Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 108 - 14 Frost Blade

Chapter 108: Chapter 14 Frost Blade

Zheng Fa followed Senior Sister Yuan strolling through the workshop, mainly to familiarize himself with the responsibilities of managing it.

As they walked, Senior Sister Yuan explained:

"The workshop we speak of actually comprises three parts—the square where the big shops are located, the workshop where the smaller shops are found, and the market composed of individual stalls."

"Our main task is to maintain order in these three areas. First, we must prevent any bullying or domineering behavior. Second, we should also stop any scoundrels or higher-level cultivators from bullying the shopkeepers."

Senior Sister Yuan displayed an in-depth understanding while discussing these matters.

"Those big shops, in fact, do not need our attention. They are all opened by the major sects of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and hardly anyone dares to cause trouble," said Senior Sister Yuan. "Hmm, even if their goods are expensive, it’s not our place to intervene."

Zheng Fa remained silent.

Not only did these big shops have powerful backing, but they also had rare spiritual materials.

For the Jiushan Sect, they also contributed the most in rent.

A rich deity with massive clout; no one could, nor wanted to, stir trouble with them.

"But with this workshop and market, we need to be more mindful."

"The shops in the workshop are generally honest. Most of them are opened by members of the Immortal Clan, and only they have the capital for it. These people, they might not all be good-hearted, but they definitely fear Senior Sister Zhang causing them trouble."

"As for the stalls, it’s hard to say. There is a mixed bag of characters, and this is where it’s hardest to manage and where quarrels are most frequent."

"A majority of my disciples patrol this market," Senior Sister Yuan said. "By the way, when will you meet them?"

Zheng Fa pondered for a while and said, "Let’s wait a bit longer."

Sure, it was appropriate to meet these disciples who served in the workshop, but he could also foresee that this matter was not so simple.

Not only was his cultivation level low, but his seniority was shallow, having joined the sect for only two months.

Even with Senior Sister Zhang’s support behind him, taking charge of such a large workshop would not be smooth sailing.

Think about Senior Sister Zhang for a moment.

Isn’t her talent great?

She’s recognized as the fastest to attain Foundation Establishment in the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and previously the number one in the talismanic Dao.

Isn’t her background strong?

Her master is a Nascent Soul True Person.

But from Senior Sister Zhang’s account, Zheng Fa understood that the struggles and doubts she had faced along the way were not few.

Background and talent do not solve everything in the Immortal Sect.

"Alright then! Let’s set it for half a month from now!" Senior Sister Yuan seemed to have grasped something and patted his arm: "Don’t worry, I’ll help you!"

Zheng Fa bowed to Senior Sister Yuan in thanks.

After Senior Sister Yuan introduced him to the area, she tugged at his arm, dragging him through the market bustling with stalls.

"Come on!"

"Senior Sister?"

"Don’t be fooled by the number of these shops; the truly good ones are just a few!"

Zheng Fa was filled with anticipation. Having been in the Jiushan Sect for so long, he had almost never made purchases here—for fear of making a mistake and getting duped.

Senior Sister Yuan, who clearly knew her way around the place, might really be able to introduce some reliable shops to him. This would make it easier for him to buy things like magical treasures and spiritual materials in the future.

"This stall’s meat pies are a secret family craft!" Senior Sister Yuan pointed to a stall and said: "The seasoning is a proprietary blend, and they’re rich in meat and fat!"

"...Is this the ’good stuff’ you’re talking about?"

"Of course! If you walk a hundred steps forward and then take a right turn at the third stall, you’ll find an excellent pastry stall... Let me tell you in secret, Senior Sister Zhang loves their osmanthus cakes!"

"..."

"Right, there’s also a stall selling meat skewers at the entrance of the market. They’ve been doing this for over a decade and have a very good reputation!" Senior Sister Yuan said, looking proudly at Zheng Fa: "I’ve sussed out these treasured shops over many years, and now I’m sharing them all with you!"

"...Thank you, Senior Sister," Zheng Fa said with some difficulty.

"No worries, I did promise Senior Sister Zhang that I’d teach you well!" Senior Sister Yuan patted her chest and then leaned closer to whisper in Zheng Fa’s ear: "There’s a grain shop in the workshop, the spirit grain they sell is especially delicious! No one else knows this, only I buy there!"

