BOOK 2: CHAPTER 465: THE STRANGE THREE ANCESTORS, NINE MOUNTAINS’ FANGS

Vol 2 Chapter 465: The Strange Three Ancestors, Nine Mountains’ Fangs

Seeing the Nine Nether Emperor speak like this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but laugh.

The Nine Nether Emperor reined in his smile, his tone turning serious: “If it really is these three Demon Ancestors, no amount of caution on your part would ever be too much.”

Yan Changge looked puzzled and interrupted: “Even with the Patriarch’s jade talisman?”

“Back then, when the Heavenly River and I campaigned against the major Demon Ancestors... in the end, only these three remained. Do you know why?”

Zheng Fa frowned: “Because they are very strong?”

“Very strong.” The Nine Nether Emperor nodded. “Back then, the Demon Ancestors’ strengths varied. The weakest were only scattered immortals, but these three were all elite cultivators, even on par with me, at least cultivators at the top True Immortal stage.”

Zheng Fa’s mind darkened.

Top True Immortals from the last era, although they might not have reached Golden Immortal, would not have regressed in cultivation. In today’s Xuanyi Realm, they counted as top-tier combat forces.

Recalling the troublesome Golden-Winged Great Peng, these three Demon Ancestors were certainly no pushovers.

Yan Changge was confused: “But Patriarch, doesn’t your jade talisman allow escape even in front of Golden Immortals? What’s so scary about Zheng Fa?”

The Nine Nether Emperor lightly tapped his forehead but then shook his head: “True Immortal cultivation, Heavenly River and I naturally did not regard them highly back then. The problem is, these three Demon Ancestors have extremely strange methods.”

“Strange?”

“The Gu God is the originator of Gu Dao, and his methods differ greatly from other cultivators, making them impossible to defend against.”

Yan Changge seemed to recall something: “Gu Dao... our Heavenly River Sect only has some vague records about it.”

“In this era, since the Gu God has not appeared, Gu Dao has declined. You naturally don’t know much, and perhaps these records were deliberately destroyed. Among many Demon Ancestors, the Gu God’s dharmakaya is unique. In magical duels, it is omnipresent and can infiltrate anywhere.”

At this point, the Nine Nether Emperor seemed to find it hard to explain and pointed toward Yin Mountain.

The white mist dispersed, forming a half-human-high tunnel. At its end was a wandering shadow soul in the wilderness.

The shadow soul looked like a middle-aged man, his curly white hair fluttering wildly in the air, with black eyes and a pale, numb complexion.

“This is...”

“This was a scattered immortal from the last era, now in my Underworld.”

Being in the Underworld meant this person was dead now.

“How did he die?”

“Suicide.”

The Nine Nether Emperor gave Zheng Fa an unexpected answer.

“Back then, he offended the Gu God and was targeted. Though he escaped... the next day, Gu insects appeared in the Mud Pellet Palace, gradually turning his whole body into a nest of insects.” ŗάNŏ𝖇ƐS̩

“He...”

“Because Dao Fruit cultivators do not truly die, he couldn’t die.” The Nine Nether Emperor’s tone grew deep. “Those Gu insects do not die either. It would be better if he had died and found release.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa felt a chill, finally understanding why this man chose suicide.

Amid the mist, the man looked toward Zheng Fa and the others.

Only then did Zheng Fa realize that the white hair flying in the air was actually dozens of long, twisted worms. These worms crawled out from his head, densely entangled and writhing.

Those two pitch-black pupils were actually two black beetles, whose antennae gently trembled inside the man's pupils.

The man opened his mouth as if to say something, but before he could speak, a palm-sized moth flew out from his throat.

Zheng Fa finally understood why he was so timid, yet the Nine Nether Emperor still harbored some faint admiration.

With the Gu God’s methods, escaping quickly did not guarantee safety.

“What about the other two?”

“The White Bone Demon Ancestor.” The Nine Nether Emperor furrowed his brow. “He actually has a connection to you, Zheng Fa.”

“What?”

“He is extremely skilled in transformation techniques. In fact, no one knows his true appearance.”

Now Zheng Fa understood Lord Shuyu Dragon’s displeasure — he had encountered a fellow practitioner!

“If you are his enemy, then your partner, parents, disciples, even yourself, might... no longer be who you think you are.”

Yan Changge’s expression grew heavier: “So even with the jade talisman, it’s hard to guarantee complete safety...”

Indeed.

Having the jade talisman allowed summoning the Nine Nether Emperor for rescue, but one must still have the chance to summon.

Against enemies like the Gu God and White Bone Demon Ancestor, one careless moment could mean defeat.

“Therefore, though in terms of cultivation these two Demon Ancestors are no match for Heavenly River Sect, even Heavenly River itself could not kill them completely.”

