I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 289Book 2: : Gratitude to the Demon Emperor—Quite Reasonable

Book 2: Chapter 289: Gratitude to the Demon Emperor—Quite Reasonable

Vol 2 Chapter 289: Gratitude to the Demon Emperor—Quite Reasonable

After roughly settling the disaster victims, Zheng Fa simply invited Zhenren Luo and the others into Qingmu Sect for a talk.

Qingmu Sect’s mountain gate had also been ravaged and was a complete mess. Fortunately, cultivators had no shortage of methods—rebuilding was quick. The only problem was that the spiritual herbs in the Herb Garden and the pills in the Pill Room had all been soaked—quite literally soaked.

Zheng Fa looked at Sect Master Song of Qingmu Sect sitting to his right and saw his face pale with distress—clearly, his heart ached.

In the hall were also Zhenren Luo, Wuzhi, Head Seat Mingde, and others—the weakest among them was still Soul Formation stage. Sect Master Song, being merely a Nascent Soul, looked like he was sitting not on a chair but atop the Great Freedom Demon Emperor himself. His eyes kept drifting toward Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa gave him a reassuring glance—

I’m just a Golden Core and I still sit here bold as brass.

You’re at least a Nascent Soul—hold your spine straight!

Of course, the main reason was that this was Qingmu Sect’s own territory. Sect Master Song, as the host, naturally deserved a seat.

“Zhenren Luo, may I ask what the actual terms of the Five Sects Conference are?”

He didn’t dwell on Sect Master Song and instead addressed Zhenren Luo directly, casting a side glance at Wuzhi—after all, it was this true disciple of Leiyin Temple who’d brought up the Five Sects Conference.

Zheng Fa still harbored some suspicion in his heart.

The Five Sects Conference sounded promising, but he hadn’t forgotten that both of these people had come here with impure motives.

One wanted the Tranquility Bamboo, the other wanted the Fusang Tree—so whatever they proposed was naturally suspect.

Zhenren Luo seemed to notice his doubt. A flicker of annoyance crossed his face, but when his eyes fell on Senior Sister Zhang seated to Zheng Fa’s left and Xie Qingxue on his right, he found himself at a loss for words. He only grunted, “Doesn’t the Tianhe Sect know already?”

Xie Qingxue’s face was pale as snow, fragile as if a touch would shatter her, yet she still spoke up:

“The Five Sects Conference—I heard Master mention it in a recent transmission.”

“Due to accumulated grudges among the Xuanyi Five Sects and the rising chaos in the realm, the elders proposed this conference.”

“The main goal… is to demarcate sect territories, prepare for potential Demon Ancestor threats, and establish a covenant. Anyone who breaks the covenant shall be attacked by all Immortal Sects jointly.” 𝖗𝘢𐌽ốВΕṨ

Hearing this, Zheng Fa immediately looked toward Wuzhi—with that kind of covenant, shouldn’t you be doing some serious soul-searching?

What Xie Qingxue described matched what Zhenren Luo had said. Zheng Fa still trusted her, so if that was the case…

“So the Hundred Immortals Alliance originally…”

He suddenly thought of a question.

Xie Qingxue fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at Zhenren Luo. The latter narrowed his eyes: “We did previously discuss that this region governed by the Hundred Immortals Alliance… should belong to Haori Mountain.”

This was… a bit of a problem.

According to Xie Qingxue’s explanation, Zheng Fa had grasped the essence of the Five Sects Conference:

Dividing territory!

“So, within the territories of the Five Sects, other Immortal Sects aren’t allowed to interfere?”

Xie Qingxue nodded.

This was indeed a way to reduce conflicts. Zheng Fa even suspected that, in Mu Qingyan’s “memories,” such a conference might have already occurred.

After the conference, the Five Sects would probably go through a round of consolidation—

Eventually forming the so-called Dao Nations, Buddhist Lands, Holy Grounds, and Divine Courts—

In simple terms, this Five Sects Conference looked more like a feast to divide the Immortal Sects’ resources and territories.

