Vol 2 Chapter 51: Different
The three figures looked like a master and his two servants.
The young man leading them had the air of a scholarly noble, with refined features and an upright demeanor, completely devoid of any sinister aura.
The other two were more ordinary—one middle-aged, one younger, both dressed as servants. However, their expressions and bearing suggested they were no common men.
Hearing the young noble’s words, the younger servant on the left asked, “Young Master, this Zheng Fa has only recently gained some fame in the Jiushan Sect. He’s just a Qi Refining cultivator—why should we care so much about him?”
The young noble glanced at him but said nothing.
“…Mind your mouth!” The older servant suddenly slapped the younger one across the face and scolded, “If the Young Master takes an interest in someone, we investigate. Do you need an explanation?”
“…Your servant admits his mistake.”
The young servant, though slapped, didn’t dare show a trace of anger. He simply lowered his head in submission.
The young noble studied the two of them for a long moment before finally speaking.“It’s not just Zheng Fa. Any genius from the Hundred Immortals Alliance, or even from the Xuanyi Realm, will not be left unchecked by our Holy Sect.”
The two servants exchanged a glance, still somewhat puzzled.
“Last time, during the great decline of spiritual energy, Tianhe Sect produced an unparalleled genius. Our Holy Sect failed to take notice early on, and in the end, he nearly unified the entire Xuanyi Realm.” The young noble’s face flickered with an ambiguous expression—somewhere between fear and admiration. “That time, our Holy Sect was nearly wiped out.”
“Were it not for the deep foundations of our sect and the protection of our founder, we might have lost our entire lineage. This time, our sect will not repeat the mistake of ignoring rising geniuses.”
“So… that’s why you’re paying attention to Zheng Fa?”
The two servants finally understood.
“It’s not that he’s particularly important. The sect is far more wary of the famous geniuses from the Five Great Sects. As for the Hundred Immortals Alliance, only a few, like Zhang Wuyi, warrant serious concern.” The young noble shook his head. “But Zheng Fa is rumored to be the greatest talisman prodigy in the alliance’s history. On top of that, the Jiushan Sect’s Sect Master has taken him as a disciple. That alone makes me interested.”
“Our sect’s techniques are best at deception. You two, infiltrate Jiushan Sect and take a look…”
He thought for a moment before adding, “If the opportunity arises, eliminate him.”
“Yes.”
“Senior Sister Zhang wants me to stay at her place?”
Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Yuan, a little surprised by the message she had brought.
“That’s right.” Senior Sister Yuan nodded, recalling Senior Sister Zhang’s exact words. “She said the Xuanyi Realm isn’t too peaceful these days. Several well-known young cultivators have mysteriously died—and your current residence is too close to the market district, making it an easy target for ill-intentioned people.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but glance toward Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard.
He thought he caught a glimpse of her smiling at him from a small pavilion.
“I’ve been living at Senior Sister Zhang’s place this whole time,” Senior Sister Yuan added, patting her chest. “I even promised to watch over—no, I mean protect you!”
Zheng Fa understood Senior Sister Zhang’s kindness.
Her courtyard was rich in spiritual energy and far safer than his current residence—anyone would envy such an invitation.
But instead of immediately agreeing, he turned to Seventh Young Master behind him.
“Zheng Fa, I’m heading back to Qingmu Sect.”
As if knowing what Zheng Fa was thinking, Seventh Young Master suddenly spoke up.
“You’re leaving?”
Seventh Young Master pursed his lips, pulling Zheng Fa aside for a few steps before lowering his voice.
“My sister’s trip to Taiyang County… it’s dangerous, isn’t it?”
“…”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but wince.
Clever Seventh Young Master was back.
“She gave me a bunch of spirit stones and elixirs before she left, saying she wouldn’t need them anymore.” Seventh Young Master lowered his head, his voice heavy. “Does she think I’m stupid?”
“...It’s not that dangerous. As long as Senior Sister Zhao is careful, she should be safe. And Senior Sister Zhang is with her.”
Zheng Fa quickly reassured him.
“I know my sister is exhausted…” Seventh Young Master suddenly interrupted. “She has to train herself while gathering resources for me and expanding her connections. Even my master—she had to ask so many people to pull strings just to secure that opportunity for me.”
“Zheng Fa, I want to go back and train.”
“…”
“When I reach Foundation Establishment, I’ll be able to help her.”
“When I reach Golden Core, whatever she wants, I’ll be able to provide.”
“When I reach Nascent Soul, hehe, then I’ll bring you along to enjoy life—oh, and my mother… and also Gao Yuan!”
“…Then I’ll be waiting.”
Zheng Fa smiled as he looked at him.
