Capítulo 759: Chapter 347: Cultivation Technique Acquired, Demon Ancestor Exposed
The summit of Divine Fire Mountain was silent for a moment, and in everyone’s ears, there was only the sound of the earth fire roaring and boiling within the mountain’s belly.
Confusion was written on everyone’s faces, and their gazes at Zheng Fa and Shi Nandang were filled with bewilderment.
In fact, even Shi Nandang’s eyes were somewhat bewildered.
His eyes remained fixed on the jade pendant at Zheng Fa’s waist, as if he was still studying whether this jade pendant was genuine or not.
“Master Shi?” The gaunt elder among the six Divinity Transformation cultivators finally couldn’t help but ask, “Are you two… relatives?”
Shi Nandang did not answer for a while, his eyes just revolved around the jade pendant, and after a long pause, he took a breath and, without looking at anyone else, asked Zheng Fa, “Did you obtain this jade pendant from the Secret Realm?”
“Yes.”
“Who was the master of the Secret Realm?”
“Surname Lu, given name Chengping.”
“From the ‘Cheng’ generation…” Shi Nandang twitched his mouth, “He was the fifty-seventh generation direct lineage disciple of the Lu Family, didn’t expect he actually left a legacy, and you obtained it.”
Upon hearing the two talk, the gaunt elder understood.
“Your meaning, Master, is that Li Hao is considered a person of the Holy Clan now?”
Shi Nandang didn’t speak, just turned his palm upward and also took out a jade pendant, the style identical to that at Zheng Fa’s waist, only the surface pattern was slightly different.
“All direct descendants of the Lu Clan have such a jade pendant.”
The gaunt cultivator of Divinity Transformation finally understood why Shi Nandang would immediately address Zheng Fa as Grandpa upon meeting him.
In Haori Mountain’s Three Clans, though powerful and internally regulated, the importance of family lineage is heavily emphasized. Even those with foreign surnames must observe and differentiate based on their master’s identity.
While these lineages may not decide everything, in the clan, etiquette is extremely important; otherwise, discontent and resentment may rise among the ranks.
And Li Hao, within the Secret Realm, actually obtained the legacy of a direct descendant from the Lu family…
As of now, within the family, Li Hao and Shi Nandang technically have the same status — both are inheritors of the Lu Clan’s direct lineage.
In terms of seniority, Li Hao is actually two generations higher.
How did he get so lucky?
…
This is no mere luck.
For more than half a year, with Xiao Yuying’s assistance, following Mu Qingyan’s memories, the Jiushan Sect secretly explored the entire territory of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, examining every site possibly related to Haori Mountain.
Not only those Secret Realms remembered by Mu Qingyan.
As one of the Five Sects, Haori Mountain has a long legacy, accumulating numerous relics over time.
Even Xiao Yuying has encountered several, holding some relevant intelligence and treasures in her hand.
Before the Hundred Immortals Alliance rose to power, this place was also within the sphere of Haori Mountain’s influence, where many disciples of past generations would travel, leaving behind estates or legacies.
All told, Zheng Fa and his companions traversed around ten Secret Realms before finding the suitable one:
The legacy left behind by a Nascent Soul cultivator surnamed Lu before his death.
When Zheng Fa previously asked Mu Qingyan, this notion was already in his mind:
From the information revealed by Shi Nandang, combined with the intelligence brought by Xie Qingxue and Elder Han, Zheng Fa basically understood the way to obtain the complete Haori Mountain True Inheritance Technique — by joining the Three Clans.
With the Three Clans’ zeal in controlling the True Inheritance Techniques and suppressing other cultivators, nearly no alternatives existed.
If an outsider wanted to join the Three Clans, they could only apprentice to a direct lineage of one of the Three Clans, much like Shi Nandang, who is a disciple of the Lu Clan’s direct lineage.
The method with the highest feasibility within the territory of the Hundred Immortals Alliance was actually apprenticing under Shi Nandang — although he wasn’t of the direct lineage, he seemed to be appreciated; achieving merit and returning to the mountain might earn him the Lu surname.
This person has a keen eye, and the Golden Core cultivation displayed by Li Hao earlier seemed not to satisfy him. To apprentice under him, one would need to be at the Nascent Soul Stage at least.
This was why Sister Zhang guessed that Zheng Fa was looking to “break through” in seclusion.
“I always knew you were destined with Haori Mountain, but I never expected…”
Shi Nandang sensed the pure Nascent Soul aura from the “Red Cloud Jade Book” on Zheng Fa, speaking with surprise and a lingering doubt.
“Many thanks to you, Master, for passing me the ‘Red Cloud Jade Book,’ allowing me to obtain the legacy.”
Shi Nandang was momentarily dazed and then suddenly understood: “So that’s it, indeed your time of fortune has come.”
Seeing the hidden confusion in his eyes gradually fade, Zheng Fa felt slightly reassured; achieving Nascent Soul was straightforward for Zheng Fa:
He was a Nascent Soul to begin with.
It was merely using illusion techniques and Heavenly Tribulation Thunder to simulate a fierce heavenly tribulation.
With his mastery in Thunder Skills, even the Heavenly Venerate was no match for him; this was truly not a challenge.
But the Secret Realm of Haori Mountain disciples was key.
Apprenticing under Shi Nandang to acquire the Haori Mountain True Inheritance Technique seemed logical but was not feasible…
Not to mention how long it would take Shi Nandang to gain the surname bestowed by Haori Mountain.
Speaking of the credit for refining the Immortal Trapping Sword, Zheng Fa couldn’t let Shi Nandang have it.
For his entire life, Shi Nandang likely wasn’t worthy of the surname Lu.
Hence, Zheng Fa had to find a legacy from a direct lineage of Haori Mountain, achieving his objective in one step, crafting a new identity for himself.
As for the seniority, let’s just say…
He didn’t do it intentionally.
“This… Grand Uncle.”
“Master, just call me Li Hao.”
Zheng Fa interrupted Shi Nandang.
Though Haori Mountain’s Three Clans have their peculiarities, valuing seniority, in the Xuanwei Realm, cultivation surpasses all.
Zheng Fa didn’t believe that the deceased direct descendant of the Lu family could allow him to act presumptuously in front of Shi Nandang— his master was alive!
Sure enough, Shi Nandang’s demeanor softened considerably, carefully scrutinizing Zheng Fa with admiration in his eyes:
“Your foundation is so solid. No wonder you could acquire the heritage of the predecessors.”
The people on the mountaintop, all at least Nascent Soul, upon listening also looked at Zheng Fa, sensing the vigorous and blazing Nascent Soul aura from him, far surpassing an ordinary early-stage Nascent Soul.