I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 367Book 2: : Waiting for Each Other, The Defiant Immortal Sword

Book 2: Chapter 367: Waiting for Each Other, The Defiant Immortal Sword

Vol 2 Chapter 367: Waiting for Each Other, The Defiant Immortal Sword

Zheng Fa never expected that the first stranger he added as a friend in the Spirit Message app would be the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

Stranger—well, not entirely a stranger.

Friend—probably not even a friend, and definitely not very friendly.

After all, this person came looking for trouble.

Zheng Fa sat in the courtyard, facing off against the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor through the video screen.

Xie Qingxue also sat on a nearby stone bench, watching the Demon Ancestor on the light screen with some worry on her face.

After all, she had met the Demon Ancestor before and had some ties with both sides, so she feared that if the negotiation collapsed, she might still be able to ease the atmosphere.

In one corner of the light screen stood her master—the Tianhe Sect Leader Yan.

Sect Leader Yan’s expression was painful, likely worried that the two wouldn’t reach an agreement: Yan Wushuang was still holed up somewhere in the Jiushan Realm.

Zheng Fa, however, remained calm.

He had thought it through clearly: The storybook might be yours, but the Tongjian is mine;you can’t just publish it whenever you want.

You are enjoying writing it, but the big pot is mine—that’s even less reasonable.

As for resorting to force, between fighting the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor or the Four Sects... which would you choose?

No matter how powerful the Demon Ancestor is, wouldn’t he still want to hide?

If he has the ability, he should take down the Four Sects. If he can’t, then get rid of Haori Mountain. Then Zheng Fa could consider republishing the Tianhe Cultivation Chronicles.

Why pressure only this innocent platform? How shameless!

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was right in the center of the screen, face fully exposed, but strangely, Zheng Fa couldn’t remember his facial features at all—not even his height, weight, or gender.

Whenever he tried to recall, he simply had no idea.

In a way, he truly had no face...

“Interesting.” The Demon Ancestor’s eyes glanced left and right, as if experiencing video calls for the first time, showing great curiosity. His tone carried hidden praise, “This treasure of yours is probably unique in the Xuanyi Realm.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a bit proud.

This Demon Ancestor was truly an ancient figure. From what Zheng Fa knew before, this person was at least from the Divine Dao Era, possessing Dao Fruit-level strength during the Heavenly Venerate period.

His words about the uniqueness in Xuanyi carried heavy weight.

Suddenly, the Demon Ancestor’s tone dropped, cold and sharp: “Such a good treasure, yet my storybook can’t be placed on it.”

Sect Leader Yan’s expression on the light screen changed instantly.

Xie Qingxue, sitting beside Zheng Fa, couldn’t help but reach out toward the Qingping Sword.

Even though thousands of miles away, the anger and accusation hidden in the Demon Ancestor’s low voice still sent chills down Xie Qingxue’s spine.

Zheng Fa’s expression remained unchanged;he kept staring at the Demon Ancestor without any sign of backing down.

The Demon Ancestor’s gaze grew even colder.

Suddenly, Zheng Fa smiled and said, “Why doesn’t the Demon Ancestor just print it himself?”

“...”

“Why must you rely solely on my Tongjian?”

Seeing the smile on Zheng Fa’s face, the Demon Ancestor was silent for a moment before raising an eyebrow and also smiling.

“You’re quite clever.”

“Clever is not the right word...” Zheng Fa shook his head, looking at the Demon Ancestor on the screen, “It’s just a storybook;not worth such a fuss.”

This storybook was written by a great being. Zheng Fa had long suspected that, but he sealed it anyway. Aside from having no other choice, he naturally thought it wasn’t a big deal.

But the Demon Ancestor making such a big deal about it was unreasonable.

After all, it was just a storybook.

Of course, it wasn’t impossible that the Demon Ancestor wanted to become the greatest author in Xuanyi, to commemorate the Tianhe Venerable, or to irritate the Four Sects.

But if that was the case, he wouldn’t need the Tongjian.

Tongjian was just a medium. With the Demon Ancestor’s strength and potential forces, publishing it physically or making it common in the Xuanyi Realm wouldn’t be impossible.

Unless this Demon Ancestor was mentally unstable, there must be another motive.

Xie Qingxue looked at the two on the screen and opened her mouth in surprise, then glanced at her master.

Sect Leader Yan looked at Zheng Fa with astonishment, clearly not expecting Zheng Fa to so easily see through the Demon Ancestor’s intentions.

Xie Qingxue relaxed her grip on the Qingping Sword and felt a bit discouraged: thinking through these things was not hard;the hard part was still thinking clearly under the Demon Ancestor’s threat.