He had always thought Seventh Young Master had it easy in Qingmu Sect, living a smooth, carefree life.
But now, he realized—he had changed.
At the dock, just before boarding, Seventh Young Master suddenly asked,
“I heard the Hundred Immortals Alliance holds a Hundred Immortals Conference every ten years, where disciples from various sects spar and exchange knowledge. Are you going?”
“I probably will.”
Zheng Fa had heard about the Hundred Immortals Conference before.
He had also come to understand the nature of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Rather than a traditional sect, it functioned more like a commercial city-state alliance, with frequent trade and collaboration between sects—though most operated independently.
The Hundred Immortals Conference served both as a way to strengthen ties and as a battleground for competing interests.
The next conference was less than two years away—typically, it took place two years after the Immortal Talent Conference. By then, the most exceptional disciples from the recent generation would have started to stand out.
Zheng Fa recalled that Senior Sister Zhang had once dominated the talisman arts competition at a Hundred Immortals Conference decades ago, earning the title of first in talisman arts among her generation.
“I think I’ll go too.” Seventh Young Master’s eyes sparkled. “If I train hard for two years, I should reach Foundation Establishment by then.”
“Mm.”
Zheng Fa wasn’t sure what he was getting at.
“You should make it too,” Seventh Young Master grinned. “Let’s meet again then—as Foundation Establishment cultivators!”
“…When I talk in that kind of grand tone, I at least say Golden Core level.”
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but tease.
Seeing Seventh Young Master’s frozen expression, Zheng Fa burst into laughter.
In the Xuanyi Realm, he only truly felt young when he was with a select few people.
“…Zhao Jingfan.”
Zheng Fa suddenly grew serious.
“Do you know what I hope for?”
“Huh?”
“To meet again at the Nascent Soul stage.”
Seventh Young Master held his breath for a moment before muttering,
“…Even in my dreams, I wouldn’t dare think that far ahead.”
As Zheng Fa watched him board the ship, Seventh Young Master suddenly gripped the railing and shouted toward him,
“Nascent Soul reunion!”
Zheng Fa smiled and waved.
Nascent Soul was an incredibly difficult stage to reach, especially for someone like Seventh Young Master, whose aptitude wasn’t considered top-tier.
But still, Zheng Fa hoped—hoped that in this world, people like Seventh Young Master…
Could live a long, fulfilling life.
Around them, others had been drawn by Seventh Young Master’s loud declaration and were now curiously looking at the two of them.
“Uncle, are these Immortal Sect cultivators?”
Among the crowd, a pair of uncle and nephew watched as Seventh Young Master and Zheng Fa spoke. The young man, the same one who had been slapped on the boat earlier, sneered and whispered,
“Nascent Soul, huh? What an idiot—he doesn’t even know how vast the heavens are.”
The middle-aged man shot him a sharp look, warning him not to speak carelessly in a place with so many prying eyes.
The two of them turned and walked toward the market district, but as they passed Zheng Fa, the young man couldn’t resist glancing back at him again.
“Immortal Sect cultivators are different from us,” the middle-aged cultivator spoke only after they had distanced themselves from the crowd. “In our Holy Sect, bloodline is everything. Those with the Ancient Saint Bloodline are naturally superior to the rest of us.”
“We rely on our bloodline to cultivate rapidly. Without the Saint Blood Pill, neither of us would have any hope of advancing to Nascent Soul.”
“But these Immortal Sect cultivators… they don’t have those limitations.”
Sighing, the middle-aged man continued, “Our Holy Sect is both strong because of our bloodline and restricted by it. Even the Holy Son is bound by this fate. That’s why they fear these geniuses who have no such limits.”
The young man nodded, looking toward the distant Jiushan Sect with a flicker of apprehension. “But that sect still has three Nascent Soul cultivators. We’re just Foundation Establishment…”
“That’s why the Young Master isn’t here.”
“…”
The middle-aged man glanced at his unsettled companion and added, “Don’t let it get to you. It’s not just our Holy Sect—the entire Xuanyi Realm operates the same way. Jiushan Sect is no different.”
The young man pursed his lips.
The older man chuckled, as if amused by his naivety. “In our Holy Sect, those with weak cultivation and inferior bloodlines serve the geniuses as slaves and servants. But these Immortal Sects? They do the same thing—just wrapped in a facade of righteousness.”
“Enough. Jiushan Sect isn’t something we can provoke. Let’s not waste time—let’s find out where Zheng Fa lives.”
The two arrived at Zheng Fa’s residence.
The middle-aged man took one look and chuckled. “This place is crawling with people from all over. If we move carefully, taking him out won’t be difficult. The real challenge is getting away afterward.”