“What about the Zao Hua Demon Ancestor?” Zheng Fa asked. “Is he just as troublesome?”

“Zao Hua...” The Nine Nether Emperor’s gaze turned cold but his tone remained calm. “Do you know who was once called the strongest in Xuanyi before Heavenly River?”

“Of course, the Original Demon Ancestor...” Zheng Fa answered without hesitation, but seeing the Nine Nether Emperor’s smirking expression, he was surprised. “Zao Hua Demon Ancestor?”

“Yes, Zao Hua.” The Nine Nether Emperor nodded lightly. “This is partly due to Lu Mo hiding in the shadows, but Zao Hua is by no means ordinary. Among the Demon Ancestors, he rose last yet is arguably the strongest, even stronger than I was back then.”

Seeing Zheng Fa’s shocked expression, the Nine Nether Emperor also sighed a little.

“If not for that, the immortal sects wouldn’t trust Zao Hua so much. Who would have thought Lu Mo could command the strongest Demon Ancestor?”

“And back then, the Heavenly River Sect might have already had the White Bone Demon Ancestor lurking inside, which caused so many disciples to grow disloyal and the sect to fracture.”

“The Heavenly River upheaval had many causes, but these three Demon Ancestors’ tactics and abilities were indispensable factors.”

When the Nine Nether Emperor finished speaking, no one on Yin Mountain spoke.

Yan Changge looked at Zheng Fa: “So then, Haori Mountain is off limits?”

Zheng Fa also fell into thought.

Now it seemed that behind Haori Mountain, there were at least these three Demon Ancestors. Whether the Original Demon Ancestor Lu Mo was present remained a mystery.

Compared to the last visit, Haori Mountain was truly dangerous now.

The Nine Nether Emperor said: “Going is dangerous, but not going is even more dangerous.”

Zheng Fa let out a long breath and understood the Nine Nether Emperor’s meaning: “At least we must figure out what these three Demon Ancestors are up to. Otherwise, the Heavenly River upheaval might happen to Jiushan Sect.”

The Nine Nether Emperor nodded slightly.

Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly mentioned the Heavenly River upheaval, actually reminding Zheng Fa.

Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect had a deep-rooted conflict.

These three Demon Ancestors had directly caused the Heavenly River Sect’s internal turmoil back then, so their reappearance could not be ignored.

Most importantly, these three Demon Ancestors were so strong that they could have openly revealed themselves, but now they hid behind Haori Mountain’s guise... which was deeply unsettling.

On the other hand, the emergence of these three great enemies made Zheng Fa even more eager for power.

A golden light shone behind him, and the Fusang Wood rose out of the void, standing atop Yin Mountain.

The cold Yin Mountain instantly felt a little warmer.

“Emperor, do you know the origin of this spiritual root?”

The Nine Nether Emperor’s gaze landed on the Fusang Wood, his pupils filled with a white haze. After a long moment, he nodded: “This item is incomplete.”

“I know that. What I want to ask is, what part is missing?”

The Nine Nether Emperor shook his head: “I can’t tell.”

Zheng Fa was stunned.

“This spiritual root...” The Nine Nether Emperor’s expression was complex. “Its rank is no lower than my Reincarnation Compass.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Changge immediately exclaimed: “Taiyi?”

The Nine Nether Emperor nodded slowly: “It should be so. I heard a rumor from Heavenly River.”

“What?”

“The Yaochi’s Shui Mu seems to have a top-tier spiritual root with a very high rank.”

Zheng Fa had also heard this from Lady Nishang of Yaochi.

“Heavenly River once said Yaochi’s foundation lies not in Shui Mu, but in that spiritual root.” The Nine Nether Emperor glanced again at the Fusang Wood, his expression somewhat regretful. “But your Fusang Wood seems to have rank only in name...”

If so, the Fusang Wood’s value might be greater than Lord Shuyu Dragon claimed.

If it really is as powerful as the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor says, then failing to get it would be a loss. If it stays in Haori Mountain, it would be an even bigger problem.

Zheng Fa pondered and finally said to the Nine Nether Emperor: “Emperor, I want to ask you for one more favor.”

“What favor?”

...

Half a month later.

A roar shook the entire Xuanyi Realm.

“Leiyin Temple!” The Nine Nether Emperor’s cold voice echoed through the nine heavens. “What a Leiyin Temple!”

A golden lotus floated down from the sky, and from its base, a golden light shot toward the Underworld.

The white mist covering the Underworld met this golden light and melted like snow, revealing a hole.

Several streaks of light took the opportunity to fly out of the opening.

Haori Mountain, marketplace.

In front of the Jiushan chain pancake stall, Lu Yan hurried over without allowing explanation: “From today on, the tribute doubles.”

“Double!”

