Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 313 - 192: New Jiushan, New Atmosphere

Chapter 313: Chapter 192: New Jiushan, New Atmosphere

What exactly is a Lifebound Magical Treasure? Zheng Fa was not entirely unfamiliar with the concept.

After all, he was quite acquainted with Zhang’s Fei Xian Pen and Master Pang’s Five Dragons Heavenly Palace.

However, now that he reconsidered the words of Tianhe Venerable, the problem seemed serious—

In the Five Dragons Heavenly Palace, Master Pang had melted the essences of five serpents on the verge of transforming into dragons.

The Fei Xian Pen even contained the remnants of the four spirit creatures of heaven and earth.

Such things were beyond what a cultivator could produce on their own.

Could this be the difference between the original methods for refining Lifebound Magical Treasures and the current cultivation methods?

Zheng Fa pondered with confusion as he continued to listen to Tianhe Venerable’s lecture:

"A Golden Core cultivator, complete in every aspect, does not rely on external objects. The human body itself is a microcosm, containing all things tangible and intangible."

"Therefore, the method of refining a Lifebound Spiritual Treasure lies not in external materials, but within oneself."

Having said this, the features and the orifices of the Daoist shone brilliantly, like an Artifact Refining Furnace.

Within the furnace, the forces of earth, water, wind, and fire surged, and multicolored Spiritual Energy spewed out from his mouth and nose.

For a moment, Zheng Fa found himself amidst cloud-steaming rosy dawns and smoke-filled flames, as if he was in a fairyland, unable to see anything clearly.

Only a sword could be seen taking shape slowly amid this mist and fire.

Zheng Fa’s fingers gradually lifted from the jade tube.

The purpose of Tianhe Venerable’s lecture this time was mainly to demonstrate the refining of treasures, with few words spoken.

The most important were just the opening few sentences.

But these few sentences sparked a boundless stream of thoughts in Zheng Fa.

From this, it could be seen that the Lifebound Magical Treasures from the original Tianhe methods likely differed in significance from those of the Immortal Sect’s current practices.

The biggest difference lay in their relationship with external objects.

The way of Tianhe Venerable seemed consistent throughout, from the self-sufficiency of the Golden Core to the Execution of Immortals Skills where, beyond the sword, there was no reliance on anything else.

Simply put, it emphasized self-reliance.

Whereas in the Immortal Sect’s methods, as seen from Zhang and Master Pang, the refining of a Lifebound Magical Treasure still required external spiritual materials.

On this matter, Zheng Fa could not conclusively say who was superior or inferior—he had long understood that the Immortal Sect had not completely abandoned the Tianhe methods, but rather had adapted and inherited them.

Tianhe Venerable was formidable.

But that did not mean the Tianhe methods were without flaws... Perhaps the Immortal Sect’s methods were more suitable for ordinary people?

For the reasons behind this, he felt the need to discuss with Zhang and others.

Yet there was one sentence that Zheng Fa took even more to heart—The human body itself is a microcosm...

This concept resonated with what Tang Mudao had previously mentioned about the principle of the Golden Core forming its own universe, revealing a profound correlation.

Was this the understanding of the essence of the Golden Core by the preeminent figure of the previous calamity?

Or perhaps, could it be that Tianhe Venerable’s Innate Divine Ability had arisen from this very insight?

With a thought, he teleported to the Medicine Garden, gazing at the standing Sun and Moon Clock.

Previously, he had always felt that Tianhe Venerable, after obtaining the Heavenly Stele Realm and learning of Qi Fortune Spiritual Treasures, then created the method for Lifebound Magical Treasures.

But now it seemed...

Tianhe Venerable might have delved much deeper than he had imagined—did he intend to cultivate himself into a Heavenly Stele Realm?

Could his sword be akin to the existence of the Sun and Moon Clock?

He pondered for a moment, then flew toward Zhang’s courtyard.

On one hand, he would daily discuss new findings with Zhang or even Master Pang and others.

On the other hand, having just assumed the position of Sect Leader, he had many ideas that required Zhang’s cooperation.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, he saw Zhang talking to the Jiushan Ancestor, while her Fei Xian Pen danced in the air, drawing a series of Spirit Talismans.

Jiushan Ancestor nodded slightly, and with a stretch of his hand, a seal flew out of his sleeve, merging with the talismans in the void.

This seal was familiar to Zheng Fa; it was the transformation of the Mountain and River True Form Talisman combined with Jiushan, which had previously withstood the Blood River Ancestor with considerable power.

Some days ago, Zheng Fa and Zhang had wanted to move Jiushan into the Jiushan Realm, a task more challenging than he had thought—Jiushan was vast, and the Heavenly Palace Nine Islands were somewhat insufficient to accommodate it.

Eventually, it was Zhang and Jiushan Ancestor who managed to transform it into this seal, named the Mountain and River Seal by Zhang, and brought it into the realm.

