Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Just like Zheng Fa, she is more wary than trusting of the Supreme Dao. Now, with the Supreme Dao frequently showing goodwill, even if it's to trouble Haori Mountain, it's somewhat excessive.

Tongming Master's eyes also showed confusion:

"The appointed head said a celestial from the sect sent a communication saying..."

"Hmm?"

"Thunder Sound Temple has crossed the line."

Thunder Sound Temple?

What does this have to do with Thunder Sound Temple?

But judging by Tongming Master's expression, he was clearly unaware of this as well, and Zhang only quietly noted the matter.

...

"Thunder Sound Temple?"

Zheng Fa sat in his cave abode on Fire God Mountain, looking at the information Zhang had sent through the Comprehensive Records, also puzzled.

It's of course good to conduct business with the Tianhe Sect, but now Chongxuan Sect is in the way, which is truly obstructive.

It's rather the shared intelligence with Tianhe Sect that interests Zheng Fa the most.

Currently, the Jiushan Sect and Haori Mountain are like fire and water, but they know very little about Haori Mountain—not even how many Dao Fruit cultivators there are at Haori Mountain.

It was unexpected that the Supreme Dao was supporting Jiushan Sect, not for Haori Mountain, but because of Thunder Sound Temple?

Zheng Fa felt the connections within this were intricate, and simply put away the Creation Jade Disc into his Dantian, heading outside the cave abode.

"Senior Li!"

"Senior!"

"Greetings, Senior Li!"

On the mountain path, many Chongxuan disciples greeted him, their expressions full of admiration and respect.

In the distance, several Golden Core disciples also came this way in an imposing manner, others dared not approach, blocking the mountain path completely.

Zheng Fa recognized these people—disciples and descendants of several Divinity Transformation Elders, domineering by nature, currently holding considerable power within Chongxuan Sect.

He glanced at them once and didn't pay much mind, continuing to walk towards the mountain top.

The Golden Core disciples frowned at Zheng Fa, their expressions apprehensive yet somewhat unwilling.

Watching Zheng Fa approach them, continuing his steps as if he didn't see them, their expressions worsened, but glancing at the mountain top, they held back their anger and cleared the path, watching Zheng Fa pass through.

Only after Zheng Fa walked past did one among them softly snort coldly.

Other disciples subtly exclaimed, surprisingly with some joy.

Feeling the gazes from behind, Zheng Fa pondered:

The split between the two factions within Chongxuan Sect is becoming increasingly apparent.

Of course, this is because Shi Nandang couldn't care less about these disciples, having no interest in restraining them.

"Senior!"

"Ye Junior Sister."

"Senior, are you going to the mountain top again to listen to the Master's guidance?" Ye Junior Sister looked somewhat envious.

Zheng Fa nodded gently, then heard Ye continue: "Senior, do you know many disciples in the sect greatly admire you..."

Upon hearing, Zheng Fa swept his Divine Sense over his shoulder, confirming the truth of the words.

In the past, during the contention between old and new disciples, the original disciples of Chongxuan Sect were naturally at a disadvantage—as even their Great Elder had knelt.

Yet recently, "Li Hao" suddenly rose in prominence, winning Shi Nandang's favor, increasingly holding a special status in the sect, but also giving these disciples a strong dose of encouragement.

Even the disciples of the Divinity Transformation Elders had to restrain themselves somewhat before him.

The original Chongxuan disciples, observing this, naturally felt more admiration.

In truth, Zheng Fa didn't care much about these matters; he befriended Ye Junior Sister partially to gather intelligence about Chongxuan Sect and Haori Mountain.

As for other Chongxuan disciples, their cultivation was too low to be of concern to Zheng Fa.

"Senior..."

Ye Junior Sister suddenly spoke hesitantly.

"Hmm?"

"You asked me to gather more intelligence from the sect, and I recruited quite a few disciples under your name."

"..."

Looking at this opportunistic junior sister, Zheng Fa didn't expect her to be so proactive.

"Here is the roster!"

Ye Junior Sister handed over a Jade Tube; Zheng Fa took it and glanced, internally exclaiming in shock.

The Jade Tube listed over fifty disciples' names, mostly Foundation Establishment disciples, with three Golden Core and about ten Qi Cultivation.

Each name included the individual's cultivation level, their Master, befriended disciples, and special skills.

"Senior, these disciples all admire your prestige, sincerely seeking allegiance!" Ye Junior Sister quickly added, "I haven't bothered with those I find untrustworthy!"

Zheng Fa studied this junior sister with complex emotions, and only after a while said, "What does Master say?"

"Senior?" Ye Junior Sister widened her eyes, stammering and said, "How... how do you know?"

Too fast...

Li Hao's fame within Chongxuan Sect spread too quickly, as if someone was deliberately disseminating his renown.

Knowing Zheng Fa was extremely low-key within Chongxuan Sect, barely speaking to anyone.

Similarly, Ye Junior Sister's speed in recruiting people was too fast.

If it were five or ten disciples, Zheng Fa might not suspect, but over fifty disciples... This was nearly a quarter of the sect's disciples.

Only three in the sect could control such substantial forces in a short time—the Sect Leader, Eighth Elder, and Ninth Elder.

Combining Ye Junior Sister's identity, Zheng Fa naturally guessed who handed him this roster.

"Ye Junior Sister... you say you befriended those disciples, all false, right?"

Ye Junior Sister was even more surprised at his words.

"Initially I found it normal; what you revealed were merely details about the sect's disciples..."

"Later, you even had clear information on every move of the visiting Nascent Soul cultivators."

"Some matters truly cannot be known by a Golden Core."

Ye Junior Sister remained silent with her head down.

It seemed this was the answer.

Zheng Fa took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

What on earth is my opportunistic Master thinking?

...

At the mountain top, Shi Nandang and seven Divinity Transformation stood at the volcano's mouth, their forms aligned into the Big Dipper formation, casting spells towards the volcano opening.