Chapter 567: Sect Leader’s Welfare, Lu Clan’s Ambition
The great ancestor Shi Nandang returned to his loyal Haori Mountain.
Zheng Fa passed through one city gate after another, and all he saw were warm smiles, expectant eyes, and attentive greetings:
"The man on the stone!"
“It’s hard to be a patriarch!”
"Grandmaster, you are back!"
This scene reminded Zheng Fa of the last time he came to Haori Mountain:
At that time he was a criminal and everyone avoided him. Compared with today, his situation was completely different.
He walked from the outer city inward, secretly observing the situation in Haori Mountain. The cultivators he met were reluctant to leave and followed him.
When he arrived at the jade steps of Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa was already followed by numerous disciples of Haori Mountain.
More than a dozen figures walked out of the three palaces. Looking at the thousands of troops following Zheng Fa, as if they were about to attack Haori Mountain, they all looked at each other silently, with different expressions.
"The man on the stone!"
"Master Shi."
“It’s hard!”
No matter what these people thought in their hearts, they all bowed to Zheng Fa at this moment, with a slightly respectful attitude.
They all still remember Shi Nandang's battle on the Jade Steps that day, in which he fought against more than ten gods of the Luo clan. Now, in terms of strength alone, there are not many people in Haori Mountain who can be his opponent.
Especially the Luo people who had lost their ancestor, their expressions were even more respectful at this moment, and the call of "Ancestor Shi" was made by them.
The one who shouted "Nandang" was a member of the Lu tribe, Shi Nandang's master. He looked at Zheng Fa with complicated eyes, and no one knew what he was thinking.
But when he looked at the many disciples behind Zheng Fa, a smile immediately appeared on Master Shi Nandang's face:
"It's hard to say, you're finally back!"
"Master."
Zheng Fa bowed slightly. He didn't want to reveal his identity, but his attitude was worse than Shi Nandang's before, so he couldn't help but be a little perfunctory.
A hint of gloom appeared in Master Shi Nandang's eyes, but the curve of his mouth remained unchanged. He nodded and smiled, "As expected of someone who has obtained the Holy Blood Seal in the Lu Clan's secret realm, Nandang has now become the people's favorite in Haori Mountain. This is very different from the past."
This person speaks in a sarcastic tone, and every word he says is full of hidden meanings.
What is the secret realm of the Lu clan, what is different from the past, doesn’t it just mean that Shi Nandang received everything from the Lu clan, but now he has become an ungrateful person.
Zheng Fa was unmoved. He scolded Shi Nandang, what does that have to do with me, Zheng Fa?
There is one thing this person said that hit the nail on the head - the reason why Zheng Fa was so famous today was naturally because of his impressive previous battle record, but more importantly, it was because of the Holy Blood Seal he obtained from Jiuyaotian.
This thing has a very special status in Haori Mountain, making him seem like the future ancestor. It is also because of this that many people along the way directly call him Stone Patriarch.
At this point in time when Yun Zhenxian has not returned, for those disciples who are unwilling to submit to the Demon Ancestor and even hate the Gu God, he, Shi Nandang, is the number one person in Haori Mountain!
"By the way, where's Patriarch Yun?" Shi Nandang, seeing his shameless appearance, suddenly laughed and asked with concern, "Did he come back with us?"
"I don't know where Patriarch Yun is."
"So, you escaped from the underworld alone?"
"yes."
Shi Nandang's master's eyes suddenly changed. He stared at Zheng Fa with a skeptical tone, "The Nine Nether Emperor of the Underworld is extremely powerful. Many great men from the four sects are trapped there. Even Patriarch Yun hasn't returned. How can you..."
The laughter behind Zheng Fa suddenly stopped.
The monks who came out of the three palaces also stared at Shi Nandang.
Countless suspicious eyes were cast on Zheng Fa from the jade steps up and down.
This Shi Nandang master is full of traps in everything he says!
Although he didn't say it explicitly, everyone could tell that Shi Nandang's master was suspecting that he had defected to Emperor Jiuyou in order to escape.
Otherwise, how could Shi Nandang, who had not yet reached the Dao Fruit stage, escape from the underworld?