Once the Five Sects decided something, what the sects beneath them thought—wasn’t even worth considering.

Had it been the old Hundred Immortals Alliance and Jiushan Sect, they probably would’ve been… served up on the platter.

But now, things were different:

Thanks to the death of the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, the Jiushan Sect had earned a seat at the table!

So really—big thanks to Old Bro Great Freedom for gifting us a chair!

…

Sect Master Song of Qingmu Sect, listening from the side, had a face that grew brighter, a spine that straightened further, and a seat that edged ever closer to Zheng Fa. His previous pallor turned into a healthy flush.

Zheng Fa shot him a glance, not nearly as excited, but his mind was already calculating: this Five Sects Conference—he had to attend.

Attending might bring benefits, but also risks—especially the risk of others uncovering the truth.

But skipping it?

Skipping would be suspicious. Dodging it would look guilty and might bring even bigger trouble.

With the Demon Emperor’s death, outsiders couldn’t discern the true strength of the Jiushan Realm.

But he knew exactly what it was.

Xie Qingxue had nearly ended up as dried meat.

He and Senior Sister Zhang had fought with everything they had, but the Great Freedom Demon Emperor—he didn’t even die at their hands.

If the Five Sects decided to test him and saw through it…

Things would escalate fast.

As his thoughts whirred, Zheng Fa wore a smile on his face: “Since the Immortal Master values the Jiushan Sect, being allowed to participate would be our great honor.”

Zhenren Luo looked at Zheng Fa’s calm smile and nodded lightly, his thoughts unreadable.

They talked a while about the conference. Perhaps the Demon Emperor’s death had left Luo uneasy, or perhaps he just didn’t want to deal with all these weakling cultivators. Either way, he soon rose and took his leave.

Wuzhi, seeing him bolt, also left in a hurry.

Watching them go, Zheng Fa turned to look at Sect Master Song of Qingmu Sect—who now stood before him with head bowed and ten times the deference he had before.

Clearly, he’d been shocked by Zhenren Luo’s words about the Five Sects Conference.

“I’ll send Jiushan disciples to help with the disaster victims, but you need to take this seriously.”

This flood had ravaged two counties, and Qingmu Sect, being the most powerful Nascent Soul sect in those regions, was naturally the most reasonable choice to oversee relief.

“Yes!”

Seeing him so eager, Zheng Fa knew this man was no fool. Since he’d reiterated the point multiple times, he wasn’t worried the man would slack off.

And the Jiushan disciples could also supervise.

As for the Five Sects Conference… from what he’d gathered, territory—and perhaps even population—mattered to Dao Fruit cultivators.

Which meant, if he wanted to keep the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s domain, he had to manage it well.

…

After giving Sect Master Song his orders, Zheng Fa brought Senior Sister Zhang and Xie Qingxue into the Jiushan Realm.

Upon entering, they saw a black banner standing on University Island—it was the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner!

This was precisely why Zheng Fa had held the meeting at Qingmu Sect:

For some reason, the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner had wandered into the Jiushan Realm on its own!

After all, this thing was a Dao Fruit-level artifact. If Zhenren Luo or the others had seen it, they might’ve gotten ideas.

Beside the banner, Old Yuan and others were gathered with Ancestor of the Blood River, watching like it was a show.

All their eyes were fixed on someone Zheng Fa didn’t know well—Jiao Wuji.

He walked into the crowd and looked at Jiao Wuji with a puzzled expression.

Jiao Wuji scratched his head and muttered,

“I… I think I’m resonating with the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner.”

Zheng Fa was stunned, then suddenly realized—

He had previously thought the banner had come to them because of the Fusang Tree.

But now—it looked like Jiao Wuji might be a key factor too!

“Wait… are you the only Soul Formation cultivator who trained in the True Explanation of Ten Thousand Beasts?” Zheng Fa’s expression twisted as he realized something major:

The Great Freedom orthodoxy—was now in Jiushan!