She had been confused and lost her calm because of the Demon Ancestor’s ferocious reputation.

In contrast, although Zheng Fa was usually cautious, he seemed not to care much about the Demon Ancestor’s fearsome name and did not lose his composure.

The Demon Ancestor looked at Zheng Fa, thought for a long time, and then slowly said, “You’re much smarter than Tianhe.”

I’m much smarter...

Before Zheng Fa could reply, the Demon Ancestor repeated, “This Tongjian is a good treasure, unique in the Xuanyi Realm.”

Zheng Fa was stunned, then understood what the Demon Ancestor sought from the start: the Tongjian!

Or rather, the internet platform behind the Tongjian!

That storybook was probably just a probe by this ancient Demon Ancestor—to see how many cultivators the Tongjian could attract.

Zheng Fa frowned. He really hadn’t expected the Demon Ancestor to immediately see the potential of the Tongjian.

And to come knocking.

This person was far too sharp.

It made him more cautious. The Tongjian was related to the Creation Jade Slip, his life-bound artifact, and he understood the future that Tongjian represented better than the Demon Ancestor.

“I’m not interested in who owns the Tongjian,” the Demon Ancestor said, apparently noticing Zheng Fa’s vigilance, “I just want to use the Tongjian to do something.”

Something?

Zheng Fa nodded slightly, waiting for the Demon Ancestor to continue.

“This matter is important to me. I can agree to some of your conditions.”

Seeming to know his hand had been seen through, or perhaps valuing the Tongjian greatly, the Demon Ancestor was almost straightforward and even offered a deal.

“What conditions?”

The Demon Ancestor’s tone was full of confidence: “Name them, and I’ll consider.”

Zheng Fa had a sudden idea: “Elder, why don’t you go destroy Haori Mountain?”

“...”

The Demon Ancestor on the screen fell silent. Sect Leader Yan suddenly lowered his head, quietly trembling twice in the corner.

“Can’t be destroyed... Haori Mountain is the overlord of the Divine Dao Era.”

The Demon Ancestor’s tone was somewhat regretful.

Zheng Fa’s pupils slightly dilated.

This was explosive news.

The Demon Ancestor glanced at him: “Haori Mountain and Yaochi have existed since the Divine Dao Era... some Demon Ancestors even have intricate ties with Haori Mountain.”

He sighed softly at this point: “I only found out later.”

Zheng Fa thought it over.

He knew of some connection between Haori Mountain and the Demon Sect.

Now it seemed Haori Mountain was even older than the Demon Ancestor.

From what Zheng Fa knew, the Xuanyi Realm had five eras:

The first two eras left almost no information, the third was the Divine Dao Era, the fourth the Demon Sect Era, and the fifth Zheng Fa called the Tianhe Era.

“Overlord of the Divine Dao?”

Zheng Fa murmured, feeling waves crashing inside.

The history of Xuanyi had always been shrouded in fog because of the Tianhe Venerable, unknown to ordinary people.

The Demon Ancestor’s words gave him a glimpse.

But he hadn’t expected Haori Mountain’s origins to be even more formidable than he thought.

“What does it mean for Dao Fruits to be immortal? Haven’t you thought about that?”

The Demon Ancestor seemed unsatisfied and spoke coldly with sarcasm.

Zheng Fa’s tone grew solemn: “The strong remain strong.”

The Demon Ancestor chuckled. Silence fell both inside and outside the screen, and the atmosphere grew heavier.

Dao Fruits are immortal. Along with undying legacies, every Dao Fruit in the four Xuanyi sects besides Tianhe would become their foundation.

Yet, every one of them is an enemy of the Four Sects.

“As far as I know, Taishang Dao and Leiyin Temple rose during the second era. What exactly happened then, I don’t know.”

“Yaochi and Haori Mountain stood opposed as twin peaks during the Divine Dao Era. Other cultivators may have attained the Dao, but none could challenge the two.”

“You can’t either, Elder?” Zheng Fa asked in surprise.

The Demon Ancestor looked at Zheng Fa and chuckled lightly: “You mean me killing a Heavenly Venerate?”

“Yes.”

To Zheng Fa, the Demon Ancestor killing a Heavenly Venerate single-handedly meant he was already formidable in the Divine Dao Era.

“My legacy is special, and at the time the Heavenly Venerate had already gone mad, the treasured Sun and Moon Bell was destroyed.” The Demon Ancestor said calmly. “I was only a newly entered Loose Immortal Dao Fruit then, unable to challenge Haori Mountain.”

