Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 232 - 125: Where did this wild bird come from!

Chapter 232: Chapter 125: Where did this wild bird come from!

Zheng Fa always felt that Xiao Yuying’s expression was quite sour as if she had some grievances against him.

Both of them left the Heavenly Stele and tacitly chose a secluded corner away from the crowd at the Thunder Pool.

"What’s up? Interested?"

Xiao Yuying looked at Zheng Fa with a smile on her face, her expression indicating that she wasn’t surprised by Zheng Fa’s decision.

But Zheng Fa hesitated slightly before bowing to Xiao Yuying and asking: "How is the Tianhe Venerable related to this treasure?"

Xiao Yuying seemed genuinely interested in inviting Zheng Fa and replied heartily.

"I’m not sure about this matter either, but that secret place bears the mark of the Tianhe Sect—you know, those people from the Tianhe Sect flaunt the emblem of the Tianhe Venerable everywhere, making it quite recognizable."

Zheng Fa fell silent.

Previously, he only found the Tianhe Sect pretentious.

According to Elder Han, the Tianhe Sect...well, is definitely something the Tianhe Venerable would never acknowledge as his descendants.

That mental fortitude, that thick skin.

No wonder they are part of the Xuanwei Five Sects!

"Why couldn’t it be other elders from the Tianhe Sect?"

"It’s indeed possible," Xiao Yuying nodded, apparently not denying Zheng Fa’s argument and continued, "But as you know, I have some experience in treasure hunting in secret realms."

"..."

Unexpectedly, Zheng Fa felt like the other party was showing off.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Yuying gently laughed, a look of triumphant satisfaction on her face, and continued:

"Each era’s treasures and architectural styles are actually quite unique," said Xiao Yuying. "I can roughly deduce the era any treasure or secret realm came from with just a bit of contact."

...What kind of amateur archaeologist?

"The aura of that secret realm is powerful, but the prohibitions and spell styles are from the previous epoch."

Zheng Fa understood Xiao Yuying’s meaning: "In the previous epoch, within the Tianhe Sect, only the Tianhe Venerable himself used his personal seal..."

"..."

Xiao Yuying nodded with a smile, seemingly very pleased with Zheng Fa’s insight.

"Thus, I can conclude that even if the items inside weren’t left by the Tianhe Venerable himself, they must be relics from someone close to him."

Zheng Fa found himself persuaded by Xiao Yuying’s words.

Xiao Yuying added: "I had already reached Taiyang County when I inadvertently discovered that secret realm. Unable to enter it myself, I then came to the Heavenly Stele."

"So, Fairy Xiao, what do you need me to do?"

"This concerns the secrets of that secret realm; I can only tell you if you are committed to going with me," Xiao Yuying shook her head and asked Zheng Fa: "What do you think? As for how we divide...you know, I don’t lack ordinary magical treasures."

Zheng Fa grinned.

He knew that at least half of what she said was true.

It wasn’t that Xiao Yuying was generous, but rather that between the two of them, one a Nascent Soul and the other at the Foundation Establishment stage, Xiao Yuying, known for her wealth in the Xuanwei Realm, probably had high standards.

It would be easy to see a situation like:

Xiao Yuying: "What trash..."

Zheng Fa: "What a treasure!"

The two indeed had potential for cooperation.

But...

Zheng Fa actually had little interest in magical treasures.

If it were up to his personality, he wouldn’t want to get involved with secret realms...

But this matter concerned the Tianhe Venerable.

Zheng Fa hesitated, then asked Xiao Yuying: "Can I discuss this matter with someone else?"

"Who?"

"Sister Zhang." Zheng Fa thought for a moment, feeling that on matters related to the Tianhe Venerable, Sister Zhang and he stood on similar ground.

"...You truly are quite strict in your principles."

"..."

"What if I don’t agree?" Xiao Yuying seemed reluctant to let news of the secret realm reach others.

"Then I simply won’t go," Zheng Fa stated directly.

"...Alright! I know of Zhang Wuyi; she’s not talkative, but let me make it clear—I only need you," Xiao Yuying hesitated for a long while before nodding.

"Then may I discuss it with my Master and Elder Master?"

Seeing Xiao Yuying’s expression darken, Zheng Fa felt somewhat regretful—

After all, which good student goes to a competition without their teacher?

...

In the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on a couch, taking out spiritual materials or elixirs collected by Master Pang in the Heavenly Stele Realm and consuming them one by one.

Master Pang originally came to deliver spiritual materials, but seeing such extravagance, he left clutching his chest as if he was in pain.

Truth be told, with the current situation in the Xuanwei Realm, consuming spiritual materials like Zheng Fa was doing was exceedingly lavish.

Zheng Fa’s divine soul settled into his Dantian.

The various spiritual materials and elixirs transformed into abundant Spiritual Power, nourishing the Thunder Field like sweet dew.

The Thunder Field hadn’t even warmed up the Spiritual Power when it was quickly taken by the red Spiritual Bud above.

After consuming it, the Spiritual Bud trembled lightly, seeming quite comfortable.

But it didn’t grow at all!

Zheng Fa bit his teeth and took out another batch of spiritual materials.

A whole two Storage Bags of spiritual materials were quickly consumed:

Thirty percent.

Sixty percent.

Ninety percent...

And still that Fusang Wood’s Spiritual Bud didn’t change at all.

Zheng Fa was nearly in despair.

Until he consumed another elixir.

The Spiritual Bud engulfed this surge of Spiritual Power and suddenly was enveloped in a dense red glow emerging from its roots.

