Chapter 614: Rare Goods, Gambling in the Underworld
"Mahayana Buddha, how could this be..."
Bodhisattva Guangzhi couldn't help but call out softly. The Glazed Buddha glanced at him. Bodhisattva Guangzhi quickly pursed his lips. The Glazed Buddha forced a smile and said, "Since it's the Mahayana Buddha who invited me... then I will be at Leiyin Temple, waiting for Master Zheng to arrive..."
After saying that, he turned around and ran away. It was obvious that he was very puzzled and even a little dissatisfied with Lu Yao's letter.
In fact, Zheng Fa was also a little puzzled. He didn't feel very happy and was even very alert.
After the Glazed Buddha left, the leaders of the Jiushan Sect sat in the Heavenly Palace, looking at the golden visiting card and looking at each other in confusion.
"What exactly does Lu Yao mean?" Uncle Pang frowned and asked, "Is it okay even if my disciple dies?"
"I don't think I can go to this Daluo Dharma Assembly."
The old man looked at Zheng Fa with a worried look in his eyes.
The others also nodded.
Even Zheng Fa felt a little hesitant.
To be honest, he felt more at ease with the reaction of the Glazed Buddha. Whether he wanted to take revenge on the Leiyin Temple, or wanted to use the momentum of the Daluo Dharma Assembly to suppress the Jiushan Sect, or even wanted to stop him from going to the Daluo Dharma Assembly, Zheng Fa could always find a reason.
To put it bluntly, the people from Leiyin Temple are enemies, not friends, and they have always been domineering, so he is really used to it.
But since Lu Yao was so polite, he was actually a little... wary.
I think it’s the same for Senior Sister Zhang and others.
From Lu Yao's perspective, if he could unite all the Golden Immortals, he really wouldn't have to be so polite to Zheng Fa.
The current situation is very clear. As far as Zheng Fa knows, Xuanwei has only three Taiyi Golden Immortals, the Emperor Jiuyou cannot leave the underworld, and the Leiyin Buddha and the Taoist Master have not appeared in the world for a long time. In fact, the ones who can decide the fate of Xuanwei are these twenty or thirty Golden Immortals.
If Lu Yao really becomes powerful, Zheng Fa is not sure whether Emperor Jiuyou can protect himself.
Now that Lu Yaolian can even let go of the revenge for his disciple, it is really... puzzling.
"We have to go if we can." Zheng Fa was silent for a moment, then said, "Unless we move our entire family to the underworld, otherwise..."
Senior Sister Zhang and the others also had ugly expressions on their faces. They all knew that the underworld was a last resort.
They tried it. The Underworld was safe as the Nine Mountain Sect's retreat, but it had two major problems:
First, the spiritual energy in the underworld is special and is not suitable for ordinary people to live in. It is also difficult for cultivators below the Dao Fruit level to practice in it.
Unless everyone switches to practicing the Nine Nether Emperor's method, it will be difficult to make progress.
Second, the Nine Mountains Realm cannot be entered - the underworld seems to be rejecting the Cave Heaven World.
It is easy to move into the underworld, but it is difficult to get out again.
This can almost only be regarded as the last option, or in other words, it is to admit defeat directly.
"The income of our sect is not optimistic either." Senior Sister Zhang continued, "Although we have conquered Haori Mountain and gained many new spiritual veins, the trade with Yaochi and Taishang Dao is almost cut off."
This is also expected.
Needless to say, Yaochi is already in the shape of Leiyin Temple.
The Supreme Dao is probably standing in opposition to the Dao Fruit of the World because of the establishment of the reincarnation by Emperor Jiuyou.
The Golden Immortal who is now in charge of the overall situation in Taishang Dao has no connection with the Jiushan Sect, and may even deeply hate the Jiuyou Emperor and the Jiushan Sect.
Therefore, more than half of the sea trade routes that were previously established have actually been abandoned.
"How are the resources in the sect?"
