Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 598 Infrastructure Construction of Nine Mountains, The Path to Sainthood

On Haori Mountain, Yunfan, the idle master of Qianqi Peak, was gazing intently at a secluded mountain peak to his left.

Various runes shimmered on the mountaintop, illuminating half the sky.

"What are the Lu Clan doing over there?"

He turned his head and asked a young disciple of the Cloud Clan beside him.

"They said they were acting on the orders of the Holy Ancestor to set up a mountain-guarding formation."

Upon hearing this, Yun Fan nodded, but his expression grew even more unpleasant: "The Holy Ancestor seems to trust them more."

The Yun people around him all fell silent, gazing at the mountain peak with worried expressions.

"What should we do?"

Yunfan shook his head gently, sighing as he said, "How could we possibly understand the Holy Ancestor's thoughts? What the Holy Ancestor wants to do is not something we can interfere with."

"If the Holy Ancestor does this, won't it cause pain to our loved ones and joy to our enemies?" The Yun Clan disciple said in a muffled voice, his tone indignant. "We and the Lu Clan have long been enemies, and now that the Holy Ancestor trusts the Lu Clan so much, where does that leave us?"

"Shut up!" Yun Fan said coldly, "Do you want to die?"

The young disciple shut his mouth, but his eyes were still fixed on the mountain under construction. His expression remained unconvinced as he muttered, "Putting aside kinship, are these Lu people any more useful than us?"

……

On that mountaintop, the Heavenly Emperor and his entourage were busy at work.

They were indeed setting up the Golden Sun Burning the Sky Formation.

But in reality, they are not the ones in charge here; it is a group of younger disciples.

The Heavenly Emperor, from the Nine Mountains Realm, dispatched a group of elites from the Array Dao Academy to help with the construction of Haori Mountain.

"They are the most skilled array setters in our sect!" Uncle Pang said proudly. "Over the years, they have been the ones setting up and maintaining the Thick Earth Magnetic Array."

The Heavenly Emperor carefully observed the group of disciples.

Perhaps because the Heavenly Emperor and other high-ranking members of the sect were present, most of them were taciturn and seemed somewhat dull, yet they were extremely fast at their work.

Exploring the spiritual cave, dividing the mountain peaks, finding the array's core, and drawing in spiritual energy—his movements were fluid and seamless, even faster than the Heavenly Emperor himself.

The sect has cultivated a group of civil engineering veterans.

In truth, it was out of necessity that the Nine Mountains Sect had the greatest confidence in the battle against Haori Mountain, which was actually the Thick Earth Magnetic Array.

As a result, the art of array formations became a prominent field of study in the Nine Mountains Sect, leading to a severe shortage of talent. The disciples of this array formation academy have been thoroughly trained during decades of development.

It can be said that these are the talents left over from the era of Jiushan's massive infrastructure construction.

Even the Thick Earth Magnetic Array has long since been completely transformed—although the underlying principles remain the same, there have been three major iterations.

One aspect is mainly refinement:

The radar's ability to detect objects has been enhanced by more than three times, mainly to counter the Gu God.

On the other hand, its functions are more versatile, and there are many more spells that can be cast with the help of the formation.

As for the upgrades to the array-setting artifacts and the reduction in maintenance costs, those are all expected and not considered major updates.

Most of the innovations were not actually made by high-level figures like Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang, but by the disciples of the Array Dao Academy.

The Array Dao Academy has been established for decades, and the disciples it has cultivated have become the pillars of the Nine Mountains Sect's array Dao.

At least from the Heavenly Emperor's perspective, this group was far more professional than himself in terms of arranging formations.

……

"That's it?" Yun Fan watched as the Heavenly Emperor and his disciples left the mountain and flew further away, and couldn't help but wonder, "How could it be so fast?"

Keep in mind that this group of Lu people only used less than two incense sticks' worth of time!

The group of Cloud Clan members exchanged glances, and someone muttered, "This...could it be that they cut corners?"

Yunfan's heart stirred, but he remained silent and led everyone to the mountain peak they had just been on.

The others understood his idea—if these Lu people were to give up easily, they would report it to the Holy Ancestor and see what they would do!
A group of people, with the intention of finding fault, looked over the hilltop from top to bottom, extremely carefully, as if they wanted to roll their eyes all over the ground.

Half an hour later, a group of people stood on the hilltop, looking bewildered and lost.

No one spoke; only the mountain wind echoed the awe in their hearts.

After an unknown amount of time, the young Yun Clan disciple, who had been defiant, said dejectedly, "No wonder the Holy Ancestor trusts them more..."

"The work is done quickly and well."

……

"The primary shareholder in this treasure refining project is Immortal Yun!"

Sword Dao sincerely praised Immortal Yun.

He and the disciples of the Zhuxian Legion stood on the training ground, surrounding the Qiankun Cauldron.

Surrounding the Qiankun Cauldron were a dazzling array of various spiritual materials, each radiating precious light.

