BOOK 2: CHAPTER 411: THE INNER AFFAIRS OF HAORI, EXCESSIVELY GOOD

Vol 2 Chapter 411 The Inner Affairs of Haori, Excessively Good

“According to calculations, Immortal Yun is unwilling for Rogue Immortal to resurrect too quickly.”

Inside the Tian Palace of Ziwei Enclosure in the Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang analyzed the situation for Shi Nandang and the others while reading the message Zheng Fa sent.

Shi Nandang listened carefully, seemingly comparing it with his own memories of Haori’s past.

Though not from Haori Mountain, Xie Qingxue, as the direct disciple of the Tianhe Sect leader, also knew a fair amount about Haori Mountain and was listening attentively with a frown.

Senior Sister Zhang continued, “Haori Mountain is quite different from sects like Taishang Dao.”

Xie Qingxue asked, “Different how?”

“They have too few Dao Fruits.”

Xie Qingxue slapped the sword hilt, “True, not just Taishang Dao and Leiyin Temple, even Yaochi seems to have more than three Dao Fruits.”

Indeed, far more.

Although the Four Sects don’t have many True Immortals in the Xuanyi Realm, that doesn’t mean there are only a few — for example, Yaochi appears to be almost bullied to death by Leiyin Temple.

But the confirmed Dao Fruits are Yaochi’s Shui Mu, Lady Nishang, and the Blissful Lady Celestial — three in total.

From the information Lady Nishang inadvertently revealed, Yaochi likely has other Dao Fruits as well.

Only Haori Mountain, judging from the Three Saints Hall and the Three Clans, has just three Dao Fruits.

Shi Nandang nodded, “Haori Mountain has always held to the tradition of three ancestors;

I haven’t heard of any other founders.”

After speaking, both he and Xie Qingxue showed puzzled expressions, as if they didn’t understand why Haori Mountain would have only these three Dao Fruits.

“I and my junior brother have a guess,” Senior Sister Zhang said, “Most of Haori Mountain’s resources have been used by Lu Yao.”

“Saint…” Shi Nandang uttered the word but felt it wasn’t right and corrected himself, “Lu Yao?”

When those two words were spoken, a sly excitement appeared on Shi Nandang’s face.

“Lu Yao has been a triple-certified Golden Immortal;

even excluding his lifetime as the Demon Ancestor, that took two times. Counting this way, Haori Mountain has actually produced two Golden Immortals, but both are Lu Yao.”

Xie Qingxue seemed to understand, “So Lu Yao spent a lot of resources, making it difficult for others in Haori Mountain to achieve Dao Fruits?”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded, “Only this can explain why Haori Mountain has so few Dao Fruit cultivators. Even Lu Yao’s current lifetime needs Leiyin Temple’s assistance to certify as Golden Immortal — probably because Haori Mountain’s resources are simply insufficient.” 𝖗𝔞ŊȎ𝔟Ё𝙨

Xie Qingxue and Shi Nandang exchanged a glance and nodded slightly, thinking this idea very plausible.

Shi Nandang asked again, “What does this have to do with Immortal Yun?”

“Lady Nishang said Immortal Yun achieved Dao certification very early. Because Lu Yao once transformed into the Demon Ancestor and temporarily went to Leiyin Temple, actually since the Demon Ancestor era, he has been the true ruler of Haori Mountain.”

“On one hand, all the resources have been used by Lu Yao, so Immortal Yun has little hope of advancement.”

“On the other hand, since Lu Yao has been away from Haori Mountain for a long time, Immortal Yun is the actual ruler in practice.”

Xie Qingxue and Shi Nandang listened and fell into deep thought.

“But Immortal Yun still dares to resist Lu Yao?”

Xie Qingxue felt Immortal Yun might be a bit frustrated, perhaps even ambitious, but surely not foolish enough to defy Lu Yao.

