I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 287Book 2: : Unseen for Eternity—Who Dares Speak Again?

Book 2: Chapter 287: Unseen for Eternity—Who Dares Speak Again?

Vol 2 Chapter 287: Unseen for Eternity—Who Dares Speak Again?

The sky was divided into two stark halves.

On this side was the Great Freedom Demon Emperor leading billions of the demon race. Endless demonic energy gathered together, filling the sky with smoke and haze—a stunning brilliance that sent chills down one’s spine.

On the other side, golden light reflected off the Sun and Moon Bell like miniature golden suns. With every strike of the bell, it soothed drifting clouds, howling winds, and the hearts of men.

All eyes were drawn to the two opposing sides.

At this moment, even the Dao Fruit Elder of Haori Mountain seemed no more than a bystander, standing off to the side, as if irrelevant.

His gaze shifted twice over the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, as though evaluating something, a hint of apprehension in his expression.

Then he turned his head to look at the Sun and Moon Bell, golden flames burning in his eyes, as if his vision could pierce through the barriers of the Jiushan Realm and see Zheng Fa and the others.

After a long pause, the elder’s hoarse voice sounded: “Zheng Fa, still Golden Core?”

Head Seat Mingde and the others paused, they had known this already—why ask again?

But the elder’s next words brought them sudden clarity:

“A mere Golden Core, facing a Dao Fruit cultivator…” The voice of this Haori Mountain Dao Fruit Elder grew lower, and he actually repeated the sentence.

Only then did everyone understand what he meant. Zheng Fa had always created miracles. Up to this point, they hadn’t realized that the cultivation gap between the two sides in this battle was immense.

“The so-called greatest Golden Core of all time, the Tianhe Zhenren? Has he ever achieved something like this?”

He suddenly turned and asked Head Seat Mingde. Taishang Dao had the oldest legacy and the most records. They knew these matters best.

This question implied that even in his memory, the Tianhe Venerable had never achieved such a feat!

Head Seat Mingde directly shook his head.

“Anyone else ever done this during the Golden Core stage?”

“No.”

After these three questions, Head Seat Mingde looked at Zheng Fa differently—some things one doesn’t realize until they’re said aloud.

But once said, only one thought remained in his heart:

Regardless of victory or defeat, the mere fact that the Jiushan Sect dares stand here, forcing the Great Freedom Demon Emperor to make such a grand display, already proves the weight of Zheng Fa, this Golden Core cultivator, and the success of the Jiushan Sect!

Unprecedented through the ages!

A deep sense of cherishing talent welled up. He remembered how Zheng Fa had saved the Five Sects more than once. He bowed deeply and pleaded to the elder: “Zhenren Luo, Zheng Fa may be strong, but there’s still a gap between him and the Great Freedom Demon Emperor. I ask that Zhenren Luo, for the sake of our shared Immortal Sect heritage and past friendship, lend your aid.” ṘÂɴＯ𐌱ÊS

Zhenren Luo of Haori Mountain showed no change in expression, as if he hadn’t heard, but his gaze toward the Jiushan Realm grew meaningful, as if he were waiting for something.

Head Seat Mingde couldn’t understand what he was thinking, but Shi Nandang behind him did—he knew his sect’s Supreme Elder’s thoughts.

He remained on the sidelines for two reasons: first, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor had shown a desperate stance, which made him cautious.

Second, and perhaps more importantly, they had doubts about Zheng Fa—

The overnight destruction of Haori Mulberry had greatly impacted Haori Mountain.

And they had some speculation about that phenomenon—the birth of the Fusang Tree!

Some Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots were extremely domineering, unable to coexist even with branches bearing slight blood ties.

Because of this guess, it was hard to say who the Supreme Elder would help.

If it truly was the Fusang Tree… then…

...

Zheng Fa and the Great Freedom Demon Emperor saw only each other’s aura.

By now, there was no room left for compromise—not even a single word exchanged.

The first to strike was the more powerful, more feared in everyone’s hearts—Great Freedom Demon Emperor. He glanced at Zheng Fa.

Just one glance.

But that glance pierced through a thousand miles of empty space, through the barriers of the Jiushan Realm, through Zheng Fa’s physical body, and struck directly at his divine soul.

The Demon Emperor’s eerie purple-gold pupils suddenly appeared in Zheng Fa’s Sea of Consciousness, pulling him into countless memories:

The delusion of reviving his father after his passing.

The hunger to devour the farm ox while working under the scorching sun.

The humble wish to find his footing upon first arriving in the modern world.

...

Scene after immersive scene played out like a foggy dream, trapping him in a swamp of memories from which he could not escape.

The memories were real, the desires even more so.