"We already have a plan for this," Senior Sister Zhang replied. "There are methods for converting spiritual materials, so there's no need to worry too much. However, we can't make up for the shortage of elixirs."
Zheng Fa nodded silently.
Among the three sects' trade, Jiushan Sect provides magical instruments and logistics capabilities, Yaochi Sect provides herbs, and Taishang Dao provides finished elixirs, which are relatively complementary.
Now that trade has been cut off, the Jiushan Sect’s cultivation resources are naturally not as abundant as before.
Senior Sister Zhang's tone was also somewhat helpless: "Now that we have some experience in cultivating spiritual herbs, we can refine the pills..."
Mu Qingyan stood up and whispered, "It's my disciple's incompetence."
Zheng Fa took a few steps, pressed Mu Qingyan's head, and pushed her back into the chair. "What do you mean by incompetent? You've only been refining pills for a few years and you want to surpass the Supreme Dao? Why don't you take my seat now?"
Mu Qingyan's face turned red.
There was laughter in the Heavenly Palace, and the atmosphere became a little relaxed, and a discussion began.
"The Alchemist Guild needs to pay more attention to this matter of alchemy."
The former head of the Aoki Sect, Headmaster Song, bowed in response.
After Zhao Jingfan reached Nascent Soul stage, he immediately handed over the position of the head of the sect to Zhao Jingfan and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Alchemist Guild.
He was a smart man and knew that with the relationship between Zhao Jingfan and Zheng Fa, the development of Qingmu Sect would not be too bad, and it would even have more face in front of Zheng Fa than before.
"We have to go." Zheng Fa thought for a long time before finally saying, "Even if we can't gain anything, we have to create some trouble for Lu Yao."
Everyone in the Heavenly Palace was silent.
They all knew what Zheng Fa meant—the Jiushan Sect was now almost isolated and helpless, its development severely limited. If they really waited for those Golden Immortals to unite, the Jiushan Sect would be powerless to resist.
Zheng Fa still had an unspoken worry.
Lu Yao knows too much about Hongmeng Purple Qi, even better than its master Zheng Fa.
Even though he seems to have no idea where the Hongmeng Purple Qi is now, this does not mean that the modern world is foolproof.
Zheng Fa thought about it and said to everyone:
"Before I go, I need to go to the underworld."
…
Zheng Fa actually hasn't been to the underworld for a long time.
The underworld now is not quite the same as he remembers.
At the end of the gray field, the dark shadows of several new hills appeared.
There seemed to be voices of people in the City of the Dead.
The long line stretched from the Three Lives Stone, through the Weak Water of Forgetful River, to the Wheel of Samsara.
The entire underworld looks much more lively than before.
Zheng Fa walked through the City of the Dead and saw several souls that looked familiar but not quite recognizable.
Looking closely, they seemed to be the disciples of Tianhe Sect who died that year. However, the last time I saw them, this group of people had a lot of resentment on their faces and their faces were hideous, so I couldn't recognize them for a while.
At this moment, this group of people were shouting and driving away the ignorant souls who had just entered the underworld. Their faces were still filled with resentment - the kind of collapse that comes from working like a slave and having to deal with stupid clients.
After leaving the City of the Dead, we walked up to Yinshan Mountain. The hall on the top of the mountain was originally the hall of the head of the Tianhe Sect. Emperor Jiuyou didn't seem to want to change it, and only replaced it with a plaque with the words "Senluo Hall".
Deep in the palace, Emperor Jiuyou was sitting in the hall, not even raising his head, marking on the Book of Life and Death, and seemed very busy.
"Emperor, Sect Master Zheng is here."
Yan Changge, the former leader of Tianhe Sect and Yan Wushuang’s father, reminded him.
"I understand." Emperor Jiuyou put down the Book of Life and Death, looked up, and smiled at Zheng Fa. "You are finally willing to come to see me?"
Zheng Fa had a bitter smile on his face, and it seemed that Emperor Jiuyou also knew what was going on - after the battle of Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa had not come to the underworld, and he was actually a little hesitant.
