out a bitter laugh. It seemed he now understood the hopelessness in that sentence.

Zheng Fa shook his head privately. According to Head Seat Mingde, the demon race had no fundamental grand techniques.

Which meant, no one among them had attained Dao Fruit.

That being the case, there was no way to fight the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.

Unless the Five Sects of Xuanyi were willing to intervene—but Head Seat Mingde clearly didn’t trust these demons who had practiced the secret method.

“In that case… thank you for the warning. Qingyunzi… takes his leave!”

The hall remained silent for a full incense stick’s time. No one spoke. In the end, it was Great Sage Qingyun who broke the silence. He bowed deeply to Head Seat Mingde and walked out of the hall, flying straight toward the sea.

Zheng Fa watched his somewhat resolute back, feeling a hint of desolation.

He didn’t particularly like Great Sage Qingyun. When the demon race breached the Hundred Immortals Alliance, many mortal cultivators were killed—was handing over a few demons supposed to make up for that?

Everyone had their own standards for judgment, but Zheng Fa knew—there was no such thing as making up for the dead.

Even now, there was little to pity about the Seven Great Sages:

They were about to die, but the million humans on those sea islands were already dead.

He had no sympathy to spare.

Zheng Fa’s desolation came from something else—he felt like he was glimpsing an even more brutal era.

An era where even Soul Formation cultivators like the Seven Great Sages lived in constant dread.

The silence in the hall grew heavier.

“There are still ways to deal with it.” Head Seat Mingde suddenly spoke.

Zheng Fa looked up and saw that the Head Seat’s expression was no longer as worried.

Whether to boost morale or because he truly had confidence, he even had a hint of a smile.

“With spiritual energy declining, there must be Dao Fruit bearers walking the world. The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor is actually the weakest of them.”

“……”

The Yaochi Soul Formation cultivator also nodded at this time: “The Demon Ancestor was killed once by Tianhe Venerable. And now with the Demonic Sect in ruins, even if he revives, he may find himself with no options left.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa quickly asked, “Dao Fruit bearers don’t die—but does their lineage also persist?”

A trace of admiration flashed across Head Seat Mingde’s face. He seemed to greatly appreciate Zheng Fa’s sharpness: “Exactly. Otherwise, with the Demon Ancestor’s Dharma Body destroyed, he would never again appear in the Xuanyi Realm.”

So it seemed, this Great Freedom Demon Ancestor… really was down on his luck.

Back when the Spirit Cavern emerged, it must have triggered the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s sense of crisis—afraid his own followers would be wiped out by the Xuanyi Immortal Sects.

That was likely why he rushed to descend.

Head Seat Mingde saying this man was the weakest wasn’t some kind of self-comfort.

In chaotic times, only those with the least to lose act first.

After downgrading the Demon Ancestor, Head Seat Mingde turned to Xie Qingxue and said, “Just now, with Great Sage Qingyun present, I couldn’t speak openly. While we don’t have any Dao Fruit bearers, a Dao Fruit… doesn’t necessarily have to be a person!”

Zheng Fa suddenly recalled what Wuzhi had once said—that Tranquility Bamboo was a Dao Fruit of a Buddha!

Sure enough, Head Seat Mingde brought up Tranquility Bamboo.

“Tranquility Bamboo is the Dao Fruit most effective against the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor. We may not be able to kill him again, but protecting ourselves poses no issue.”

His tone was filled with regret.

“Ahem…”

Beside Xie Qingxue, Yan Wushuang let out a soft cough, eyes drifting toward Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa hurriedly lowered his head—this guy really couldn’t hold it in.

He turned to glance at Senior Sister Zhang, and both of them understood: if the Demon Ancestor truly returned, the Five Sects of Xuanyi would have to be saved.

Never mind whether it was a matter of principle.

Saving them might offend Leiyin Temple;not saving them—how would the other four sects view Jiushan Sect in the future?

“But even without Tranquility Bamboo, we are not without the power to resist the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor!”

Head Seat Mingde’s voice rang out again. Zheng Fa looked up to see his gaze burning… fixed on the sword at Xie Qingxue’s waist.

“Fairy Xie, your Tianhe Sect techniques are quite extraordinary. And the Qingping Sword is none other than Tianhe Venerable’s personal weapon.” As the Chief Seat of Taishang Dao, Head Seat Mingde seemed very familiar with Tianhe Sect. “You are the Qingping Sword’s master, one with the sword—surely you possess the power of a Dao Fruit as well?”

Wait, is this senior sister really that strong?