“By the time I became a Dao Fruit, the Divine Dao Era was nearly over.”

“What about Haori Mountain and Yaochi?”

Zheng Fa was even more surprised. These two sects actually allowed the Demon Ancestor to become a Dao Fruit?

The Demon Ancestor suddenly pointed upward on the screen.

“Beyond the sky?”

Zheng Fa was shocked again.

“The Xuanyi Realm has a separation between immortals and mortals.”

Zheng Fa thought of the invisible barrier.

“Above Loose Immortal, outside of great calamities, no one is allowed into Xuanyi.” The Demon Ancestor said softly, “Even above Nascent Soul, great cost is needed, and it’s easy to lose one’s nature.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

This was why Nascent Souls didn’t appear for so long back then.

He asked again: “Isn’t this protection for Xuanyi cultivators? Then why did the Tianhe Venerable undertake the Creation of Heaven?”

The Demon Ancestor was silent for a long time.

“Why Tianhe did that... I don’t know.” His voice was light and quick, as if not wanting to dwell on it. But the next sentence surprised Zheng Fa even more: “Although this immortal-mortal separation is a protection, it has also become a prison for Xuanyi cultivators.”

Zheng Fa asked: “Why do you say that, Elder?”

The Demon Ancestor looked at Zheng Fa with a faint sharpness: “Because Dao Fruits are immortal.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa was puzzled and still hadn’t figured out the clues.

Then the Demon Ancestor said: “These things are too distant for you... You only need to know that what I want to do is not harmful to you or Xuanyi.”

Seeing his somewhat annoyed look, Zheng Fa knew he didn’t want to talk more about it and stopped pressing.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then suddenly asked: “Is what you want to do related to the Tianhe Sect?”

The Demon Ancestor glanced at Sect Leader Yan behind him and nodded slightly.

“Then why is the Tianhe Sect still calm and peaceful?”

Honestly, this was urgent for Zheng Fa.

No matter what the Demon Ancestor wanted, it didn’t matter now. As long as he could take on Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa wouldn’t mind helping.

Most importantly: you two fight it out!

“Waiting for you.”

“Huh?”

“He said...” The Demon Ancestor pointed at Sect Leader Yan, speaking openly, “It’s best if you and Haori Mountain fight each other.”

Looking at the slightly amused Sect Leader Yan on the screen, Zheng Fa fell into deep thought:

You’re also waiting for me to attract fire?

What a teammate trap!

Your son is still in my hands!

Well, Sect Leader Yan probably has even less confidence than himself... after all, he’s already lost his son.

Xie Qingxue looked at the scene in and out of the screen with a similar expression. The usually silent Zheng Fa and her master both seemed a little embarrassed.

Zheng Fa laughed again: “I want to start soon too, but if one thing isn’t resolved, I’m afraid I won’t be able to do it.”

Sect Leader Yan immediately grew anxious and asked, “What thing?”

“The Trapping Immortal Sword.”

“...”

Zheng Fa looked at both of them with burning eyes:

“May I ask, what methods exist to fully control the Trapping Immortal Sword?”

“You two... don’t want us to be wiped out by Haori Mountain in one day, do you?”

Inside the screen, Sect Leader Yan and the Demon Ancestor exchanged glances. Outside the screen, Xie Qingxue looked at Zheng Fa with admiration—he actually used this as a bargaining chip?

After the screen disappeared from the hall, Sect Leader Yan turned to the Demon Ancestor, puzzled: “You seem too generous toward Zheng Fa. Some of those secret methods just now, even I had never heard of.”

The Demon Ancestor rubbed the Tongjian in his hand, eyes brightening: “Tongjian is a good treasure.”

Sect Leader Yan’s gaze also landed on the Tongjian, growing more confused, but he understood—The Demon Ancestor’s generosity wasn’t because he wanted Zheng Fa harmed, or wanted the Tongjian to lose its effect.

But why did this Demon Ancestor value the Tongjian so much?

In the Jiushan Realm, Xie Qingxue was also somewhat puzzled and asked Zheng Fa: “Why is the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor so secretive?”

Seeing her concerned face, Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned, then heard Xie Qingxue explain: “My master is cooperating with him now, but I really don’t understand his true intentions...”

“I’m also afraid my master will be deceived.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa nodded and understood Xie Qingxue’s meaning:

What Sect Leader Yan wants now is roughly confirmed by the two—to break free from the control of the Four Ancestral Masters.

But the Demon Ancestor is too mysterious, making Xie Qingxue uneasy.

Holding the Creation Jade Slip, Zheng Fa shook his head slightly and sighed: “The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor has extraordinary insight.”