After the red glow, the appearance of the Spiritual Bud finally changed—

It transformed from a tender sprout into a small tree.

The small tree’s entire body was covered in red bark, with just one trunk and no branches or leaves, looking starkly bare.

There were no more changes.

That’s it?

Zheng Fa couldn’t help feeling somewhat gloomy.

Apart from becoming harder and longer, there really wasn’t any change!

...

In Zhang’s courtyard.

Zhang said to Yuan, "Now that you are attracted to Zheng, it must be because of the Fusang Divine Wood, you can’t be blamed for it."

Yuan nodded vigorously, feeling that Zhang truly understood her.

"Yes, yes, yes, I can’t control myself!"

"You must control yourself even if you can’t!" Zhang said, "First of all, you can’t just throw yourself at Zheng every day!"

"..."

"What if you scare Zheng?"

"..."

"Why aren’t you speaking?"

"I think Zheng doesn’t mind as much as you do..." Yuan muttered quietly.

"Hmm?" Zhang’s voice turned a bit cold.

"I won’t throw myself at him!"

Yuan shivered, swearing earnestly.

Zhang finally nodded in satisfaction.

"Zhang?" Zheng Fa’s voice came from outside, "Are you available right now?"

Zhang glanced at Yuan, as if reminding her of the earlier conversation.

Yuan quickly nodded.

But as soon as Zheng Fa entered... Yuan’s head buzzed.

The pleasant scent from Zheng was several times stronger than before!

Her eyes narrowed, and she involuntarily rubbed against Zheng.

"Cough!"

Zhang’s cool cough echoed.

Yuan’s mind cleared a bit, she looked fearfully at Zhang and shrank back slightly.

But as Zheng Fa moved closer.

The scent from him reignited Yuan’s fervor—

Forget it!

Better to die under a Fusang tree, a free-spirited bird!

She lunged headfirst towards Zheng Fa.

Bang!

Zheng Fa watched as Zhang, with a wave of her sleeve, sent Yuan flying out of the courtyard into the workshop.

"Sister?"

"It’s okay, what do you need?" Zhang brushed her hands as if nothing had happened.

Zheng Fa thought about it, it might be good that Yuan wasn’t here since Xiao Yuying’s intention seemed to be for him to only speak to Zhang—

This was in line with her trust-only-in-talents belief.

Zheng Fa narrated how Xiao Yuying found him and mentioned the legacy of the Heavenly Treasures left by the Tianhe Venerable.

Zhang also frowned.

"How credible do you think this is?"

Zheng Fa had pondered this issue and shared his analysis,

"Starting from Tianhe Venerable’s perspective, if he truly despaired back then and was utterly abandoned, it is very plausible that he left his treasure somewhere other than Tianhe Sect."

"So, I do believe the secret realm could be related to Tianhe Venerable."

Zhang nodded, seemingly convinced of his judgment.

"Furthermore, I think the Tianhe Venerable might have left some contingencies..."

Zheng Fa’s words surprised Zhang, who then agreed, "Yes, Tianhe Venerable was indeed resolute; it’s very possible he left safeguards."

"Then, analyzing Xiao Yuying, she might have initially intended to curry favor with me, claiming it’s because she values talents," Zheng Fa said pensively, "But the difference in our cultivations is immense, her initiative is a bit excessive."

"You mean, she was originally looking for someone stronger with Thunder Skill."

"Yes, so this matter probably isn’t made up on the fly."

Upon finishing his thoughts, Zhang weighed it and said,

"If it’s all true, now the issue is—whether the secret realm is worth exploring, and if Xiao Yuying will renege."

Zheng Fa fell silent for a long while, his brows tightly furrowed, seemingly hesitant.

Finally, he shook his head as if making a decision.

"Not going?"

"Not going," Zheng Fa said, "I’ve thought it over, and the only thing attract me is that new technique from Tianhe Venerable."

Zhang gently nodded.

"But before we take control of the Heavenly Stele Realm... if we get openly involved with that new technique, according to what Sunset Sword Immortal said, there may be significant dangers."

Zhang was momentarily alarmed, feeling a bit scared after the fact, "I too was blinded by the mere mention of Tianhe Venerable."

"No, Zhang, you are inherently courageous and progressive." Zheng Fa consoled.

"..." Zhang looked at him, "I’m not afraid of dying, but that doesn’t mean I’m not afraid of you dying."

"..."

The courtyard fell silent.

Yuan finally ran back timidly, standing at the entrance not daring to enter, unsure whether she was afraid of disrupting the current atmosphere or afraid she might lose control again.

Suddenly, a dark shadow flew into the courtyard from outside.

This shadow flew over Zhang’s courtyard wall, intentionally aiming for Zheng Fa’s embrace.

Since there was no ill intent detected, even Zhang made no move to intercept.

Zheng Fa caught this dark shadow, and upon seeing, it was a pitch-black crow rubbing against his chest.

"Where did this wild bird come from!" Yuan fumed at the door, clearly jealous, "Randomly flouncing about! No manners!"

Zheng Fa was about to shoo away the crow, but then it spoke with a boy’s voice,

"Don’t throw me away! Don’t throw me away!" The crow exclaimed, "I have news that the Great Freedom Demon Sect is collaborating with the Demon Race to target Jiushan Sect!"

Zheng Fa’s hand paused.

Yuan grew even angrier, feeling aggrieved and puzzled—

So, does Zheng prefer wild things?

Or males?