I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 389Book 2: : A Lifetime of Dao Realization, Sun and Moon Overhead
Vol 2 Chapter 389: A Lifetime of Dao Realization, Sun and Moon Overhead
Immortal Li looked at Zheng Fa with a complex expression. After a long moment, he sighed and said, “I believe the alliance leader would not be so unwise.”
Zheng Fa smiled slightly but did not refute.
Both he and Immortal Li understood that whether it was Taishang Dao or Zheng Fa himself, their best choice now was to rely on each other.
If Lu True Immortal succeeded in becoming a Golden Immortal, it would be bad news for both sides. The enemy of my enemy is my friend;therefore, the two sides indeed had the intention to join forces.
However, cooperation always carried the question of who would take the lead.
From Immortal Li’s perspective, Taishang Dao was strong while Jiushan was weak, so naturally, Zheng Fa should be the one to seek Taishang Dao.
His purpose in coming here was obviously to win over Zheng Fa, but Taishang Dao was no charity. While trying to ally, they also wanted to control Zheng Fa to some extent.
Because of this, he initially tried to tell Zheng Fa that without cooperating with Taishang Dao, Jiushan Realm would inevitably be unable to resist Haori Mountain in the future.
But Zheng Fa’s words revealed a major problem:
“I could always side with Leiyin Temple!”
Immortal Li, of course, knew Zheng Fa was unlikely to side with Leiyin Temple. Lu True Immortal had a close relationship with Leiyin Temple, and considering Haori Mountain’s hostility toward Jiushan Sect, that choice was far too risky.
More importantly, Zheng Fa had options, but Taishang Dao did not!
Even without mentioning Zheng Fa’s astonishing talent, the obstacles he posed to Lu True Immortal’s Dao realization were unique in Xuanyi Realm!
Seeing Zheng Fa so confident, Immortal Li silently shook his head, slowly walked back to his chair, his face filled with bitter smiles, no longer as confident as before.
“Alliance leader, you really picked a good time.”
Though his tone was full of helplessness, it concealed deadly intent.
In truth, both men understood clearly:
The other option for Taishang Dao was to directly capture Zheng Fa and bring him back, whether to protect or control him, the goal was to prevent Lu True Immortal from obtaining the Fusang Wood and thus hinder his Dao realization.
Taishang Dao did not choose this path, not because they didn’t want to, but because they couldn’t.
Golden Immortals could not enter Xuanyi. Zheng Fa’s current strength, capable of slaying Rogue Immortal Luo Sanxian, was top-tier in this realm.
That was the opportunity Immortal Li mentioned.
“But alliance leader should also understand, cooperation between Taishang Dao and Jiushan Sect benefits both.”
Only now did Zheng Fa speak: “I have always been friendly with Head Seat Mingde. Haori Mountain regards Jiushan Sect as a thorn in its side…”
He looked at Immortal Li, enunciating each word:
“Immortal Li may think I’m arrogant, but the biggest reason I won’t side with Leiyin Temple is not fear of Lu True Immortal.”
“Haori Mountain repeatedly violates the Hundred Immortals Alliance with the tacit approval or even instigation of Leiyin Temple. How could I just stand by?”
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Immortal Li was momentarily stunned. His heart felt that these words seemed somewhat false, yet looking at Zheng Fa’s expression, they were sincere beyond doubt.
He knew that after confirming Lu True Immortal’s identity, Zheng Fa himself had been somewhat shaken and was reluctant to believe at first.
But the meaning behind Zheng Fa’s words was not fear of being harmed by Lu True Immortal at Leiyin Temple, but unwillingness to reconcile with him, even superficially.
He also understood what this alliance leader implied—someone with Zheng Fa’s temperament would never willingly be manipulated by Taishang Dao.
Immortal Li slowly nodded and softly said, “I understand your meaning. Actually, Taishang Dao has only two conditions for cooperation with Jiushan Sect.”
“Hmm?”