Of this, about 40% was accumulated by the Nine Mountains Sect itself.

The remaining 60% are from the Thousand Peaks of Haori Mountain.

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Although Haori Mountain has declined in recent years, it still has a lot of treasures in Qianqi Peak—in fact, it can be said that it has far more than the Jiushan Sect's accumulated wealth.

One reason for this, besides the fact that the Nine Mountains Sect started very late and didn't accumulate enough power, is this:
Zheng Fazhen was not a miser.

This is clearly evident from the fact that they purchased Qianqifeng products for free this time.

It's not that Haori Mountain lacks the money to train disciples, but rather that it's unwilling to spend a lot of resources to train them.

Most of the spiritual materials accumulated at Thousand Peaks are intended for the future cultivation needs of higher-ups.

However, the Nine Mountains Sect is different. More than half of the spiritual materials in the Nine Mountains Sect are converted into merit rewards and distributed to the grassroots disciples.

Talent cultivation, especially the cultivation of immortality cultivators, requires resources.

Otherwise, no matter how superior the education system of the Nine Mountains Sect is, it would be impossible to cultivate so many professional talents.

In other words, the treasures that the high-ranking members of Haori Mountain had painstakingly accumulated over many years, like hamsters who wouldn't use them unless absolutely necessary, were all taken away by the Nine Mountains Sect.

It can be said that without Haori Mountain, there would be no Jiushan Sect today, and without Immortal Yun, there would be no New Sword Formation.

After Jian Daoshen spoke for a while, smiles appeared on the faces of the members of the Zhuxian Legion.

"Okay, are you not nervous anymore?"

Sword Dao suddenly spoke.

The Sword Master Yan Wushuang was taken aback, then realized that the Sword Dao Body had said this to make them feel more relaxed.

To be honest, the Zhuxian Legion is under a lot of pressure.

On the one hand, the sect's investment in the legion is limitless, and the resources they consume far exceed those of others.

On the other hand, they failed to achieve great things. Now, the Divine Firmament Legion guards the Nine Mountains, dominates the seas, and has defeated Hao Ri, and its power has already shaken the Xuanwei.

However, due to various reasons, their Zhuxian Legion has been confined to the Nine Mountains Realm.

Although no one in the sect said it, how could they not be anxious when comparing the two situations?
At this moment, being able to upgrade the Zhuxian Sword Formation with the help of the Qiankun Cauldron, Yan Wushuang and the others were naturally excited and their minds were in turmoil.

Sword Dao's gaze swept over Yan Wushuang's face, then looked at the other disciples, and said, "Have you all memorized the ritual?"

"remember!"

Sword Dao nodded, pointed at the Qiankun Cauldron, and a spiritual fire ignited beneath it.

Yan Wushuang and the others had their eyes reflecting the firelight, and their expressions gradually became calm and resolute.

……

Zheng Fa stared at the firelight in the valley, watching the group of newly born humans singing and dancing around the fire, and a smile couldn't help but appear on his face.

Entrusted by the goddess Nuwa, he was stationed here to protect the human race, but he didn't actually interact with them much, let alone teach them—a practice that would force them to grow too quickly. The only thing he did was drive away the insolent monsters around them. Apart from that, he simply watched the human race quietly.

Time flew by in the illusion, and he couldn't even remember how many years he had been watching.

He saw a woman picking wild fruit and noticing a spider spinning a web. This seemed to spark an idea in him. When he got home, he tore off some tree bark, twisted it into thread, and wove a simple web.

He saw a man smash a stone on the ground, pick out the sharpest fragments, and hold them in his hand, using them as his claws.

To this day, they have finally learned how to make a fire.

In the firelight, civilization began to take shape.

Zheng Fa stood up, his understanding vague and indistinct. He seemed to understand what Nuwa wanted him to know, and even what the Nine Luminaries Illusionary Realm wanted to leave for future generations.

Human beings are naturally gifted with the abilities to observe and create.

He stood on the mountainside, bowing silently to the newly born humans at the foot of the mountain.

Zheng Fa didn't teach these humans anything, but these ancestors taught him a great deal.

Just then, Hongjun's voice resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

A vast and mighty chaos descended, and purple light fell, enveloping Zheng Fa.

The third sermon, which would determine the ownership of the Primordial Purple Qi, finally began.

Zheng Fa glanced at the humans in the valley again, then turned and flew towards the sky following the purple light.

Inside the Purple Cloud Palace, three thousand guests were already seated, but at the palace gate stood a smiling figure, seemingly waiting specifically for him.

It was the Daoist of Creation.

If it weren't for that bizarre scene in the light screen back then, no one could see the slightest hint of falsehood on that enthusiastic face.

"Fellow Daoist Zheng, you've kept this from me for so long."

Upon seeing him, the Daoist of Creation murmured a complaint.

Zheng Fa remained silent, merely observing the Daoist of Creation, his mind filled with doubt:
Can I really keep it from him?
Moreover, this Daoist of Creation is probably the one who is most deeply hidden.