The problem is that Emperor Jiuyou can be said to be the greatest enemy of Haori Mountain.
"Master, you may not know that I was able to escape from the underworld thanks to the mighty power of Leiyin Temple."
"Leiyin Temple?"
"With my own cultivation level, I certainly couldn't escape the clutches of the Nine Nether Emperor. I also thought I would perish in the underworld, but by chance, I ran into several high monks from the Leiyin Temple in the underworld. I gathered with them, hoping to help each other."
"It was also my disciple's good fortune. It seems that a powerful person from Leiyin Temple wanted to rescue his disciple. He used a lotus magic weapon to break through the underworld and opened a gap. I took the opportunity to escape."
After hearing this, an elder of the Cloud Clan suddenly realized, "I also saw what happened that day. A golden lotus indeed attacked the underworld. The Emperor Jiuyou seemed to have suffered a great loss and even called out to Leiyin Temple."
There is no disadvantage, it’s all because of the good delivery skills.
Before Zheng Fa left the underworld, he asked Emperor Jiuyou to cooperate with him to release a few people.
In fact, he thought about pretending to be Yun Zhenxian, which would be more legitimate.
But later he decided to pretend to be Shi Nandang.
Firstly, he didn't understand Yun Zhenxian's temperament and interpersonal relationships well enough, so it would be very difficult for him to play the role and it would be easy for something to go wrong.
But the most important consideration is the Holy Blood Seal. His target is Jiuyaotian. The Holy Blood Seal is closely related to this secret realm and may be of some help.
"If Master doesn't believe me, you can go to Leiyin Temple and trust him." Zheng Fa stared at Shi Nandang, the Master. "The high monks of Leiyin Temple will testify for me!"
He really has witnesses!
"How could I not believe you?" Shi Nandang laughed a little flusteredly. "Only now that you're back can I finally put my worries to rest."
Zheng Fa was silent for a moment, then he seemed disheartened and whispered, "I've also suffered some injuries in the underworld. I'll take my leave and return home to recuperate."
Without waiting for the other party to say anything, he turned around and left the Three Palaces.
Seeing Zheng Fa not even turning his head, the elders of the Yunluo tribe looked at each other quietly with bright eyes.
…
Zheng Fa sat in the Shinandang cave, tapping the table gently, as if waiting for something.
A communication talisman flew to his hand.
"Luo Yun requests to see Shi Zu."
Here it comes.
Although he didn't know why the Lu tribe was so wary of his return to the mountain, he simply went with the flow and acted as if he was disappointed with the Lu tribe, just waiting for the people from the other two tribes.
The Jiushan Sect had collected very comprehensive intelligence on Haori Mountain, and naturally knew that there were big problems between the three tribes.
The Lu clan as a whole leans towards the Demon Ancestor Jiuyaotian and is willing to serve as the wings of the Gu God.
The other two tribes are different - it's not that they are loyal to the Immortal Sect, but the Demon Ancestor... doesn't want them.
Originally, the Lu clan was strong, but it was only when Lu Yao was not in Haori Mountain that the Yunluo clan could compete with it.
Things are different now. Haori Mountain is controlled by the Demon Ancestor, Yun Zhenxian is trapped in the underworld, and Luo Sanxian's soul has directly returned to the underworld.
In particular, because the Jiushan Sect occupied a large area of Haori Mountain, the resources on the mountain were becoming increasingly scarce, which led to increasing conflicts of interest among the three tribes.
The worst off among them were naturally the Luo clan whose ancestor had passed away. If they had not accumulated dozens of masters who had reached the level of God Transformation, they would have been lost in the crowd by now.
"Come in."
Luo Yun walked in quickly.
She is the youngest Yang God of the Luo clan. She has never had a Taoist partner and is very famous in Haori Mountain.
Zheng Fa heard that this woman was devoted to Taoism and had rejected many marriage proposals from young talents of the Lu and Yun tribes.
Although Zheng Fa and the Luo clan had fought before, Luo Yun kowtowed on the ground as soon as he entered the door, with a very humble posture and a respectful expression.
"What is this for?"
"Master Shi, please save Haori Mountain!"
