I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 494Book 2: : The Kunlun Pact, Changes in the Underworld
Vol 2 Chapter 494: The Kunlun Pact, Changes in the Underworld
Zheng Fa and Tongtian grew increasingly animated in their conversation.
At first, their discussion mainly revolved around insights gained from this lecture session.
While Zheng Fa relied on his Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations, these four were legendary figures of extraordinary comprehension.
What they had grasped was no less than his own understanding—though to say this would be somewhat immodest, as they had actually comprehended far more than him. This made Zheng Fa acutely aware of his own intellectual limitations.
Of course, this was also related to the cultivation levels of these four Saints: in terms of strength, they were nearing sainthood, so when examining various cultivation methods, they naturally possessed an elevated perspective.
Thus, even from this brief exchange, Zheng Fa felt he had gained tremendously.
"Marvelous!" Tongtian appeared quite delighted. "Your Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations are truly remarkable!"
Yuanshi nearby nodded in agreement: "This technique is well-suited for enlightenment, magical combat, and concealment. Among the divine abilities I've witnessed, it stands in a class of its own... one could even say it ranks among the world's supreme supernatural powers."
"Your current cultivation level remains modest, yet you've created such an extraordinary technique—this makes it even more valuable."
Tongtian, look how sweet his words are!
Yuanshi gazed at Zheng Fa with appreciation. "Our Kunlun will soon host the Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly. Might you have time to attend, Fellow Daoist?"
Hearing this, Tongtian looked at Yuanshi with a strange expression: "Second Brother, haven't you always said we shouldn't let outsiders disturb Kunlun's tranquility?"
Yuanshi glanced at him, seemingly unwilling to address Tongtian's question.
"You don't know," Tongtian explained to Zheng Fa with a grin. "My second brother has always looked down on two types of people throughout his life."
"Which two types?"
"Those you look down upon, and those he looks down upon."
...
Under Yuanshi's cold gaze, the honey-tongued Tongtian quickly added: "But Second Brother does value you. The Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly has always been for our family's discussions—we rarely invite outsiders."
Upon hearing this, not only did Zheng Fa feel quite honored, but the others nearby reacted even more strongly than him.
Nüwa laughed: "So it seems even I, your younger sister, have never had such an opportunity."
"It was originally just for family enjoyment," Yuanshi explained, then glared at Tongtian. "It's not that I'm arrogant."
He looked at Zheng Fa without speaking, just inquiring with his eyes—Will you come?
Zheng Fa slightly cupped his hands respectfully: "I would be most honored to attend."
"Then let's set it for half a year from now," Tongtian said happily. "Don't say I didn't warn you—at the Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly, each participant must deliver a lecture."
This sounded quite similar to the seminars Zheng Fa and his group organized.
"Then I can only make a fool of myself."
Bailian and others standing behind him had twisted expressions—they could make fools of themselves too!
Not to mention Bailian, who had received teachings from Zhunti and the other, how could the others not know that discussing the Dao with these three sages would be a tremendous opportunity for anyone?
One could even say this was more precious than the Purple Heaven Palace lecture—
Especially since they had gained little from that lecture.
Hongjun Daoist's lectures seemed to follow his own procedures, unlike these three who could engage in exchange.
Yet these three had invited Shi Nandang while completely ignoring the rest of them. The difference in treatment wasn't exactly heaven and earth, but it still made their hearts sour with envy.
As the others listened eagerly, they saw Yuanshi nod to Zheng Fa and begin walking toward the hall's exit.
"Senior Brother, please wait."
Yuanshi stopped and looked back at Nüwa, his eyes questioning.
Nüwa called out to him but spoke to Zheng Fa: "Have you thought about how to answer my question?"
Zheng Fa replied honestly: "Your question is too profound, Your Majesty. I only have some superficial insights."
Nüwa nodded slightly, then added: "My path to enlightenment can no longer be delayed."
Zheng Fa paused for a moment, then suddenly understood her meaning—although Lady Nüwa had her own will, she existed only as an illusion from the past. They had to act according to Fusang Wood's memories.
Nüwa creating humanity was an inevitable event.
From the beginning, the creation of humanity held no suspense—the real suspense was whether Zheng Fa could partake in this great merit.
Nüwa said to Yuanshi: "Senior Brother, might I also attend this Three Pure Ones Dharma Assembly?"
Yuanshi looked back at her with surprise in his eyes, then turned to Taishang as if seeking his opinion.
Taishang Daoist gazed deeply at Nüwa and asked: "Naturally, you may."
Meanwhile, Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged glances and interjected: "Might we two also participate in this grand occasion?"
Taishang thought for a moment: "In that case, perhaps we should call it the Kunlun Dharma Assembly."
"Excellent."
Everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with anticipation.
Zheng Fa watched from the side, feeling quite surprised. He didn't know if these individuals had ever discussed the Dao together before, but this Kunlun Dharma Assembly seemed to be a first.
First Yuanshi Daoist invited him, then Nüwa inexplicably wanted to come, followed by Zhunti and Jieyin joining the excitement.
