BOOK 2: CHAPTER 405: TIME-SPACE RESEARCH, YUYING CALLS REINFORCEMENTS

Vol 2 Chapter 405 Time-Space Research, Yuying Calls Reinforcements

Soon, Zheng Fa nearly figured out the new function of the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye:

It was perception, yes.

But not just ordinary perception.

Zheng Fa stood in the courtyard, gazing up at the sky over the Jiushan Realm shrouding Ziwei Yuan. His golden pupils dilated and contracted as if focusing.

Uncle Pang stood beside him, scratching his head one moment, grinning nervously the next, clearly anxious with the pupil size changes.

Until the strange vision in Zheng Fa’s eyes vanished.

“How is it?”

“The Void-Piercing Spirit Eye seems capable of piercing the void.”

Before Uncle Pang could speak, Xie Qingxue’s face showed surprise: “Piercing the void?”

From his reaction, it was clear these four words were no simple matter in the Xuanyi Realm.

“Uncle, where did you get this Void-Piercing Spirit Eye?”

“Where else? Picked it up years ago.” Uncle Pang caught a hint of meaning but didn’t fully understand. “Is it powerful?”

Very powerful.

Based on Zheng Fa’s recent experience, the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye could see through the Jiushan Realm and into the Xuanyi Realm.

Although the images were extremely distorted and unrealistic, with colors and shapes all wrong—almost like abstract art.

He had no clue what exactly he was seeing, nor what those images represented.

Just seeing it was already bizarre enough.

Uncle Pang was a man of quite deep fortune.

Zheng Fa pointed to a stone bench in the courtyard and led them all over to sit by the stone table before asking:

“Fairy Xie, does the Tianhe Sect have any records on the Xuanyi Cave Heaven or the structure of the Xuanyi Realm?”

Xie Qingxue frowned and shook her head: “There are some, but only common knowledge about Xuanyi, nothing worth mentioning.”

Zheng Fa guessed: “Looks like it’s another deliberately concealed secret.”

Xie Qingxue’s expression darkened.

Senior Sister Zhang seemed to want to change the subject and interrupted: “We’ve long suspected there’s a problem with the Xuanyi Realm’s structure, especially the starry sky, but we couldn’t verify it.” R̃аNÓ₿Ę𝘴

“Maybe this Void-Piercing Spirit Eye can help us with that.”

Everyone looked at Zheng Fa again.

“Yes.” Zheng Fa hesitated slightly, uncertain. “This Void-Piercing Spirit Eye can penetrate the barrier of the Jiushan Realm, but I don’t know if it can reveal the secrets of other cave heavens or even worlds.”

For example, the modern world.

On the other hand, Zheng Fa now treated spiritual energy as a physical law, an alien substance.

This so-called alienness naturally had an origin, perhaps from other worlds.

Moreover, the Heaven-Earth Membrane layer of the Xuanyi Realm puzzled him even more.

Therefore, he understood long ago that to truly understand the essence of spiritual energy and pursue the Dao, he had to study the time-space nature of the Xuanyi Realm.

The recent advancement of the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye might provide a relatively reliable observational tool for this research.

With this in mind, he continued: “Senior Sister, I think cultivation at the Yang Spirit and even Dao Fruit stages will likely be related to time and space. The Jiushan Realm’s future main research projects must tilt in this direction.”

Senior Sister Zhang and Uncle Pang exchanged glances and understood Zheng Fa’s ambition. She shook her head: “Time and space... isn’t this project too big?”

Frankly, the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye only lets Zheng Fa see.

How to interpret and extract knowledge from what is seen was another matter entirely.

By analogy, anyone can see light, but to understand light requires a whole system of electromagnetic theory.

“Just the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye probably isn’t enough?” Uncle Pang started doubting himself. “It’s just a spirit eye technique that even Nascent Soul cultivators can learn.”

Zheng Fa understood that Senior Sister Zhang and Uncle Pang were speaking pragmatically.

Expecting the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye to advance enough for him to uncover the grand secrets of Xuanyi time and space was pure fantasy, especially since spirit eye techniques were not uncommon in Xuanyi.

He didn’t refute them but reached into his bosom and pulled out the most common magical tool in the Xuanyi Realm, even more popular than the Tongjian.

“A storage pouch?”

The three were stunned. Senior Sister Zhang had a sudden spark of inspiration: “You want to start researching time and space from a storage pouch?”

