I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 503Book 2: : Gift from the Five Sages, Mutual Destruction

Book 2: Chapter 503: Gift from the Five Sages, Mutual Destruction

Vol 2 Chapter 503: Gift from the Five Sages, Mutual Destruction

Under Zheng Fa's grateful gaze, Nüwa's expression remained placid. "This tribulation of yours wasn't entirely caused by you to begin with."

This statement was indeed accurate.

To be perfectly honest, Zheng Fa facing extermination by the myriad races was actually him being implicated by Nüwa's creation of humanity.

He was the one suffering collateral damage.

But now Zheng Fa could declare with absolute conviction: It was worth it!

The merit-transformed mist gathered above Zheng Fa's head like weary birds returning to their nest, coalescing into a golden crescent moon crown.

This crown was named Taixu, formed from the merit of creating humanity bestowed by Nüwa—precisely the supreme defensive treasure Zheng Fa had been yearning for.

Moreover, this Taixu Crown didn't require any refining;it directly connected with his consciousness.

With this treasure upon his head, Zheng Fa could be considered immune to all methods and impervious to all evils, facing no pressure even against the siege of so many Scattered Immortals from the myriad races.

Given Zheng Fa's cautious nature, he had truly longed for a supreme defensive treasure for so long. However, Xuanwei cultivators prioritized offensive power over defense, and he hadn't encountered any particularly good opportunities.

Today, he finally got his wish.

As if sensing his joy, Nüwa seemed somewhat concerned and reminded him: "Although this treasure possesses some protective abilities, it's not foolproof."

"Thank you, Goddess. I understand."

Truth be told, this wasn't the Taixu Crown's problem—it was Zheng Fa's problem.

Having just become a Scattered Immortal, his immortal energy reserves were limited. Using the Taixu Crown to defend against Scattered Immortals was manageable, but facing True Immortals or Golden Immortals would be difficult, easily draining him completely.

Simply put, the treasure was too good, making him seem somewhat inadequate.

Seeing that Zheng Fa understood the situation, Goddess Nüwa said no more. Instead, Tongtian interjected: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Zheng, on achieving the Dao Fruit."

Taishang Daoist and the others also offered their congratulations one after another, their expressions sincere, appearing genuinely happy for Zheng Fa.

"Two Patriarchs." Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, a voice sounded inappropriately. "This Zheng Fa is an evil demon from later times, a great enemy of our Leiyin Temple. His achieving the Dao is actually a great calamity for our Buddhist sect and heaven and earth!"

Bailian stood before Zhunti, bowing slightly, speaking urgently and severely: "Patriarch, do not be deceived by this person!"

Behind Bailian stood Creation Daoist and others, making Zheng Fa appear somewhat isolated in comparison.

In the silence, Tongtian suddenly laughed. "Evil demon?"

......

No one understood why he was laughing, all looking up at him.

Tongtian first glanced at Zheng Fa, who had just proven his Scattered Immortal status and was radiating pure immortal energy.

His gaze then swept over Gu God's green long hair and White Bone Demon Ancestor's skeletal frame before he looked deeply at Creation Daoist, his expression growing even more peculiar.

He said nothing, yet seemed to have said everything.

Bailian's face darkened slightly, forcing him to continue: "Patriarch, this person opposes our Leiyin Temple at every turn—he is truly a Buddha enemy!"

Seeing Bailian's expression, everyone knew these words were likely true.

Zhunti and Jieyin's gazes shifted between Bailian and Zheng Fa, seemingly hesitant as well.

"I beg the Patriarch not to be deceived by this thief!"

Bailian declared loudly.

"You're saying that the Buddhist sect of later times," Zhunti pointed at Zheng Fa and asked, "was bullied by a cultivator who just achieved Scattered Immortal status?"

He appeared quite angry, though probably not at Zheng Fa.

......

Bailian tried to explain: "The Patriarch doesn't understand..."