Bailian and the others listened with growing anxiety. Discussing the Dao with the Three Pure Ones was already rare enough, but now with all six of them gathering together, this became a heavenly opportunity. Who wouldn't want to go?
Zhunti seemed to remember something and suddenly pointed at Bailian: "Although this junior of mine lacks talent, he can handle serving tea and water..."
Bailian looked somewhat grateful—his Patriarch still valued him.
Yuanshi looked at Bailian and suddenly asked: "Does he also possess techniques as marvelous as the Seventy-Two Transformations?"
...
Seeing Bailian remain silent, Yuanshi gently shook his head.
Though his expression remained neutral, Zheng Fa, having conversed with him for so long, could now interpret his gaze.
Simply put, three words: needs more practice.
Tongtian nearby showed no surprise, clearly indicating that his earlier comment about Yuanshi being arrogant and disliking too many people on Kunlun Mountain was probably true.
Even Bailian, who had backing, was refused entry, so Creation Daoist and the others naturally had no hope.
After agreeing to gather at Kunlun in half a year, they all departed.
Bailian and the others watched Zheng Fa bid farewell to each person, their expressions complex. Yet Zheng Fa's mood wasn't particularly cheerful.
Before leaving, Nüwa gave him a deep look, and he understood its meaning:
If his answer half a year from now failed to satisfy Nüwa, then this merit from creating humanity would likely slip through his fingers.
This concerned not only the Hongmeng Purple Qi but even the usage method of the Qian Kun Tripod.
After leaving the Purple Heaven Palace with the others and returning to the Five Organs Pavilion, Zheng Fa focused on consolidating what he had gained from the lecture while pondering Nüwa's questions.
Outside Nine Luminaries Heaven, at the Three Palaces on Haori Mountain, a disciple suddenly pointed east and shouted: "Look over there!"
Other disciples followed his pointing finger and gaped in astonishment.
East of Haori Mountain originally belonged to Tianhe Sect's territory, but now was occupied by the Nine Nether Emperor and had become the Underworld.
The Underworld differed markedly from other parts of Xuanwei, perpetually shrouded in thick black fog. Looking from Haori Mountain toward the Underworld, one would see a towering wall—pitch black and reaching between heaven and earth—separating Haori Mountain from the Underworld.
No one dared approach that area.
Over the years, they had grown accustomed to that immobile black wall, even viewing it as the end of the mortal world.
But today, a radiant light gate suddenly opened in that wall.
The black mist parted to both sides like double doors, and figures emerged from the gateway.
"Ancestor Yun?" a sharp-eyed disciple exclaimed. "Has Ancestor Yun escaped from the Underworld?"
Immortal Yun stepped out of the Underworld, squinting in the bright sunlight, truly feeling as if a lifetime had passed.
Not just him—the expressions of people from the other four sects showed either joy or sorrow.
He looked at Lady Nishang nearby and asked: "Where does the Venerable plan to go?"
"Back to Yaochi," Lady Nishang replied. "I have failed my sect's expectations this time and must return to apologize."
Hearing this, Immortal Yun fell silent. He remembered how formidable the four sects had been when besieging Tianhe Sect, vowing to kill the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.
And now?
The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor had become too powerful to control, and they had been trapped in the Underworld for years, becoming Xuanwei's laughingstock.
The two from Taishang Dao were also eager to return to their mountain.
Since Taishang Dao lay to the south, Immortal Yun traveled east with Lady Nishang until they reached the foot of Haori Mountain.
"Might the Venerable rest awhile on the mountain and allow me to fulfill my duties as host?"
Although their sects still had conflicts, having shared hardships together, Immortal Yun's tone remained quite sincere.
"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist, but not knowing Yaochi's current situation, I'm truly anxious to return." The Yaochi Lady Nishang nodded beside him and added: "I need to pass through the Hundred Immortals Alliance and inquire about Xuanwei's situation."
Seeing their determination not to stay, Immortal Yun cupped his hands and bid farewell to the Venerable.
The surviving Leiyin Temple disciples all followed the Venerable away, except for one young monk who remained behind. He approached Immortal Yun and transmitted voice: "Ascend the mountain?"
"Who are you?"
The monk countered without answering: "The Patriarch has issued a decree asking if you remember the last time the Underworld opened?"
Immortal Yun's expression turned more serious: "Of course I remember. I often regret missing that opportunity."
"That Underworld opening seemed suspicious."
"Suspicious?"
"According to the Patriarch, the Nine Nether Emperor's power within the Underworld is unfathomable. That breach in the Underworld's barrier was truly... peculiar."
Immortal Yun paused slightly, thought flashing in his eyes, then imperceptibly nodded to the young monk.
Watching the monk follow Lady Nishang into the distance, Immortal Yun finally said to the Haori Mountain disciples behind him: "Follow me... home."
The Haori disciples behind him shouted in unison: "Home!"
Home... home was about to be lost!
Sitting in the Three Palaces, Immortal Yun stared blankly at the empty hall.
"You're saying the Hundred Immortals Alliance has attacked?"