“He dares not, but there is Rogue Immortal,” Senior Sister Zhang shook her head, “If my junior brother hadn’t gathered some information from Lady Nishang and I hadn’t used the Innate Eight Trigrams to deduce, I wouldn’t have understood either.”

“Rogue Immortal?”

“Lady Nishang said that in this era, Rogue Immortal is the one in charge of Haori Mountain. Though the reason is unknown, Immortal Yun is no longer managing things much.”

“Indeed.” Shi Nandang confirmed, “Though the three ancestors all have edicts, Lu Yao’s edict is the least, and Rogue Immortal’s edict is the most frequent. It should have been Immortal Yun.”

Xie Qingxue understood, “Immortal Yun is unwilling?”

Senior Sister Zhang shook her head, “From the way he seems to be delaying Rogue Immortal’s resurrection, there is at least resentment. Moreover, if the Trapping Immortal Sword is truly refined by Rogue Immortal, then who will really rule Haori Mountain afterward is uncertain.”

“Even if Immortal Yun’s nature is gentle, he’s not a clay doll.”

…

Immortal Yun looked at Zheng Fa with an inscrutable expression, his gaze faintly oppressive.

Zheng Fa lowered his head but pondered the speculation by himself and Senior Sister Zhang — Haori Mountain’s interior is not as openly hostile as Yaochi’s, but there are still undercurrents.

Previously, Haori Mountain’s three Dao Fruits had a clear ranking:

The top was Lu Yao, a Golden Immortal.

The second was Immortal Yun.

The third naturally was Rogue Immortal.

The problem was that in this era, Rogue Immortal rose against the tide. If he obtained the Trapping Immortal Sword, he might not fear Immortal Yun at all.

Of course, Immortal Yun might be broad-minded and not care much.

But when Zheng Fa ascended the mountain, he observed something — the Yun and Luo clans were not very harmonious, seemingly competing over territory in the second inner city.

This showed the Luo clan’s strength this era.

Conversely, it reflected that Immortal Yun was not entirely without objections.

It would be difficult to have none: limited Dao path and no power left.

Immortal Yun turned to look at several Luo clan Nascent Soul cultivators who were still angry, “What Shi Nandang said is not without reason.”

“The right and wrong, I still need to investigate further.”

The Luo clan members exchanged glances, their faces full of anger but dared not say more, only casting colder and colder looks at Zheng Fa.

“The matter of the Trapping Immortal Sword, I must also report to the First Ancestor before making a decision.”

Immortal Yun seemed to ignore these glances, coldly saying, “Except for Shi Nandang, the rest may withdraw.”

“...Yes!”

The Three Clans members looked at each other and dared not disobey, but as they passed Zheng Fa, they all glanced at him.

The Yun clan’s gaze was somewhat curious.

But the Lu and Luo clan members all looked displeased.

After everyone left the Three Saints Hall, Immortal Yun stared at Zheng Fa with cold indifference. Suddenly, he reached out and pointed at Zheng Fa’s head.

Several runes appeared from his palm and entered Zheng Fa’s Mud Pellet Palace.

Zheng Fa felt his soul being tugged as if it was about to be torn apart.

The Nine Nether Talisman Edict activated by itself, connecting with the runes.

After three breaths, Immortal Yun’s palm left Zheng Fa’s forehead.

He looked at Zheng Fa, who was sweating profusely, and the suspicion in his eyes quietly diminished a lot.

“You have quite the nerve.”

“I dare not, Master.”

“What do you dare not? Empty words without proof, daring to accuse Master Luo?”

“I, disciple, truly do not understand.” Zheng Fa said softly, “I only ask to live.”

Immortal Yun faintly smiled and said, “You are quite honest.”

“Disciple only speaks the truth.”

“The truth? Or trying to use me?”

Zheng Fa said nothing, seemingly speechless.

Immortal Yun looked at him for a long time before speaking, “As you wish, I will investigate. You may leave.”