"Save Haori Mountain?" Zheng Fa's heart moved slightly, and he pretended to be surprised. "Are you asking me to fight against Jiushan Sect? Although I am weak, I am willing to fight for the sect."
"Although the Jiushan Sect is our sect's great enemy, the one who destroyed our Haori Mountain is either outside or inside the sect!"
Luo Yun spoke harshly, and it was obvious that she really thought so.
"Is what Junior-Martial Brother Yun said a bit alarmist?"
"Master Shi, please report!" Luo Yun said miserably, "Before, the people of the Lu Clan captured people to feed the Gu God. Although we couldn't bear to see this, the Jiushan Sect's army was approaching, and we relied entirely on the Gu God's protection, so we had no choice but to resort to this expedient measure."
"But the Jiushan Sect suddenly attacked the Gu God, leaving him seriously injured. I don't know where he has gone to."
"But she even went further and demanded blood food."
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment: "She's not in Jiuyaotian?"
"He's probably not here. The Nine Lights Heaven hasn't been opened during this period."
"So, the Gu God is trying to heal his wounds?"
"That's right." Luo Yun's voice became increasingly angry. "In order to heal her injuries, she needs more and more blood and food offerings. Those people from the Lu clan actually thought of targeting my Luo clan disciples."
"Now the Gu God is no longer a help to my Haori Mountain, but the Lu Clan is still willing to be the minions of the Demon Ancestor. This is really a disgrace to my Haori Mountain!"
I understand. It's okay for bugs to eat other people, but if they eat people from the Luo tribe, they will defile the reputation of Haori Mountain.
But Zheng Fa also understood that the Gu God was indeed injured and was recuperating.
As for why she was trying to torment the people of Haori Mountain, she probably couldn't find any other blood food—
She didn't dare go to the underworld in the east, she was afraid of the Tai Shang Dao in the south and didn't want to provoke it, and to the west, the Jiushan Sect was still wary of her.
The only one who can be bullied is Haori Mountain.
"What about the Cloud Clan?"
"Grandmaster Yun is still here after all."
Zheng Fa nodded gently. Although Yun Zhenxian hadn't returned, the Lu Clan didn't dare act recklessly for the time being. Of course, the Yun Clan should also be terrified. They weren't afraid of the Lu Clan, but they were afraid of the Demon Ancestor...
"My entire Luo clan is willing to submit to the Stone Ancestor and obey his orders in the future." Having said this, Luo Yun suddenly stood up, his fingers trembling slightly, and he untied the jade belt around his waist, and his clothes slipped off.
She lowered her eyes and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito: "I... am willing too."
The leader of Haori Mountain, are the benefits so good?
If I had known earlier, I should have joined Haori Mountain!
Shi Dandang cannot bear this heavy burden, so he has to do it.
Of course, Zheng Fa also understood that the Luo clan was probably really forced into a corner and was using every trick in the book. Luo Yun's face really showed a look of willingness to sacrifice himself.
Just as he was about to refuse, another communication talisman flew in from outside the cave. It was actually from Master Shi Nandang.
Now, Luo Yun hurriedly tied his belt again, looking left and right, as if trying to find a place to hide.
"You go in first." Zheng Fa pointed to the inner room, watched Luo Yun hide, took out a soundproof talisman in his hand, and then opened the door of the cave.
It wasn't just Master Shi Nandang who came. Beside him were three veteran gods of the Lu clan, whom Zheng Fa had seen the last time he came.
“It’s difficult.”
"Master, Elder, do you have something to talk to me about?"
Master Shi Nandang glanced around and suddenly asked, "Where is Luo Yun from the Luo Clan?"
“…left.”
Shi Nandang nodded slightly, without saying whether he believed it or not. He just sat down with the other three people and said, "I know, she told you something."
Zheng Fa remained calm and just listened quietly.
"But everything we do is for Haori Mountain!"
"Even offering sacrifices to the Gu God?"
"yes!"
Seeing Master Shi Nandang's firm statement, Zheng Fa still looked doubtful, as if he didn't believe it.
"We are the orthodox lineage of Haori Mountain. Since ancient times, Haori Mountain has belonged to the Lu Clan, and the Lu Clan is Haori Mountain. How could we be willing to give this mountain to the Demon Ancestor?"
