I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 496Book 2: : The Nine Mountains Respond, Kunlun Defends
Vol 2 Chapter 496: The Nine Mountains Respond, Kunlun Defends
"Yun wants to ambush Zheng Fa?"
Elder Yuan asked.
Having obtained the Haori Mountain intelligence, Han Lao promptly delivered it to the Heavenly Emperor body. At this moment, within Ziwei Yuan, the higher-ups of Jiushan Sect had gathered once again.
"The Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array has also detected Lady Nishang's movements," the Heavenly Emperor body explained. "There are also some Leiyin Temple disciples. Since Old Monk Zhizhong perished, they've been following Lady Nishang and will soon arrive in Jiushan Realm." (Note: There was an error here - I previously forgot and accidentally revived Zhizhong this old man. I discovered this while reviewing earlier chapters recently and have now corrected it. My apologies.)
Haori Mountain is still some distance from Jiushan, and moreover, Lady Nishang is bringing a group of disciples, so they haven't arrived yet.
"Leiyin Temple disciples... that's a minor matter."
If Zhizhong were still here, Jiushan Realm would never allow this person to cross their border. But honestly, they didn't pay much attention to these Leiyin disciples.
"The real issue remains the Haori Mountain situation," Senior Sister Zhang spoke up. "That Golden Sun Burning Sky Formation sounds quite powerful. How should we deal with it?"
Everyone looked toward the Heavenly Emperor body, who thought for a long while before saying, "Actually, this isn't too difficult. Now that the main body is prepared, it shouldn't be a major problem."
Everyone nodded slightly. This wasn't the Heavenly Emperor body being blindly confident - rather, Jiushan Sect had deep research into formation arrays. The concepts behind the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array were unparalleled in Xuanwei, and they understood its strengths and weaknesses well:
The advantages were obvious - powerful and wide-ranging.
Everything else were disadvantages - lacking flexibility, high resource requirements, and strict conditions.
With proper preparation, it truly shouldn't be a major problem for Zheng Fa.
"The current focus should still be on the progress of the Dao Body Design," the Heavenly Emperor body emphasized. "This matter concerns the Hongmeng Purple Qi and the usage methods of the Qian Kun Tripod."
Senior Sister Zhang added: "The opening of the Underworld is just beginning to affect us. Golden Immortals will gradually enter Xuanwei..."
Everyone's expressions turned grave.
Now, Immortal Yun's return doesn't count as a major trouble, but Golden Immortals are different.
Elder Yuan asked, "How's the progress with the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation?"
"Very slow, so we can only pin our hopes on the Qian Kun Tripod."
Everyone's expressions grew even more somber.
But Elder Yuan fell into deep thought: "I was thinking, that Golden Sun Burning Sky Formation sounds pretty good too."
This came out of nowhere, leaving everyone even more confused. Only the Heavenly Emperor body raised an eyebrow, seeming to understand: "You want to steal that formation?"
Elder Yuan's face showed complete conviction: "We need to prepare against Golden Immortals. Didn't that Yun guy boast? That formation can oppose Golden Immortals - this is fate!"
"......"
Uncle Pang opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.
Even the Heavenly Emperor body was somewhat stunned.
Senior Sister Zhang added from the side: "The opening of the Underworld is just beginning to affect us. Golden Immortals will gradually enter Xuanwei..."
Better to acquire than build, no - better to steal!
Senior Sister Zhang's eyes shone with excitement: "We have no certainty about whether the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation can advance. On one hand, Zheng Fa might not grasp the Qian Kun Tripod's usage methods;on the other hand, we're only speculating about how much effect the Qian Kun Tripod can have. The Golden Sun Burning Sky Formation is indeed an alternative solution."
Elder Yuan's single sentence broke everyone out of their mental constraints.
Of course they should refine the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation - that's proprietary technology.
But the Golden Sun Burning Sky Formation is also quite appealing.
Who would complain about having too many formations?
Elder Yuan stroked his beard, expression calm, appearing profoundly mysterious.
"However, the secrets of this great formation seem to be entirely in Immortal Yun's mind, and the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow is also under his control," Uncle Pang frowned again. "All these years, he's never revealed anything outward. Unless Immortal Yun defects, learning this formation's control methods won't be easy..."
Lu Mo must have trusted Immortal Yun extremely deeply, entrusting Haori Mountain to him. It seems even the Golden Sun Burning Sky Formation can only be fully mastered by Immortal Yun.
Immortal Yun likely has extremely high loyalty toward Lu Mo. Making this person turn traitor would be ten, a hundred times more difficult than with Lord Shuyu Dragon.
Just as everyone was struggling with indecision, they saw Elder Yuan's face bearing a determined smile, as if he already had a plan.
"Respected Senior?"
"Have you all forgotten the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations?"
"The Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations?"
"He doesn't want to betray Lu Mo..." Elder Yuan's face showed complete understanding, "We'll help him!"
Elder Yuan's face showed complete understanding: "We need to prepare against Golden Immortals. Didn't that Yun guy boast? That formation can oppose Golden Immortals - this is fate!"