Zheng Fa cupped his hands in salute and withdrew.

He had just exited the hall when the door slammed shut with a bang, almost hitting his face.

Thanks to the Nine Nether Talisman Edict, Immortal Yun seemed unaware of any flaws, but that did not mean he wanted to protect him.

As he said, he ultimately suspected Zheng Fa was using him;

if he were disrespectful, he would be grossly disrespectful to Immortal Yun.

Now his survival was also because Immortal Yun wanted to use him.

As for why Immortal Yun wanted to use him, it was nothing more than suppressing Rogue Immortal’s prestige and hindering his resurrection.

This somewhat aligned with Zheng Fa’s own plans — only his target was Lu Yao!

Rogue Immortal’s death or survival posed little threat to Zheng Fa.

But Lu Yao, a triple-certified Golden Immortal, affected the survival of the Jiushan Sect. So although Zheng Fa came to Haori Mountain to infiltrate the Tianhe Sect, he also wanted to investigate Lu Yao’s situation:

Not necessarily to destroy his Dao certification, but at least to figure out Lu Yao’s condition and even estimate how much longer he would need.

He looked towards the back of the Three Saints Hall. From what Shi Nandang said, behind the snow peak was a Haori Mountain forbidden zone, reportedly related to Lu Yao.

But Zheng Fa had no idea how to enter.

After thinking for a while, he had no clue. He turned, and his gaze landed in midair.

Thirteen Luo clan cultivators stood suspended, watching Zheng Fa with cold, sharp gazes.

Behind them in the void were Lu clan and Yun clan members watching.

All eyes were fixed on Zheng Fa.

No, the Luo clan’s revenge did not wait overnight;

they were making a grand show, calling friends.

With the Three Clans so arrogant, Zheng Fa was greatly shocked.

He glanced at the door behind him and saw it was tightly shut;

Immortal Yun inside seemed to have not noticed the scene.

At the entire Three Palace gates, Zheng Fa was alone facing over ten Luo clan cultivators.

…

Inside the hall.

A Yun clan cultivator stepped out from the side of the high platform. Seeing Zheng Fa’s situation outside, he respectfully asked, “Holy Ancestor, did you keep Shi Nandang here to suppress the Luo clan? To prevent them from resurrecting Master Luo?”

Perhaps this person was a confidant, so Immortal Yun explained, “This group of people was implying I was delaying... Shi Nandang came at just the right time.”

The man nodded and smiled, “Not afraid of Master Luo, only afraid of the First Ancestor. Our Yun clan’s actions easily stir disputes.”

Immortal Yun was silent for a moment and smiled, “Did Shi Nandang have an old grudge with my Yun clan?”

“Delusions only. I just didn’t expect him to have such guts.”

“He’s not only unrelated to my Yun clan, but was originally from the Lu clan. The First Ancestor... no wonder.” Immortal Yun said softly, “Master Luo’s nephew has also worked hard;

let him rest a couple more days.”

“Then why allow them to seek revenge on Shi Nandang?”

Immortal Yun smiled lightly and glanced at Zheng Fa through the hall door, “This person has no sense of rank or respect to save his life;

his death is of no consequence.”

“But if he were killed by the Luo clan, wouldn’t that ruin the Holy Ancestor’s plans?”

“Better dead.”

…

Absurd.

Is Immortal Yun waiting for this group to kill him and then act righteously?

“Shi Nandang, you slander the Holy Ancestor!” The elder inside the hall looked down on Zheng Fa and shouted, his voice spreading across the mountain slope, “Your crime deserves death!”

Many Haori Mountain disciples attracted by the voice flew over and watched from a distance.

Zheng Fa glanced around.

His gaze fell on a somewhat familiar face:

This was Shi Nandang’s master — a direct descendant of the Lu clan, at Corpse Liberation cultivation.

He also looked at Zheng Fa with distant eyes.

“Won’t you save your disciple?”

