Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 251 - 144 The Master’s Grace

Chapter 251: Chapter 144 The Master’s Grace

Zhang nodded slowly, still puzzled by Zheng Fa’s words, but her face showed she was somewhat convinced.

Touching upon the reason involving Tianhe Venerable helping with the crossing was quite persuasive.

Initially, Zheng Fa didn’t have these ideas about the Heavenly Stele Realm—it was even more like a game to him.

Now, he wants to promote education there mainly because of the lessons learned from Tianhe Venerable.

In fact, compared to its size, the population of the Heavenly Stele Realm is very sparse.

The population in the territory Zheng Fa currently governs is roughly less than two million.

Based on his estimates of the size of the Heavenly Stele Realm, if the population density is similar—it’s questionable whether there are even ten million inhabitants.

But on the other hand, as long as productivity is increased and food production is sufficient, population growth has never been an issue...

Given Zhang’s current lifespan of ten thousand years, she can certainly wait for this population explosion.

"What do you think about education?"

Zhang asked.

"I think, initially, it’s best to just focus on literacy enlightenment," Zheng Fa started, already having some rough ideas ready to discuss with Zhang, "teach them how to read and do math, while subtly fostering their allegiance to the Jiushan Sect and the new laws."

"After they have acquired a basic knowledge and emotional recognition, we can then teach them about cultivation."

"Just like what you said, sister, we don’t need to look for geniuses in the Heavenly Stele Realm, there are more people in the Xuanwei Realm... What we need are geniuses who can help us."

Zhang nodded steadily, her eyes shining with approval: "I thought no one had ever implemented this in the Xuanwei Realm, and I was worried you were clueless, but you’ve thought it through very thoroughly."

"But there’s one thing, I think you could improve on."

"What?"

"Your intentions are good, but I feel that the people of the Heavenly Stele Realm probably won’t understand the importance of learning to read and do math."

Zheng Fa was taken aback, but he nodded in agreement.

He’s always been passionate about learning.

Modern society greatly respects knowledge.

But the Heavenly Stele Realm...is a place where even food is scarce.

...

Yuan, seemingly understanding yet curious about the Heavenly Stele Realm, suddenly asked, "The temple priest you mentioned, is she called Xiaoqing?"

Zheng Fa nodded at Yuan: "Yes, are you interested in her, Yuan?"

"I just feel a bit of destiny between us; I am the green phoenix and she is Xiaoqing..." Yuan inquired, "So Xiaoqing seems pretty prestigious according to what you said?"

"Prestigious? You could say that; people in Half Mountain City respect her a lot."

Now, Xiaoqing is ranked just below a deity and above ten thousand people in Half Mountain City.

Upon hearing this, Yuan showed a hint of envy.

Walking into the Thunder Pool, Zheng Fa took out the bronze seal, looking towards Zhang and the others.

Zhang slightly nodded, and Zheng Fa gently channeled Spiritual Power into the bronze seal, creating a grey, shadowy portal that enveloped both him and Zhang.

...

In the Heavenly Palace within the Heavenly Stele Realm.

"Mr. Yan, Fairy Xiao."

As soon as Zheng Fa entered the Heavenly Stele, he saw Yan Wushuang with Chu Tianque, chatting with Yu Ying.

The atmosphere between them was much warmer; it seems their journey in the Secret Realm brought them closer.

Seeing Zheng Fa enter, Yu Ying waved at him.

"Zheng Fa, I was just talking about you with Yan Wushuang."

"Oh?"

"We agreed there’s no need to compete, Yan Wushuang’s organization sounds good too," Yu Ying smiled, "I have many Magical Treasures and spiritual materials from the Secret Realm that I can’t use, perfect to sell through him."

This statement was quite enviable.

He looked at Yu Ying, then at Yan Wushuang, understanding that their collaboration was based on a mutual understanding of the new laws—especially since Yu Ying acknowledged the issues with the old laws after learning about them, she probably leaned towards agreeing with them internally.

"So, Fairy Xiao, you’re joining Mr. Yan’s organization?"

"Collaboration, just collaboration," Yu Ying quickly clarified, waving her hands, "I don’t want to offend the Tianhe Sect."

"..."

"So, what about you, Mr. Zheng?"

Yan Wushuang eagerly inquired.

Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before speaking: "Although I am only at the Foundation Establishment Stage right now, I would like to follow Fairy Xiao’s example, and besides, Mr. Yan, haven’t we already been cooperating?"

Yan Wushuang looked a bit disappointed but nodded understandingly.

However, Yu Ying looked even more pleased, patting Zheng Fa on the shoulder, "Then it’s settled, from now on you follow me! Whatever Demon Race or Demon Sect, they won’t harm a single hair on your head."

"...Fairy Xiao, I am from the Jiushan Sect."

Zheng Fa dryly reminded her.

"I know, I’m not asking you to betray the Jiushan Sect, just that from now on... it’s right for the fine bird to choose the best tree to perch on, right?"

Yan Wushuang, listening at the side, showed a somewhat speechless expression on his face, Xiao Yuying’s rhetoric...

Well, it just didn’t sit right, making it seem as though she cursed the Jiushan Sect.

Indeed, he wasn’t the only one who misheard...

"Our Jiushan Sect will only get better!"

As Zheng Fa spoke, the bronze seal flashed, and the figures of Zhang and Yuan appeared before everyone, with Yuan looking distinctly irritated.

Yu Ying: "..."

Finding herself at a loss for words, she felt awkward.

"Mr. Zheng... this..."