After all, the previous situation in Xuanwei was special—Dao Fruits couldn't appear, and Zheng Fa's cultivation progressed too rapidly.

But Zhunti had already stopped paying attention to him, instead asking Zheng Fa directly: "Do you have grievances with the Buddhist sect?"

Zheng Fa didn't conceal the truth: "I've been at odds with Leiyin Temple for a long time, especially with the current Great Ascension Buddha of Leiyin Temple. Our grievances and entanglements run deep—we can be considered mortal enemies."

"Patriarch, he admitted it himself!"

Bailian hurriedly exclaimed.

"This is the Buddhist sect's fault."

Zhunti stated decisively.

......

Bailian's eyes widened suddenly, looking at Zhunti with disbelief, his face saying clearly—Patriarch, whose patriarch are you anyway?

Zhunti continued: "The essential teaching of my lineage is to ferry all destined beings to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

He looked at Zheng Fa and asked Bailian: "Why would someone with such deep connections to the Buddhist sect as Fellow Daoist Zheng have conflicts with Leiyin Temple?"

Him having connections to Buddhism? Since when did he know about this?

Zheng Fa tried hard to recall and remembered—Tranquility Bamboo, Fusang Wood—both seemed deeply entangled with Leiyin Temple...

If we're talking about karmic entanglements, there were indeed quite many.

Bailian was equally bewildered. Jieyin sighed softly beside them: "Only by planting good causes can one obtain good results. Since you planted nothing but evil causes, this good connection naturally turned into enmity."

Evil causes indeed.

Zheng Fa suddenly felt some insight—it wasn't that Zhunti and the others were talking nonsense;rather, they seemed to have truly seen through things.

The so-called evil causes had been sown long ago:

Zheng Fa had long been dissatisfied with the immortal sects. This immortal sect system was established by the Five Sects and was inseparable from Leiyin Temple and Lu Mo.

No matter how many subsequent conflicts of interest arose, the source was essentially this.

Seeing his expression of understanding, Zhunti looked at Bailian and asked: "If this evil connection could be resolved, would you be willing?"

Under Zhunti's gaze, Bailian's expression showed conflict, yet he didn't dare not nod.

"You said you're a disciple of the Great Ascension Buddha of later times?"

"Exactly." Bailian said proudly. "I am my master's only personal disciple."

"You mentioned that the Great Ascension Buddha is preparing to prove the Great Luo Dao. Would he pass the position of Leiyin Temple's leader to you in the future?"

Bailian lowered his head: "This disciple doesn't dare to hope for such things."

"Good that you don't hope."

Bailian suddenly looked up, seeming to find these words somewhat off.

Zhunti said with a pleased expression: "Perfect to pass it to Fellow Daoist Zheng instead."

......

Bailian looked at Zhunti, his gaze suspicious, as if wondering if this person was also transformed by Zheng Fa.

He even looked somewhat suspicious that Zheng Fa was Zhunti's patriarch...

Even Zheng Fa was stunned. He looked at Zhunti, only one thought in his mind:

What kind of pardon after murder and arson is this?

As if sensing his disbelief, Jieyin turned his palm over, and a golden lotus grew from it.

Jieyin offered the golden lotus to Zheng Fa, saying: "Hold this golden lotus, and the people of Leiyin Temple will naturally understand."

Zheng Fa looked at the golden lotus, growing more confused, somewhat suspecting a trap...

Then he glanced beside him and saw Bailian's paper-white face, and he believed it.

Before he could speak, Tongtian suddenly interjected: "Well done, Jieyin! We agreed to let him choose for himself—what are you doing?"

He approached two steps, producing a jade sword from his hand and stuffing it into Zheng Fa's grasp, saying: "Hold this jade sword, and you can also receive my inheritance, becoming the master of my Dao tradition."

Zheng Fa grew even more puzzled, but this wasn't the end. Taishang Daoist gave him a golden talisman, Yuanshi gave him a ruyi scepter, all with similar words about them being tokens of Dao tradition inheritance.

