Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 154 - 54 Life and Death

Chapter 154: Chapter 54 Life and Death

Using Demon Sect disciples’ blood to create talismans seems to be advantageous—

Yet, it’s basically courting death.

Even though the Demon Sect is currently in decline within the Xuanwei Realm, and the state of the thirteen Demon Ancestors is uncertain,

But you’re taking a scythe to harvest another’s hard-planted leeks that have been cultivated for a million years.

Do the Demon Ancestors not care about their face?

Stepping out of the Sect Leader’s thatched cottage, Zheng Fa shook his head—The matter concerning the talisman is currently not feasible, and must not even be leaked.

Otherwise, even if it could save a few Spirit Stones used to buy spirit beast blood, it would easily attract powerful enemies.

Moreover, the use of talismans themselves is quite controversial within the Jiushan Sect.

This task’s benefits and risks are immensely disproportionate.

"Sister, Lin Bufan has still said nothing in the past few days, how should we deal with him?"

Yuan followed behind him, suddenly asking.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then turned his head and asked Yuan, "Sister, what do you think?"

"Kill him." Yuan immediately said.

Normally Yuan is lively and adorable, seemingly carefree.

But when it comes to the word ’kill,’ it seems to come naturally to her.

The brief two words made Zheng Fa fall silent again.

After a long while, he slowly nodded: "Hmm."

Although he had received modern education, at this moment he could see more clearly—

Modern compassion should not be applied in Xuanwei.

One cannot, due to a slight discomfort of their own, bring risks to those around them.

This is the safest choice.

Not to mention that Lin Bufan came here to assassinate him.

Just the fact that he’s a disciple of the Demon Sect, in the eyes of everyone in the Jiushan Sect, means he should be killed.

Lin Bufan has survived until now partly because his blood has some uses.

Apart from that, Zheng Fa and others wanted to extract some secrets from him.

Clearly, this man was not very cooperative.

And, although his blood holds significant benefits, the risks are also greater—if that particular Sub-talisman really corresponds with the Demon Ancestor, then the Demon Ancestor might have strong control over him.

Keeping him within the Jiushan Sect is always a hidden danger.

"Go ask him again today, if he still refuses to say anything, then just leave it be."

Zheng Fa said to Yuan, as they headed towards the small cabin where Lin Bufan was under house arrest.

"What’s this?"

Upon entering,

Zheng Fa saw Lin Bufan somehow had gotten out of bed.

He knelt on the ground, his face pale and blood dripping from his mouth, breathing heavily and in extreme disarray—it was clear that getting out of bed was also a difficult task for him.

"I am willing to pledge allegiance to you as my master, just to keep my life!" Lin Bufan said feebly, his voice filled with a desperate resolution.

Zheng Fa was stunned.

He turned back and looked at Yuan, who also looked somewhat dazed: "I didn’t say anything to him!"

"This sister didn’t say anything, only... she came less and less, and the people treating me also stopped coming."

Lin Bufan gave a bitter laugh.

This person... is quite perceptive.

Zheng Fa frowned, and then said, "Get up first."

Lin Bufan didn’t continue to act, but slowly stood up using the couch beside him, looking at Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa looked at him.

The first time Zheng Fa heard of Lin Bufan, from the Shopkeeper’s mouth, he was described as a slightly foolish, even easily deceived Disciple of the Demon Sect.

The second time he saw him, he seemed as despairing as a broken heart, with only a slight desire for revenge.

The third time he saw...

A trace of recklessness appeared on his face.

In just a few days, this person had become a totally different person.

"You are very intelligent," Zheng Fa said looking at Lin Bufan: "But I don’t want to accept you..."

"Why?"

"You want to live, but you’re also thinking about opportunities for revenge, right?"

Lin Bufan didn’t speak, and after a long time, slowly nodded: "My uncle worked all his life for Lin Yangtian, was always subservient, more diligent than a dog, yet he was killed by him."

"People think we of the Demon Sect, if dead, are just dead... but he was the one who raised me..."

"I understand," Zheng Fa waved his hand and said: "Seeking revenge is your affair, but I have no obligation to assist you."

"I can be of use!"

"Hmm?"

"My blood is useful! It’s useful to you, and it’s also useful to that senior brother surnamed Li!"

"...You really are very clever."

Who would have thought he’d even realize this.

"Do you know why I still don’t want to agree?"

Zheng Fa suddenly asked.

"Why?"

"Yes, you are very useful," Zheng Fa slowly said: "But your thoughts of revenge might drag our whole Jiushan Sect down with you."

Lin Bufan’s eyes darkened, suddenly clenched his teeth and said: "I am willing to offer a Soul Seal!"

Even Yuan showed a trace of surprise on her face.

Soul Seal is very famous in the Xuanwei Realm.

This spell is more prevalent in the Demon Sect, while very few in the Immortal Sect practice it—

Simply put, by offering the Soul Seal, Lin Bufan’s life and even any action would be subject to Zheng Fa’s whim.

To some extent, his control over Lin Bufan would be comparable to that of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.

For many cultivators, offering the Soul Seal and dying are choices between which they would rather choose death.

But Lin Bufan straightforwardly stated his willingness to offer up his Soul Seal...

This is handing over all his control to Zheng Fa.

"Tell me, what is the current situation with the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor?"

Zheng Fa suddenly asked.

"The Saint Ancestor... The situation should not be too good, it is rumored he is not in this realm," Lin Bufan honestly replied, although unaware of why Zheng Fa would ask this: "If the Saint Ancestor were well, I probably wouldn’t have survived this time."

Zheng Fa nodded.

That makes some sense—

With the name of the Demon Ancestor, it’s possible for Lin Yangtian’s curse to fail against Lin Bufan.

