I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 380Book 2: : Strategic Opportunity, Sword of Peace
Vol 2 Chapter 380: Strategic Opportunity, Sword of Peace
Seeing Shi Nandang's despairing expression, Zheng Fa could somewhat understand his plight:
When someone privately complains about their company to you, secretly recording them is downright inhuman.
Shi Nandang's current reluctance to escape stemmed from genuine helplessness.
Promoting Zheng Fa had already been his fatal mistake.
His only possible justification for survival would be Zheng Fa's extraordinary abilities and shapeshifting prowess that unconsciously ensnared him - proof it wasn't disloyalty to his sect, but Zheng Fa's cunning that betrayed him.
But if this recording were made public...
With clear criminal intent and egregious sect betrayal, even modern law would condemn him as a spy.
In Haori Mountain's eyes, death would be too merciful.
How could he not despair?
Understanding aside, compassion was out of the question.
While Shi Nandang had treated "Li Hao" decently, had his schemes succeeded, the Hundred Immortals Alliance and Jiushan Sect might already be devastated, with few Jiushan cultivators surviving.
Ultimately, Shi Nandang wasn't some kindly elder but an unfortunate enemy.
Noticing Shi Nandang's stifled resentment, Zheng Fa said nothing more, leading everyone back to Jiushan Realm.
Xie Qingxue awaited them in Jiushan Realm, eyes brimming with anticipation.
Zheng Fa handed her the Trapping Immortal Sword while instructing Jiao Wuji's group to escort Shi Nandang's party away.
Accepting the sword, Xie Qingxue glanced at the captives: "They refused?"
"The Zhongxuan Sect members are manageable, but Shi Nandang needs more persuasion."
Zheng Fa couldn't possibly release Shi Nandang - doing so risked exposing the Trapping Immortal Sword's secrets.
This wasn't kindness but gambling with the entire Hundred Immortals Alliance's lives.
He'd rather imprison Shi Nandang than let him return to Haori Mountain.
If willing to serve Jiushan Sect, fine.
Otherwise, to Haori Mountain, Shi Nandang was already "dead."
Turning him into Jiushan's spy wouldn't be simple though.
"Shi Nandang's a Nascent Soul cultivator from Haori Mountain - loyalty aside, his cultivation techniques pose problems," Xie Qingxue frowned. "Caution is wise." ṜÄŊՕBƐš
Zheng Fa nodded: "The Great Sun True Fire could help, but my current strength falls short. After reaching Nascent Soul, I'll attempt it."
Seeing his clear planning, Xie Qingxue nodded approvingly before turning joyous eyes to the sword:
"This is our founder's Trapping Immortal Sword?"
Heaven knew Tianhe Venerable left few genuine relics.
The cultivation methods were fake.
The Four Slaying Immortal Swords were fake.
As a potential Tianhe fundamentalist, Xie Qingxue could barely contain her joy.
Before Zheng Fa could respond, sword radiance flashed as the Trapping Immortal Sword Spirit emerged, twin buns atop her head, surveying Xie Qingxue with aged disdain:
"You're Tianhe Sect's junior disciple?"
"Yes."
"Then you deserve death."
The sword tip lunged without warning.
Xie Qingxue suddenly found herself in an isolated void, limbs paralyzed, watching helplessly as a black immortal sword pierced toward her with annihilating intent, her soul plummeting into abyssal terror.
*Slap!*
A sharp clap restored her senses. Opening her eyes, she saw Zheng Fa gripping both sword and spirit, apologetic.
"The sword spirit is..."
"Too bloodthirsty." Zheng Fa looked exasperated. "I suspect its condition isn't cured."
The spirit had raged throughout their journey, demanding various deaths, insisting Shi Nandang especially must die.
Xie Qingxue observed the now-adorable, helpless spirit with complex emotions - this was her founder's relic after all. Seeing Zheng Fa control it stirred discomfort.
"Who says I'm ill?" The flailing spirit pouted. "I was born this way!"
Xie Qingxue froze.
"The Four Slaying Swords exist solely to kill! All creation deserves slaughter!"
Xie Qingxue's excitement faded as fundamentalism's horror dawned: "So this was our founder's belief..."
"Of course not."
Curious, Zheng Fa released the spirit: "Explain properly."
Adjusting her hair with a huff, the spirit complied: "The Four Swords are pure instruments of slaughter. Tianhe had four disciples wield them to restrain our bloodlust, unleashing us only when necessary."
Growing earnest under Zheng Fa's attention, she continued: "Especially the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation - terrifyingly powerful. Dividing the swords among four disciples created mutual restraint."
"Tianhe believed only the sect's true existential crisis would unite all four."
Zheng Fa and Xie Qingxue exchanged silent glances - Tianhe Venerable never imagined his disciples would unite against him.
"Do you know why Tianhe's four disciples..."
The spirit shook her head, disappointing Zheng Fa, then added: "Though I heard the Trapping Ancestor sigh about 'the Master severing Xuanyi cultivators' survival paths.'"
This aligned with Tianhe Venerable's temple-destroying campaigns against Xuanyi cultivators rather than common folk.
Zheng Fa remained uncertain why Tianhe chose this path, only that he opposed the four sects.
Whether due to Haori Mountain's suppression or innate limitations, the spirit knew little more about Tianhe Venerable.
Suddenly Zheng Fa asked: "What about the Slaying Formation Diagram? Do you know Nine Nether Demon Ancestor's goal?"
The spirit startled: "The diagram was completed?"
Her reaction intrigued Zheng Fa further: "You know of it?"