Only these most genuine of desires could drown his spirit again and again. Even the Yin-Yang Fish Jade Pendant in his Sea of Consciousness barely reacted...

The rustling sound of bamboo leaves echoed by his ears, golden light illuminated his Sea of Consciousness, wrapping around him like a womb, immediately snapping him awake.

Zheng Fa opened his eyes and saw Senior Sister Zhang holding the Tranquility Bamboo, looking at him with concern.

He nodded to her, then glanced around. Xie Qingxue’s Qingping Sword buzzed lightly in her hand, her eyes dazed, as if she had just awakened too.

Now, only the three of them remained on the Nine Islands of the Heavenly Palace.

“Fairy Xie, are you alright?”

“I’m fine…” Xie Qingxue shook her head. “That glance was aimed at you—I was just caught in the crossfire.”

After speaking, she slightly nodded to Zheng Fa and closed her eyes again. The Qingping Sword in her hand shimmered with flowing light.

Outside the Jiushan Realm, the mortals who had been fleeing moments ago all froze, now wailing, roaring, laughing, or drowning in debauchery.

Though most of that gaze struck Zheng Fa’s soul, even the residual wave trapped these people in a sea of desire from which they could not escape.

But that glance, of course, wasn’t merely a greeting. The Great Freedom Demon Emperor’s true attack surged forth like the ocean waves beneath his feet!

The Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner grew in the wind, the beastly emblems on it all raised their heads to the sky, roaring.

“Break!”

With this shout, the roars of billions of beasts surged from the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner, transforming into indestructible black ripples that shattered the void, crashing toward the Jiushan Realm!

Even Zhenren Luo of Haori Mountain’s expression changed, retreating while a Treasure Orb flew from above his head, shielding the Five Sects behind him.

Within the Jiushan Realm, the Sun and Moon Bell rang twice. Though solid as ever, it cracked within a single breath!

Its ringing now sounded mournful.

The previously intact barrier of the realm, like the bell, also split open with a huge fissure!

The Jiushan Realm—broken!

The Demon Emperor seized the opportunity perfectly. Senior Sister Zhang had used the Tranquility Bamboo to awaken Zheng Fa, leaving her spiritual power and soul momentarily depleted, unable to block the Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner in time.

Or perhaps—that glance’s purpose was exactly this!

The Ten-Thousand-Beast Banner pierced through the fissure, aiming straight for the three on the Heavenly Palace Islands.

To Zheng Fa’s eyes, the beastly emblems on the banner now looked especially savage!

Within him, the Fusang Tree ignited in fury. The tree body trembled, and a shadow of the Fusang Tree rose behind him—sprouting from the Jiushan Realm itself, it towered before the Xuanyi Realm’s crowd like a pillar holding up the sky.

Its form was strange, without branches or leaves, yet it radiated a primordial wisdom that stirred reverence at first glance.

The beast emblems on the banner dared not act rashly, bowing one after another as though worshipping this towering, radiant, ancient sacred tree.

Even the enormous banner shrank rapidly, down to the height of two men, like a servant bowing under the Fusang Tree!

The Tranquility Bamboo in Senior Sister Zhang’s hand flashed once, and golden light sealed the fissure in the Jiushan Realm.

Having failed, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor showed no anger—instead, he was overjoyed. He finally spoke:

“Demon Emperor Dao Fruit!”

His voice brimmed with longing, resolve, and recklessness.

“Fusang Tree!”

And another voice, even more thrilled!

It was Zhenren Luo of Haori Mountain, staring at the Fusang Tree still standing between heaven and earth. His usually stiff face turned animated, his aura surging. The Treasure Orb above him blazed brilliantly, illuminating the sky.

Clearly, he intended to act!

Behind him, Head Seat Mingde’s heart sank like a stone.

By now, all had become clear…

Why Zheng Fa borrowed Haori Mulberry.

Why the Demon Emperor vowed death with Zheng Fa.

And now—what Zhenren Luo was thinking!

Who would have thought Zheng Fa could truly cultivate a Fusang Tree?

Incredible!

Too incredible…

He looked at Zhenren Luo’s back. Just now, even when he had pleaded, Zhenren Luo refused to act.

Now the man was poised to strike.

But he would rather the man stay still… because now, Zhenren Luo’s first target might not be the Great Freedom Demon Emperor!

Zheng Fa, however, had no time to worry about what the Haori Mountain Dao Fruit was thinking.

Perhaps wary of Zhenren Luo, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor unleashed everything.

His silver robe turned into night, blotting out the sunlight above. The jade seal by his hand transformed into a full moon.

Under the moon, tides grew ever fiercer.

His demon followers all knelt, chanting softly:

“The Demon Emperor descends, might over the nine heavens.