That indeed explains a few things.

"Not in this realm?" Zheng Fa slowly furrowed his brow, wondering who else besides him could leave this world.

"This, I don’t know either. There are rumors that the Saint Ancestor is healing, some say the Saint Ancestor has been sealed, and others say the Saint Ancestor is cultivating some Divine Skill..."

Zheng Fa nodded.

Lin Bufan was only at Foundation Establishment, the Demon Ancestor was far too removed from him.

But the next words from Lin Bufan made his gaze turn more serious.

"But if the Saint Ancestor were to come to Xuanwei, all of us in the clan would sense it... that’s why there are rumors within the clan that the Saint Ancestor is not in this world."

"Why choose me?"

Zheng Fa was silent for a while before asking.

"Selling oneself, one must also sell to someone with prospects, and your Jiushan Sect has only two geniuses..." Lin Bufan’s tone was somewhat frustrated.

"Then why didn’t you say anything earlier..."

Zheng Fa was somewhat enlightened.

"I was originally waiting for Zhang Wuyi to return; I told you about people outside wanting to target her... it was to encourage her to come back, and then I would pledge allegiance to her," Lin Bufan honestly said.

"..." Zheng Fa thought for a moment; it seemed like not only did Sister Zhang not want to return, but her reply was also quite excited, as if she was having a bit too much fun.

"Now that there is no news of her returning to the Sect, I... can’t hold on anymore."

"..."

"Do you want to agree to his terms?"

The Sect Leader looked at Zheng Fa and asked.

"Yes, he is right, he could be useful."

"Let’s hear it."

The Sect Leader responded without expressing approval or disapproval upon hearing his answer.

"I don’t value his blood or such things much," Zheng Fa slowly revealed his thoughts, "but now that the Great Freedom Demon Sect has already taken action against me and Sister Zhang, whether or not we offend them, we will still end up in conflict."

"So?"

"I heard him say he has a certain sense about the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor..." Zheng Fa slowly spoke, "If the Demon Ancestor really descends, we could prepare in advance."

There was another reason Zheng Fa did not mention.

He hoped to see some of the secrets of the Demon Sect from Lin Bufan—like that Sub-talisman.

It would provide more means to contest the Demon Sect in the future.

The Sect Leader looked at him, then gazed down towards Jiushan below.

Zheng Fa said nothing more.

Although he had some ideas, this matter involved some risks and the safety of Jiushan Sect.

He couldn’t make a decision based solely on his thoughts.

"Do as you think best."

After a long time, the Sect Leader finally spoke.

"Master?"

"I have killed people from the Demon Sect before."

Zheng Fa was startled and looked at the Sect Leader, who was smirking, sensing for the first time—

This old man seemed somewhat reliable.

...

Modern day, Zheng Fa sat in Tang Lingwu’s family car.

This time, it wasn’t a trip to Tang Lingwu’s home, but to the provincial city.

That agricultural expert mentioned by Old Man Bai before, who appeared in the short video, had arrived in the provincial city.

Tang Lingwu’s family’s big shorts driver drove him, along with Tang Lingwu and Old Man Bai, to the provincial city.

"The college entrance examination is the day after tomorrow, is that okay?"

Probably because they had become more familiar, this big shorts driver was still chatting with them through the rearview mirror.

Zheng Fa knew he was asking himself.

Tang Lingwu didn’t need to take the college entrance exam.

"It’s fine." Zheng Fa thought about it, his scores in the monthly exams should now be steadily among the top three in the school.

Most deductions usually happened in essays, or some subjective questions—those really depend on luck.

As for the rest, there wasn’t much else to review.

It was two days before the college entrance exams, and the school had given a break, which was timely as that person had also come to the provincial city.

Within less than three hours.

The car arrived in the provincial city.

"This place..." Looking at their final destination, the three of Zheng Fa were a bit stunned.

It was the most expensive hotel in the provincial city, seemingly some high-end five-star chain.

The cheapest room was the kind that cost several thousand—at least, Zheng Fa didn’t know the exact amount, as that was beyond the range he should be concerned with in his previous financial state.

He knew about this hotel only because a classmate from a fairly wealthy background once played there, bragging about it to the classmates afterward, and Zheng Fa overheard it.

"Mr. Bai, is that teacher very wealthy at home?" He asked Old Man Bai somewhat curiously.

Old Man Bai shook his head, also looking puzzled: "Ordinary family, I didn’t know she was so wealthy before."

"Miss Tang, welcome!"

As the three approached the hotel entrance, a doorman suddenly called out.

"..."

Looking at Tang Lingwu, who lightly nodded as if accustomed to it.

Old Man Bai and Zheng Fa exchanged glances, realizing they were in the presence of real wealth.

"She said to find her in the restaurant." Upon entering the hotel, Old Man Bai checked his phone and said, "She wants to treat us to a meal."

As they entered the restaurant, they immediately spotted the person they were looking for—

The old lady sat alone with a table full of dishes, quite conspicuous.

"Have you come into money?" Old Man Bai went over, full of confusion: "Or is it over?"

"Isn’t it over?" The old lady stood up and smiled at the three, "I’ve calculated well, the doctors said I have half a year to live, I have calculated clearly how to spend my money in half a year... not a penny more, not a penny less."

"..."

"So, Old Bai." The old lady suddenly smiled at Old Man Bai, "Stop finding doctors for me, my money’s all spent, even if you save me back, I’ll still be a pauper!"

Old Man Bai fell silent.

The old lady gestured to Zheng Fa and the others, "You are Zheng Fa? This young lady is so beautiful, must be Tang Lingwu, right? Come on, eat! I ordered these dishes just for you!"

Her face was full of joy and liberation.