But he still didn't understand—why him?

Zheng Fa looked up at Nüwa and saw that Goddess Nüwa seemed to have anticipated this, still nodding gently at him.

Seeing Goddess Nüwa like this, Zheng Fa finally felt reassured, knowing that regardless of why these five were doing this, it probably meant no harm to him.

It's just that these five were truly generous.

Not to mention others, Taishang Daoist and Zhunti were clearly connected to the two major powers of Taishang Dao and Leiyin Temple.

If he held the inheritance treasures of these two, could he literally walk sideways through these two sects?

Tongtian and the others watched Zheng Fa, seemingly waiting for him to make his choice.

But Zheng Fa's mind was in chaos—the offer was too generous, almost overwhelming him, making it impossible to judge the pros and cons.

On the other hand, he was still puzzled: why was he receiving such favor from the Five Saints?

There seemed to be some reason he wasn't aware of.

As if sensing his dilemma, Nüwa finally spoke: "You needn't rush."

Tongtian snorted: "I'm in a hurry! Do we really have to wait for him?"

Just as Zheng Fa was about to say something, Goddess Nüwa turned and stared at Tongtian with a smile: "No, you're not in a hurry."

Tongtian seemed frozen by some terrifying presence, remaining stiff for a long time before muttering something about waiting until he achieved sainthood and so on.

The Goddess is mighty!

Goddess Nüwa smiled brightly, looking at Zheng Fa with deeper meaning in her eyes: "Choose well, follow your heart. This matter doesn't concern you alone."

Zheng Fa felt some understanding dawning and bowed to Goddess Nüwa.

With the creation of humanity completed, everyone didn't linger excessively, dispersing in all directions. Zheng Fa remained in Kunlun to watch over the newly created human race for Nüwa.

Bailian also brought Creation Daoist and the others back to the Five Organs Pavilion.

In the Five Organs Pavilion, the eight Nascent Soul cultivators of the Lu Clan were all present. Seeing them return, the Great Elder of the Lu Clan asked: "Where's Shi Nandang?"

"Shi Nandang? How would he dare return now?"

Bailian was already filled with rage, and upon hearing the Great Elder's question, his voice turned icy as he scolded, "Are you blind?"

"What do you mean blind?"

The Great Elder of the Lu Clan was completely bewildered, looking around before seeking help from the seemingly most even-tempered Creation Daoist with his eyes.

Creation Daoist sighed softly and shook his head: "Shi Nandang was Zheng Fa in disguise."

"Zheng Fa?"

How could the Great Elder of the Lu Clan not know Zheng Fa?

This was Haori Mountain's most dangerous enemy.

No!

"Zheng Fa became the master of our Haori Mountain?" the Great Elder of the Lu Clan murmured. "And obtained the Sacred Blood Seal?"

......

Hearing this, Bailian was so angry he couldn't even speak—Haori Mountain was practically becoming the Zheng family's property!

Meanwhile, Creation Daoist's expression returned to its usual calm. He looked at the furious Bailian and said: "Fortunately, Zheng Fa's identity was exposed. If we had remained in the dark, with him in shadow and us in light, we would have suffered greatly."

Hearing this, Bailian slowly nodded and responded: "Fellow Daoist speaks rightly. This matter might not necessarily be bad."

Roc's expression was profound: "How should we deal with this Zheng Fa?"

Bailian was about to speak when he suddenly paused and said to the Great Elder of the Lu Clan and the others: "You may leave first."

The Lu Clan members' expressions changed slightly, but they didn't dare say anything, obediently withdrawing.

"Fellow Daoist, are you afraid that..."

"Who knows if they might be Zheng Fa in disguise!"

Bailian's tone actually carried some lingering fear, but none of Creation Daoist's group thought he was making a fuss—Zheng Fa's transformation technique was truly difficult to feel at ease about.