Heavenly Palace ascends high, looking down upon the dust.

All races kneel, who dares defy?

Seas submit, mountains bow.

Heaven and Earth revere, a golden age eternal.”

Zheng Fa, Zhenren Luo, everyone—as if transported into a grand yet real world.

The Thirty-Three Palaces stood atop the heavens. The Demon Emperor sat in his grand hall, looking upon them like pigs, dogs, or weeds—utterly indifferent.

Below the Heavenly Palace, all demons cheered, spirits paid homage, and humans kowtowed.

Just as the chant said—the demon race ruled heaven and earth.

Forget Zheng Fa—even Zhenren Luo’s high and mighty aura was slowly crushed by the towering Heavenly Emperor’s illusion.

Head Seat Mingde felt as though a mountain of ten thousand jun pressed down upon him. His Yang Spirit trembled, cracked, as if only kneeling could bring relief.

Zheng Fa, bearing the brunt, felt a hundred—no, a thousand times the pressure. The Fusang Tree that held up the sky was bending, bit by bit.

That once-mighty divine tree now swayed like a fragile blade of grass beneath the grand Heavenly Palace.

“Zhenren Luo!”

“So ruthless…”

Ruthless?

Head Seat Mingde strained to lift his eyes and finally noticed something unusual:

Those countless demons kneeling on the sea, chanting, were turning one after another into golden ash.

The ash floated up into the sky, as if forging the throne beneath the Great Freedom Demon Emperor’s seat, making the aura around him grow ever more domineering.

Even though he wasn’t a Dao Fruit cultivator, Head Seat Mingde vaguely understood:

“All beings worship me... this Great Freedom Demon Emperor...”

Head Seat Mingde paused, seemingly at a loss for words, and only after a while sighed:

“He actually desires to kill Zheng Fa so desperately… even at any cost!”

He suddenly recalled that when the Demon Emperor first attacked the Jiushan Realm, he had merely tested the waters—fleeing after a single failed blow, a display of caution.

But now, there was no trace of caution at all, as if he’d gone mad, disregarding the lives of his countless subordinates, seeking only… to take Zheng Fa down!

Such a change revealed the extent of his determination and his thirst for the Fusang Tree.

Zhenren Luo, though also a Dao Fruit, clearly lacked such ruthlessness—he was capable of self-preservation, but to strike now would be difficult.

Perhaps the Demon Emperor sought a swift victory precisely to prevent Zhenren Luo from interfering.

Inside the Jiushan Realm, the pressure felt by the three was greatest.

The Heavenly Palace, the sky of the Jiushan Realm, now displayed thirty-three layers of Heavenly Palaces.

Countless demons on the sea died one after another in fervent devotion, and the Great Freedom Demon Emperor’s aura grew stronger with each.

Moments later, he stood up and raised a hand, swatting at Zheng Fa like a fly.

His palm grew larger and larger in the void, eventually blanketing the entire sky of the Jiushan Realm.

The Tranquility Bamboo and the Fusang Tree only stalled his palm for a breath before being flung away.

The center of the palm aimed straight at Zheng Fa!

Behind the giant hand, the Demon Emperor’s expression mirrored that of a Heavenly Emperor—aloof and supreme.

But in Zheng Fa’s eyes, there was no fear—because while the Demon Emperor waited, so did he!

Waiting for Xie Qingxue!

The secret art passed down by the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor was incredibly powerful but demanded much from Xie Qingxue, making the charge-up long.

In the earlier clashes, Xie Qingxue hadn’t attacked—she’d been storing power.

Now, her entire body faded from solid to incorporeal, like green smoke merging into the Qingping Sword.

The Qingping Sword leapt into Zheng Fa’s hand. His Jiushan Golden Core Method surged rapidly—one sword, two hearts, completely in sync.

The Demon Emperor seemed to sense something. His indifferent pupils twitched, gaze falling on the Qingping Sword in Zheng Fa’s hand. The massive hand in the sky hesitated slightly, as if pulling back.

“Senior Sister Zhang!”

Senior Sister Zhang shook the Tranquility Bamboo in her hand. The Sun and Moon Bell roared with newfound strength. The Jiushan Realm’s sky became a blue-gold crystal dome, radiating unyielding force.

This delayed the Demon Emperor’s retreating hand for just an instant.

And in that instant—was life or death!

Zheng Fa raised his sword, turned into a soaring rainbow—just one thrust!

It was an unremarkable strike, as plain as the clumsiest move of a mortal swordsman.

But Zheng Fa knew, within that strike was his relentless study of the Jiushan Golden Core Method during these days, the trust Xie Qingxue placed in him with her very life, perhaps even the valor of the Tianhe Venerable and the millennia of steadfastness of the Shouzhong Patriarch.