The most difficult thing for him to grasp was the relationship between Jiushan Sect and the Underworld.
The outside world probably already regarded Jiushan Sect as a hidden pawn left by Emperor Jiuyou or even Venerable Tianhe. On the one hand, they were certainly wary of Jiushan Sect, but on the other hand, they could not help but think that Jiushan Sect was actually a subordinate of Emperor Jiuyou.
But Zheng Fa and Emperor Jiuyou both knew in their hearts that there was no affiliation between them. The two sides helped each other only because they were fighting against Lu Yao. There was friendship, but it was absolutely impossible to say who would listen to whom.
The problem now is that with Lu Yao integrating Leiyin Temple, Yaochi, and even preparing to unite most of the Golden Immortals in Xuanwei, the relationship between Jiushan Sect and the Underworld must also be deepened, or at least coordinated with each other.
To put it simply, Leiyin Temple, Jiushan Sect, and Taishang Dao now even have a bit of the meaning of the Three Kingdoms because of the existence of the three Taiyi Golden Immortals.
Leiyin Temple is the strongest and most powerful.
The Supreme Dao relies on the Dao Master and has a profound foundation, but its stance is difficult to predict.
The Jiushan Sect is the weakest - especially since their relationship with Emperor Jiuyou is not that close.
In order to deal with the future situation, this ambiguous situation must change. It would be best for the two families to advance and retreat together, or even become one.
Can……
Even brothers have to settle accounts clearly, and there must be a priority between the Jiushan Sect and the Underworld.
Logically speaking, Emperor Jiuyou is powerful, and Jiushan Sect should seek refuge with him, so it would be best to take Emperor Jiuyou as the main focus.
However, neither Zheng Fa nor Jiushan Sect was willing to make this choice, hoping to maintain their autonomy.
To be honest, he also felt that it was a bit far-fetched - this was equivalent to asking Emperor Jiuyou to be a red flower double stick, how could the other party agree?
That's why he was late in coming to the underworld.
Emperor Jiuyou stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed and said, "I think the Jade Dragon Lord is living a very comfortable life in Jiushan Sect."
Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood the Emperor Jiuyou's idea - the relationship between the underworld and the Jiushan Sect could follow the model of the Jiushan Sect and the Shuyu Dragon Lord.
He felt relieved and even grateful, because the relationship between Jiushan Sect and Lord Shuyu Dragon was actually very equal.
Emperor Jiuyou is willing to do so, which can be said to be a sign of his great respect for Zheng Fa.
But... this is not enough.
"May I ask, Your Majesty..." Zheng Fa hesitated for a long time, a look of embarrassment on his face, "Of the Nine Mountains Sect and the Underworld, which one is the Jade Dragon Lord?"
Emperor Jiuyou was stunned.
Even Yan Changge who was standing beside him was stunned.
There was a dead silence in the Senluo Palace. Even the noise from the City of the Dead echoed in the palace very clearly.
The smile on Emperor Jiuyou's face slowly faded, and a dark shadow swayed on the wall behind him, as if some ancient evil spirit had awakened and was roaring at Zheng Fa.
"I will protect your Jiushan Sect." Jiuyou Emperor said darkly, "Now, you want me to serve the Jiushan Sect as my master? I will give you the underworld and let you be the master of the underworld, okay?"
“…”
"You're quite courageous."
Yan Changge shuddered, as if frightened by the murderous aura in the hall. He quickly winked at Zheng Fa and said:
"Emperor, calm down!"
The relationship between Jiushan Sect and Shuyu Dragon Lord was very equal in the past. Later, as Jiushan Sect developed, both sides had their own demands, so they renewed the alliance.
Now, not only does Lord Shuyu Dragon have to obey the orders of Jiushan Sect in name, but more importantly, the deification of the sea area must be approved by Jiushan Sect.
Yan Changge really thought Zheng Fa was crazy.
The Emperor of Jiuyou is the Taiyi Golden Immortal!