"They've already taken half our territory!" a Yun clan elder said with a mournful face. "Our disciples continue to retreat steadily, and those minor sects and families are becoming restless too."
Immortal Yun closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said angrily: "No matter! They're just taking advantage of Haori Mountain having no Dao Fruit cultivators. Now that I've returned, I won't let them be presumptuous... After resting for two days, I'll lead you to crush the Hundred Immortals Alliance!"
Unexpectedly, hearing his bold words, the Nascent Soul cultivators below not only failed to feel inspired but instead exchanged uneasy glances, hesitant to speak and clearly reluctant.
"What else?"
"We did have Dao Fruit assistance."
Immortal Yun frowned, suddenly understanding: "From Nine Luminaries Heaven?"
"Yes, the Gu God specifically emerged to resist the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
Immortal Yun's expression softened slightly, but then the clan elder added: "Then returned severely wounded."
Immortal Yun's eyelids twitched as he suppressed his shock: "The Gu God was injured?"
"Yes, we don't even know whether she's alive or dead now."
Immortal Yun pressed his lips together, speechless for a long moment.
"The Hundred Immortals Alliance has such strength?"
The Haori Mountain Nascent Souls nodded repeatedly, their faces showing lingering fear: "Over these years, we haven't gained any advantage."
Seeing their timid expressions, Immortal Yun grew angrier—these people had been frightened out of their wits by the Hundred Immortals Alliance!
His gaze swept over them, then narrowed: "Why are so many people missing?"
...
Silence fell over the Three Palaces again as everyone lowered their heads.
"Were they killed by the Hundred Immortals Alliance? Killed until you lost your courage?"
"No, not that," someone whispered. "They were... fed to the Gu God by the Lu clan!"
Only then did Immortal Yun realize that the missing people included many Nascent Souls from both Yun and Luo clans, and that no Lu clan members had come, making the Three Palaces appear even emptier.
The crowd grew agitated, someone shouting: "Now that the Patriarch has returned, he can uphold justice for us! We beg the Patriarch to exterminate the Lu clan and avenge our clansmen!"
"Eradicate the Lu clan!"
Immortal Yun's face grew increasingly grim as he roared: "Enough!"
"When talking about attacking the Hundred Immortals Alliance, you hesitate and hold back! When dealing with fellow sect members, you can't wait! What kind of behavior is this!"
The crowd fell silent, though someone still muttered discontentedly: "The Hundred Immortals Alliance isn't as ruthless as our fellow sect members."
Immortal Yun urged: "Tell me everything in detail, from the beginning. What exactly happened?"
The Yun clan elder said: "Reporting to the Holy Patriarch, since you were trapped in the Underworld, the situation in Xuanwei has changed dramatically..."
Immortal Yun listened attentively.
The elder started with changes in heaven and earth, first describing the meteor shower caused by Dao Fruit cultivators dying, along with some rumors about the Northern Continent and maritime regions.
"The Northern Continent? How much do you know about it?"
The elder said hoarsely: "Not much. Our Haori Mountain isn't strong enough... no one dares go to the maritime regions, let alone the Northern Continent. We only know some vague legends."
Immortal Yun sighed inwardly. After his years away from Haori Mountain, these people had lost the pride of being Xuanwei's top sect.
Truth be told, even with his return, the current Xuanwei situation wasn't something a single True Immortal could control.
Looking at the sparse gathering in the Three Palaces, he felt for the first time that Haori Mountain had declined.
Then the elder spoke about the maritime battle between Jiushan Sect and the Cangming Dragon King.
"Golden-Winged Great Peng, Cangming Dragon Palace, so many Dao Fruit cultivators combined..." Immortal Yun's face twitched. "And Jiushan Sect actually won?"
"A complete victory. Golden-Winged Great Peng and the other fled in disgrace, barely escaping with their lives."
The Yun clan elder whispered: "If not for this, why would we fear the Hundred Immortals Alliance so much?"
Immortal Yun closed his eyes. While Haori Mountain gradually declined, Jiushan Sect shone like the morning sun, now reaching its zenith.
"Continue."
"Later, Jiushan Sect attacked our sect. The Lu clan summoned the Gu God, but she required blood sacrifices." The elder recalled. "First they captured scattered cultivators, but when that wasn't enough, they took people from our subordinate minor forces."
"That would have been bad enough, but after the Gu God was severely injured by Zheng Fa and needed more blood sacrifices to recover, the Lu clan actually started capturing people from Yun and Luo clans!"
Immortal Yun listened with a deeply furrowed brow, finally understanding why the sect was on the verge of collapse.
"Fortunately, Patriarch Shi returned to set things right and stopped the Lu clan's perverse actions."
"Wait, Patriarch Shi?"
"Patriarch Shi Nandang."
Immortal Yun said in surprise: "He's still alive?"
Since Shi Nandang wasn't among the rescued Haori Mountain disciples, he had assumed the other had perished in the Underworld.
"Alive!" the Yun clan elder said happily. "When the Underworld was breached by Leiyin Temple experts last time, Patriarch Shi seized the opportunity to escape."
Immortal Yun's eyes suddenly grew profound: "Last time?"