"I've even written the script!"
The hall fell into silence. After a long while, they heard Uncle Pang stammer: "Senior... Senior Brother, if I've ever been disrespectful to you in the past, please be magnanimous and don't hold it against me."
"Heh."
......
Within Nine Luminaries Heaven, Zheng Fa sat in his small courtyard, looking at a manuscript before him.
The manuscript's cover bore a title - "A Species Design Based on Dao Technique Propagation Derivation."
The Kunlun gathering was approaching, and he had compiled conclusions about Dao Body Design from both realms.
In Zheng Fa's view, this trip to Kunlun was similar to a thesis defense, so he simply prepared a paper.
Seeing that it was about time, Zheng Fa recorded the manuscript into a jade cylinder and burned it, then walked out of the courtyard toward the Five Organs Pavilion entrance.
The Five Organs Pavilion was empty.
These people all had their own matters and wouldn't usually be in the pavilion.
For example, Bailian needed to follow the two Patriarchs to accumulate merit, the Golden-Winged Great Peng needed to work shifts at the Heavenly Court, and both White Bone and Gu God were also busy.
Besides everyone seeking opportunities, the Five Organs Pavilion's eeriness also made everyone unwilling to stay.
These days, they seemed even busier. Except for Zheng Fa occasionally returning to the Five Organs Pavilion to organize manuscripts, the others were like dragons - seen at the head but missing at the tail.
Even Creation Daoist was often absent from the temple, though nobody knew what he was up to.
As Zheng Fa just reached the entrance, a golden phoenix descended from the sky, landing at the pavilion gate. It pecked at the wooden door, seemingly knocking impatiently.
Yuanshi had previously mentioned he would send someone to pick him up - Kunlun was vast, and Yuanshi preferred tranquility. Ordinary people couldn't find their meditation places, and Zheng Fa naturally had no means either.
He just didn't expect it to be a golden phoenix.
Zheng Fa mounted the golden phoenix's back and flew westward.
During this period, the external situation had changed again - the Witch and Demon tribes had fought to the point of frenzy.
Flying along, battle cries could be heard everywhere.
Stars in the sky teetered precariously, mountains on the ground collapsed, and rivers flowed with red water.
Malice between heaven and earth was visible to the naked eye. There was no pure land left in the world.
Fortunately, these Witch and Demon beings weren't highly intelligent, and this golden phoenix seemed to have some background:
Those who recognized it didn't dare stop it, those who didn't recognize it couldn't stop it. They traveled unimpeded for half a month before seeing mountain ranges undulating on the distant horizon, steep ridges forming walls that blocked the path ahead.
Kunlun had arrived.
Just approaching Kunlun, Zheng Fa sensed this place was different. The Witch and Demon tribes seemed to fear the Three Pure Ones within Kunlun and didn't dare act recklessly here.
The Kunlun mountain ranges remained bright with beautiful waters, filled with clear qi, extremely tranquil.
Returning here, the golden phoenix also seemed relieved, cheerfully crying out lightly as it glided through the air toward the depths of the mountains.
Just as everyone was hesitating, they saw Elder Yuan's face bearing a determined smile, as if he already had a plan.
One man and one phoenix disappeared behind the mountain peak.
Gu God and White Bone Demon Ancestor's figures emerged. White Bone Demon Ancestor whispered: "Did he discover us?"
"Hard to say, maybe he just glanced back randomly."
Gu God chuckled lightly.
"Can we still keep up?"
Gu God's face showed complete confidence, "Of course! He hasn't gone far. Even if he goes far, he can't escape!"
"Wait!" White Bone Demon Ancestor's spiritual flames flashed in his eyes as he turned to look east. "Fellow Daoist Roc, aren't you supposed to be on duty at the Heavenly Court today?"
Golden light flashed across the sky as the Golden-Winged Great Peng appeared before the two. Looking toward the direction where Zheng Fa disappeared, he sneered: "Haven't you all come too?"
"......"
Both Gu God and White Bone Demon Ancestor remained silent, only exchanging glances. Gu God said slowly: "Since we've all arrived, what about Fellow Daoist Bailian and Fellow Daoist Creation..."
A Buddhist chant sounded as Bailian emerged from behind them: "This humble monk came to find the two Patriarchs. As for Fellow Daoist Creation..."
"I was worried about Fellow Daoist Shi's safety."
Creation Daoist's laughing voice came through. The Golden-Winged Great Peng's expression showed even more disdain: "Beating around the bush, covering up and hiding - which one of us isn't here for Shi Nandang's opportunity? Which one isn't here for the Hongmeng Purple Qi?"
"......"
Creation and the others remained silent.
"Even if those six don't want us to go, they're after all just illusions - what can they do to me?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng said arrogantly.
Bailian lowered his head, softly chanting something.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng continued: "I've searched Kunlun for several days but couldn't find their traces, which is why I followed Shi Nandang..."