“The most important one concerns only you, alliance leader.” Immortal Li spoke frankly. “As long as you live, you are the greatest obstacle to Lu True Immortal’s Dao realization.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa furrowed his brows and asked, “What exactly is Lu True Immortal doing? Why is he at once the Demon Emperor, the Demon Ancestor, and now practicing the Yang Spirit Method?”
Immortal Li was silent for a long time, his face growing even more bitter: “To be honest, the matter baffles me as well.”
“Hmm?”
“According to Dao Venerable’s edict, Lu True Immortal’s original name is Lu Yao. He was the last Demon Emperor active during the Era of Lawlessness.”
“Era of Lawlessness?”
Noticing Zheng Fa’s confusion, Immortal Li explained further:
“The previous era was dominated by the Demon Ancestor.”
“The era before that was the Divine Dao Era.”
“And before that was the Era of Lawlessness.”
Zheng Fa nodded slowly as he listened. Previously, his understanding of Xuanyi history only went as far as the Divine Dao Era. Today he learned that before the Divine Dao Era was called the Era of Lawlessness.
“The Era of Lawlessness refers to a time when there was no unified cultivation method, and heaven and earth were chaotic. Dao Venerable was born in that era and created the Yang Spirit Method, founding the Xuanyi cultivation system.”
Immortal Li’s face showed a hint of admiration.
Zheng Fa’s expression shifted slightly, as if recalling something.
“Leiyin Temple also originated in the Era of Lawlessness, and so did the Demon Emperor Lu Yao.”
Zheng Fa frowned. He hadn’t expected Lu Yao’s background to be so ancient.
He knew Xuanyi Realm only got more unruly the older its history.
“And then?”
“Then Lu Yao died.”
“Died?”
Zheng Fa was stunned. Immortal Li shook his head: “I don’t know the details;probably only Dao Venerable knows the full story.”
“All I know is that before the Era of Lawlessness ended, Lu Yao perished. But Haori Mountain appeared and became the overlord of the Divine Dao Era.”
“Wait, isn’t this Lu True Immortal the original primal demon?”
Suddenly, Zheng Fa remembered something.
The Divine Dao Era ended under the hands of many demon ancestors, and Lu True Immortal was the first Demon Ancestor, known as the primal demon.
Was he contradicting himself?
Zheng Fa felt completely confused.
Then Immortal Li’s tone grew lower: “Therefore, although Haori Mountain has many mysteries, we have never suspected he is the primal demon.”
“Later, when we checked the records, we found that after the primal demon appeared, Haori Mountain’s founder never showed himself, and even the entire Haori Mountain was very low-key.”
Zheng Fa asked puzzled, “What’s his plan?”
Haori Mountain was already a dominant power. Lu True Immortal transformed into the primal demon, overturning Haori Mountain and Yaochi’s rule—why go to such lengths?
“Only recently did Dao Venerable see something amiss, and we finally understood the reason.”
“What?”
“Transcendent Tribulation Dao Realization.”
“Transcendent Tribulation? Dao Realization?” Zheng Fa grew more and more confused.
“This is Leiyin Temple’s supreme Dao method. Dao Venerable said that although the Demon Emperor was strong, he was only a Golden Immortal. Lu Yao slew the Demon Emperor, founded Haori Mountain, and after cultivating the Dharmakaya, he reached a dead end.”
“Failed?”
“He nearly exterminated all human beings in Xuanyi but was still stuck at the Golden Immortal stage.”
“Is it him?”
Zheng Fa furrowed his brows deeply. He remembered hearing from Senior Sister Zhang that a demonic sect had slaughtered the Xuanyi beings.
He didn’t expect it was this Haori Mountain founder.
“No wonder he hid his identity…”
“Yes. Lu True Immortal is extremely cautious and has always kept Haori Mountain as a fallback,” Immortal Li nodded. “After the primal Demon Ancestor perished, Haori Mountain revived and became one of the Five Great Sects.”
“Now he wants to realize Golden Immortal again.”
Zheng Fa was surprised: “Just Golden Immortal…”
It wasn’t that he looked down on Golden Immortal.
But Lu Yao had been a Golden Immortal both as Demon Emperor and Demon Ancestor.