"Only from the Trapping Ancestor's mentions," the spirit looked uneasy. "He said Tianhe sought to create a diagram to control and potentially reforge us four swords... that once completed, they'd be powerless against him."
This suggested the diagram sparked Tianhe Sect's rebellion last era.
Its possession by Nine Nether Demon Ancestor proved its significance.
"Reforging?"
The spirit nodded: "With the diagram, the four swords could merge into a single entity, deploying the formation anytime."
"So Nine Nether's goal becomes clear," Xie Qingxue murmured. "He wants to reforge the sect's four swords to control the formation?"
Zheng Fa frowned: "But aren't those swords fake?"
The spirit corrected: "If Haori Mountain reforged me, the Trapping Ancestor would become real, potentially achieving true immortality."
Realization struck Zheng Fa - the four founders relinquished the swords because Dao Fruits couldn't coexist.
For the Trapping Ancestor to manifest truly, the original sword had to go.
"Initially, I was dominant over the Trapping Ancestor..."
This matched Xie Qingxue's situation, Zheng Fa noted.
"But after absorbing countless consciousness fragments from somewhere, he seemed to transcend the sword's confines. Later, I sensed another Trapping Immortal Sword existing."
"Another?" Zheng Fa's confusion mixed with enlightenment.
"Why would your reforging let him achieve immortality?"
The spirit eyed him oddly: "Because progressing from rogue immortal to true immortal requires attaining a unique Dao Fruit."
"Unique Dao Fruit?"
"Rogue immortals control their destiny, escaping the three realms, yet this isn't true transcendence."
Zheng Fa recalled heart demon tribulations since Nascent Soul, grasping part of this.
"True transcendence means..." he guessed, "Original cultivation methods? Dao Fruits? Freedom from others' control?"
"Exactly. The path must be wholly unique, independent of existing systems - this is the Unique Dao Fruit."
"True immortals exist beyond the five elements."
Zheng Fa partially understood - rogue immortals might consolidate parallel selves, while true immortals develop entirely new cultivation systems.
"And beyond true immortals?"
"Golden Immortals." The spirit sounded proud. "What they are, I don't know. Tianhe claimed the Slaying Formation could kill even them."
Zheng Fa started.
"Given Nine Nether's nature, he'd normally remain hidden. But for reforging the swords..." Zheng Fa now understood Nine Nether's gamble.
The formation's power was staggering!
Haori Mountain lacked Golden Immortals, making this worth any risk.
"The four sects won't stand idle." Worry creased Xie Qingxue's brow - for Sect Master Yan.
"Sect Master Yan..." Zheng Fa shook his head. "He's no fool. His choices imply confidence."
Seeing her lingering concern, he added: "No news is good news for now."
Had Nine Nether failed, word would spread. Major battles would create visible phenomena.
Xie Qingxue's frown eased in gratitude before brightening: "This gives Jiushan Sect breathing room."
Zheng Fa agreed privately. However tragic for Tianhe Sect, Nine Nether's actions created precious strategic respite for Jiushan.
Nine Nether's audacity and the formation's terror would consume the sects' attention.
Like modern enemies building nukes, the four sects must panic.
Despite their power, they'd failed to quickly eliminate Nine Nether, diverting focus from Jiushan - even Haori Mountain's hostility toward Zheng Fa.
Mentally, Zheng Fa cheered for Nine Nether -
A century's resistance would earn him a grand Hall of Virtues monument!
A millennium might rename Jiushan Sect to Nine Nether Sect!
Xie Qingxue counted opportunities:
"Your Nascent Soul advancement."
"The first fifty-year plan."
"Maritime development..."
"Jiushan only lacks time."
Suddenly she laughed: "Imagine the four sects' faces after dismantling the formation only to face something worse from Jiushan..."
Amused by her confidence, Zheng Fa changed topics: "Fairy Xie, what of the Qingping Sword?"
Xie Qingxue produced it curiously: "Can it really be modified?"
Great Sun True Fire enveloped the Trapping Immortal Sword: "Full transformation is impossible, but appearance alteration is feasible."
Tianhe Venerable's swordcraft originated from the Nine-turn Golden Core Method, its spiritual materials imbued with Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans.
After modifying the Heaven and Earth Divine Fiend Array, the sword now harmonized perfectly with Zheng Fa's techniques, partially mastering Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations.
Thus, like the Creation Jade Slip, it gained transformative properties.
With Great Sun True Fire's aid...
Soon, Zheng Fa carried a "Qingping Sword" as rainbow light carried him and Xie Qingxue toward Haori Mountain.
"Zheng Fa, why care so for Rogue Immortal Luo?" Xie Qingxue asked mid-flight.
"Partly to further dispel suspicion, as I told Senior Sister Zhang."
She nodded doubtfully: "No risk of overcomplicating?"
"Secondly..." Zheng Fa met her gaze. "Peace isn't won through retreat."
Xie Qingxue startled at his sudden profundity.
"Rogue Immortal Luo crossed lines. Acquiescence would invite escalation from the four sects..."
Understanding dawned.
"Moreover, Jiushan isn't without leverage."
Xie Qingxue realized - Sect Master Yan's collusion with Nine Nether, plus herself, Yan Wushuang and Han Lao were Jiushan's biggest vulnerabilities...
"Jiushan's peace lies with Nine Nether," Zheng Fa's voice remained steady in the rainbow light. "And with this sword."
Closing her eyes, Xie Qingxue thought: Zheng Fa never considered abandoning them three.
The Trapping Immortal Sword was rightfully his.
