These three people looked like a master and servants.
The leader appeared as a young noble scholar, with bright and clear features, showing no trace of sinister aura.
The other two seemed more ordinary, a middle-aged and a young man dressed as servants, but their demeanors did not resemble ordinary people.
Hearing what the scholar said, the slightly younger person on the left asked: "Young Master, Zheng Fa has just gained some reputation in the Jiushan Sect, and is merely a Qi Cultivator. Why should we care so much?"
The young master glanced at him and remained silent.
"...Blabbermouth!" The older man slapped the questioning person in the face, scolding him: "If the Young Master is interested in this man, we should just go and investigate. Do we need to explain to you?"
"...Servant admits the fault."
After being hit, the young man did not dare to show anger, just bowing his head, admitting his mistake.
Hearing his response, the young master looked at the two of them for a while before saying: "Not only Zheng Fa, geniuses from the Hundred Immortals Alliance, even those from the Xuanwei Realm, none would be overlooked by our Holy Sect."
The other two exchanged glances, still somewhat puzzled.
"Last time when the Spiritual Mechanism was waning, a peerless genius emerged from the Tianhe Sect, and our Holy Sect didn’t pay attention initially. Unexpectedly, he almost united the Xuanwei." The Young Master’s face showed fear or aspirations, continuing: "That time, our Holy Sect was almost decimated."
"If it weren’t for our deep-rooted foundation and the protection of our founding ancestors, our lineage would have been completely severed. Such an oversight of geniuses will not happen again in our Holy Sect."
"So... is this why the Young Master values Zheng Fa so much?"
They seemed to understand a bit more.
"Not exactly valuing, within our sect, we are more wary of famous geniuses from the Five Great Sects, in the Hundred Immortals Alliance, only a few like Zhang Wuyi are truly valued." The Young Master shook his head: "It’s just that Zheng Fa is rumored to be the foremost talent in talismanic Dao that the Hundred Immortals Alliance has seen in thousands of years, and he has been taken as a disciple by the Sect Leader of the Jiushan Sect. That makes me a bit interested."
"Our sect’s Cultivation Techniques are best at disguise. You two go and check the Jiushan Sect..." The Young Master thought for a moment, adding: "If there’s a chance, take Zheng Fa’s life."
"Zhang has asked me to stay at her house?" Zheng Fa looked at Yuan with some surprise at the message she brought.
"Yes." Yuan nodded, recalling for a moment, then seemed to remember Zhang’s exact words: "She said the Xuanwei Realm is currently not very peaceful, and several young Cultivators with some fame have mysteriously died—you’re currently living too close to the workshop, which makes it easy for evildoers to take advantage."
Hearing this, Zheng Fa gazed towards Zhang’s small courtyard.
Seems like seeing the figure, smiling at him from the small pavilion.
"I’ve been staying at Zhang’s house too." Yuan patted her chest: "I promised her to keep an eye on you—not really, to protect you!"
Zheng Fa knew Zhang’s good intentions.
Zhang’s courtyard was rich in Spiritual Energy, and much safer compared to Zheng Fa’s current residence—anyone would envy Zheng Fa for this.
Yet he did not immediately nod in agreement, instead turning to look at Seventh Young Master.
"Zheng Fa, I too will be returning to the Qingmu Sect."
As if knowing what Zheng Fa was thinking, Seventh Young Master suddenly spoke up.
Seventh Young Master pursed his lips, pulling Zheng Fa a few steps further before asking in a low voice: "My sister is going to Taiyang County, it’s quite dangerous, isn’t it."
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but grin.
Witty Seventh Young Master was back online.
"During this time, she gave me lots of Spirit Stones and Elixirs, saying she doesn’t need them." Seventh Young Master lowered his head, his tone somber: "Think I’m a fool!"
"...It’s not that dangerous, Sister Zhao just needs to be careful, and her life should be safe, especially with Zhang looking after her."
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but speak comforting words.
"I know my sister is actually very tired..." Seventh Young Master suddenly interrupted Zheng Fa: "She’s busy cultivating, plus helping me collect resources, expand connections. My Master, she also sought help from many people to get me connected... Zheng Fa, I want to go back and cultivate."
"When I reach Foundation Establishment, I can help my sister."
"When I reach Golden Core, I can give whatever she needs."
"When I reach Nascent Soul, hehe, by then I’ll take you along to enjoy the benefits, and also my mother... oh, and Gao Yuan!"
"...I’ll be waiting."
Zheng Fa smirked, watching Seventh Young Master.
He had always felt that Seventh Young Master had it easy in the Qingmu Sect, that nothing much changed for him.
But now, he realized—he had changed.
When sending Seventh Young Master to the dock, Seventh Young Master suddenly asked Zheng Fa: "I heard that every ten years, the Hundred Immortals Alliance has a Hundred Immortals Conference where disciples from various sects gather to exchange and compete, will you go?"
Zheng Fa had heard of the Hundred Immortals Conference.
He had also understood the nature of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Rather than a sect, it was more like a commercial city-state alliance.
The commercial exchanges between sects were frequent.
But mostly, each went their own way.
The Hundred Immortals Conference was a place for the Hundred Immortals Alliance to bond and compete for interests.
It seemed that the next Hundred Immortals Conference was less than two years away—generally, the Hundred Immortals Conference is held two years after the Immortal Item conference, around this time, the most talented new disciples usually showed their prowess.
To display themselves to everyone.
Zheng Fa remembered, Zhang had dominated her generation with her Foundation Establishment cultivation at the Hundred Immortals Conference decades ago, obtaining the title of the number one in talismanic magic.