Why was Taishang Dao so nervous about him realizing Golden Immortal again?
Immortal Li smiled faintly, gazing at the sky: “You must know, Dao Fruit never dies.”
Zheng Fa’s heart jolted, staring at Immortal Li in shock.
“The Demon Emperor body, Demon Ancestor body, and Yang Spirit body united form the Taiyi, the supreme achievement.” Immortal Li nodded. “This is the power of Transcendent Tribulation Dao Realization. Honestly, even I find this secret technique terrifying.”
Zheng Fa pondered. Apart from Lu Yao’s goal, Immortal Li’s words revealed much unknown information:
For example, after Golden Immortal comes Taiyi.
And that Taiyi is called the Supreme, implying Taiyi is the strongest realm in Xuanyi.
But what Zheng Fa cared about most was another phrase:
“Cultivate different methods, then unify three bodies to become Taiyi?”
Seeing Zheng Fa’s interest, Immortal Li was somewhat surprised and said, “This is Leiyin Temple’s highest Dao method. Verified, it is indeed so.”
“Transcendent Tribulation three times, using three different cultivation methods, achieving Golden Immortal thrice, and finally merging into one to realize Taiyi.”
Zheng Fa’s heartbeat slowed for half a beat and asked, “Then why must there be Transcendent Tribulation? If there were a method to create splits, realize Golden Immortal separately, then merge, wouldn’t that work too?”
“This idea has been thought of by others,” Immortal Li interrupted. “But there’s only one problem: the splits would devour the original.”
“Huh?”
Immortal Li sighed:
“We cultivators fear losing ourselves the most. The stronger the split, the harder it is to control.”
“If splits cultivate different methods, it’s the greatest taboo. It will affect the original, causing deviation and madness, destroying the Dao path.”
“Therefore, Lu Yao’s Transcendent Tribulation requires the Demon Emperor body and Demon Ancestor body to perish first;otherwise, the previous lives’ influence would remain.”
Zheng Fa immediately understood. For cultivators above Nascent Soul, the method was not just technique—it was the cultivator’s very being.
Splits cultivating different methods was practically creating another self with a different mind… No wonder it would devour the original.
Immortal Li’s face showed a trace of longing:
“Otherwise, one could realize Dao in a single lifetime.”
Zheng Fa nodded repeatedly: That’s exactly what I thought!
Honestly, hearing Immortal Li describe Lu Yao made Zheng Fa somewhat despair.
But now hearing that uniting three bodies could realize Taiyi made him find Lu Yao’s centuries of toil hard to understand.
It was like seeing a classmate who studies hard until midnight every day, with incredible perseverance, but always performs poorly on exams.
True, Lu Yao never unified the Three Pure Ones in one breath.
Seeing Immortal Li’s admiring face, Zheng Fa reminded himself to keep this unification method secret—it was likely more powerful than any innate divine ability and crucial beyond imagination.
He thought for a moment and changed the subject:
“So basically, the best strategy is to prevent him from realizing Golden Immortal this lifetime? Otherwise, stop the unification of his three bodies?”
“Yes.” Immortal Li looked at Zheng Fa. “We speculate that Fusang Wood is crucial to his three-body unification and realization of Taiyi, which is why he targets Jiushan Sect so fiercely.”
Zheng Fa stood up, understanding:
Lu Yao sees this as a great Dao conflict—there is no room for reconciliation.
Taishang Dao’s first goal was obvious and naturally Zheng Fa’s inevitable choice.
“What about the second goal…”
Immortal Li paused, his gaze serious: “It concerns the Heavenly River Sect.”
Zheng Fa looked at Immortal Li, seeing no smile. “The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor is a great enemy of the immortal sects. Regardless of the quarrels among the Four Sects, when it comes to dealing with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, they are united. Alliance leader, you took in Xie Qingxue as the wielder of the Qingping Sword, which we understand, and we are willing to help you mediate.”
Zheng Fa lowered his eyes and thought for a long time before asking, “What is the current situation in Heavenly River Sect?”