Yan Wushuang widened his eyes, pointing at Zhang and the others.

"My Sealing God Book has progressed further; I can bring people in now."

Zheng Fa softly explained.

"Cough, I’ll leave first!"

Yu Ying turned and ran, Zhang squinting at her retreating figure.

"Zhang, I told you, all the men and women out there have an eye on Zheng!"

Yan Wushuang blinked, feeling it might be time for him to leave, but he still asked somewhat enviously, "Mr. Zheng, how does your Sealing God Book manage to bring people in?"

It’s apparent that he was quite envious of the new function of the bronze seal...

It made sense, given his extensive connections.

There’s also the Sunset Sword Immortal as a bodyguard...

When it comes to stirring up emotions, Mr. Yan is second to none.

"It’s pretty simple."

"Please enlighten me, Mr. Zheng."

"Just earn ten thousand Heavenly Merit, and the Heavenly Palace will upgrade automatically," Zheng Fa said earnestly. "No need for us to worry about it."

Mr. Yan’s expression shattered, and he remained silent for quite a while before speaking:

"Mr. Zheng... is it that I don’t like the ten thousand Heavenly Merit?"

"..."

"I bid you farewell!"

...

In the Heavenly Stele Realm.

Xiaoqing was tidying up the recent offerings in the temple and figuring out how to distribute them to the elderly in the city.

Although Half Mountain City was not densely populated, there were still several hundred eligible elders...

This was a matter she didn’t feel comfortable discussing with the elders, as it concerned their direct interests.

Suddenly, the temple began to shake gently.

Xiaoqing looked around in panic, only to see the statue in front of her trembling nonstop, as if there was an earthquake.

"Lord of Thunder God?"

The statue did not respond.

Xiaoqing called out a few more times, with only her crying voice echoing in the temple.

Watching the constantly trembling statue, she threw herself at its feet, as if trying to stabilize the massive statue with her frail body.

Just as she was engulfed in fear.

Two shadowy figures appeared beside her, gradually solidifying into two figures a head shorter than the Thunder God statue, dressed as women, but without faces.

Stunned, Xiaoqing had no idea what was happening, only to hear a young girl’s voice in the temple.

"Is this Half Mountain City?"

In the temple, Yuan’s voice resonated, filled with pity: "The people here are so thin."

"Lord of Thunder God?"

"I am here," Zheng Fa spoke, "These are my two..."

He was still thinking about how to introduce Zhang.

"Subordinate gods."

Zhang’s voice sounded.

Zheng Fa was taken aback, understanding Zhang’s meaning—that this fiefdom should have only one voice, at least for now.

"Subordinate gods?" Xiaoqing’s eyes sparkled, her expression somewhat joyful, "The Lord of Thunder God is getting more powerful!"

Xiaoqing’s criteria seemed to be based on numbers...

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but chuckle internally, although she was indeed right.

Then Xiaoqing continued, "With the two goddesses here, Lord, can you find two more temple priests?"

"Hmm?"

Xiaoqing explained, "The city’s affairs are getting more complicated, and I... I’m not as smart as those grandpas..."

"I don’t know how to mediate the conflicts between the uncles and elders."

"When distributing the offerings, I also always have to calculate for a long time..."

"I’m not good with words, they listen to me only because of you, Lord of Thunder God..."

From her expression, it was clear that Xiaoqing was also under great pressure...

"Maybe, Lord of Thunder God, you should replace me..."

As she spoke, Xiaoqing even seemed resigned, her expression unwilling.

Being a temple priest was not only the profession passed down through generations in her family but also the reason she was much respected now.

Zheng Fa understood—Xiaoqing was already trying hard.

Half Mountain City lacked formal knowledge transmission; Xiaoqing might have heard some past stories from her father or grandfather, but... prior temple priests were probably best at deceiving and stealing offerings.

Setting that aside, Xiaoqing was just a teenage girl, no genius.

Suddenly managing tens of thousands, even with those elders’ help, she must have been utterly apprehensive.

"Distributing offerings? How?"

Zhang’s voice suddenly rang out.

"Just..." Xiaoqing stammered to explain Zheng Fa’s rules.

Zhang didn’t even use a moment to breathe, and with a sweep of her Divine Sense,

The distribution plan that Xiaoqing couldn’t figure out after a long time was directly articulated by Zhang, perfectly accounting for hundreds of people.

"Goddess... so impressive..."

Xiaoqing’s eyes gleamed as she looked up to Zhang’s statue with utmost admiration.

"You can be just as impressive."

Zheng Fa was moved and suddenly spoke.

"Can... can I?"

"Yes," Zheng Fa’s tone was tinged with a smile, "Would you like to become a competent and able temple priest?"

"I’d love to! Love to!"

Xiaoqing nodded vigorously, her face flushed with excitement.

With a thought, Zheng Fa sent a sphere of light from the statue towards Xiaoqing, which dispersed to reveal two books in her hands.

"Elementary Grammar"—based mainly on the knowledge Zheng Fa learned from the Zhao Family, primarily related to Xuanwei Realm’s elementary school knowledge.

"Elementary Mathematics"—this consisted more of modern elementary mathematics.

Although Xiaoqing couldn’t read, she understood that these were gifts from the Lord of Thunder God, and her expression was particularly excited.

"Should temple priests learn this?"

Yuan whispered secretly.

"I don’t know about others, but mine should learn."

"This poor girl... I used to envy her..."

"Sister, don’t talk nonsense... look how happy she is smiling?"

"Sure, if she could read, she wouldn’t be smiling..."