Chapter 758: Chapter 346: Sectarian Schemes and Pure Lineage (Part 3)
"It’s meant to turn Li Hao into a Nascent Soul cultivator, but that’s not all."
Zheng Fa looked outside the hall. On Heavenly Palace Island, a portal appeared, and Xiao Yuying, leading the archaeological team, walked into the Jiushan Realm in a daze.
"Did something happen?"
She asked Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa, however, didn’t look at her. Instead, he looked expectantly at the bewildered Mu Qingyan standing behind her, "Did you mention before that the Hundred Immortals Alliance had some caves left by cultivators of Haori Mountain?"
Mu Qingyan nodded obediently.
"Do you know if any of those cultivators had the surname Yang, Yun, or Lu?"
Xiao Yuying was still bewildered, clearly not understanding why Zheng Fa was asking this question.
Sister Zhang and Elder Han exchanged glances, their mouths agape as they looked at Zheng Fa.
...
More than half a year later, a rainbow light suddenly shot out from a valley of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and the sky was filled with auspicious clouds while Spiritual Energy surged at the mountainside.
Dozens of nearby cultivators were drawn by this spectacle, riding their clouds to fly towards the valley.
"Is there a treasure appearing?"
Someone asked excitedly.
"It looks like a Secret Realm!"
As soon as these words fell, several streaks of light hastily rushed towards the valley.
The rest, unable to resist the greed in their hearts, quickly followed in fear of missing out on the treasure.
The ones at the forefront had just crossed over the hill, but as if encountering something terrifying, they desperately fled back, shouting:
"Nascent Soul Tribulation!"
"Someone is undergoing the Nascent Soul Tribulation!"
The cultivators behind them heard this and quickly fled as well.
The power of the Nascent Soul Tribulation is immense—nothing near can survive.
Having a Nascent Soul cultivator in the valley was even more terrifying!
Above the valley, thunder clouds were densely packed.
Golden Tribulation Thunder fell like raindrops from the dark clouds.
With each thunderous crash, the plants and rocks in the mountains withered and scattered.
"This power of Heavenly Thunder is indeed the Nascent Soul Tribulation!"
The cultivators watched the valley from afar, their eyes filled with envy and hidden greed.
But to their disappointment, half a month later, the thunder dissipated, and two days after that, a figure like a blazing sun rose slowly from the valley.
This cultivator had even easily passed the Heart Demon Tribulation.
The figure’s Nascent Soul was gleaming gold, making the surrounding mountain cliffs shine resplendently.
He looked back at the valley and said loudly:
"Li Hao of the Chongxuan Sect has achieved Nascent Soul today!"
After speaking, he seemed wary and quickly fled.
The nearby cultivators lingered there nonetheless.
"Li Hao? Chongxuan Sect has another Nascent Soul cultivator?"
"I’ve heard of him. He seized quite a few Spiritual Artifacts from the Hundred Immortals Alliance... and now he’s achieved Nascent Soul."
"No wonder he ran so fast. He’s afraid of being caught by the Jiushan Sect."
As they chatted animatedly, they curiously flew towards the valley.
"A Secret Realm! No wonder this Li Hao could achieve Nascent Soul!"
"Isn’t this the emblem of Haori Mountain?"
...
At the summit of Divine Fire Mountain, Shi Nandang suddenly frowned and asked the Divinity Transformation cultivator next to him, "Why is there such a ruckus in the mountain?"
The Divinity Transformation cultivator listened intently, his eyes widening in surprise, "They seem to be saying... that Li Hao has formed a Nascent Soul?"
Shi Nandang was taken aback; even his spell stopped as he listened for a while, then asked in disbelief, "It’s true?"
He flicked his finger, sending a Communication Talisman down the mountain.
After half a stick of incense, the Chongxuan Sect Leader, along with two elders, came to the mountaintop.
"Has Li Hao achieved Nascent Soul?"
He asked directly.
The Chongxuan Sect Leader responded with a smile, "To report to Master, it’s a rumor from outside. Li Hao has indeed achieved Nascent Soul."
"How could it be so fast? Wasn’t Li Hao not very outstanding in your sect before?" Instead of being happy, Shi Nandang furrowed his brow and asked, "Is there anything unusual about him?"