Immortal Li answered calmly: “The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor needs time to refine the Four Swords. The Four Sects’ true immortals dare not easily enter the sword formation, so it’s at a stalemate. But the founders have already come up with a plan.”
“What plan?”
“If we dare not enter the sword formation, we can fight it with another formation—disrupting the spirit mechanism of the Chaos Immortal Sword Formation. This not only stops the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor from refining the Four Swords but, when the big formation is complete, it will break through Heavenly River Sect in one strike.”
Zheng Fa understood after hearing this: The Four Sects were already disunited and afraid of death, so no one wanted to be the first to act.
Now they intended to wear down the enemy with slow, grinding tactics.
He looked at Immortal Li and saw complex emotions in his eyes. He knew some things the other was unwilling to say but had no choice.
Immortal Li’s relationship with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was naturally secret.
But his relations with Yan Wushuang and Xie Qingxue were no secret.
Now that Sect Master Yan had betrayed the Four Sects, this could not help but arouse suspicion.
Taishang Dao wished to use him but was unwilling to delve deeply, yet could not ignore it either.
Those words just now were in fact a warning.
Only Immortal Li softened the tone out of some face.
Seeing Zheng Fa seemed to understand, Immortal Li considered carefully before saying clearly: “Alliance leader, if you are found to be involved in this matter, no one can protect you.”
Zheng Fa laughed and saluted him: “Thank you, Immortal Li, for warning me. I have Jiushan Realm behind me;I will not be so foolish.”
“...”
…
Immortal Li returned to the guest quarters, his mind heavy.
He flicked his sleeve, and a treasure mirror flew out, hanging upside down in midair, its surface facing down, shooting out a beam of light.
Head Seat Mingde and others exchanged glances and simultaneously entered the beam.
Six Nascent Soul cultivators accompanied Immortal Li, standing in a void.
“This treasure blocks external detection,” Immortal Li said. “No need to worry about Zheng Fa overhearing.”
The elderly Nascent Soul cultivator asked eagerly, “Ancestor Li, what do you think of Zheng Fa?”
“This young man is resolute and strongly rejects Haori Mountain. He is an asset to our sect.”
“What about the Heavenly River Sect matter…”
Immortal Li was silent for a moment, then shook his head: “I can’t tell his true intentions, but Xuanding Ancestor says there is no need to worry too much.”
“Hmm?”
“We must not only guard against Zheng Fa but also prevent the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor from breaking free,” Immortal Li explained. “Currently, no one among the Four Sects is trusted enough;a true immortal must personally lead, or no one can enter the big formation.”
“Even if Zheng Fa wants to help Sect Master Yan, it is impossible.”
Head Seat Mingde and others exchanged glances, knowing this arrangement was not aimed at Zheng Fa but rather fear of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor—whose hidden power was too strong.
The elderly Nascent Soul cultivator thought for a while, then nodded lightly: “Since the ancestor commands, I have nothing to say. Ancestor, what else did you discuss?”
At this, Immortal Li looked a bit puzzled:
“He asked me how to cultivate the Yang Spirit Method.”
“Huh?”
The elder was surprised: “Ancestor, did you share any sect secrets with him?”
“No! I only told him things everyone knows.” Immortal Li replied with some annoyance, “I’m just forgetful, not stupid!”
The elder glanced at him suspiciously but dared not say more.
“All right, organize what I just said carefully, don’t omit anything. Send a letter to Xuanding Ancestor and ask how to cooperate with Jiushan Sect.”
…
“Dao Venerable’s Yang Spirit Method is indeed extraordinary.”
Zheng Fa, along with Senior Sister Zhang and others, arrived at the medicine garden and stood before the Sun and Moon Bell.
“What’s extraordinary?”
“I always thought Xuanyi Immortal Dao came from the Divine Dao,” Zheng Fa explained, “but after hearing from Immortal Li, I learned Dao Venerable created the Yang Spirit Method first, then the Divine Dao civilization followed.”
Uncle Pang and others exchanged looks, not understanding what was so important.
“So, the Heavenly Venerate must also cultivate the Yang Spirit Method!”