Her earnestness was as if she wouldn’t tell anyone else her secret.

"Senior Sister... Is it possible that others aren’t buying because their taste doesn’t quite align with yours?"

Remembering Senior Sister Yuan’s true form, Zheng Fa was silent for a while before asking.

...

Thirteen days later.

Zheng Fa’s small courtyard.

He was seated cross-legged on a cushion, holding a green jade bottle in his right hand.

He tilted the bottle over his left palm, and a Yuan Condensing Pill rolled into his hand.

This was what he spent all his savings on today—including the salaries given by Senior Sister Yuan and his earnings from selling Spirit Talismans these past days.

If he hadn’t advanced to the second level of Qi Cultivation, allowing him to paint two more Spirit Talismans a day, he might not have saved up twenty Spirit Stones.

This was also why he asked Senior Sister Yuan to wait a few more days before introducing him to the workshop disciples—he wanted to condense a second Primordial Talisman first.

For his first Primordial Talisman, he chose the Right Stand No Shadow Talisman, mainly to ensure his safety in the modern world.

But the Right Stand No Shadow Talisman wasn’t very useful in the Xuanwei Realm.

This time, Zheng Fa’s goal for the talisman to condense was clear—find one with great power, and preferably with impressive effects.

Senior Sister Zhang said he was a Xuan-grade Talisman Master, equivalent to the Foundation Establishment Stage, but Zheng saw it differently.

Talismanic diagrams are purchasable by anyone—does owning Xuan-grade talismans make one at the Foundation Establishment Stage?

Most likely, the workshop disciples wouldn’t acknowledge that—everyone envies a ’pay-to-win’ warrior, but at the same time, some might look down on them a bit.

However, the Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method was different; it allowed Zheng Fa to turn talismanic diagrams into spells.

Being able to instantly execute Foundation Establishment Stage spells, claiming he was halfway to Foundation Establishment wouldn’t be far-fetched.

The Right Stand No Shadow Talisman, according to Senior Sister Zhang’s classification, was of the Yin characteristic, related to the Earth element.

Earth generates metal, so the talismanic diagram Zheng Fa had to choose needed to be of a Yin property, metallic in nature.

But there actually weren’t many options to choose from.

Zhang only tested a small portion of talismanic diagrams, and the only one Zheng Fa could condense was the Primordial Talisman—according to Zhang, the diagrams were too complex, and a single Yuan Condensing Pill wasn’t enough.

Among these selectable Primordial Talismans, the best choice he could find was the Frost Blade Talisman.

This talisman seal was not only powerful but also had impressive lethal capabilities.

Furthermore, it could freeze an enemy’s body, causing their movements to become sluggish.

It was also quite popular among Talisman Masters.

Zheng Fa looked up and swallowed the Yuan Condensing Pill, smoothly channeling the Spiritual Power within his body to form the Primordial Talisman pattern of the Frost Blade Talisman in his Dantian.

With the strength of his Divine Soul, and since it wasn’t his first time condensing a Primordial Talisman, this task was no longer difficult for him.

But while condensing the Frost Blade Talisman, he also noticed that the potency of the Yuan Condensing Pill seemed slightly weaker than the last time.

This was probably what Zhang mentioned in the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" about drug resistance.

After the Frost Blade Talisman was condensed, it directly landed beside the Right Stand No Shadow Talisman, and the two paired up like a natural match to form a somewhat complex pattern.

Zheng Fa tried it out and found that after condensing the Frost Blade Talisman, the absorption rate of Spiritual Energy during cultivation increased slightly.

...

Workshop.

Six disciples dressed in cyan were patrolling through the corridor left open between the stalls.

The other five were gathered around a somewhat older brother, seemingly taking him as their leader.

The stall owners along both sides regarded these few people with some awe, lowering their voices when promoting their wares as they passed by.

It was evident that these few typically held prestige in the marketplace.

But this time, these few had no interest in putting on airs; they walked while their lips moved quietly, whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? That Zheng Fa."

"It’s been spreading, our workshop is going to be handed over to his management."

