Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 141 - 46 Entrustment

Chapter 141: Chapter 46 Entrustment

Seeing the moved expression on Zheng Fa’s face, Sister Zhang smiled and suddenly said, "I will handle this as soon as possible, but in a few days, I will have to leave the sect for a while."

"Leave the sect?"

Zheng Fa was startled, unclear as to why Sister Zhang suddenly brought up this matter.

He had some understanding of Sister Zhang’s character. She was not someone who liked to go out—if Zheng Fa didn’t seek her out, and she didn’t need to handle sect internal affairs, she would usually be cultivating at home.

Somewhat of a homebody, in any case.

Or rather, it could be said that cultivators in the Xuanwei Realm seemed like homebodies since most of their time was spent in cultivation.

Sister Zhang explained, "I’ve mentioned before that a spirit cave has emerged in Taiyang County, and the Chang Chun Sect has been repeatedly asking for help."

Zheng Fa remembered, Sister Zhang had previously said they would dispatch Sister Yuan because of this.

But now... why would Sister Zhang go herself?

"I previously thought of sending Junior Sister Yuan because I was worried that you might encounter difficulties managing the workshops and I was not at ease."

Sister Zhang, as if she understood what Zheng Fa was thinking, spoke up.

Zheng Fa then understood, Sister Zhang felt he had performed too well.

If Sister Zhang stayed, then Zheng Fa’s burden would be much lighter—if there were any difficult decisions to be made, he could ask for Sister Zhang’s guidance.

But Sister Yuan...

Well, considering Sister Yuan had been good to him.

Zheng Fa politely refrained from pondering further.

"Sister, what exactly is a spirit cave?"

Sister Zhang’s explanation did not entirely reassure Zheng Fa—whether it was wisdom or cultivation, Sister Zhang was like a stabilizing sea needle for Jiushan Sect.

The three Nascent Soul disciples within the sect seemed unreliable, and instead, Sister Zhang seemed to be the one who had to worry about most things.

Whatever could make her leave the sect, it certainly wasn’t as simple as she had put it.

He couldn’t help but feel a bit worried.

"Spirit caves..." Seeing him persist in asking, Sister Zhang smiled, as if she knew he was concerned about her. Her voice softened significantly: "A spirit cave, a spirit vein, they’re really the same thing."

"Spirit vein?"

Zheng Fa was shocked. This was not a trivial matter.

He had read the "Spirit Vein Theory" written by the Sect Leader and knew that in the Xuanwei Realm, spirit veins could be said to be the foundation of a sect’s survival.

Especially now that the Spiritual Mechanism was decaying, a spirit vein rich in spiritual energy was even more important.

"Spirit veins often surface on the ground, continuously gathering spiritual energy for cultivators to cultivate," Sister Zhang explained to the two: "However, spirit caves are different. Spirit caves also gather spiritual energy, but because they are often deeply buried underground and unknown to people."

"...Then the emergence of a spirit cave?"

"When the spiritual energy in a spirit cave accumulates to a certain stage, it will erupt, causing changes in the spiritual energy between heaven and earth, and then be discovered by cultivators." Sister Zhang added when she saw that Zheng Fa still didn’t quite understand:

"Although after a spirit cave’s eruption, the spiritual energy will slowly dissipate, the accumulation over so many years will also leave behind quite a few treasures."

"Sister, are you saying?"

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

"A vein of spirit stones was discovered in the spirit cave of Taiyang County."

Spirit... Stone... Mine...

Zheng Fa suddenly grasped why Sister Zhang was personally taking action.

"Sister, with this emergence of the spirit stone mine..." Zheng Fa frowned as he asked, "Isn’t this going to cause a huge mess?"

He wasn’t ignorant of how important spirit stones were to cultivators.

These things could not only serve as currency among cultivators.

But also as an aid in cultivating—of course, there generally weren’t cultivators who would waste such a resource in this era.