But seeing the look in Head Seat Mingde’s eyes, Zheng Fa understood—Xie Qingxue was strong, yes, but the real powerhouse… was still the Qingping Sword!

“I’ll need all kinds of spiritual herbs.”

As soon as Xie Qingxue said this, everyone’s faces lit up with joy.

Those words alone were enough to show the confidence of this Tianhe Senior Sister.

Everyone looked delighted, while Xie Qingxue instead frowned and turned to Head Seat Mingde: “If there’s a treasure that aids enlightenment, I would also like to borrow it.”

“Hmm?” Head Seat Mingde, hearing this somewhat abrupt request, wasn’t angry—in fact, he was very pleased. “Fairy Xie, are you aiming to ascend to another level?”

Xie Qingxue’s eyes were firm as she nodded.

“Very well!” With Xie Qingxue now needing to go all out, Head Seat Mingde clearly wasn’t going to be stingy. He said directly, “The Hundred Immortals Alliance treasury, all the treasures we possess—if Fairy Xie needs them, I will not refuse!”

Zheng Fa listened with deep envy.

Big sects really are great!

Xie Qingxue, with the Qingping Sword, needed only three sentences to get Head Seat Mingde to open his storage bag!

He looked at Xie Qingxue and then noticed Yan Wushuang beside her acting rather strangely.

This guy first stared at Head Seat Mingde for a long time, then turned back to look at his own senior sister, frowning as though confused.

Then he looked at the Qingping Sword, scratched his head, and suddenly turned to Zheng Fa, as if finally figuring out how the pieces fit together.

Zheng Fa saw his expression and also felt puzzled—

When Head Seat Mingde talked about Tranquility Bamboo, you looked at me, fine.

But when he talked about the Qingping Sword, why are you still looking at me?

What does any of this have to do with me?

…

Great Sage Qingyun’s heart was filled with both grief and resolve as he unfurled his escape light and flew toward the sea.

Though the demon race had no immortals, it still had deep roots. He knew of a few ancient great demons—some who had lived through several eras and probably had ways to survive a great catastrophe.

If it came to it, he’d go seek refuge with them!

The Five Sects of Xuanyi couldn’t be relied upon—the demon race wasn’t without its own resources!

The dignified Seven Great Sages had their pride!

He had his plans set, but just as he reached the shore, he halted his escape light.

The sea before him… had changed!

He froze in midair, staring blankly at the sea.

Dong, dong, dong. Dong, dong, dong.

The muffled sound was like someone pounding a drum.

It started faint—almost inaudible.

Then it slowly grew louder, drowning out the sound of the waves, overpowering every sound in heaven and earth.

The only thing left in the world seemed to be this dull, thudding beat.

Great Sage Qingyun felt an inexplicable heat surging inside him, even a violent urge to rip open his chest and let his organs breathe the sea breeze.

But his heart… was growing cold.

The sea turned cold.

At some unknown point, the slapping waves turned red—thick, viscous, with an eerie, spine-chilling fragrance.

Great Sage Qingyun desperately flew backward.

On the red sea’s surface, the sun suddenly set. A black crescent moon slashed across the horizon and leapt into the sky.

The black moonlight shone upon the red sea, illuminating two figures kneeling in reverence.

Dong, dong, dong. Dong, dong, dong.

The muffled drums grew louder and louder. The black moonlight seemed to contract.

The seawater, like blood, slowly surged toward the black moon.

A heart!

Only now did Great Sage Qingyun realize—that moon… was a heart!

As the seawater poured in, the black crescent grew round. When it became a full moon, it suddenly contracted, then exploded.

A figure he dared not look at directly appeared in the void.

The sky brightened again. The sea turned blue. All the eerie sights vanished—but Great Sage Qingyun’s heart was gripped with fear. He turned his escape light and flew toward Mount Tongming.

Head Seat Mingde, save me!

…

The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor glanced at the escape light thousands of miles away, but didn’t care. He stepped down from the void, looking at the two kneeling figures before him.

Two people…

“Where are the others?”

“Holy Ancestor, they have returned to the Blood Sea.”

The Netherworld Immortal replied cautiously.

The Demon Ancestor’s motion froze slightly. He gently closed his eyes, seeming to sense something. After a long moment, he spoke: “All dead?”

“Yes!”

The Netherworld Immortal still didn’t dare raise his head, and Chen Ting buried his face in the ground as well.

“My Great Freedom lineage, with billions of descendants… only the two of you remain?” The Demon Ancestor fixed his gaze on the two in front of him. When his eyes fell on the Netherworld Immortal, he frowned. “You’re not of my bloodline?”

