Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 223 - 116: Eating Oneself

Chapter 223: Chapter 116: Eating Oneself

Xiao Yuying had just walked out of the Hundred Treasure Hall when she saw the palace gates wide open and a vision of all gods bowing their heads.

This scene only lasted for a moment before it disappeared.

Xiao Yuying stood at the entrance of the Hundred Treasure Hall, looking at the tightly closed doors of the central hall, then turned back to gaze at the twelve towering statues within the Hundred Treasure Hall, a contemplative look in her eyes.

She stepped forward and, channeling Spiritual Power in her hands, pushed against the central hall doors.

The doors did not budge an inch.

No one else witnessed this scene; only Xiao Yuying stood at the entrance to the hall, silently contemplating.

...

Zheng Fa was naturally unaware of the phenomena occurring within the Heavenly Palace.

He was staring at that tender, fiery-red sprout in his Dantian, feeling worried.

According to the Divine Sky Thunder Control True Method, once the Thunder Field had been opened, the Spiritual Power within his body would transform into the Thunder Seed and grow within the Thunder Field.

But this uninvited guest was extremely domineering, swallowing the Spiritual Power in his Dantian as soon as it appeared.

It gave no chance for the Spiritual Power to condense into the Thunder Seed.

What’s more, this Spiritual Bud was extremely greedy; the Spiritual Energy Zheng Fa absorbed with each breath would become nourishment for this Spiritual Bud...

At this point, Zheng Fa could confirm:

He had indeed cultivated the Divine Sky Thunder Control True Method incorrectly.

Fearful of deviating into madness, he simply stopped cultivating and thought to consult his Master and senior martial sisters when he left the Heavenly Stele Realm.

When Zheng Fa reappeared in the Heavenly Stele Realm’s Heavenly Palace, there were no longer any signs of anomaly.

Unaware of anything, he walked into the Hundred Treasure Hall and glanced over the spiritual materials and their prices listed on the jade slips.

There were still a few spiritual materials he needed for the Secret Technique passed down by his Master, such as the Nine Heavens Thunder Fruit.

He still had some Heavenly Merit points left and thought about exchanging for a few more.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Fruit: One thousand Heavenly Merit."

"One thousand five hundred Heavenly Merit..."

"Eight hundred Heavenly Merit..."

After checking a few essential spiritual materials, the minimum cost was eight hundred Heavenly Merit.

After exchanging for the inner core of the thousand-year-old Yang Thunder Spider, there should only be over four hundred Heavenly Merit left in his Sealing God Book...

Huh?

Why did the Sealing God Book turn gold?

...

The inexplicable upgrade of the Sealing God Book into a golden one made Zheng Fa even more puzzled; he pondered and then was fairly certain it was because of the Spiritual Bud in his Dantian.

It seems this thing has quite the significance...

Upon opening the golden book, the most notable change was the area of Zheng Fa’s Divine Position—it had increased from five thousand li to ten thousand li.

This territorial expansion puzzled Zheng Fa...

According to Yan Wushuang’s previous explanation, a bamboo book grants a Divine Position of fifty li, a copper book five hundred li, and a silver book five thousand li, all increasing tenfold each, and when it comes to area, the increment was a hundredfold.

But from silver to gold the book only doubled?

Why does this Heavenly Stele Realm seem to be getting stingier?

Zheng Fa suddenly remembered Yan Wushuang’s words that the Heavenly Stele Realm was only a small world; he had some enlightenment—it was probably due to a lack of land to distribute.

In that case, is the area of this Heavenly Stele Realm at most as large as a planet in the modern world?

He flipped through the Sealing God Book and found that indeed his Divine Position had expanded about fourfold.

More land meant more people.

He still hadn’t used up his Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Talismans!

His Divine Soul touched the Sealing God Book, and he realized that because the book had upgraded, he could stay in the Heavenly Stele Realm for another month.

What else is there to say?

Start working overtime!

...

Yan Wushuang and Chu Tianque met in the Heavenly Palace.

"This time I earned one hundred and twenty Heavenly Merit," Yan Wushuang started off.

