CHAPTER 577: CHAPTER 285: DAO FRUIT EXPERIMENT, HAORI’S DISCOVERY

"Alliance Leader Zheng..." Mingde Master looked at Zheng Fa’s face and suddenly said, "Do you really not wish to come with me to the Supreme Dao?"

Zheng Fa slightly cupped his hands, thanking Mingde Master for his kindness.

After guessing what the Dao Fruit might be, Zheng Fa could no longer pledge himself to any major power.

Mingde Master shook his head, no longer mentioning the matter, but instead turned back to glance at Tongming Master and Cheng Kong Master behind him and said with a smile, "The distance to the Supreme Dao from here is far, and I fear I won’t return shortly; leaving this Tongming’s Hundred Immortals Alliance to you is a good thing."

It was evident that Mingde Master also did not think highly of the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s disciples and did not care much, merely considering it as a casual gesture.

Tongming Master cupped his hands towards Zheng Fa and then glanced at Tongming Mountain, his eyes more carefree than usual.

Mingde Master said a few more sentences, and the nearby Yaochi’s God Transformation and Haori Mountain’s God Transformation also stepped forward to say goodbye.

They were a bit more distant towards Zheng Fa, which was normal, as his refusal some days ago likely left a bit of a thorn in their hearts.

Zheng Fa carefully examined this God Transformation from Haori Mountain. This God Transformation had not spoken much before and had little interaction with him; Zheng Fa only knew his surname was Shi, and his given name was Nandang.

Shi Nandang didn’t notice Zheng Fa’s gaze; he was looking at Xie Qingxue standing behind Zheng Fa...

It wasn’t just him; even Mingde Master now realized:

When they came, there were five major sects, but now only three were returning?

Wuzhi from Leiyin Temple was understandable.

But Xie Qingxue, mixed in with people from Jiushan Sect, wasn’t this a bit absurd?

Mingde Master thought for a moment; before, three major sects had been trying to recruit Zheng Fa, yet only Xie Qingxue hadn’t made a move.

Now it seems, has Xie Qingxue been recruited by Jiushan Sect?

He stared at Zheng Fa’s face for a long time, then looked at Sister Zhang beside Zheng Fa, then gazed at Xie Qingxue’s nonchalant expression for a long while.

Then, he couldn’t help showing a bit of admiration towards Zheng Fa. This Zheng Fa... has something indeed!

"Ahem, my junior and I will leave a little later, a little later."

Xie Qingxue also felt the strange gazes from these people; she couldn’t help it either, "Jiushan Golden Core Technique" was not yet perfected, and the resonance between the Qingping Sword and the "Jiushan Golden Core Technique" was still unresolved.

She didn’t want to leave, nor could she leave.

Hearing her say this, the people like Mingde Master still had some skeptical looks, but they could only temporarily believe it.

They cupped their hands towards Zheng Fa, said no more, and their figures slowly disappeared.

Zheng Fa watched them leave, turned his head intending to speak to Xie Qingxue and others when suddenly a Communication Talisman flew in, landing in Zheng Fa’s hand.

Once again, it bore the aura of Sister Zhang.

Zheng Fa knew something was wrong; unfolding it, he saw that it contained only a short sentence:

"The Demon Emperor rallies ten thousand demons, intends to destroy Jiushan, seize the Dao Fruit!"

"What’s wrong?"

Sister Zhang saw his expression change, took the Communication Talisman for a look, and her face also turned solemn.

Behind them, Xie Qingxue also watched Zheng Fa, her gaze curious but restrained, without asking.

Zheng Fa bowed his head in thought for a moment and then said to Xie Qingxue, "Fairy Xie, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor is attacking."

Upon these words, Elder Yuan and others’ faces showed varied expressions.

Xie Qingxue furrowed her brows.

She understood Zheng Fa’s meaning; after the grand event, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor must have enhanced in power.

Having suffered a loss last time, he was surely more cautious.

This time, he would undoubtedly come with full force; it would be a battle of life and death.

Furthermore, this was when the Supreme Dao had just left, and Jiushan Sect was at its most isolated and weak.

She remained silent, and Zheng Fa continued, "If Fairy Xie wishes to leave, I would have no complaints."

Zheng Fa had been practicing swordplay with Xie Qingxue precisely to guard against the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.

However, after these days of experiments, if Xie Qingxue was unwilling, the combined strength was far less potent, even less than when the Demon Ancestor attacked last time.

Without unity and cooperation, there would be no point.

Xie Qingxue’s hand loosened and tightened, then tightened and loosened again on the Qingping Sword’s hilt, as if hesitating.

"I have not yet finished learning the ’Jiushan Golden Core Technique.’" Zheng Fa was taken aback, then heard Xie Qingxue continue, "This Qingping Sword has indeed slain the Great Freedom before."

...

Shi Nandang from Haori Mountain was heading towards the sect and suddenly heard a voice calling, "Nandang."

Shi Nandang’s form halted, his head respectfully lowered towards the void, "Elder."

In the air, red auras flickered and dissipated, revealing the figure of a robust elder before him.

Though the person was here, their aura seemed not of this world; even the Divinity Transformation Realm Shi Nandang dared not look up.

He felt a great unease in his heart; when the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor appeared, the elder didn’t emerge, saying it was detrimental to his cultivation. But now he unexpectedly entered the Xuanwei and blocked his way back.

Something major must have happened in the sect!

"Do you know that all the Haori Trees in the sect have burned to ashes in a single day?"

"All of them?"

Shi Nandang suddenly looked up, his face a storm of emotions, immediately understanding why the elder had to come forth:

The cultivation technique of Haori Mountain excelled most in archery, and combined with the longbows made from Haori Trees, it was all the more powerful and unrivaled.

This Spirit Root could be considered one of the foundations of Haori Mountain, treasured by all in the sect.

"Not a single one remained."

The elder from Haori Mountain’s face seemed somewhat stiff, as if not accustomed to showing emotions, but the anger in his eyes was enough for Shi Nandang to understand the turmoil within the sect.

"Then what does this mean, Elder..."

"This matter is grave, the sect has investigated thoroughly..." The elder spoke, "Everything has been normal in these days, save for one peculiar thing..."

Shi Nandang’s face changed slightly.

"Did you know that Mingde from the Supreme Dao suddenly swapped a branch of the Haori Tree?"

"Disciple knows!" This matter, Mingde Master had specifically asked him at that time; he had no means to acquire a branch of Fusang Wood, so Mingde sought a trade within the sect.

He naturally knew why Mingde Master swapped this branch.

"This branch wasn’t for him, it was a gift to Zheng Fa, as thanks..."

Shi Nandang suddenly froze, recalling an incident; back then, Master Cheng Kong had lent a fragment of Quiet Bamboo to Zheng Fa, and later Zheng Fa produced a piece of Quiet Bamboo.

Mingde Master gave a Haori Tree branch to Zheng Fa, so...

Could it be?

This is even more outrageous than Xie Qingxue actually joining Jiushan Sect!