“He’s not even surnamed Lu.” Shi Nandang’s master said, “Even if he was, daring to accuse Master Luo is a capital offense.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa smiled bitterly inside.

These Haori Mountain cultivators really saw clearly.

With Shi Nandang’s status, offending Rogue Immortal was a real subversion of Haori Mountain’s system, enough to put Zheng Fa at odds with the Three Clans.

Including the Lu clan.

In the distance, some Haori Mountain disciples not from the Three Clans, who lacked permission to enter the Three Palaces, naturally had no idea what was happening.

Zheng Fa withdrew his gaze and looked at the Luo clan elder above.

The elder spoke again, “Hand over the Soul Mark, and I will spare your life.”

The Soul Mark of Shi Nandang?

To be honest, he really had one...

Apparently, the Luo clan was not foolish, knowing killing Shi Nandang would have consequences.

“Which part of what I said is false?” Zheng Fa spoke, “The Trapping Immortal Sword was always corrupted in Master Luo’s hands!”

“Even if Master Luo resurrects, he can’t deny a single word!”

His voice was loud, not only the Luo clan cultivators heard it clearly, but also the distant Haori disciples.

“You dare slander the Holy Ancestor!”

The elder roared angrily, a red glow bursting from his body as he revealed his Yang Spirit.

His Yang Spirit held a Divine Fire Pearl, surrounded by fiery snakes that crackled the air.

This elder was the vague leader of the Luo clan, his strength extraordinary, having reached the final step before Dao Fruit, the Corpse Liberation stage.

“I remember Shi Nandang is Nascent Soul, right?”

A Lu clan cultivator beside Shi Nandang’s master spoke.

Shi Nandang’s master nodded.

“Then he still dares to provoke the Luo clan.”

“He’s doomed to die anyway.”

“That’s true.”

The Lu clan cultivator looked at Shi Nandang with some pity.

…

Zheng Fa’s mind moved, golden light burst forth from his whole body, and he also revealed his Yang Spirit.

His Yang Spirit now looked different:

Nine glowing orbs surrounded it, the secret Nine Suns Yang Spirit of Haori Mountain.

Not only that, he wielded a wooden longbow.

Transforming into Shi Nandang, Zheng Fa naturally changed even his cultivation methods and innate treasure appearance.

“Corpse Liberation?”

Shi Nandang’s master whispered, clearly very surprised.

“No wonder he has such courage.” The Lu clan cultivator who spoke earlier was silent for a long time, then whispered, “What a pity.”

No one expected Shi Nandang to be at Corpse Liberation!

With this cultivation, if not for the crimes on him, he would have been given the title of Lu clan direct descendant without obstacles.

But since the moment the Trapping Immortal Sword was destroyed, Shi Nandang was destined to be excluded from the Lu clan.

“Your eyesight, I don’t know if it’s a blessing or a curse.”

Hearing this, Shi Nandang’s master’s gaze was complicated, but after looking at the Luo clan people, he shook his head.

…

Inside the hall, the Yun clan cultivator was stunned and then turned to look at Immortal Yun, “Holy Ancestor, is Shi Nandang really Corpse Liberation?”

Immortal Yun’s lips curled slightly, as if he had seen through long ago, “He does have some talent.”

“Then he…”

“Are there few Corpse Liberation cultivators in the Luo clan?” Immortal Yun asked in return.

“The Holy Ancestor is correct.”

The Yun clan cultivator immediately understood that Immortal Yun still did not favor Zheng Fa.

He thought a moment and smiled, “This is good;

the stronger Shi Nandang becomes, the more trouble for the Lu clan.”

…

“So this is your trump card?” The elder’s fire dragon on the Divine Fire Pearl paused, then laughed, “You think…”

“Too much talking.”

Zheng Fa muttered softly. The Nine Suns Yang Spirit stretched out its arms, drew the bow, condensed a golden arrow, aimed at the elder, and suddenly fired.