"His transformation technique probably can't break through power limitations." White Bone Demon Ancestor, extremely skilled in transformation techniques, could see some truth and reassured everyone: "We are all True Immortals—it's absolutely impossible for Zheng Fa to take advantage of us."

Gu God followed with a serious nod, taking in everyone's expressions.

In a distant Kunlun valley, several Thousand-Eyes Cicadas chirped around Zheng Fa. Starlight dots flew from their wings, coalescing into a silver light screen the size of a human head.

On the light screen, Bailian's expression showed some relief, as if he had relaxed. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

He looked at Creation Daoist and the others and asked: "Now that Zheng Fa has not only secretly entered Nine Luminaries Heaven but even advanced to Scattered Immortal, and we were negligent in our precautions—we've already made a tremendous mistake. What are your thoughts now?"

"Just this mistake?" Golden-Winged Great Peng sneered coldly. "Didn't you see the attitude of those six toward Zheng Fa?"

......

"If you ask me, that Hongmeng Purple Qi will probably end up in Zheng Fa's hands sooner or later!"

Bailian and the others' expressions changed, but no one refuted him. Apparently, they had already considered this possibility and were worried about it in their hearts.

Bailian suddenly looked up, seeming to find these words somewhat amiss.

Golden-Winged Great Peng's words cut like knives, making Bailian's expression increasingly unpleasant as he said bluntly: "Then what do you suggest we do?"

Golden-Winged Great Peng sneered and said: "If you ask me, it's simple. We just need to break this Nine Luminaries Heaven illusion, making his efforts all in vain!"

"......Impossible!"

Creation Daoist, who had been quite calm moments before, now looked very anxious. "Fellow Daoist Great Peng, I know you deeply hate Zheng Fa..."

Watching Great Peng's face on the light screen, Zheng Fa also sighed. This Great Peng had found his Achilles' heel—now that his chances of obtaining the Hongmeng Purple Qi had greatly increased, if these people truly wanted mutual destruction, he would indeed have quite a headache.

"If it weren't for Zheng Fa, how could I have lost my Two Qi Vessel?" Golden-Winged Great Peng didn't conceal his feelings. "If it weren't for Zheng Fa, how could I have even lost my bloodline inheritance! That Nüwa protected Zheng Fa at every turn but dealt me such a ruthless blow!"

The venom in Golden-Winged Great Peng's words could be felt even through the light screen.

Zheng Fa could even understand—this trip to Nine Luminaries Heaven had essentially cut off Great Peng's Dao path.

Someone this desperate could do anything.

"Impossible." Creation Daoist said to Bailian. "Fellow Daoist Lu Mo has plotted for the Hongmeng Purple Qi for many years—how can we abandon it because of one Zheng Fa?"

Golden-Winged Great Peng sneered and retorted: "Then what do you suggest we do?"

"Follow the original plan—let Zheng Fa obtain the Hongmeng Purple Qi, then we snatch it from him." Creation Daoist looked at Bailian with a sincere expression. "When the time comes, we eliminate Zheng Fa and seize the purple qi—achieving both goals perfectly."

Bailian's expression showed some hesitation. He looked at Golden-Winged Great Peng and frowned: "Master truly values this Hongmeng Purple Qi extremely highly. For this, he even had you three fellow daoists wait in Nine Luminaries Heaven for so many years. If we lose the Hongmeng Purple Qi, how will I explain to the sect?"

"Have you considered......if Zheng Fa obtains the Hongmeng Purple Qi and also holds the golden lotus, then goes to Leiyin Temple—what will happen to you?"

Bailian's expression suddenly froze.

It seemed Golden-Winged Great Peng's words were like a knife, cutting out the thing he feared and angered most deep in his heart.

"When that time comes, your master achieves the Dao, and he becomes the master of Leiyin Temple." Golden-Winged Great Peng smiled extremely sarcastically. "What about you?"