“Hm?”

“He probably doesn’t have bad intentions toward your master. Instead, it seems like he wants to...” Zheng Fa’s tone was uncertain, “Cybernetic Dao proof?”

Xie Qingxue’s expression became even more confused.

But Zheng Fa didn’t explain further—after all, it was just speculation, and even he wasn’t confident, only holding a slight guess.

If the Demon Ancestor was thinking this way, his perspective on new things was truly admirable—considering the Tongjian had just appeared, this Demon Ancestor had probably had it for only a few months.

Still, this gave Zheng Fa more confidence:

At least, before the Demon Ancestor achieves his wish, Zheng Fa would likely remain on the Jiushan Sect’s side.

Xie Qingxue didn’t ask further after seeing him silent, only sighed:

“I didn’t expect Haori Mountain to have such a background...”

Zheng Fa also felt a bit suppressed. If calculated this way, every major force in Xuanyi Realm was probably an overlord from previous eras.

The Four Sects came from the first three eras.

The Thirteen Demon Ancestors ruled the fourth era.

The Tianhe Sect dominated the fifth era.

What was terrifying was, as the Demon Ancestor said, because Dao Fruits are immortal, these powers would only grow stronger, never decline.

Facing such immortal enemies, anyone would have a headache.

...

Shi Nandang had been troubled recently, and it was a physical headache.

“Why has the Trapping Immortal Sword been so wild these past few days?”

He and six other Nascent Souls stood at the entrance of Huoshen Mountain, fingers continuously drawing talismans, surrounded by starlight.

Spiritual energy surged from the Heaven and Earth Divine Fiend Array, flowing into the mountain’s core.

The subterranean fire inside the mountain surged, condensing into a black-red fire dragon, soaring into the sky.

The fire dragon twisted and spiraled midair;its thick body mixed with the power of heaven and earth, tightly coiling around a black immortal sword.

But the Trapping Immortal Sword was now wildly defiant, still refusing to submit. Its sword qi streaked wildly, causing the fire dragon to wail mournfully.

The seven Nascent Souls around looked pale and lifeless, veins bulging on their faces, red bloodlines visible in their eyeballs, far from the composure expected of Nascent Soul masters.

“Why does the Trapping Immortal Sword seem mad?”

“It has screamed for forty-nine days straight, and we haven’t rested even once! At this rate, we can’t hold on any longer!”

Shi Nandang looked down and saw that the three Zhongxuan Sect leaders had already collapsed on the ground, breathing unevenly. It was hopeless.

“Where’s Li Hao? Have Li Hao come up early!”

He shouted to Elder Jiu.

Elder Jiu pointed in the void, sending a transmission talisman flying down the mountain.

...

“Li Hao! Damn Li Hao! This group of blind fools!”

Inside the Trapping Immortal Sword, an old man’s voice cursed angrily.

A woman replied, “What are you angry about? No matter how long you yell, they still don’t understand!”

“Then what do you suggest? Are you willing to be controlled by that person?”

“...”

“I know some of you are tempted, but think about it: isn’t he making us kill each other?” The old man continued, “Sword Spirit, you especially—haven’t you suffered enough at the hands of the Ancestral Masters?”

A young voice responded, “I... have no way.”

“Whether or not there’s a way, when have those damn cultivators been trustworthy?”

“Don’t forget, we were cultivators too.”

“That’s why I understand cultivators best!”

“...”

“Then what do you suggest? He controls the array;what else can we do?”

The old man seemed to have thought it through long ago:

“He controls the array, but his cultivation probably isn’t high now...”

“How so?”

“There are only a few Nascent Souls at the peak of Huoshen Mountain... He’s acting cautiously, hiding and revealing.”

“That makes sense.”

The old man added, “Besides, he wants us to give him secret methods, like he doesn’t know how to control us.” 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

“You mean we’ve been tricked? But...”

The old man interrupted:

“There’s no but. Two choices: first, obediently give the secret methods, only one will survive, and that survivor won’t be free.”

“Second, all give fake secret methods. No matter what he chooses, there will be flaws. We wait until the last moment to turn the tables, maybe still a chance for survival!”

“Choose!”

...

“Li Hao has arrived?”

Zheng Fa broke through the mist and heard Shi Nandang say quickly, “Hurry! Enter the formation!”

He glanced at the formation, leapt up, and replaced a faltering Nascent Soul master. Shi Nandang’s voice came to his ear: “These days, the Trapping Immortal Sword has been strangely violent, seems like the Sword Spirit is resisting the array.”