That strike was called—Demon-Slaying!

The fastest divine art in existence, imbued with the swordplay of the strongest figure before the current era—none could flee, none could block it!

The Qingping Sword pierced through the massive hand that covered the Jiushan Realm, shattered the thirty-three Heavenly Palaces hanging in the Xuanyi sky, and finally—drove into the chest of the Great Freedom Demon Emperor!

“This sword…”

Zheng Fa heard the Demon Emperor murmur.

“It is the same sword the Tianhe Venerable used to slay you.”

Zheng Fa’s voice rang through the sword qi.

“Tianhe…” the Demon Emperor’s face twisted, as if even the name made him wary—but in the next instant, he laughed, “If Tianhe were here, I would bow my head without hesitation…”

“But you?”

“Far from enough!”

He wasn’t a talkative man, but every time the Tianhe Venerable was mentioned, he seemed to have much to say.

Zheng Fa said nothing—for the Demon Emperor’s confidence was not unfounded.

Though impaled by the sword, his face showed no pain. His body began to dissolve into void, leaving behind a mass of swirling, uncountable talisman diagrams encircling the Qingping Sword.

The sword’s flowing light flickered unpredictably.

Agony flared within Zheng Fa’s Sea of Consciousness—it was Xie Qingxue’s pain…

Clearly, the Demon Emperor wasn’t dead—he was fighting back against the Qingping Sword!

Both Zheng Fa and Xie Qingxue were still far from the Tianhe Venerable of old.

But Zheng Fa wasn’t just waiting for Xie Qingxue!

He was also waiting for Chen Ting!

The talisman diagrams encircling the Qingping Sword rippled—faint screams echoed—and the central cluster of talismans suddenly began to collapse!

Zheng Fa’s heart leapt with joy. He swung his sword, carrying the last of Xie Qingxue’s power—another thrust!

That thrust—dispelled all smoke and clouds!

The talismans in the sky vanished.

The Demon Emperor’s aura—was utterly gone.

The sea receded. The mortals on the ground regained clarity.

Zheng Fa’s arm dropped, limp, the Qingping Sword pointed diagonally toward the ground.

Xie Qingxue’s body reappeared, her face golden and purple—she looked even more battered than him.

Senior Sister Zhang emerged from the Jiushan Realm, holding the Tranquility Bamboo, her gaze warily fixed on Zhenren Luo of Haori Mountain.

Zhenren Luo truly looked tempted.

His face was filled with astonishment, clearly never expecting Zheng Fa could actually win…

But now Zheng Fa seemed utterly spent, and Xie Qingxue looked ready to fall apart—no matter how they’d defeated the Demon Emperor, now was the perfect chance to seize the Fusang Tree.

The Treasure Orb above his head rose, emitting pressure—he seemed to be waiting for Zheng Fa to surrender.

But the next moment—blood rain began to fall above him.

Blood rain?

Zhenren Luo looked up. The sky was a strange white—not cloud, not fog, but like a dense white cloth blocking out everything, so white it was mournful, so white it stirred dread.

Scarlet droplets seeped through the “white cloth,” one by one, landing on his head.

The wind howled through the mountains, like cries of sorrow.

“This is…”

Though a Dao Fruit cultivator, his voice trembled uncontrollably.

“When a Dao Fruit dies, Heaven and Earth mourn,”

Head Seat Mingde’s words confirmed the fear he dared not name.

“A Dao Fruit… dead? How is that even possible…”

Head Seat Mingde strongly, strongly agreed.

But ancient records did mention this scene—a legend from the scarcely documented first three eras…

After the Demon Ancestor achieved Dao Fruit, no Dao Fruit had ever truly died.

Even the Tianhe Venerable had never truly killed one—Dao Fruits were said to be immortal in the Xuanyi Realm!

But now…

He looked at Zheng Fa, who was gazing silently at the sky.

He knew—Zhenren Luo would not strike.

Everyone fears death. Dao Fruits fear it even more.

Until the truth of what happened to the Demon Emperor was uncovered—Zhenren Luo wouldn’t dare take the risk!

To challenge a Dao Fruit as a Golden Core—unseen through the ages!

To slay a Dao Fruit as a Golden Core…

Head Seat Mingde could now make a declaration—there would likely never be another such feat, even in all eternity!

Zheng Fa glanced at Zhenren Luo, saying nothing.

Zhenren Luo, meeting Zheng Fa’s gaze, forced out a stiff and awkward smile.

Head Seat Mingde watched it all, a trace of mockery in his heart:

Now, even if everyone knew the Fusang Tree was in Zheng Fa’s hands—

Who would dare speak of it again?

…