Chapter 438: Chapter 243 Rights and Obligations, Talk Cheerfully

The skies of the Jiushan Realm are always foggy, devoid of the sun.

But the Thunder Light from the Circulation Divine Thunder Immortal Formation illuminates Struggle Immortal Island brightly.

The selected twenty-four Foundation Establishment disciples form an array, coordinating with each other, casting spells or activating Spirit Talismans, inducing thunderclouds overhead and constant peals of thunder.

The Thunder Skills they emit are splendid and dazzling, certainly no lesser than regular Golden Core cultivators.

Yet, this illumination does not light up the faces of Zheng Fa and a few others.

After passing around the summoning order from Tongming Master, the smiles on Master Pang and the others faintly dimmed.

The cultivators of Xuanwei Realm are rather interesting: they yearn for longevity, yet often perilously compete for seemingly tempting treasures and cultivation techniques, and some even thrive in chaotic situations.

But the people of Jiushan Realm are different: there might be those in the world who enjoy war, but they are definitely not among them—with the Jiushan Realm thriving, who would wish for turmoil?

Yet, the war is ultimately going to happen.

“Sect Leader?”

Master Pang and the others all looked towards Zheng Fa, using a title that underscored the gravity of the decision at this moment.

Zheng Fa was silent for a moment but eventually spoke earnestly, “Leaving the Demon Sect aside, the joint summoning order from the Xuanwei Five Sects cannot simply be ignored by us.”

“That’s right, sitting on the fence is not an option.” Elder Yuan also spoke, frowning. “Moreover, we have had enmity with the Great Freedom Demon Sect for a long time, and the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor covets the Jiushan Realm. Halting their descent is also in our realm’s interest.”

Both spoke from different perspectives, yet there was only one conclusion:

They must go.

“According to this summoning order, our main responsibility is to eliminate the disciples below Nascent Souls, the danger isn’t as great.”

The Xuanwei Five Sects still have some reputation to maintain, of course, maybe also because they feel that cultivators below Divinity Transformation aren’t much use against Demon Sect’s transformed demons.

At least, the task does not sound so daunting.

Zheng Fa’s eyes returned to the disciples practicing the Immortal Formation, inwardly calculating before ordering, “Master, select forty-eight Foundation Establishment disciples and twenty-four Golden Core disciples to practice the Immortal Formation, ready to accompany me to Chen County.”

These were practically the most elite disciples in the Jiushan Realm—with only about twenty or so Golden Core disciples in Jiushan Sect altogether.

Choosing so many was naturally also to let these disciples form an Immortal Formation to enhance their self-protection.

Zhang spoke with a frown, “You cannot go to Chen County.”

Zheng Fa was taken aback, seeing Master Pang and the others nodding in agreement.

“The safety of the Jiushan Realm rests on you; you cannot take such risks.” Elder Yuan stated sternly.

“Big Sister…”

Zheng Fa intended to lead the team himself, mainly because he possessed the Rainbow Transformation Skills, thinking that self-preservation would be simple.

“I, Master Pang, and Master Yuan will lead the team; Master will stay with you to oversee the Jiushan Realm.”

Zhang showed an icy resolve at this point, utterly ignoring the face of Zheng Fa as Sect Leader. She overstepped and arranged directly without regarding Zheng Fa.

The two elder bystanders nodded naturally.

Who really is the Sect Leader?

“…there is also the Blood River Ancestor within Jiushan.”

Zhang mentioned when he didn’t respond, prompting Zheng Fa to suddenly realize:

Currently, their greatest aid in suppressing the Blood River Ancestor was the unique rules of the Jiushan Realm—after all, this was the home ground for the Sun and Moon Clock.

If anything went wrong with the Sun and Moon Clock, controlling the Blood River Ancestor would become difficult.

Zhang’s point was clear, the Sun and Moon Clock held Divinity Transformation combat power, but as it was central to Jiushan’s stability, it should remain undisturbed if possible.

After much thought, Zheng Fa still insisted, “I’ll lead the Jiushan Realm and stay hidden.”

Zhang and the others exchanged glances, knowing as long as Zheng Fa stayed within the Jiushan Realm, major safety issues were unlikely; they had little else to say.

Seeming to see Zheng Fa still weighed down with worries, Master Pang chuckled, “Zheng Fa, you have seen too little… Which one of us Xuanwei cultivators hasn’t experienced numerous battles?”

“It’s just some demon offspring, not as frightening as you think.”

Zheng Fa shook his head, knowing Master Pang’s words were meant to comfort.

The enemies Master Pang had faced before were not at the level of the Great Freedom Demon Sect.

He bowed his head, deeply contemplating.

…

The disciples set for the expedition were quickly selected, twenty-four Golden Core disciples naturally all being the essence of the sect, and even the forty-eight Foundation Establishment ones were the best talented among the disciples.

They gathered in the main hall of Heavenly Palace Island.

Zheng Fa stood before these seventy-two disciples, looking over each face:

Sun Daoyu, Yang, Zhou Qianyuan…

He knew each one.

“Do you know why Master Pang chose you?”

Zheng Fa suddenly asked.

The disciples shook their heads.

“Because you are the most elite batch among our Jiushan disciples, and thus you must go.” Zheng Fa explained clearly.

“…”

“Do you feel it’s unfair?”

Sun Daoyu and others remained silent.

In the past in the Xuanwei Realm, it was often not so—the lower-ranked disciples could die, but the talented ones were cherished immensely.

Honestly, Zheng Fa understood this.

It reflects the characteristics of cultivators: one genius could be worth more than ten thousand average disciples.

“Frankly speaking, I am reluctant as well. The sect values you the most, provides you with the best resources, and I and all the masters have invested the most into you—objectively speaking, losing any one of you is something I and the masters are unwilling to see.”

Sun Daoyu’s face showed a hint of confusion, and other disciples felt the same.

“But precisely because of this, only you can go.” Zheng Fa’s tone changed, then he added, “Our Jiushan Sect is different from the sects of Xuanwei Realm.”