He couldn't find the answer to this question from the Daoist of Creation, so he could only look around and ask, knowing the answer already, "Where are the other Daoist friends?"

The Creation Daoist laughed and said, "They know they cannot obtain the Primordial Purple Qi, and they also have a grudge against you, so they are unwilling to come."

Zheng Fa stared intently at the Daoist of Creation.

Even someone else, let alone Zheng Fa who knows part of the truth, would naturally doubt this statement:
If you can't obtain the Primordial Purple Qi, why won't you come to listen to the Dao?
Do they think people are idiots?

No cultivator could possibly miss the content of Hongjun's sermons!

If it were Zheng Fa himself, even if he had no affinity with the Primordial Purple Qi, he would not have missed the opportunity to hear the Dao.

The excuse of "the Daoist of Creation" is rather clumsy.

He was about to say something when his eyes suddenly met those of the Daoist of Creation, and his heart skipped a beat:
It wasn't that the Daoist of Creation thought he was a fool, but rather... this person no longer wanted to hide.

Seeing that he seemed to understand, the Daoist of Creation opened his lips, grinned, and laughed.

Zheng Fa then noticed that the Creator Daoist had no teeth; his mouth was like a dark, deep cave, without any light.

“Fellow Daoist Zheng, there’s no need to rush,” Daoist Creation continued. “If you wish to see them, you will have your chance.”

Zheng Fa narrowed his eyes slightly.

"They're waiting for you too."

The voice of the Daoist of Creation seemed to come from the depths of the passageway, carrying a deep echo.

Zheng Fa understood immediately that the Daoist of Creation had revealed his true intentions—he didn't care whether he knew the truth or not.

Or rather, the difference in strength made the Daoist of Creation disdain hiding it.

Zheng Fa remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I have a deep-seated grudge against them, so I'm afraid it would be best if I didn't see them?"

"Fellow Daoist, you don't want to see me?"

"Not really."

The Daoist of Creation chuckled: "Then it depends on you, Fellow Daoist Zheng."

"What do you mean?"

"I want the Primordial Purple Qi."

Unsurprising answer.

Seeing that Zheng Fa did not respond, the Daoist of Creation continued:

"Fellow Daoist, do you know what a Golden Immortal is?"

After thinking for a moment, Zheng Fa finally revealed his truest thought: "The Creator."

According to his understanding, Golden Immortals possess the ability to create their own worlds.

“The Creator.” The Daoist of Creation nodded slightly, as if in agreement, and then said, “In my view, a Golden Immortal is the master of a world.”

He looked at Zheng Fa and laughed: "Guess which world I control?"

Zheng Fa's eyes widened slightly.

Nine Luminaries Heaven?
Isn't Jiuyaotian Lu Yao's?
How did it get taken by the Daoist of Creation?

Seemingly sensing his doubt, the Creation Daoist looked at Zheng Fa and said confidently, "No one can escape the Nine Luminaries Heaven in front of me."

"..."

With a flick of his wrist, the Daoist of Creation revealed a somewhat familiar-looking Bodhi seed in his palm.

Isn't this the white lotus one?
"Take this Bodhi seed; it will enhance your understanding." The Creator Daoist looked at Zheng Fa with an unquestionable air. "Then, once you obtain the Primordial Purple Qi, I will release you."

Zheng Fa did not move.

The Daoist of Creation then asked, "I heard that you and Lu Yao are enemies?"

"Yes."

“We can cooperate,” the Creation Daoist said again. “Now that I have obtained the Primordial Purple Qi, I will naturally be at odds with Lu Yao. In that case, we will be friends.”

"If it weren't for my help, Bai Lian and his gang would have already come after you."

"I'm not interested in you."

Zheng Fa pondered for a long time before reaching out and picking up the Bodhi seed.

"very good."

The Creator nodded in satisfaction.

A gravitational force emanated from the Zixiao Palace, and Zheng Fa was involuntarily thrown onto the leftmost futon in the first row.

The Daoist of Creation, sitting about twenty seats to his right, was looking at him expectantly.

Zheng Fa turned his head to the side, holding a Bodhi seed in his hand, and looked at the futon in front of him.

Nuwa and the others seemed oblivious to what was happening outside the palace, staring intently at the high platform ahead without turning their heads, as if they too were restricted within the Zixiao Palace.

On the high platform, the figure of Hongjun Daoist slowly appeared. Zheng Faneng felt that he seemed to have glanced at him.
Hongjun Daoist didn't say much, but went straight to the point and said, "This is my third sermon."

"In this sermon, I will preach the path to sainthood and bestow upon you seven streams of primordial purple energy."

"Among my disciples, there should be seven sages."

All eyes were on the seven prayer cushions, especially the seventh one, which was still empty and attracted the most attention.

After finally managing to tear his gaze away from the empty prayer mat, the Daoist of Creation turned to look at Zheng Fa, sticking out the tip of his tongue and gently licking his lower lip.

(End of this chapter)