“No!”

The Netherworld Immortal trembled all over, clearly terrified, and explained, “I admired the Holy Ancestor’s great teachings and turned to the Holy Sect voluntarily.”

The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor scrutinized the Netherworld Immortal for a while, and seemed to finally wake fully from his slumber. He nodded slowly and said, “I remember you. From Taishang Dao...”

Then he looked at Chen Ting.

He didn’t seem to recognize this person.

Chen Ting’s face was tense with anxiety. He had defected from this Great Freedom Demon Ancestor in person—if he’d had any other option, who would dare show up before this being?

Seeing his expression, the Demon Ancestor seemed suspicious, but couldn’t recall anything clearly. A ghostly light suddenly shot from his eyes and enveloped Chen Ting.

Chen Ting felt his soul being torn and pulled apart, his mind roiling in chaos, with only a black Talisman Edict slowly floating at the bottom of his sea of consciousness.

Only after a long moment did the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor nod slowly, “Pure bloodline, clean background.”

After that, he paid no more attention to the panting Chen Ting on the ground. This person was only at the Golden Core stage. If not for the fact that there were only two people here, the Demon Ancestor wouldn’t have bothered to look at him.

…

“What’s the current state of Xuanyi?”

The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor asked the Netherworld Immortal.

“In this attempt to bring you down, Holy Ancestor, we not only faced resistance from the Five Sects of Xuanyi, even the Demon Race betrayed the Holy Sect. Great Freedom Heaven is already lost…”

“Great Freedom Heaven doesn’t matter.” The Demon Ancestor nodded lightly, seeming unconcerned that he’d lost his stronghold.

“Tell me about the Five Sects.”

The Netherworld Immortal began describing the various Soul Formation cultivators of the Five Sects.

“Qingping Sword?”

The Demon Ancestor’s expression had been calm, but when he heard those three words, he interrupted and asked again, “Tianhe’s Qingping Sword?”

The Netherworld Immortal nodded.

The Demon Ancestor lifted his head and looked toward Mount Tongming, with a trace of apprehension in his gaze.

“Demon Ancestor?”

“Any other notable figures?”

The Demon Ancestor asked again.

“There’s… one more force. Not part of the Five Sects, but… somewhat peculiar,” the Netherworld Immortal hesitated for a moment before slowly continuing.

“Oh?”

“Holy Ancestor, do you still remember Zheng Fa of Jiushan Sect?”

The Demon Ancestor thought for a bit, then nodded. “The Three-Sub-Talisman Theory—quite interesting.”

“Well, Jiushan Sect now has a Cave-Heaven World, called Jiushan Realm.”

The Demon Ancestor’s expression grew a bit more serious.

“The demon cultivators you nurtured seem to have been blocked by Jiushan Realm. Two Soul Formation cultivators even died there. Also, during the first attempt to bring you down, that Zheng Fa used some unknown method to snatch away the Blood Fiend Banner.”

The Demon Ancestor slowly closed his eyes, and only after a while did he open them again and say, “Blood River still lives. Jiao Wuji seems to be there too.”

He seemed rather familiar with the whereabouts of his former Soul Formation subordinates.

“They’ve betrayed you, Holy Ancestor?”

The Netherworld Immortal gasped.

“Heh...” The Demon Ancestor swept his sleeve and carried the two toward Mount Tongming, seemingly unconcerned by the Qingping Sword.

“Holy Ancestor? That Qingping Sword…”

“Taishang Dao has always liked to strike the small to lure out the big.” Perhaps due to only having two followers left, the Demon Ancestor was in a somewhat patient mood and actually explained, “I’ve just descended. Best to strike Taishang Dao before they react…”

“The Qingping Sword is sharp, yes, but a newly ascended Soul Formation cultivator is not enough to concern me…”

“I happen to be in need of a second Immortal Sword...”

The Netherworld Immortal froze. Only then did he realize—the Demon Ancestor not only wanted to eliminate a threat, but also intended to seize Tianhe Sect’s Guardian Treasure.

“That Zheng Fa… he’s also rather interesting.”

The Demon Ancestor’s next quiet remark brought even more confusion.

The Netherworld Immortal glanced at himself, then at the equally stunned and confused Chen Ting, thinking to himself:

Could it be because there are only two of us left that this Demon Ancestor is so desperate for talent?

But… he’s actually speaking of Zheng Fa and the Qingping Sword in the same breath?

Are the Demon Ancestor’s thoughts always this hard to predict…?