“You live too long!”

The elder’s pearl surged, wrapped in fire snakes, rushing straight at Zheng Fa.

The golden arrow and pearl collided fiercely in midair.

Bang!

Everyone watched as the fire snakes around the pearl cried out mournfully, as if meeting their natural enemy, and carried the pearl down to the ground.

Zheng Fa’s golden arrow continued with unstoppable momentum, shooting straight at the elder’s chest.

The elder did not expect the arrow to be so powerful, shooting down his innate treasure in one shot. He was stunned for a moment. When the arrow struck, he reacted and dodged backward, but it was too late;

his shoulder was pierced and he flew back onto the golden jade steps.

He lay on the ground, feeling an unusual quiet around him, his eyes still a bit dazed.

Only footsteps approached. Turning his head, he saw a pair of boots slowly entering his view.

He slightly tilted his head and saw Shi Nandang standing on a step higher, looking down at him.

“A direct descendant of the Luo clan?” Zheng Fa’s tone held little hatred, not even much disdain, more like an observation.

But all Three Clans members’ faces flushed red and white in turn.

Those observing cultivators’ eyes shone with brilliance, yet they dared not say anything.

Everyone watched as Shi Nandang, a non-Three Clans member, stood proudly before a Luo clan direct descendant, shaking minds and hearts.

This scene had appeared countless times in Haori Mountain’s history.

Only today, the one standing and the one lying down had switched identities.

…

Inside the hall.

Immortal Yun suddenly stood, frowning deeply.

“Holy Ancestor?” the Yun clan cultivator asked in surprise, “Why is Shi Nandang so powerful?”

Immortal Yun stared intently at Zheng Fa, his gaze both confused and puzzled.

Obviously, he did not expect this scene.

“Will the Luo clan still dare to act?”

The Yun clan cultivator whispered.

Immortal Yun remained silent.

No longer dared.

Zheng Fa’s single arrow seriously injured that Luo clan Corpse Liberation cultivator, leaving the other Luo clan members in disarray:

Though they had more than one Corpse Liberation, none were higher.

Now that Zheng Fa injured one so severely with one arrow, they could not gauge his strength and naturally became wary.

Speaking of which, Zheng Fa’s Yang Spirit cultivation method was heavily influenced by the Vermilion Heaven Jade Manual, making him very familiar with the Nine Suns Yang Spirit.

More importantly, Shi Nandang’s Sunset Bow was almost a standard innate treasure of Haori Mountain — usually made from Haori Mulberry wood.

Currently, Haori Mountain no longer has Haori Mulberry.

Zheng Fa naturally did not have it either, but he had its ancestor — Fusang Wood!

He transformed the Creation Jade Slip into the form of the Sunset Bow, which was admittedly inferior to Shi Nandang’s original:

After all, Shi Nandang had truly forged the Sunset Bow for tens of thousands of years.

Even if Zheng Fa was Corpse Liberation, he would not say his Sunset Bow was stronger.

But he had Fusang Wood, a top spiritual root deeply connected to Haori Mountain’s cultivation methods, even vaguely compatible with the Sunset Bow.

The previous arrow did not unleash Fusang Wood’s full power, yet still surpassed an ordinary Corpse Liberation.

If Zheng Fa had not held back slightly out of caution, that elder might have been severely injured and near death.

He was a bit speechless, realizing that his use of the Nine Suns Yang Spirit and Sunset Bow was even more powerful than his original Yang Spirit cultivation method — after all, the Creation Jade Slip was not very good at fighting, while the Sunset Bow could utilize Fusang Wood.

Zheng Fa ignored the others and slowly descended the steps.

Shi Nandang’s master watched his retreating figure, opening his mouth but then closing it again.

The Lu clan Nascent Soul cultivator beside him sighed lightly:

“Your eyesight is a bit too good, and a bit too bad as well.”