"Then why is the Lu clan..."
"We are waiting for a treasure from the Nine Lights Heaven!" Master Shi Nandang whispered, "It's the treasure left behind by Lu Zu!"
Zheng Fa's spirits lifted, but his expression became even more confused: "Ancestor Lu? Why didn't he come back, and instead let Haori Mountain be occupied by the three Demon Ancestors?"
Shi Nandang's Master's expression was also somewhat gloomy. "The Devil Ancestor of Creation said that Lu Zu is neither alive nor dead. What we are looking for is actually Lu Zu's... relics."
Neither life nor death?
On that day, the Emperor Jiuyou said that Lu Yao and several other reincarnations, the Demon King and the original Demon Ancestor, etc., had all gone to the underworld.
Now even the first ancestor of Haori is neither alive nor dead.
These words actually matched what Emperor Jiuyou said.
But if it is a relic, then the appearance of reincarnation will probably have a huge impact on Lu Yao - now it seems that he has actually given up Haori Mountain?
At least Haori Mountain was left to the Three Demon Ancestors of Creation.
"What relic?"
"We don't know either." Master Shi Nandang shook his head, "But we do know that only the most orthodox bloodline of the Lu Clan can obtain the relic."
"Which branch is inherited from Lu Zu?"
"Exactly!"
Zheng Fa fell into deep thought.
Seeing that he remained silent, Shi Nandang's master continued, "Now the Devil Ancestors of Creation and White Bones are not leaving the Nine Lights Heavens just for that relic. You can imagine that the treasure is probably a great opportunity!"
This coincided with what Zheng Fa had thought before, and he even knew a little about the origin of this treasure.
"So the Lu Clan wants to enter the Nine Lights Heaven and seize this opportunity?"
"Yes and no."
"Um?"
Master Shi Nandang explained, "As I said just now, only those of my Lu clan have the chance to obtain the Lu Ancestor's treasure. We have to go in even if we don't want to. We might as well try our luck."
To put it bluntly, they were still panicking - now that the situation of the Hao Ri Ancestor was unclear, the other two tribes didn't know, but the Lu tribe themselves knew that their situation was only slightly better than that of the Luo tribe.
The Lu clan’s special status now is due to the bloodline of the first ancestor, so of course they want another strong person to emerge in the clan.
"But the three Demon Ancestors are not easy to deal with."
Zheng Fa still didn't quite understand.
These people from the Lu clan have a good idea. If only they can get the relic, then I can refine it directly. Wouldn’t that be great?
But the question is, does he think the three of them are fools?
With such a huge gap in strength, their little tricks are almost tantamount to seeking death.
"That's why we're cooperating with the Gu God."
"Cooperation?" Zheng Fa suddenly understood the whole process. "You help her recover, and she helps you get the treasure?"
"That's right."
This means that there is also intrigue among the three Demon Ancestors.
"We have Zheng Fa to thank for this," Shi Nandang said with a smile, "If he hadn't injured the Gu God, the Gu God wouldn't have asked us for anything."
"Can the Gu God be trusted?"
Shi Nandang, the master, smiled and said, "It's nothing more than driving away the wolf and swallowing the tiger."
Zheng Fa glanced at his face and saw that he looked inexplicably confident. He knew in his heart that the Lu clan dared to play tricks with the three demon ancestors, and they probably had some hidden cards.
"It's difficult. Now we just need to endure the humiliation for a while. In the future, when we obtain the relics of the Holy Ancestor and another peerless strongman emerges, the crisis of Haori Mountain will be resolved immediately!"
"By then, the Demon Ancestor and the Nine Mountains Sect will be nothing but ants."
"Only in this way can our Haori Mountain be truly revived!"
Zheng Fa was silent for a moment, then asked, "Then Master, what does he want me to do?"
Suddenly a cold wind blew in the cave, causing the lights on the wall to sway and casting shadows on the faces of the four people from the Lu clan.
I only heard Master Shi Nandang say quietly:
"Those two tribes don't understand our efforts and have been stirring up trouble within the sect. Now that you're back, why don't you join forces with us and let them help the Gu God recover!"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