Senior Sister Zhang was stunned by the words. Suddenly understanding something, she pointed the Feixian Brush, and the Innate Eight Trigrams spun in the air.
After a moment, she nodded: “Over 60% possibility.”
Zheng Fa knew that although Heavenly Venerate was powerful, he no longer existed, so Senior Sister Zhang could only do simple deductions.
“That’s why I say Taishang Dao’s Yang Spirit Method is extraordinary… it not only created the current Xuanyi Immortal Sect but also gave birth to the Divine Dao civilization.”
With that, Zheng Fa’s figure flickered, condensing a split that cultivated the Yang Spirit Method.
Everyone understood what Zheng Fa intended.
“You want to try Heavenly Venerate’s path?”
Zheng Fa nodded: “Lu Yao is too threatening. I must find a rapid cultivation method.”
“I’ve seen in Heavenly Venerate’s memories that Divine Dao cultivation was extremely fast. It’s worth a try.”
To rely on unifying the Three Pure Ones and realize Dao in one lifetime did not require dying twice, but that didn’t mean it was easy for splits to reach Golden Immortal.
Cultivating three different methods to Golden Immortal was probably a hard requirement for Taiyi.
Before, Zheng Fa naturally did not dare try Divine Dao methods, since Heavenly Venerate was crazy.
Even with Great Sun True Fire, he dared not act recklessly, worried that losing himself would cause loss of sanity and self-healing issues.
But if relying on unifying the Three Pure Ones, the risk was nearly zero.
At worst, he could retract the split and start over.
After hearing Zheng Fa’s plan, Senior Sister Zhang and others exchanged looks and agreed it was feasible.
…
Following Heavenly Venerate’s path meant fully merging with the Sun and Moon Bell.
This was not difficult. When Zheng Fa passed the Nascent Soul Tribulation, it seemed he gained Heavenly Venerate’s approval and stronger contact with the Sun and Moon Bell, which even seemed to have the instinct to fuse with him.
With more time, Zheng Fa could naturally achieve it.
But Zheng Fa needed time, so he brought Senior Sister Zhang here.
“Failed…”
Zheng Fa’s Yang Spirit split shattered into pieces and dissipated in the air. He was not disappointed but looked at Senior Sister Zhang and said, “Senior Sister, I had some insights just now. You try to deduce again.”
Senior Sister Zhang tapped the Feixian Brush continuously as the Innate Eight Trigrams generated countless runes.
After a moment, she said to Zheng Fa, “Try this formula.”
“Feasible. I feel the Sun and Moon Bell is more active than before.”
After trying for half a day, Senior Sister Zhang frowned, seeming a bit helpless: “The Innate Eight Trigrams can’t deduce this place yet.”
Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then drew a circle with his palm, condensing a Tai Chi diagram, saying, “This Dao Venerable’s Tai Chi Diagram seems related to spatial control and Yin-Yang rotation.”
Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes lit up. After listening carefully to Zheng Fa’s understanding of the Tai Chi Diagram formula, she started deducing again.
…
Several days later.
Immortal Li held Xuanding Ancestor’s reply letter, read it twice, then left the courtyard to find Zheng Fa.
Six Nascent Soul cultivators followed him.
Since this was to finalize cooperation details, it was Immortal Li’s weak point and required their assistance.
As the group reached the door, they saw dazzling golden light on the horizon. Turning around, they saw a purple figure slowly rising, a giant bell floating above his head.
This figure seemed to merge with this realm yet also seemed to be its ruler.
The thick incense power was like a seven-colored cloud, surrounding him.
With each breath, the purple figure’s aura grew more majestic. Even Head Seat Mingde, a Nascent Soul who had achieved Corpse Liberation, felt as if a great mountain weighed on his heart, making it hard to breathe.
“Ancestor.” The elderly Nascent Soul looked up at Zheng Fa’s face and murmured, “Didn’t you say you didn’t teach him any sect secrets? Then how is this incense meditation method somewhat similar to ours in Taishang Dao?”
“I didn’t teach him!”
“Could he have comprehended it himself these few days?”
Immortal Li froze and pondered for a long time: “Maybe… I taught him?”