The young man scanned the area and nodded in agreement.
This district housed not just Jiushan Sect disciples, but also their families.
And with the market district bustling as it was, many outsiders had settled here temporarily.
It was the perfect place to strike.
Not wanting to delay, the two found an inn at the street corner, rented a room, and began watching Zheng Fa’s house from the window every day.
One Day Later
“Uncle… are we sure Zheng Fa actually lives here?”
The young man was losing patience and turned to his uncle.
“I already asked around—this is definitely his place.” The middle-aged man looked equally confused as he stared at the completely deserted courtyard. “He’s well-known in Jiushan Sect. There’s no mistake.”
“But…”
“Wait two more days.”
“…”
Three Days Later
The two of them stood by the window, looking at each other in silence.
“Uncle… even the innkeeper is asking what we’ve been doing locked up in our room all day.”
“…Let’s go ask around in the market district again.”
“Then… can we go see a play?” The young man suddenly suggested. “I heard it’s really popular right now—there’s a show tonight!”
Seeing his nephew’s eager expression, the middle-aged man hesitated for a moment before finally nodding.
At the Theater
By the time they arrived at the theater, the entrance was already packed with people buying tickets.
The young man squeezed through the crowd and managed to grab two tickets. When he turned back, he found his uncle surveying the area.
“Uncle, what are you looking at?”
“I heard this play was created by Zheng Fa. Seeing all this, it’s clear that Jiushan Sect is making a fortune from it.”
They entered the theater and found that nearly all 10,000 seats were filled.
After doing some quick calculations, the middle-aged man muttered, “This one performance alone must be bringing in at least 300 spirit stones for Jiushan Sect.”
His nephew nodded absentmindedly, but he wasn’t really listening—his eyes were darting around excitedly, taking in the bustling atmosphere.
The middle-aged man sighed as he observed his nephew’s enthusiasm.
He knew the boy’s temperament wasn’t fully set yet—he simply loved excitement and liveliness.
But the Holy Sect was rigidly hierarchical. There was no room for personal indulgence.
This was his nephew’s first time outside the sect, and he was already getting carried away.
Still, the uncle’s heart softened. He decided to just let the boy enjoy himself.
Before long, the play "Rescuing the Young Cultivator Pang Qian" began.
After the Play
The performance seemed to pass in the blink of an eye.
As the uncle and nephew left the crowded theater, neither spoke, still immersed in the story.
After a long silence, the middle-aged man suddenly heard his nephew mutter,
“Jiushan Sect is different.”
“Hm?”
“In the play, the Jiushan Sect disciples went to great lengths and paid a huge price just to rescue a mere Qi Refining cultivator,” the young man said softly. “That’s not how our Holy Sect operates.”
“…”
The middle-aged man twitched his lips, looking at his nephew with a hint of exasperation.
I knew you had a rebellious streak.
Sure, we’re from a demonic sect, so we don’t exactly preach loyalty or righteousness…
But this? This is a bit much, don’t you think?
“It’s just a play! It’s fictional!” he hissed in a low voice.
His nephew fell silent.
At the Market District
Leaving the theater, they wandered into the market district, taking the opportunity to gather information on Zheng Fa.
The middle-aged man glanced at the bustling crowd and couldn’t help but sigh. “This market wasn’t nearly as busy a few days ago when we first arrived. It must be the play drawing in all these people—Jiushan Sect is raking in even more profits.”
His nephew didn’t care about the economics of it all. His eyes roamed the market, following the excitement.
As they walked, they stumbled upon a store with an incredibly long queue.
A sign at the entrance read:
“Half a stone per person—no extra sales allowed!”
Curious, they stepped closer and realized it was a spiritual grain store.
“Brother, why is this store so popular?” The young man asked a cultivator at the end of the line.
“First time in Jiushan Sect?”
“Yes.”
“They sell Yellow Sprout Rice here for cheap! Jiushan Sect made a special deal with Qianhe Sect just so people could afford good spirit rice.”
“…”
The uncle and nephew exchanged glances.
“We came here for a play, and now we’re about to buy spiritual rice to take back with us.” The cultivator sighed. “Even if we don’t eat it ourselves, we can resell it for a profit. Too bad they limit purchases to half a stone per person—I heard Jiushan Sect disciples aren’t restricted, though. Some people are already reselling it at higher prices.”
“Well, what can you do?” The cultivator sighed. “Jiushan Sect says it’s a benefit for lower-level disciples—as long as they get to eat or sell it to make ends meet, it’s fine.”
Hearing this, the young man turned to his uncle and murmured,
“Uncle… Jiushan Sect really is different.”
His uncle didn’t reply.
He simply stepped into line behind the cultivator.
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