Gu God suddenly chuckled lightly: "Since Fellow Daoist Roc speaks directly, I'll be straightforward too. We cultivators fundamentally cannot let go of any opportunity. But I've been searching here for quite some time, and my children haven't found anything either."
Creation Daoist and Bailian remained silent, clearly in similar situations.
The several people maintained some distance between each other, their gazes full of wariness when looking at one another.
"Ultimately, we're thinking of competing for Shi Nandang's opportunity. Not necessarily to seize it, but at least to try," the Golden-Winged Great Peng said impatiently. "What's the use waiting here?"
Gu God nodded lightly and said: "Why not go together, then each rely on their own methods?"
"Agreed."
Everyone finally nodded in agreement.
The other three refused to be outdone, following Zheng Fa from a distance.
The golden phoenix carried Zheng Fa through the mountain peaks until they reached an inconspicuous peak, where it paused and looked back at Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa immediately understood, dismounted from the bird's back, and cupped his hands forward: "This junior disciple of later generations has come as invited."
The mountain beneath their feet lit up with clear radiance, revealing a small path paved with starlight. The path twisted and turned, extending upward toward the sky.
From the path's end came a gentle response: "Please enter."
Zheng Fa stepped onto the starlight and slowly walked upward toward the sky.
By the time the Golden-Winged Great Peng and others arrived, Zheng Fa's figure had long disappeared, and even the golden phoenix had vanished without a trace.
The five people looked around but couldn't detect anything unusual about this mountain.
Bailian thought for a moment, then stepped forward with palms together respectfully: "This humble monk Bailian requests an audience."
The mountain peak showed no reaction whatsoever.
The other four tried similarly, with the same result.
Nobody was surprised, only the Golden-Winged Great Peng sneered: "That day, Yuanshi only valued Shi Nandang, not us. Now, no matter how many times we beg, it's useless."
Creation Daoist asked: "What do you intend to do?"
Even Creation Daoist was often not at the temple, though nobody knew what he was up to.
"Don't... this place is fragile."
"The divine abilities of my Roc clan, how could outsiders possibly imagine them?" The Golden-Winged Great Peng was exceptionally confident, lightly shouting: "Open!"
The space before them rippled like rising waves.
"Fellow Daoist Roc has gained much from listening to the Dao this time."
Bailian said with palms together and a smile.
The others also showed envious expressions.
Besides Shi Nandang obtaining opportunities, the one who gained the most from this Dao listening was actually the Golden-Winged Great Peng - relying on his Roc bloodline, he understood much of the cultivation methods in Purple Heaven Palace and had made significant progress in cultivation.
Everyone also understood why he was so obsessed with Zheng Fa's opportunity.
This wasn't just about the Hongmeng Purple Qi.
This person had tasted sweetness from listening in Purple Heaven Palace, so naturally he wanted to hear those six great powers lecture too.
Unexpectedly, he actually found it!
The Golden-Winged Great Peng flashed forward, charging toward the vortex.
"What beast shows such discourtesy?" A cold shout suddenly came from within the vortex. The voice belonged to the same person who had responded to Shi Nandang earlier, but the tone was icy.
The Great Peng paid no heed, still charging toward the vortex's depths.
A finger suddenly extended from the opening. The finger was pure white, its nail looking like white jade.
This finger pointed downward from above, lightly touching the Great Peng's head, then withdrew like a dragonfly skimming water. As the vortex opening slowly closed, they only heard Nüwa's words: "This junior of the demon tribe doesn't understand propriety. Brother Yuanshi, please don't blame."
"A small punishment as warning is sufficient."
Creation Daoist looked down toward the ground.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng lay on the ground, appearing completely unharmed, but the arrogance on his face had completely disappeared, replaced by bone-deep terror.
They could even see the Golden-Winged Great Peng trembling.
"Fellow Daoist, you are..."
"I..." The Golden-Winged Great Peng looked at them blankly, "I've forgotten."
"Forgotten?"
"The cultivation methods I heard in Purple Heaven Palace, those secret techniques I learned in the Heavenly Court... no, no, even the inheritance in my bloodline is gone!"
"I..."
The previously sharp-tongued Golden-Winged Great Peng's voice was full of fear.
Even Creation Daoist felt chills to the bone. Although the Golden-Winged Great Peng looked uninjured, having even his bloodline inheritance erased meant his path as a demon was cut off.
Never mind someone as proud as the Golden-Winged Great Peng - even he could empathize.
He looked toward Bailian and asked: "Who exactly are these six?"
Bailian pressed his palms together and said softly: "I don't know."
"Don't know?"
"I only know that all methods of my Leiyin Temple originate from these two Patriarchs."
Creation Daoist paused, then suddenly asked: "Among them, is there one called Taishang Daoist?"
"......"
Everyone looked at each other in surprise, silently gazing toward that ordinary-looking mountain peak.
The highest-status among them, Bailian, pressed his palms together and sighed from the bottom of his heart: "Fellow Daoist Shi, what truly excellent fortune."
Zheng Fa could only curse inwardly.
Having six Saints as defense panelists, and capable ones at that - who could handle this?
