Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 127 - 33: Exclusion

Chapter 127: Chapter 33: Exclusion

Coming to the Eighth Peak again, Zheng Fa could feel the changes within Master Pang’s lineage.

It was hard to pinpoint exactly where these changes could be discerned at a glance.

But along the way, the disciples of Master Pang rushed about with a sense of urgency yet aimless strides.

The looks of suspicion and covert hostility when they saw him.

The Daoist boy hastily reporting to Master Pang’s palace.

And the feeling of being subtly watched and surrounded as soon as he stepped onto the mountain path.

All of these made Zheng Fa genuinely feel the tension and depression permeating the Eighth Peak.

The fact that Zheng Fa became a disciple of the Sect Leader had not spread—mainly because the Sect Leader, after accepting the disciple, was busy with creative works and holed up in his hut with no patience for publicizing the matter.

However, there were a few within Master Pang’s disciples who knew.

Last time Zheng Fa visited, several senior brothers welcomed him warmly, like family.

But this time, there was a hint of reverence in their eyes, yet more alienation.

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but recall Zhang’s words—that his mentorship under the Sect Leader was a significant blow to Master Pang’s lineage.

Zhang even cautioned Zheng Fa to maintain a neutral stance towards both lineages in public.

Previously, Zheng Fa thought Zhang was making a big deal out of nothing, but seeing the atmosphere atop the Eighth Peak today, he somewhat understood her painstaking intentions—the discord between the two lineages of the Jiushan Sect was deeper than Zheng Fa had imagined.

If not for Zhang pressing down, there might have been casualties in the debates at the Talisman Magic Pavilion.

Now he understood why Zhang had him deliver the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method."

Even this short journey revealed that the discord between the disciples of the two lineages had even surpassed the camaraderie of fellow sect members.

This showed the pressure his mentorship under the Sect Leader and his good relationship with Zhang had caused Master Pang’s lineage.

Healing the rift between the two lineages in the future might be more difficult than Zheng Fa had thought.

"Junior Zheng!" Behind him, Sun Daoyu’s voice called out: "What brings you to the Eighth Peak?"

The distinction between ’you’ and ’me’ in his words was clear.

Zheng Fa turned around and saw Sun Daoyu and two others.

Sun Daoyu’s demeanor was not as enthusiastic as last time.

And the state of Zhou Qianyuan behind him was even more puzzling to Zheng Fa—this person looked despondent, barely nodding at him, showing no hostility but also none of his usual confidence and flamboyance.

He still remembered the first time he met Zhou Qianyuan; back then, he stood before him, proudly introducing himself.

Such youthful vigor.

Today, however, he saw him with a scruffy beard, wrinkled clothes, nodding at him then looking down, avoiding others’ eyes.

What puzzled Zheng Fa even more was, if the eyes of the senior brothers on the Eighth Peak looking at him held some tension, those directed at Zhou Qianyuan were full of exclusion.

The attitude even more estranged than towards him.

"I’m here to visit Master Pang," Zheng Fa glanced at Zhou Qianyuan and spoke to Sun Daoyu.

"To pay respects to the Master?" Sun Daoyu was stunned, then saw the Daoist boy who had reported their arrival coming out, speaking to the three men: "The Master invites Senior Brother Zheng inside."

"Senior Brother Sun, Brother Zhou, the Master also summons you."

The three of them entered the palace upon hearing this.

Inside, Master Pang’s demeanor was not as mild as last time, but also not hostile, just a bit more distant.

He glanced at Zhou Qianyuan, slightly frowned, then turned his head to speak to Zheng Fa: "Nephew, what brings you here?"

Zheng Fa took out the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" and said, "A few days ago, Master Uncle bestowed upon me the thousand-year-old Purple Bamboo Tears, for which I am immensely grateful. Unfortunately, I possess little of value, only this ’Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method’ which might be of some interest. I hope Master Uncle won’t find it lacking."

Master Pang was startled, eyeing Zheng Fa for a long moment before finally speaking, "’Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method’?"

"Indeed."

"The one created by Nephew Zhang?"

When Master Pang mentioned Nephew Zhang’s name, his tone slightly intensified.

"Yes."

Zheng Fa’s response was calm, but it caused Master Pang to fall silent for a short while.

He beckoned with his hand, and the Jade tube in Zheng Fa’s hand flew into his.

Master Pang closed his eyes briefly, seemingly using his Divine Sense to read the contents of the Jade tube. When he opened his eyes, a smile appeared on his face: "This ’Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method’ is indeed innovative, Nephew Zhang is truly gifted."

It wasn’t just Master Pang who smiled.

Zheng Fa noticed that the look Sun Daoyu gave him had also softened significantly.

The "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" relaxed the unnervingly tense atmosphere in the hall considerably.

"Junior Zheng, what do you think of Junior Zhou?"

Master Pang suddenly asked.

"Junior Zhou?" Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but turn his head to look at Zhou Qianyuan.

Zhou Qianyuan seemed surprised that his Master would suddenly ask this question, and was also momentarily stunned.

"Junior Zhou is exceptionally talented and possesses a great temperament; he will certainly become a pillar of our Jiushan Sect in the future," Zheng Fa thought for a moment and said earnestly.

This wasn’t just flattering words in front of Master Pang.

Zhou Qianyuan was indeed exceptional in talent and temperament, which was why Master Pang valued him, even harboring hopes for him to eventually counterbalance Zhang.

But his current state baffled Zheng Fa; it seemed as if he had encountered some setbacks.

"Qianyuan has always admired your expertise in talismanic Dao, why not let him stay by your side, handle some tasks for you, and you guide him for a while?"

Master Pang suddenly suggested.

"Ah?" Zheng Fa was taken aback by this sudden proposal from his uncle: "I and Junior Zhou entered the sect at the same time, and we merely exchange and learn from each other normally. Moreover, since he is Master Uncle’s beloved disciple, how could I possibly teach him?"