"Second level of Qi Cultivation, only entering the door for two months, Zhang really dotes on him..."

The three were discussing the matter of Zheng Fa taking over the administration of the workshop.

Zhang hadn’t intended to keep it a secret, not to mention these well-informed workshop disciples, even the shopkeepers inside had heard about it.

"...To be honest, he has a good talent for the talismanic Dao, but promoting him like this is a bit excessive," grumbled a short and stout disciple under his breath.

"It’s Zhang’s decision."

"Is everything Zhang does always right?" the disciple retorted discontentedly: "Put aside everything else, but a second-level Qi Cultivation, who would be convinced?"

"Will he be able to hold down the fort if there’s trouble in the workshop?"

"He’s a talismanic Dao genius, so he should focus on painting talismans, but the workshop isn’t something a few talisman seals can manage well, he just entered the door two months ago, he isn’t even familiar with Jiushan Sect yet, can he manage the workshop well?"

..." The others exchanged looks, feeling that he did have a point.

"Are you saying then, who would be the best to take charge? Should you do it?"

The short and stout disciple glanced at the silent brother among them and said, "If Yuan were still in charge, that would be fine, but if not Yuan, then I think Yang would be the best."

Everyone was stunned and turned their gaze to Yang.

"Yang has not only reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment, but he also has decades of connections in Jiushan Sect, and he’s been working in the workshop for many years. Isn’t that better than that Zheng Fa?"

The others were also moved by this.

On one hand, they genuinely believed there was some truth to what was said.

But on the other, they all had a good relationship with Yang, so if he had prospects, they could benefit from his light too.

However, Yang just waved his hands: "I have no desire for power. Moreover, with Zhang having spoken, all we can do is obey."

"Yang, you’re passing through more Spirit Stones every month while managing the workshop than we have seen in our entire lives," the short and stout disciple tempted.

Yang fell silent for a moment before looking at him: "You make a good point. How about this, when we see Zheng Fa in a few days, you tell him just that—don’t bring up my name though, I support you as the workshop manager!"

"...How dare I oppose Zhang?"

"Do you think I dare?" scoffed Yang with a cold laugh.

The others didn’t know what else to say.

Among the workshop disciples, there were not a few who had objections to Zheng Fa taking control of the workshop; in fact, the vast majority did.

The reasons were complex.

As senior disciples, they naturally felt aggrieved being pressed under the thumb of a newly initiated second-level Qi Cultivation disciple.

On one hand, there was distrust in Zheng Fa’s abilities.

But more of it was actually about interests; they all wanted to take his place—the position represented too many Spirit Stones.

But no one dared to openly oppose Zhang, all hoping someone else would take the lead.

"Anyway, I’m not convinced, and Zheng Fa is too young," the short and stout disciple gritted his teeth.

The others remained silent, and Zheng Fa’s youthfulness meant a disadvantageous fact for them—he could sit in the position of workshop manager for a long time, leaving no opportunities for others. If it were a Golden Core cultivator like Yuan, they naturally wouldn’t dare to object, but Zheng Fa had low cultivation.

"Why don’t we go to Yuan, let Yuan take the lead!" said the short and stout disciple through gritted teeth, seeing everyone else remain silent.

"Huh?" Yang looked up at him.

"Yuan cares the most about this workshop manager position." The disciple analyzed, "Now that Zhang intends to let this Junior Brother Zheng manage this workshop, who would be the most upset if not Yuan?

"How come I heard Yuan gets along well with Zheng Fa?"

"Do you believe that?" the short and stout disciple challenged: "With such big benefits at stake, even a husband and wife might turn against each other!"

"Moreover, if they really got along so well, then why not just let Zheng Fa have the position directly?" He felt more assured of his reasoning as he spoke: "Is Zheng Fa foolish? Would he want to have another sister above him?"

"What do you mean?"

"Yuan is reluctant to move on from the position and stays glued to it, Zhang doesn’t want to show too much favoritism towards Zheng Fa, so they have to compromise. In the future, there must be a conflict between the two, and it is during their strife that we have our chance."

The short and stout disciple lifted his chin, his face shining with the semblance of holding wisdom, just shy of fanning himself proudly across the chest.