The male vendor, a disciple from Jiushan Sect’s intelligence division, couldn’t help but show surprise: “Immortal, please have mercy. We are small-time merchants;

we really can’t pay so much.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? If you have to pay, then pay.” Lu Yan’s eyes glared. “What’s more important, life or spirit stones?”

“...”

The male vendor glared for a moment but had no choice but to lower his head and agree.

Seeing his compliance, Lu Yan’s tone softened a bit: “Not just you. Anyone under the protection of my Lu Clan in this marketplace must pay more.”

“...Why is that?”

Unexpectedly, Lu Yan, usually arrogant and frivolous, now wore a serious expression and snapped: “Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”

“Yes! Yes!”

After Lu Yan left, two Jiushan Sect disciples, a man and a woman, exchanged glances filled with deep thought.

...

Zheng Fa had just returned to Jiushan Sect and received news of changes at Haori Mountain.

“The Lu Clan is hoarding spirit stones?”

“Yes, and among the Three Clans, only the Lu Clan is doing this.”

Han Lao confirmed.

“Can the disciples hold on?”

“We’re fine since costs are low and profits high. At worst, there’s sect funding. But others in Haori Mountain’s marketplace might struggle...” Han Lao analyzed. “Even greedy Lu Clan people should understand the harm in overexploitation unless there’s something forcing them to act this way.”

Indeed.

No wonder Han Lao was so anxious. This meant Haori Mountain had undergone some unforeseen changes.

He looked at Senior Sister Zhang and shared the information from the Nine Nether Emperor with a few others.

“Gu God, White Bone Demon Ancestor, Zao Hua... Even without the Original Demon Ancestor Lu Mo, Haori Mountain is now a dangerous place.”

“The Fusang Wood matter is critical and cannot be ignored.” Zheng Fa paced. “I have the Nine Nether Emperor’s jade talisman and various divine abilities, so there is some confidence.”

The Fusang Wood’s value and the threat of these three Demon Ancestors made it impossible for Jiushan Sect to turn a blind eye.

“We will first strike Haori Mountain!” Senior Sister Zhang suddenly said.

Zheng Fa was stunned for a moment but then understood.

“Sister, do you mean to ‘beat the grass to scare the snake’?”

Senior Sister Zhang’s Innate Eight Trigrams rotated in her hand, as if calculating: “You may go to Nine Luminaries Heaven;

I won’t stop you, but you can’t act rashly.”

“Using the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array, we can occupy the advantageous terrain and push into Haori Mountain first.”

This was the previous base slap strategy.

Even attacking Haori Mountain had been proposed by Zheng Fa before.

But Senior Sister Zhang’s meaning was more proactive, aggressive, and risky.

Han Lao also understood: “Forcing the Demon Ancestors to act?”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded: “No matter their plans, we cannot let them proceed unchecked. Reconnaissance is one way;

forcing them to show themselves is another.”

“On the other hand, the Heavenly Emperor body can cover you, and we can even hold back one or two Demon Ancestors.”

“We must get Haori Mountain moving, even in chaos, so we can gain more intelligence and give you more opportunities.”

Hearing this, Zheng Fa fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

“Jiushan Sect now can help you. You don’t have to take all the risks alone. Besides, if anything happens to you, it would be the end of Jiushan.”

Senior Sister Zhang seemed to know what he was thinking.

Zheng Fa nodded slowly.

...

Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect border.

The spiritual veins near the Hundred Immortals Alliance in Haori Mountain’s territory had already been damaged, but a few cultivators remained:

Some were lone cultivators trying their luck with opportunities in the spiritual vein ruins.

Others were disciples left by Haori Mountain to monitor Jiushan Sect’s movements.

But overall, this area was becoming increasingly desolate.

Today was different!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The earth-shaking bell tolled, startling birds into flight and stirring the river into waves that scattered like shattered jade.

Cultivators on Haori Mountain looked toward the bell’s source.

A bright blue portal appeared on the horizon.

“What is that?”

They exchanged confused glances.

Then, flying boats emerged from the portal.

These boats were silver-white throughout, with dazzling electric sparks at the prow, and solemn-faced disciples standing on them.

“These are Jiushan Sect’s Divine Thunder Warships!”

Divine Thunder Warships were well-known in Xuanyi, and someone immediately recognized them.

“So many...”

Jiushan Sect’s Divine Thunder Warships seemed endless, one following another, shading half the sky.

Sunlight reflected off them in cold glints.

The shadow of the warships covered the mountains, pressing heavily on the hearts of the cultivators.

Thousands of warships lined up and advanced in formation toward Haori Mountain, leaving everyone breathless.

“Jiushan Sect is attacking Haori Mountain?”

Only now did the cultivators understand Jiushan Sect’s intention.

No one expected this sect, which had just risen less than a hundred years ago, to actively attack Haori Mountain, which had occupied Xuanyi for over a million years!