“Yes.” Zheng Fa nodded. “We have no corresponding time-space concept. The Void-Piercing Spirit Eye alone is insufficient, and even relying on it to research the Jiushan Realm would be very difficult.”

He was not foolish.

No matter how advanced the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye got, it was not omnipotent.

Starting research on cave heavens or worlds immediately was just dreaming.

“The storage pouch is the most basic and cheapest spatial magical tool in Xuanyi. I thought, why not start from there?”

Ever since seeing the storage pouch, Zheng Fa had been very interested in it.

A relatively worthless tool that grants cultivators a portable space—compared to the complexity of the Thunder Method, this was far more sophisticated.

Moreover, the storage pouch was very special: its forging was not difficult, but the raw materials were.

Zheng Fa picked up the pouch in his hand, covered in densely embroidered runes.

Almost every sect could make storage pouches,

but the cloth used to make them came from the Four Sects. More precisely, most of Zheng Fa’s sect’s storage pouch materials were now imported from the Taishang Dao.

In other words, the technical content of storage pouches lay entirely in this fabric, effectively a monopoly business of the Four Sects.

The Tiangong Pavilion had no ability to break it down.

“The storage pouch can be said to be a tiny space without time.” Zheng Fa’s eyes glowed gold as he looked at the pouch and said, “I don’t know if this thing is the same as cave heavens or world structure, but on the other hand, if we want to study time and space, this might be the simplest, easiest sample to study and understand.”

“That’s true. The storage pouch’s space is small, almost static, and without any life...” Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes brightened as she summarized the advantages, “The difficulty of research is much lower than that of cave heavens.”

In short, what Zheng Fa wanted to do was to first establish the simplest, most fundamental time-space concept,

then use it to explain Xuanyi time-space and perfect the theory.

The storage pouch was far from real time and space.

No time, no life, not even spiritual energy.

Other cultivators might not value it highly, but to Zheng Fa, it was a perfect experimental subject.

Starting time-space research with the storage pouch was like studying life beginning with single-celled organisms;

the difficulty dropped sharply.

The three of them looked at each other. After a long pause, Uncle Pang sighed: “Why didn’t I think of this?”

Senior Sister Zhang responded: “It’s always darkest under the lamp.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Xie Qingxue again and added, “Speaking of which, besides helping us study time-space mysteries, this spirit eye should be very useful in searching for the Tianhe Venerable’s relics.”

Xie Qingxue was slightly warmed by the thought that Zheng Fa was still considering this. She obviously knew Zheng Fa wanted to find the Tianhe relics partly to perfect the Yellow Court Scripture, and partly to strengthen her own power—she cultivated the Heavenly River Method and found it hard to switch to the Yellow Court Scripture now.

Uncle Pang and the others were also uplifted.

It wasn’t short-sightedness;

after all, time-space research was never as urgent as perfecting the Heavenly River Method.

They both knew the secrets of Xuanyi time and space might directly point to the Dao,

but the Heavenly River Method was crucial to the Jiushan Realm cultivators’ advancement. Without solving that, the Jiushan Realm might be doomed.

“Are you planning to have Xiao Yuying and the others cultivate the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye?”

Zheng Fa furrowed his brow: “Once they cultivate it, they’ll be better able to search for the Tianhe relics.”

Uncle Pang looked at the remaining dozens of bottles of Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew with some disappointment but nodded: “Then focus on them first.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Uncle Pang to reassure him: “Since Yaochi’s Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew is so useful, we’ll just import more.”

He thought for a moment and told Senior Sister Zhang: “Senior Sister, we’re still unfamiliar with the sea region, and it’s far away. In the future, the trade route will need Nascent Soul-level cultivators from the sect to patrol in shifts. You and I will take turns commanding.”

The profit and strategic value, including the Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew,

made this intercontinental trade route very important to the Jiushan Sect now.

Zheng Fa had invested a lot of effort and naturally didn’t want trouble, even distrusting sending a Nascent Soul cultivator alone—he wanted to personally command alongside Senior Sister Zhang.

Senior Sister Zhang held the Tranquility Bamboo and used the Innate Eight Trigrams;

while not strong enough to fight off a wandering Immortal, she could hold out for a while until Zheng Fa arrived.

“I’ll go too.”

Unexpectedly, Xie Qingxue spoke up.

“Hm?”

Xie Qingxue patted the Qingping Sword at her waist: “I’ve been in the Jiushan Sect a day, so I’m one of them. Otherwise, it’d be too much for just you two.”

