Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

No matter what, the Tianhe Sect is still the legacy of Tianhe Venerable, and their understanding of Tianhe Venerable far surpasses my own.

Some methods that he couldn't quite predict might also be commonplace.

Xie Qingxue sent another message, reminding: "But from what I've investigated in our sect's records, there's already an idea, wanting to verify your relationship with the Ancestor Master, either by honing in on the 'Nine Reincarnation Golden Core Method' or by delving into how you comprehend the 'Nine Reincarnation Golden Core Method'."

Her words directly pointed to the Yin Yang Jade Pendant!

This posed quite a problem.

The "Jiushan Golden Core Method" Zheng Fa had ways to disguise through the "Heavenly Spirit and Earthly Fiend Transformation."

But the Yin Yang Jade Pendant was different.

This item resided deep within his Sea of Consciousness, and it could even be considered his companion spiritual treasure; he didn't know how to control it.

If the Tianhe Sect truly had someone who could probe this thing.

Then Zheng Fa couldn't think of any way to respond at the moment.

Xie Qingxue seemingly realized these messages were too vague and apologized, saying: "Perhaps our sect doesn't have that many means, or else how could they have failed to find it for so many years..."

Zheng Fa lightly frowned.

The greatest risk in his life was going to kill the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, which was an unavoidable measure.

But now...

Suddenly, a communication talisman arrived, causing a change in Zheng Fa's expression, as a round portal opened before him.

A somewhat familiar figure appeared again in the Jiushan Realm — Chen Ting.

Zheng Fa didn't expect that, even at this point, Chen Ting would suddenly visit.

"Mr. Chen..."

"Master Zheng, is there a place absolutely secret?"

Zheng Fa gave him a deep look, his thoughts on high alert, and both entered into the void fog, unseen by anyone.

He had many doubts about Chen Ting, especially knowing that behind this person was the mysterious Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

It was also this Demon Ancestor who killed the Great Freedom Demon Emperor!

Now that Chen Ting appeared suddenly, Zheng Fa couldn't fathom his intentions at the moment.

"Master Zheng, are you troubled about the Five Sects Alliance?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa's heart speculated why the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor sought him out.

Chen Ting drew out a black talisman from his chest, respectfully offering it before Zheng Fa.

"This is..."

"Master Zheng, you can place this within your Divine Soul; ordinary Dao Fruits cannot detect the sect leader's secrets." Chen Ting added, "Mr. Qin and the Netherworld Immortal also used this to deceive the Great Freedom Demon Emperor."

Zheng Fa couldn't help but believe him.

Though he couldn't see the power around the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, the ability to hide was too formidable.

The Great Freedom Demon Emperor might have been unlucky, but he was not a fool, yet with Chen Ting and Qin Mu, two blatant traitors right before him, he hadn't noticed at all.

In the end, it seemed he was ruined by these two.

This was likely evidence of the abilities of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

The problem was, Zheng Fa didn't understand the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor!

Internally, he deeply distrusted this person.

Although Zheng Fa survived before the Great Freedom Demon Emperor due to this person's Demon Cleansing technique and prior arrangements handed down.

But now, the situation with Jiushan Sect was at least partly because of this person— Zheng Fa and the Five Sects fought to the near death, hardly driving the Great Freedom Demon Sect to the edge, seeing that the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor couldn't survive.

Whatever Demon Emperor Dao Fruit, whatever grand plans of millions of years, all would become void.

Yet because of this person's scheme, the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor lived again!

This was the root of the impending battles, the Crisis of Jiushan Realm.

In Zheng Fa's view, both he and the Five Sects, even the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, were used by this person.

How could he trust such a person?

Especially with benefits like this coming out of nowhere.

Chen Ting held the Nine Nether Talisman for quite a while, seeing Zheng Fa appeared uninterested in accepting, he didn't seem surprised, merely laughing, saying: "The Saint Ancestor said this was to... reward merit."

"Reward merit?"

Zheng Fa was taken aback.

"Actually, the Saint Ancestor's first target was not the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor; it was a chance encounter when the Great Freedom Demon Sect was severely damaged by Master Zheng. After becoming the Demon Emperor, the Demon Emperor Dao Fruit was incomplete, allowing the Saint Ancestor an opportunity."

"..."

These words were indeed true.

According to Mu Qingyan's "memories," when the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor established the Nine Netherworld, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor was alive and well.

This illustrated that without Zheng Fa as a "variable," the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor wouldn't have managed to kill the Great Freedom Demon Emperor.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor's schemes were so extensive, and killing a Dao Fruit would naturally yield great profits.

Saying it is to reward merit, perhaps... doesn't hold water.

Dao Fruit cultivators are not paragons of virtue; there's no such expectation for reciprocity.

The Immortal Sect operates like this; the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor can't be much better, can he?

Seeing that he still wasn't taking the Nine Nether Talisman, Chen Ting sighed, seemingly shaking his head, and said again: "Qin Shangren was correct, Master Zheng, you are not easily fooled."

"..."

"Yet, the Demon Ancestor said he had the experience; with Tianhe Venerable, he fooled them effortlessly!"

"..."

Zheng Fa felt as though they were mocking him.

However, these words subtly indicated that the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor indeed had a deep connection with Tianhe Venerable.

Considering the Demon Cleansing from the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor and some secrets Zheng Fa had previously observed, this possibility was high.

Though he still harbored suspicion, at this moment, Zheng Fa felt a touch more trust towards the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

After all, his ability to traverse the modern age was due to Tianhe Venerable's Jade Pendant, and with the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor, so to speak, there was indeed some connection.

He watched Chen Ting, waiting for more.

Chen Ting smiled, saying: "What the Saint Ancestor does now should not be known by the Five Sects. Yet, Master Zheng, you know how the Great Freedom Demon Emperor died, which, if captured by the Five Sects, could harm the Saint Ancestor's plan."

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

This explanation seemed more credible now.

The Nine Nether Demon Ancestor hiding in the shadows must have some wariness.

Yet, should he be captured by the Five Sects of Xuanwei, and under their means, spill the secret, it could impact certain strategies of the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor.

Quietly, Zheng Fa picked up the Nine Nether Talisman, though still somewhat doubtful, he inclined towards trusting the other side.

He examined the talisman for a while, then suddenly looked up at Chen Ting, saying:

"You just said that this talisman was for rewarding merit?"

Chen Ting nodded, "The Saint Ancestor said so."

"Then... what about the benefits for silence?"

Hearing this, Chen Ting slowly widened his eyes, looking at Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa looked at him, and his expression uttered a phrase—

Did you, young man, skim off a part of the Saint Ancestor's rewards meant for me?