"I only got over seventy, Mr. Yan, you gain more Heavenly Merit each time than before!" exclaimed Chu Tianque, sighing, "Could it be, Mr. Yan, that you have already comprehended the Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Skills?"

"Comprehension is an overstatement; I’ve merely gained a minor understanding," said Yan Wushuang modestly, but his face couldn’t conceal a hint of pride.

"Pity..."

Chu Tianque initially smiled but then let out a soft sigh.

He didn’t finish his words, but the others knew what he was lamenting.

"There’s no need for pity, it is normal to be surpassed by Xiao Yuying..." It seemed that Yan Wushuang had come to terms with this, "Even Zheng Fa, a genius who has the heavens’ favor, did not surpass her this time, did he?"

"That’s true, Zheng Fa is even more pity-worthy, if not for the difference in cultivation..." Chu Tianque nodded, "No, hold on, Mr. Yan, are you taking pleasure in his misfortune?"

Yan Wushuang hurriedly waved his hand and said, "You don’t understand, Mr. Zheng may be even more extraordinary than you think, for some reason, Elder Han values him greatly."

"..."

"One thinks about him being defeated by Xiao Yuying, and I indeed feel much better at heart..."

"I understand, this is indeed taking pleasure in the misfortune of others..."

...

As the group walked out of the Heavenly Stele, they saw a figure standing under it, seemingly looking at the rankings on the stele.

If not Ling Ye Fairy Xiao Yuying, then who?

Seeing people come out, Xiao Yuying glanced in their direction as if waiting for someone.

Yan Wushuang and his companions looked up at the Heavenly Stele,

Indeed, at that moment, Xiao Yuying’s name was hanging high on the first line.

Zheng Fa’s name was pressed beneath hers.

Even if it was as expected, Yan Wushuang couldn’t help but let out a silent sigh.

He glanced at his own name and then walked with Chu Tianque towards the outer area of the Thunder Pool.

After walking for a while, Yan Wushuang suddenly stopped, frowning deeply.

"Mr. Yan?"

"What do you think Xiao Yuying is waiting for?"

"Waiting for someone?"

Chu Tianque was stunned and said confusedly, "She’s waiting for someone?"

It was Xue, the True Inheritor of the Supreme Dao, who appeared to notice more, nodding, "When we came out of the stele, she glanced at us twice; it seems like she really is waiting for someone..."

"She must be waiting for Mr. Zheng!" Yan Wushuang slammed his right fist onto his left hand decisively.

"Waiting for Zheng Fa? What for?"

"He took the first place on the Heavenly Stele ranking; she possibly wants to flaunt her power before Mr. Zheng once more!"

"...That’s unlikely."

Chu Tianque and Xue exchanged looks, feeling that Yan Wushuang was perhaps underestimating Xiao Yuying.

"You don’t understand what kind of person Xiao Yuying is!"

Yan Wushuang was quite certain, pulling the two of them back the way they came.

"What are you doing, Brother Yan?"

"Zheng Fa is my good friend, how can I let him suffer such humiliation!" Yan Wushuang declared loudly, "Of course, to give him support!"

Chu Tianque and his companion had no choice but to follow Yan Wushuang back beneath the Heavenly Stele.

Xiao Yuying glanced over when she saw them return, without the slightest concern on her face.

The group said nothing, simply waiting outside the Heavenly Stele.

As cultivators trickled out from the Heavenly Stele Realm, seeing them waiting without apparent reason, none understood what they were waiting for.

However, Xiao Yuying and Yan Wushuang were already among the most prestigious and highest-ranking cultivators who had entered the Heavenly Stele Realm.

As they did not leave, many other cultivators also did not dare to depart.

Several days went by.

Zheng Fa still had not emerged.

Yan Wushuang couldn’t help but wonder, "Why is Mr. Zheng staying in the Heavenly Stele Realm for so long?"

Chu Tianque and his companion exchanged looks, equally bewildered.

"Look!"

Suddenly, someone pointed at the Heavenly Stele – the name of Zheng Fa on the stele leaped upward, seizing back the top rank that everyone had thought long since settled, right before everyone’s eyes!