Zheng Fa was stunned. With the Qingping Sword, Xie Qingxue was indeed not necessarily weaker than Senior Sister Zhang.

Three people taking shifts would naturally be easier than two.

The search for the Tianhe relics had no success.

Xiao Yuying led the archaeology team through the entire Hundred Immortals Alliance but found no useful clues.

She stood in the Heavenly Palace, tone dejected:

“Although we encountered about a dozen secret realms and caves, there was very little related to the Tianhe Venerable.”

“Mostly junk.”

After speaking, Xiao Yuying’s storage jade bracelet flashed.

Magical tools and treasures poured out like a waterfall, piling up into a half-human-high mountain in front of Zheng Fa. The treasure light reflected on Zheng Fa’s face in dazzling multicolored rays.

For a moment, Zheng Fa didn’t know whether to laugh or not.

Honestly, among this “junk,” he seemed to see about a dozen pieces of magical treasures!

Though not very useful to him now, these things were still valuable!

As the head of the Jiushan Sect, Zheng Fa knew all too well that the more the sect earned, the more it spent. After decades of hard work, the ledgers showed no money.

But seeing Xiao Yuying’s disdainful look, Zheng Fa no longer felt like laughing.

“Have you explored the entire Hundred Immortals Alliance?”

“Basically, no place left unexplored.” Xiao Yuying said helplessly. “With my Primordial Magnetic Dao Body and the Void-Piercing Spirit Eye, if there were still hidden secret realms, it wouldn’t be something we could find.”

That was true.

Zheng Fa was also a bit anxious.

He had no clue about the Heavenly River Method and suspected there were few inheritances even in the Xuanyi Realm.

If he really had to research it himself... as Xie Qingxue said, who knew when that would be.

But seeing Xiao Yuying’s disappointed face, Zheng Fa didn’t voice his own anxiety, instead comforting her: “Fairy Xiao, you did your best.”

Xiao Yuying nodded lightly, but her expression did not improve. She softly said, “I just feel my archaeology team hasn’t been helpful, a bit unworthy of the name.”

“Moreover, the sect has met our every request, supplying nearly unlimited Hundred Flowers Spirit Dew. So much spent for almost nothing gained—a huge waste of resources.”

This Fairy Xiao was perhaps too hard on herself!

But Zheng Fa understood: this fairy was blessed with great fortune and a strong background, having lived smoothly all her life, so naturally feeling upset when facing difficulties.

Such people were prone to obsessing over details.

Persuasion probably wouldn’t help much;

better to offer suggestions.

He thought and said, “If the Hundred Immortals Alliance has nothing, why not check the sea region, Fairy Xiao? The sea is vast, and currently, it’s our Hundred Immortals Alliance’s territory...”

The more he spoke, the better the idea sounded. But Xiao Yuying frowned, showing some reluctance: “The sea region?”

“Hm, is there any difficulty?”

“...No.” Xiao Yuying was silent for a moment but said no more, only slowly: “Let me make some plans first.”

The sea region.

Senior Sister Zhang was at a station on an island, her Feixian Brush tracing the Innate Eight Trigrams, seemingly calculating something.

Suddenly, her expression changed sharply as she looked west.

“Senior Sister Zhang?”

The Nascent Soul cultivator stationed at the post, knowing her calm nature, hurriedly asked.

“Order all trade route station disciples to leave immediately and head to the backup island!”

Senior Sister Zhang’s face was solemn as she gave the command swiftly.

The Nascent Soul cultivator knew something was wrong and quickly responded: “Yes!”

“Inform the sect that Leiyin Temple cultivators seem to be attacking Hongsha Island. Their cultivation level... might exceed Dao Fruit!”

Hearing this, the Nascent Soul’s face changed drastically but he remained calm and nodded.

Senior Sister Zhang leapt into the air, flying westward, saying: “Inform the sect, I’m going to rescue Hongsha Island!”

The Nascent Soul saw her off, suddenly recalling that Hongsha Island was the most important stop at the end of the trade route, where Huang Uncle, Senior Sister Zhang’s master, was stationed!

Thinking this, his face grew even more anxious as he hurriedly sent a message to the sect.

Hongsha Island was not far from Senior Sister Zhang, about the time of burning incense away, and now was clearly visible.

The island’s beaches were red, hence the name, looking like a red mole on the blue-green sea surface.

Usually, she wouldn’t mind, but now the island’s redness struck her eyes painfully, and her speed increased.

Fortunately, the Jiushan cultivators on the island seemed to have received the message and were riding magical tools to escape.