In fields like Arrays, spirit stones also played an irreplaceable role.

"Taiyang County is currently in chaos. The Sect Leader of the Chang Chun Sect has sent multiple letters, saying that not only have cultivators from the Hundred Immortals Alliance sects appeared, but also those from other sects, and they’ve even spotted traces of the Demon Sect."

"...The Chang Chun Sect?"

"The founder of the Chang Chun Sect was once a disciple of our Jiushan Sect. After achieving his Golden Core, he established his own lineage, which later developed into a small sect—though they have always shown reverence to our Jiushan Sect, with continuous offerings."

Zheng Fa nodded, understanding that the Chang Chun Sect was probably a staunch dependent of Jiushan Sect, and perhaps its establishment was even supported by Jiushan Sect in the background.

Seeing that Zheng Fa grasped the importance of the spirit cave’s emergence this time.

Sister Zhang suddenly said again, "The Affairs Hall has had its own rules for many years, so I’m not worried about anything there, but the workshops have undergone big changes lately, with the introduction of the Guiding Ship and the plays—I’m still not quite at ease."

"Sister!" Sister Yuan said, thumping her chest, "You just leave the workshops to..."

"Zheng Fa." Sister Zhang interjected.

"?"

Sister Yuan watched, open-mouthed, as Sister Zhang gestured toward herself, passing the responsibility to Zheng Fa: "Including Junior Sister Yuan, I’m entrusting you to take care of them."

...

Zheng Fa and Sister Yuan left Sister Zhang’s courtyard side by side.

After walking a long distance, Sister Yuan slowly let go of the aggrieved look on her face and said to Zheng Fa, "Taiyang County is probably not in great shape."

"Hmm?"

"Sister Zhang... only indulges herself before major battles come," Sister Yuan spoke slowly, her face showing rare worry: "She hasn’t even realized this habit of hers."

As Zheng Fa stared at her.

Sister Yuan was slightly puzzled, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I just didn’t expect, sister, that you’d also have such insight."

"Psh, it’s just when there are too many things one cares about, it’s better to be a bird, carefree and at ease," Sister Yuan raised her head proudly, looking very smart: "Anyway, Sister Zhang has dispatched quite a few people to Taiyang County recently."

Zheng Fa remembered that when he went to the Talisman Magic Pavilion before, he noticed many lecturers from Sister Zhang’s lineage were missing.

Now it seemed that they had probably gone to Taiyang County.

"But with Sister Zhang’s strength, even if she clashes with Nascent Soul masters, she won’t be in big trouble... and then I’ll be able to visit her in Taiyang County for fun!" Sister Yuan thought about it, seemingly comforting herself, and laughed heartily.

...

As Zheng Fa walked toward his home, his brows were unconsciously furrowed, his heart filled with some melancholy.

For him, Sister Zhang’s departure surely meant losing a strong supporter within the sect.

But there’s really nothing to worry about.

The status of a Sect Leader’s Disciple and the friendship with Senior Yuan were enough for him to move around the Jiushan Sect with ease.

However, Senior Yuan’s words made him realize—his cultivation was still too low.

So low that Senior Zhang was unwilling to tell him the truth.

And indeed, he was of no help at the moment.

"Zheng?"

As he reached the door of his home, Zheng Fa suddenly heard someone greeting him.

Looking up, it was Zhou Qianyuan.

He was standing at his own door, appearing as if he had been waiting for a while.

"Junior Zhou? Do you need something from me?" Zheng Fa invited Zhou Qianyuan into the house and asked.

"It’s nothing important." Zhou Qianyuan shook his head, took out the jade tube bestowed by Master Pang from his Storage Bag, and asked with concern, "But Zheng, you seemed to be frowning just now, as if you were troubled. Is there anything I can help with?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa didn’t hide anything. He and Zhou Qianyuan were now well-acquainted, and there was no need for formality.