"... Unusual?"
The Chongxuan Sect Leader was momentarily speechless and couldn’t help but look at the Ninth Elder beside him.
The Ninth Elder bowed and said:
"Li Hao sent me a Communication Talisman, saying he was fortunate to find an opportunity, entered a Secret Realm, and luckily formed a Nascent Soul."
"A Secret Realm?" Shi Nandang’s expression softened a bit, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly into a smile, "That makes sense, Li Hao does seem to have some luck."
At the mention of luck, his expression suddenly became more solemn, muttering:
"The Saint Ancestor said that when Xuanwei changes, it is the time when dragons and snakes rise on land. This Li Hao was unremarkable in the past but now soars to the skies..."
His voice gradually became low and barely audible.
Yet the people on the mountaintop exchanged shocked glances, with a single legend springing to mind:
A person of great destiny!
This legend sounds absurd, but there have always been some cultivators in history who experience continuous fortuitous encounters, as if being favored by heaven itself, rising to power in a short time.
There are even faint rumors among the Mystic Micro Cultivators now that Zheng Fa is such a person of great destiny.
Could it be that Li Hao is also...
"Not inferior to Zheng Fa... not inferior to Zheng Fa..." Shi Nandang muttered a couple of times, suddenly looking up and asking the Ninth Elder, "Where is Li Hao now?"
"He said he was going to stabilize his cultivation and went to find a secluded place for closed-door meditation."
"When Li Hao returns, have him come see me."
The Ninth Elder nodded respectfully.
Shi Nandang gave her a deep look and then said, "I wonder if Elder is willing to part ways with love?"
The people on the mountaintop were stunned.
Shi Nandang continued, "If I can accomplish this and return to the mountain, I will be granted the surname of the Saint Ancestor. Li Hao’s talents are extraordinary..."
Before the Ninth Elder could answer.
The other six Divinity Transformation cultivators exchanged glances, feeling somewhat envious of Li Hao.
Shi Shangren actually wants to take Li Hao as a disciple!
If that happens, Li Hao would be a disciple of the Three Clans, ranking even higher than their status.
Previously, Shi Shangren only saw Li Hao as a tool, but now his attitude has completely changed.
Given Li Hao’s astonishing progress speed, they didn’t know who to envy this time.
"Yes!"
The Ninth Elder was silent for a long time before nodding in agreement, though she seemed extremely reluctant.
"By the way, whose Secret Realm was it?"
"Li Hao said it belonged to a senior of Haori Mountain."
Shi Nandang paused for a moment, then laughed, "This kid truly is connected to my Haori Mountain!"
His words were full of expectation.
...
Ten days later, Zheng Fa finally returned to Divine Fire Mountain.
As soon as he ascended the mountain, he was taken by the Chongxuan Sect Leader towards the peak.
With the Ninth Elder silently following behind him and the normally indifferent Eighth Elder smiling warmly at him for once.
"Li Hao..."
"Sect Leader?"
"When you are taken as a disciple by Shi Shangren later, do not forget that you came from the Chongxuan Sect."
The Chongxuan Sect Leader advised earnestly.
Zheng Fa pursed his lips and nodded lightly.
"Hurry! Follow me up the mountain to meet Shi Shangren. Be sure to be polite so as not to miss a great opportunity!"
"..."
The four of them climbed the mountain together, while the seven Divinity Transformation cultivators, fourteen eyes in total, all focused on Zheng Fa.
"Shi Shangren, I brought Li Hao for apprenticeship!"
The Chongxuan Sect Leader chuckled as he turned to Zheng Fa, signaling him to seize the opportunity.
Zheng Fa, however, stood tall and seemed to ignore his gaze.
"..."
On the mountaintop, there was an awkward silence.
"Li Hao..."
The Chongxuan Sect Leader whispered anxiously.
Yet Shi Nandang suddenly stood up, his gaze falling on a Jade Pendant at Zheng Fa’s waist, scrutinizing it with surprise and doubt for a long time before seemingly confirming its origin.
He hurriedly landed on the ground, cupping his hands towards Zheng Fa:
"Greetings, Granduncle!"
"..."
Alas! Grandfather is here!