Seeing Senior Sister Zhang, they turned their treasure light and flew toward her.

“Huh?”

A soft voice sounded. Senior Sister Zhang halted, gripping the Tranquility Bamboo tightly.

From the west came a Buddha light shining over the sea, with a golden lotus crossing the waters.

Seated on the lotus was an old monk.

The old monk had astonishingly long yellow eyebrows that drooped down to his shoulders.

Fifty or so Leiyin Temple cultivators stood by the lotus’s edge.

Senior Sister Zhang’s heart tightened, and the Innate Eight Trigrams Diagram in front of her spun rapidly, immediately confirming the old monk’s cultivation level—True Immortal!

She even guessed their original purpose:

They were likely Leiyin Temple cultivators going to set formations for the Tianhe Sect.

The long-browed old monk’s gaze swept over the Jiushan cultivators fleeing but showed little concern. He then addressed Senior Sister Zhang: “You must be the Jiushan Sect’s benefactor Zhang?”

“Yes. May I ask who the master is?”

“I am Huì Tōng by Dharma name. Greetings, benefactor Zhang.” The old monk bowed politely eleven times, then said, “I wonder how you knew we were coming?”

His cloudy eyes rested on Senior Sister Zhang.

She felt a heavy weight and involuntarily wanted to fall into the sea, but the Tranquility Bamboo in her hand glowed with blue-gold light, protecting her.

“Tranquility Bamboo...”

Old Monk Huì Tōng’s gaze shifted to the Tranquility Bamboo.

Senior Sister Zhang sensed danger;

Leiyin Temple’s arrival was hostile, especially since they coveted the Tranquility Bamboo.

No matter what, she could not match a True Immortal.

Yet she showed no fear, only frowning: “Hongsha Island belongs to our Hundred Immortals Alliance. May I ask what business master has here?”

Old Monk Huì Tōng smiled lightly: “Nothing else, but our Leiyin Temple received news that there may be demonic traces on Hongsha Island, so we came to investigate.”

Uncle Huang had already flown behind Senior Sister Zhang. Hearing this, anger surfaced on his face as if to argue.

But Senior Sister Zhang waved him silent and instead said: “This is a serious matter;

master should investigate.”

Uncle Huang agreed but heard the old monk say: “No rush. Demonic traces are serious, but I have another request.”

Senior Sister Zhang narrowed her eyes.

“This Tranquility Bamboo is a treasured legacy of our Leiyin Temple ancestors. Benefactor Zhang, would you be willing to return it?”

The waves on the sea instantly calmed.

Zheng Fa had received the message early and was in his small courtyard at Ziwei Yuan.

Xiao Yuying and Uncle Pang were there too, the three discussing preparations to search the sea region for Tianhe relics.

When the warning arrived, Zheng Fa instantly grew anxious.

Seeing his expression, Uncle Pang asked: “What’s wrong?”

“Senior Sister Zhang predicted Leiyin Temple would attack Hongsha Island.”

Uncle Pang and the others were shocked by the urgency and asked: “How is she?”

“Uncle Huang is on Hongsha Island. Senior Sister Zhang went to rescue.”

Zheng Fa took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, frowning: “We anticipated the trade route would displease Leiyin Temple, but to attack so recklessly now, has Leiyin Temple completely abandoned all caution?”

Uncle Pang’s face also darkened.

The value of the East-West trade route was obvious to Lady Nishang, and Leiyin Temple was no fool.

But the Jiushan Sect hadn’t expected such a strong reaction.

Hadn’t Taishang Dao warned them?

… No.” Uncle Pang suddenly spoke. “Taishang Dao said back then that they must not attack you?”

Zheng Fa nodded, suddenly recalling that was true.

From the start, Taishang Dao only cared about him.

Generally, cultivators at the Dao Fruit level had some dignity and wouldn’t deliberately attack lower-level cultivators.

Besides Zheng Fa, the Jiushan Sect posed no threat to Leiyin Temple.

But this thinking clearly underestimated Leiyin Temple’s shamelessness, or stubbornness.

“I’ll go to rescue Senior Sister Zhang.” He told Uncle Pang.

Uncle Pang frowned: “I’m afraid it will be too late.”

Hongsha Island was close to the Western Continent, extremely far from the Jiushan Realm. Even with Rainbow Transformation Method, it would take a long time.

Beside them, Xiao Yuying was silent for a moment, then took out a treasure pearl from her chest.

“My master should be able to arrive in time.”