The battle had wiped out most of the Demon Emperor’s demon race forces.

Among those who cultivated the True Explanation of Ten Thousand Beasts, Jiao Wuji might genuinely be the only one left at Soul Formation stage.

At this point, he might actually be the most legitimate successor of the Great Freedom Demon Emperor!

As for the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s legacy—Chen Ting and the Netherworld Immortal were traitors who had probably already switched to cultivating Nine Nether Demon Ancestor’s techniques.

Even Ancestor of the Blood River was more orthodox than them!

This Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner wasn’t war spoils—it was legally inherited property!

With that realization, Zheng Fa turned to Old Yuan: “Master, didn’t you say you wanted to break through to Soul Formation?”

Old Yuan gave a bitter smile. “I was ready to risk my life trying, but then…”

He pointed at the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner: “What difference does one more of me make now?”

His expression held a kind of old-man melancholy, like a child no longer needing his father.

But Zheng Fa didn’t see it that way.

To him, the Tranquility Bamboo, the Fusang Tree—each had their own risks. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be considering alternate Dao Fruit paths.

The current Jiushan Sect was like a child holding a gun—lethal, but fragile.

True strength in cultivation lay in the foundation of one’s own body.

The importance of Soul Formation techniques couldn’t be overstated.

“In the past we didn’t dare even study Great Freedom’s techniques. But now that he’s dead…” Zheng Fa had barely finished before Old Yuan’s eyes lit up.

“Even if we can’t practice them, there’s no harm in studying them!”

Old Yuan grinned from ear to ear, clapping Jiao Wuji’s shoulder and fondly reminiscing about the Great Freedom Demon Emperor:

“That Demon Emperor—truly a good man!”

Jiao Wuji looked at the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner in front of him, thought about it, and nodded sincerely—he had never admired the Great Freedom Demon Emperor this much before.

Even Ancestor of the Blood River sighed in relief and chuckled, “I’m familiar with the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s methods—I’ll teach you all!”

The Jiushan disciples probably couldn’t cultivate the Demon Ancestor’s techniques directly due to lack of bloodline,

But a Dao Fruit cultivator’s life’s work was still the most precious of references—enough for Jiushan Sect to glimpse the path to Soul Formation, perhaps even the essence of Dao Fruit itself.

Watching Old Yuan and Ancestor of the Blood River whispering together, Zheng Fa quietly gave a thumbs-up to the late Demon Emperor in his heart:

The Great Freedom Demon Emperor—through his death—

Had won the Jiushan Sect a seat at the table!

Had gifted them the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner, a Dao Fruit artifact!

Had delivered Soul Formation cultivation techniques!

Had brought unity and laughter!

One could even say—his death had accomplished more good than anything he’d done alive!

If status weren’t an issue, he deserved a memorial tablet in the Jiushan Sect’s Ancestral Hall!

…

While the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner was welcomed, it was also time for Zheng Fa to say farewell to the Qingping Sword.

And to his close battle partner, Xie Qingxue, and the irrelevant, bumbling spy—Yan Wushuang.

Outside the Jiushan Realm, Zheng Fa looked at Xie Qingxue.

This Senior Sister of the Tianhe Sect—

Was the person he most needed to thank.

In the battle against the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, among the three—himself, Senior Sister Zhang, and Xie Qingxue—the one who contributed the most… was actually Xie Qingxue. In that one strike, Xie Qingxue had practically risked her life.

It had taken her three full days of rest just to barely recover, and even now, her face was still pale.

Zheng Fa cupped his hands and said, “Fairy Xie, that ‘thank you’...”

Xie Qingxue curved her eyes into a smile and said to Zheng Fa, “The thing I’ve heard the most in my life… is ‘thank you.’”

Then she immediately straightened her expression and glared fiercely at him, “Don’t think I helped you for free. The second half of the Jiushan Golden Core Method—you better not forget it!”

That line...

Zheng Fa recalled how, when facing the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, Xie Qingxue had refused to leave. Her reason had been—she wanted to learn the Jiushan Golden Core Method.