Do you want him to be like the Jade Dragon Lord?
Even as the Emperor said, does the Jiushan Sect want to control the underworld?
But his son was still in Jiushan… Yan Changge had no choice but to rack his brains and advise Emperor Jiuyou: "Emperor, didn't you say that no matter what, Lu Yao must not be allowed to win over Jiushan Sect?"
Zheng Fa was stunned, and only then did he understand why Emperor Jiuyou gave him such lenient conditions.
Emperor Jiuyou pursed his lips, as if he was about to sneer.
"Emperor, think about it, even Lu Yao was able to endure the shame and disgrace when his disciple died. You can't let yourself be outdone by him!"
Yan Changge shouted, and these words seemed to have a miraculous effect on Emperor Jiuyou. The black shadow behind Emperor Jiuyou slowly shrank and turned into a sitting figure.
Zheng Fa couldn't help but look at Yan Changge with gratitude - at critical moments, you have to rely on your own people!
Of course he has his own reasons, but if Emperor Jiuyou is angry, he probably won't listen to anything he says.
However, Emperor Jiuyou really hated Lu Yao deeply.
Emperor Jiuyou looked at Zheng Fa gravely, his voice still lacking intimacy: "I'd like to hear what makes you so bold."
"It's you, Emperor."
"……I?"
"When you gave me the formation diagram and the inheritance of Venerable Tianhe, did you want a Nine Mountain Sect that could survive under your protection?"
Emperor Jiuyou was silent for a long time before he said, "No, but this is the only way."
He looked at Zheng Fa and said frankly, "Even if the Daozun and Buddha did not intervene, even if those Golden Immortals united to attack the Underworld, I would be fine, but the others in the Underworld would not be able to withstand it... They have been harassing us constantly, and the Underworld has been unable to develop normally."
Only then did Zheng Fa understand why Emperor Jiuyou wanted to open the reincarnation channel.
"Daluo Dharma Assembly, no matter what Lu Yao wants to do, it will be difficult for me to stop him." Emperor Jiuyou said this with a bitter smile, "My enlightenment can be said to have offended all Dao Fruits. You and the Jiushan Sect have also been implicated by me."
Having said this, Emperor Jiuyou revealed a trace of fatigue, and there was even a hint of despair in his tone - it was obvious that in his opinion, Lu Yao's convening of the Daluo Dharma Assembly had forced the Underworld and the Jiushan Sect into a desperate situation.
Zheng Fa was silent for a moment before he spoke sincerely, "Without the Emperor's protection, my Jiushan Sect would have perished long ago. How could I possibly be implicated? The Jiushan Sect and I have always been grateful to the Emperor."
Seeing that Emperor Jiuyou's expression was becoming increasingly gentle, Zheng Fa continued, "Emperor, if Lu Yao wants to establish the laws of the immortal way, are you truly... willing to allow him to succeed?"
"Hmm?" Emperor Jiuyou's eyes moved, and he seemed to understand.
"Emperor, I am going to Leiyin this time. If Lu Yao's Daluo Dharma Assembly succeeds and unites the Golden Immortals, my Nine Mountains cultivators will naturally be powerless to resist and will have no choice but to hide in the underworld... At that time, my Nine Mountains Sect will naturally follow the Emperor's lead."
Emperor Jiuyou was not disappointed, but looked at Zheng Fa with a strange look in his eyes.
"If I can... disrupt their plot, there will naturally be room for maneuver. At that time, I would like to ask Emperor Jiuyou to have more confidence in me and the Jiushan Sect."
Emperor Jiuyou's expression changed again and again, and after a while he said, "Do you want to make a bet with me?"
"I have no choice but to go to the Daluo Dharma Assembly." Zheng Fa said frankly, "The Emperor said it was a gamble, so it's okay."
Emperor Jiuyou raised his head and looked towards the west, as if he was looking at Leiyin Temple.
He didn't know how long it took before he sighed, "I don't know whether I want to lose or win."
(End of this chapter)
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