Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 1182 - 521: Valuable, Underworld Wager

"Mahayana Buddha, how could this be..."

Guangzhi Bodhisattva couldn’t help but whisper. Liuli Buddha glanced at him, and Guangzhi Bodhisattva quickly pursed his lips. Liuli Buddha squeezed out a smile and said, "Since it’s Mahayana Buddha’s invitation... then I’ll be at Thunder Sound Temple, awaiting Master Zheng’s grand presence..."

With that, he turned and walked away hastily. It was clear that the letter from Lu Yao puzzled him greatly, even evoking some dissatisfaction.

In fact, Zheng Fa was also puzzled, and did not feel very pleased, even quite vigilant.

After Liuli Buddha left, the leadership of Jiushan Sect gathered in the Heavenly Palace hall, eyeing the golden invitation with uncertainty.

"What does this Lu Yao... actually mean?" Master Pang frowned and said, "Even a disciple’s death is acceptable?"

"I think we should not go to the Daluo Dharma Meeting."

Elder Yuan looked at Zheng Fa, his gaze filled with concern.

The others nodded in agreement.

Even Zheng Fa felt some hesitation.

To be honest, such a reaction from Liuli Buddha made him feel a bit more at ease. Whether it was seeking revenge or trying to suppress Jiushan Sect through the Daluo Dharma Meeting, or even attempting to prevent him from attending, Zheng Fa could find reasons. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Simply put, the people of Thunder Sound Temple were enemies rather than friends, and always domineering, which he was truly accustomed to.

But Lu Yao being so courteous really made him... apprehensive.

Presumably, Zhang and others felt the same.

Looking from Lu Yao’s perspective, if he could unite all Golden Immortals, there’s really no need to be so polite to Zheng Fa.

The current situation is quite clear, as Zheng Fa knows, Xuanwei has only three Taiyi Golden Immortal forces. The Nine Nether Emperor cannot leave the Underworld, Thunder Sound Buddha and Daoist Venerable have not appeared for a long time. Therefore, the fate of Xuanwei is actually decided by these twenty to thirty Golden Immortals.

If Lu Yao truly forms an alliance, whether the Nine Nether Emperor can protect himself is something Zheng Fa cannot be certain of.

Now that Lu Yao can even let go of the enmity of disciples, it’s truly... perplexing.

"Whether we can or not, we must go." Zheng Fa remained silent for a moment, then spoke, "Unless we move the whole sect to the Underworld, otherwise..."

The expressions of Zhang and others were also a bit grim. They all knew that the Underworld was not an optimal choice.

They had tried, and the Underworld as a retreat for Jiushan Sect was safe indeed, but it had two major problems:

First, the spiritual energy in the Underworld is unique and not suitable for ordinary people to reside in. Cultivators below the Dao Fruit level also struggle to cultivate within it.

Unless they all switch to the Nine Nether Emperor’s methods, progress would be tough.

Second, the Jiushan Realm cannot enter—The Underworld seems to exclude Pocket Worlds.

Entering the Underworld is easy, but wanting to leave again is difficult.

This can almost only be a last resort or literally admitting defeat.

"The sect’s income isn’t optimistic either." Zhang continued, "Even though we conquered Haori Mountain, obtaining several new Spirit Veins. But the trade with Turquoise Pool, Supreme Dao has nearly ceased."

This was also expected.

Needless to say, Turquoise Pool had already taken the shape of Thunder Sound Temple.

As for Supreme Dao, it might be due to the Nine Nether Emperor—establishing reincarnation stands in opposition to Dao Fruits of the world.

The Golden Immortal currently leading Supreme Dao hasn’t any real ties with Jiushan Sect, and might even deeply resent the Nine Nether Emperor and Jiushan Sect.

Thus, much of the previously established maritime trade routes are now defunct.

"How is the sect’s resource reserves?"

"We had a plan for this." Zhang responded, "There’s a conversion method for spiritual materials, so it’s not too concerning, but the shortfall in pills cannot be remedied."

Zheng Fa nodded quietly.

In the tri-sect trade, Jiushan Sect provided magic artifacts and logistics capabilities, Turquoise Pool offered herbs, and Supreme Dao supplied finished pills, complementing each other.

Now that the trade has ceased, Jiushan Sect’s cultivation resources are naturally not as abundant as before.

With a somewhat helpless tone, Zhang remarked, "We have gained some experience in Spirit Grass cultivation, but when it comes to alchemy..."

Mu Qingyan stood, speaking softly, "It’s the disciple’s incompetence."

Zheng Fa took a few steps, pressed Mu Qingyan’s head, and seated her back in the chair, "Incompetent? You want to surpass Supreme Dao after just a few years of alchemy? Why don’t you take my position instead?"

Mu Qingyan’s face turned bright red.

Laughs filled the Heavenly Palace hall, the atmosphere eased somewhat, and the discussion commenced.

"When it comes to alchemy, we must rely more on the Alchemist Guild."

Ex-leader of Qingmu Sect, Song Sect Leader, bowed in agreement.

After Zhao Jingfan’s Nascent Soul stage, he immediately passed the leadership position to him, devoting himself entirely to the Alchemist Guild.

He’s quite perceptive, knowing that with Zhao Jingfan and Zheng Fa’s relations, Qingmu Sect’s development won’t falter, and might even be more reputable than before under Zheng Fa.

"We must go regardless." Zheng Fa pondered for a long time before saying, "Even if we gain nothing, we must cause some trouble for Lu Yao."

The individuals in the Heavenly Palace hall were silent.

They all understood Zheng Fa’s implication—the Jiushan Sect is almost isolated now, its development severely hindered. Should those Golden Immortals unite, Jiushan Sect would indeed be powerless to resist.

There was a concern Zheng Fa had yet to voice.

Lu Yao is far too familiar with the Hongmeng Purple Qi, even more so than Zheng Fa himself, its master.

Even if he seems unaware of the Hongmeng Purple Qi’s location, it doesn’t imply the modern world is foolproof.

After contemplating, Zheng Fa addressed the group again:

"Before going, I need to visit the Underworld."

...

Zheng Fa hadn’t visited the Underworld for a long time.

The Underworld now was different from his memories.

At the end of the gray plains, black silhouettes of several newly emerged mountains loomed.

There also seemed to be people around Wangsi City.

A long queue stretched from the Three Lives Stone, across Forget River, to the Reincarnation Disc.