Now, with the method still unfinished, she was about to leave.

To thank her at a moment like this… would’ve been an insult to their bond.

After a long silence, Zheng Fa suddenly looked up, meeting Xie Qingxue’s gaze with great seriousness and said, “Fairy Xie, if trouble comes your way in the future—no matter how far, just send word to Jiushan.”

Xie Qingxue froze, stared into his eyes for a long time, then gave a light chuckle. Her fingers gently plucked the Qingping Sword.

A clear sword hum rang out, and a white tiger leapt through the clouds, crouching beside her.

Without saying another word, this Senior Sister of Tianhe Sect soared away with Yan Wushuang, effortlessly graceful.

Zheng Fa watched the two people and one tiger fade into the distance. The words he’d said—Xie Qingxue might have taken seriously, or maybe not. But Zheng Fa had meant every word.

If Mu Qingyan’s memories were accurate, the Tianhe Sect… would face extinction in the future.

This, of course, wasn’t something he could reveal—

Otherwise, who knew how the Tianhe Sect would react. Even Mu Qingyan might feel he’d betrayed her.

But as he’d said before—what happened to the Tianhe Sect was beyond his control, and he didn’t much care.

But if Xie Qingxue and Yan Wushuang had the means—he wouldn’t sit idly by.

…

Xie Qingxue sat cross-legged atop the white tiger’s neck, her fingers unconsciously playing with the snowy fur, seemingly lost in thought.

“Senior Sister…”

“Mm?”

“You’re not… thinking about Zheng Fa, are you?”

Xie Qingxue blinked, turned to see the odd look on her junior brother’s face, and immediately realized what he was thinking. Her eyes went wide as she snapped, “What’s going on inside your head?”

“…”

Yan Wushuang shrank back slightly.

“Once we’re back, keep your mouth shut. Don’t talk about Zheng Fa.”

A puzzled expression crossed Yan Wushuang’s face.

“The Five Sects Conference… may not be a good thing for Zheng Fa.” Xie Qingxue’s tone grew softer. Seeing his confusion, she simply explained more clearly, “Zheng Fa killed a Dao Fruit while still a Golden Core—it will raise suspicion.”

“The Ancestor?”

Yan Wushuang jolted in shock. He immediately understood what his Senior Sister meant.

Xie Qingxue nodded. “One—people might suspect a connection between Zheng Fa and the Ancestor. That… could be a life-and-death crisis for him.”

A worried look appeared on Yan Wushuang’s face.

“Second—even if there’s no connection… how he killed a Dao Fruit while still a Golden Core—who wouldn’t covet that secret?”

Her words made Yan Wushuang’s eyelids twitch. He blurted out, “Then Zheng Fa shouldn’t go to the conference at all!”

“Not going looks guilty.” Xie Qingxue understood exactly why Zheng Fa agreed to Zhenren Luo’s invitation. She shook her head, “Going—there’s at least a sliver of hope.”

“What sliver?”

Yan Wushuang looked distressed. Thinking about the situation Zheng Fa was about to face made him feel hopeless.

“In me. In you. In Zheng Fa himself.”

Xie Qingxue looked in the direction of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

“Us?”

“You and I will return to Tianhe Sect. Our best move is to gather intel about the Five Sects Conference for Zheng Fa. Especially… find a way to clear his name of any ties to the Ancestor.”

“He and the Ancestor… didn’t have any ties, right?”

Xie Qingxue looked at her junior brother as if he were naive: “The Nine-Turn Golden Core Method was already a forbidden technique. Now the Jiushan Golden Core Method evolved from it. The methods may differ, but their core is the same. If someone finds out, it’ll be very hard to explain.” 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

“If they want to frame him, they won’t lack reasons. And this one’s ready-made.”

Yan Wushuang blinked rapidly, even more worried for Zheng Fa now.