He sighed and said, "I just feel that my cultivation is too low."

"Too low?"

Zhou Qianyuan paused, looking at the jade tube in his hand, seemingly hesitant.

"Yes, I’m just at Qi Cultivation level five now..."

"Brother, I’m only at Qi Cultivation level four."

Zhou Qianyuan interrupted him, his tone slightly resentful.

"..."

The atmosphere turned awkwardly silent.

Zhou Qianyuan pursed his lips and handed the jade tube to Zheng Fa.

"Hm?"

Zhou Qianyuan, with a straight face, said, "This is the jade tube my Master gave me, and he told me to choose a day to hand it over to you."

Zheng Fa was just about to take the jade tube.

When lively shouts and cheers came from outside the door.

"Zheng Fa!"

The gate to the courtyard of the Zhao Family was abruptly pushed open.

Zheng Fa was startled.

That voice and action were somewhat familiar.

"Zheng Fa! I’ve come to see you!" The voice of the Seventh Young Master pierced through the door as he briskly walked into the courtyard, cheerfully saying, "What a surprise, huh!"

He trotted up to the main hall entrance, saying, "I was just thinking, while I have my sister with me at Qingmu Sect, you’re all alone here at Jiushan Sect!"

"You must be terribly lonely!"

"So as soon as I was able, I came looking for you!"

The Seventh Young Master peered into the hall to see Zheng Fa, who was about to receive the jade tube, with his hand resting on Zhou Qianyuan’s arm.

They seemed exceptionally close.

He trembled at the lips.

Glancing at Zheng Fa, then at Zhou Qianyuan—the expression on his face was complex.

Zheng Fa silently withdrew his hand, feeling the awkwardness as if caught cheating.

"Seventh Young Master? Why are you here?"

He hurried to the entrance, only to see another familiar figure: "Miss Zhao?"

Miss Zhao of the Zhao Family was standing at the doorstep, shaking her head in resignation at her dejected little brother.

"I had some business outside and was passing by Jiushan. This one made a fuss about coming..."

"Who made a fuss about coming?"

The Seventh Young Master stood at the main hall entrance, looking a bit wronged.

"Then why did you come?"

Miss Zhao gave him a sideways glance.

"I came... I came to watch a drama!" The Seventh Young Master huffed and said, "The reputation of the Jiushan Sect’s dramas has even reached Qingmu Sect. What’s wrong with me wanting to see it? I’ll leave right after! "

Seeing his demeanor, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but laugh. "Seventh Young Master, I’m thrilled you’re here."

"Really?" The color in the Seventh Young Master’s face slowly improved.

"Of course, I have no kin in Jiushan Sect."

"What about him?"

"He’s here to deliver something on behalf of his Master."

Zhou Qianyuan nodded silently, holding up the jade tube.

Indicating he was just a simple errand runner.

The Seventh Young Master laughed and slung his arm around Zheng Fa’s shoulder, saying, "You’ve had a rough time here alone in Jiushan Sect, don’t worry, I’ve brought you something good!"

The Seventh Young Master gestured to his sister for something.

Miss Zhao reluctantly handed over a small bundle, which when opened, revealed some jars and wrapped food.

"These are specialties from our Qingmu Sect." Miss Zhao explained, "He brought over everything he thought you’d like."

"Junior Zheng!" From the doorway, Han Qi’s voice called: "Those vendors from the workshop have brought over quite a few things these past few days! We’ve brought them here for you!"

Han Qi and the others arrived at the doorway laden with large and small parcels.

The Seventh Young Master glanced at the small package in his hand, his fingers tightening, as if considering taking it back.

Zheng Fa walked over, opened a small wax paper-wrapped package from the bundle, pinched out a piece of chilly ginger candy, and popped it into his mouth.

"Delicious!"

He chewed while mumbling to the Seventh Young Master.

The Seventh Young Master gazed at him, stunned for a moment, and finally burst into laughter.