A moment of silence fell over the crowd.

All eyes furtively glanced at Xiao Yuying.

Xiao Yuying’s face remained expressionless, standing firmly in place without moving, as if she had no intention of leaving.

Chu Tianque, bewildered for a long moment, eventually spoke up: "Brother, do we still need to stay?"

Yan Wushuang knew what he meant – now that Zheng Fa had surpassed Xiao Yuying, naturally there was no question of her humiliating him.

"We must stay," said Yan Wushuang, his expression especially grave.

"Huh?"

"Before, we came to save Mr. Zheng’s honor," whispered Yan Wushuang, stealing a glance at Xiao Yuying, "Now, we may need to save Mr. Zheng’s life."

Chu Tianque said in shock, "Brother, you mean..."

He didn’t finish, only glanced at Xiao Yuying too.

...

"What are you all doing..."

Once outside the Heavenly Stele, Zheng Fa was greeted by the dense crowd below.

The expressions on their faces were odd upon seeing him.

Especially Yan Wushuang, whose corner of his eye twitched rapidly as if signaling him.

Yet no one dared to speak, save for one person who strode out of the crowd and walked towards Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa saw Xiao Yuying approaching him, examining him up and down for a long while before she suddenly said, "It’s indeed you."

"What about me?"

Zheng Fa asked in confusion.

Xiao Yuying shook her head as if speaking in riddles or unwilling to disclose the reason in front of so many people.

She raised her hands and gave Zheng Fa a formal bow, saying, "I am Xiao Yuying."

Her etiquette was impeccable.

Her tone particularly solemn.

Which left the crowd behind her in stunned silence.

Zheng Fa was still puzzled but respectfully returned the bow: "I am Zheng Fa."

"Mr. Zheng," Xiao Yuying nodded, then suddenly smiled, "It is my pleasure."

It seemed like she had waited so long just to say these few words; having spoken, she walked away without looking at anyone else.

Zheng Fa watched her leave, not understanding her motive at all.

Then he saw Yan Wushuang approaching, with an almost tearful expression on his face.

"So... the Lingye Fairy can actually speak nicely..."

He heard Yan Wushuang muttering to himself.

Chu Tianque and the other person nodded in agreement.

"Brother Yan?"

Yan Wushuang appeared not to want to talk to Zheng Fa, waving his hands dismissively and walking away with a look of despair, still mumbling:

"It turns out... it depends on the person..."

"It depends on the person..."

...

"What’s wrong with Brother Yan?"

Zheng Fa asked Chu Tianque, confused.

Chu Tianque pondered for a moment before replying, "He’s been wounded in his pride by the Lingye Fairy again."

"Again?"

...

Zheng Fa had just left the Thunder Pool when he saw Yuan waiting for him on the edge, holding a Storage Bag and shouting as she saw him:

"Zheng! Zheng! Come quick! We’ve made a lot of Spirit Stones!"

"Made Spirit Stones?" Zheng Fa approached and asked, "Made what money?"

"Heh heh, when I went to the Heavenly Stele, I found those betting people all putting Xiao Yuying first with odds of less than one to one."

"Your odds were five to one!"

"So I..."

Zheng Fa understood.

Yuan had used insider information to fleece those people!

An opportunity like this might only come once...

"Here! These are the winning Spirit Stones! I’ll give you a twenty percent share!" Yuan opened the Storage Bag to reveal quite a number of Spirit Stones, easily several hundred at a glance.

"For me?"

"It’s for your effort!" Yuan said generously, "But no more! I still need to buy food!"

Zheng Fa shook his head with a smile.

Suddenly, Yuan sniffed, as if she had smelled something, and turned to look at Zheng Fa.

She then leaned in close, sniffing around Zheng Fa.

"Brother, your body... has become very fragrant!"

"Eh?"

Yuan doled out some more Spirit Stones and said to Zheng Fa, "I’ll give you another twenty percent if you let me take a bite!"

"..."

"Another thirty percent for just one bite!"

From her gaze, Zheng was certain...

Yuan was seriously considering eating him!