Xie Qingxue, on the other hand, chuckled softly—she actually seemed to have some confidence in him: “Zheng Fa has probably already thought of this. If he dared go to that conference, he must have a plan.”

“Our return to the sect is to speak on his behalf. If anything changes, we can also get word to him.”

Yan Wushuang was stunned. This felt… familiar!

That’s what he’d thought last time they returned to the sect too!

He gave his Senior Sister a strange look and suddenly had a bold idea:

What if I just bring my dad over to Jiushan Sect for a while?

Maybe by then, Tianhe Sect will be surnamed Zheng—what’s there to worry about then?

“Senior Sister, was that really the reason you were so eager to return?”

Xie Qingxue gave him a sidelong glance. Seeing his face light up with realization, she said coldly, “Once we’re back, don’t act on your own. If you let anything slip again—”

“…”

“Senior Sister, I’ll listen to everything you say! I’ll tell you everything!” Yan Wushuang looked excited, shouting, “You have no idea what it’s like, carrying such a huge secret around with no one to talk to—I’ve been miserable!”

There was a kind of elated relief in his tone, like he’d found his true calling.

Xie Qingxue pressed her lips together. The way she looked at her junior brother softened noticeably.

Miserable?

It was too miserable.

This silly junior brother thought she didn’t understand—but she had known it all along.

Xie Qingxue pulled out her Tongjian, gently caressing it, secretly pleased with herself:

I have someone to talk to, too.

…

Upon returning to Tianhe Sect, Xie Qingxue and Yan Wushuang were immediately summoned by the Sect Master—Yan Wushuang’s father.

“Master!”

Xie Qingxue’s face was cold as ice, but her posture was very respectful.

Sect Master Yan of Tianhe first examined her thoroughly. Seeing no visible changes, he then glanced at the sheepish Yan Wushuang beside her—and his eyes flashed with disgust.

He couldn’t be bothered with this disappointing son of his. Turning to his beloved disciple, his expression softened into a smile. Concerned, he asked, “Did your journey yield any gains?”

Xie Qingxue replied respectfully, “Some. I feel more in tune with the Qingping Sword.”

Sect Master Yan’s eyes lit up. He knew this disciple of his rarely spoke, but never lied. If she said that, she must be confident.

Xie Qingxue was the most gifted disciple of the next generation in the Tianhe Sect, and she wielded the Qingping Sword. Within the sect, many believed she might one day revive the Ancestor’s legacy.

Thinking of the Ancestor, Sect Master Yan lowered his gaze and suddenly brought up Zheng Fa: “You seem close to Jiushan Sect’s Sect Master Zheng?”

“Somewhat.”

“You two… killed the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor together?”

“This disciple doesn’t know how the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor died.”

Sect Master Yan looked at her—it sounded like the truth.

And it was. Even Zheng Fa didn’t really know.

But Sect Master Yan misunderstood—if even she didn’t know, then maybe Zheng Fa really had killed the Demon Ancestor?

“That Zheng Fa…” He paused. “Did he receive the Ancestor’s inheritance?”

Xie Qingxue was momentarily startled, as if she hadn’t considered that. Then she answered “honestly,” “This disciple does not know.”

“What do you think?”

“I think… probably not,” she said with her head lowered.

“Oh?” Sect Master Yan narrowed his eyes, pressing further, “Why do you think that?”

Xie Qingxue hesitated a long while. Seeing her master still staring, she mumbled, “The Ancestor… didn’t kill a Dao Fruit when he was at the Golden Core stage.”

“…”

Sect Master Yan twitched at the corner of his mouth—he got what she meant. Even the Ancestor didn’t do it, so slapping the title of ‘Ancestor’s Heir’ on Zheng Fa might actually downplay what Zheng Fa had achieved.

Even if Zheng Fa had inherited something… maybe it was stronger than what their Ancestor left behind.

That… made a lot of sense.

He stared at Xie Qingxue for a long time, then glanced at Yan Wushuang, and thought to himself:

She went out once, and now she talks… like my dumbass son?

Absolutely infuriating.