The seal, surrounded by Spirit Talismans, gradually turned into a light screen.

At the top of the screen, there were words like "Tasks," "Merit Points," "Exchange," "Announcements," and so on.

"Has the contribution system been established?"

Zhang nodded: "This matter was not difficult; the challenging part was how to incorporate it into this Mountain and River Seal."

Zheng Fa also understood what Zhang meant.

In essence, this was an automated task system, and the "Merit Points" they spoke of were even broader in scope than the Heavenly Merit—

Doing good deeds in the secular world to enhance the incense offerings for the Jiushan Realm was naturally considered merit.

But cultivating spiritual materials in the Medicine Garden and repairing houses on the Heavenly Palace Nine Islands also contributed to Merit Points.

In the future, should anyone create new cultivation knowledge, or achieve rankings in various major examinations, they could also earn Merit Points.

In short, this was a system that combined the administrative system of the Jiushan Sect with the former Heavenly Stele Realm’s Heavenly Merit system.

Any action that could contribute to the development of the Jiushan Realm would be rewarded with Merit Points.

As for the exchange rate between good deeds and spiritual materials, it has also changed.

Honestly, it’s quite a bit less than what one could exchange for the same amount of Heavenly Merit — Zheng Fa calls this difference a "channel fee."

But this is necessary...

Only after becoming the Sect Leader of Jiushan did he realize that the Jiushan Sect had expenses everywhere, not to mention, some tasks didn’t generate incense and offerings.

Therefore, good deeds naturally depreciate in value relative to Heavenly Merit.

...

Heavenly Palace Island is bustling with activity,

Sun Daoyu mingled in the crowd, heading towards the original Hundred Treasure Hall, now called the Good Deed Hall.

The previous jade bi has changed its appearance, divided into several large pieces.

Sun Daoyu finally made it to the front of the line; he took out his disciple token and shone it in front of the jade bi.

The jade bi then displayed his name, cultivation, and the accumulated number of good deeds.

The most outrageous part was it even showed his last exam score...

He first clicked on the "Tasks" section, with all sorts of tasks inside: constructing the Heavenly Palace Nine Islands, descending to the lower realm through the Sun and Moon Clock, and even cultivating Spirit Plants in the Medicine Garden...

Sun Daoyu noticed that the first few tasks were suitable for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage who were not good at math...

Very considerate, yet very hurtful.

He then clicked on the good deeds column and found that he actually had more than forty good deeds!

Sun Daoyu tapped on that number, and a few lines of small text appeared on the jade bi:

"Renovating University Island — Five Merit Points."

"Lecturing on Paradise Island — Five Merit Points."

"..."

Only then did he understand that these were some of the services he had done for the Sect before the Good Deed Tablet was introduced. He didn’t expect Master Zheng to have recorded them all.

His heart warmed, but he noticed the disciples behind him were already eager to try, and he quickly made way.

When he stepped out of the Good Deed Hall, he heard some disciples discussing:

"I heard that in the future, no matter what the cultivation level is, one can’t privately grant resources anymore?"

"Master Zheng said that from now on, unless the rules change, everyone must act according to the rules..."

"In that case... I, too, am convinced."

Sun Daoyu nodded slightly.

There is a gap in everyone’s cultivation and abilities; true equality is indeed impossible.

But having a set of clear rules is much better than before.

This system is actually very popular among the lower-ranking disciples.

...

Just as he walked out of the Good Deed Hall, he saw that the Sealing God Hall next door was also packed with people.

This was unusual — the Sealing God Hall had been idle before, as with the Sect Leader in control of the Jiushan Realm, this Sealing God Hall wasn’t of much use.

As he approached, he saw that the signboard of the Sealing God Hall had been replaced with the new name of the hall:

"Hall of Heroes"

Full of curiosity, Sun Daoyu entered the hall and found that the original divine statues were gone — but in their place, several new statues appeared.

He stepped forward for a closer look and his eyes widened.

He recognized the people these statues depicted!

The first was an old and a young person, holding hands and walking with bowed heads; there was a plaque underneath them:

"Inventors of talisman — Father and Son, Li Nuo"

Sun Daoyu swallowed and looked to the side.

There were a few figures crouching there, with a chubby middle-aged man in their midst, and a small rice seedling in front of the group.

They also had a stone plaque under them:

"Inventors of Qianhe Valley — Master and Disciples, Qian Zheng"

The stone plaque also detailed explanations of the talisman and Qianhe Valley.

Below the stone plaque was the figure of Li Nuo, bent over in tears, and Master Qian in triumphant joy.

Sun Daoyu smacked his lips.

Jealous?

As long as the Jiushan Realm exists, the appearances and names of these few individuals will never be forgotten!

Of course, he is jealous.

But convinced?

Everyone knows that the Sect and the Unrivaled Society of the Hundred Immortals Alliance made a great profit this time, and the talisman and Qianhe Valley both earned a significant number of Spirit Stones.

Of course, he is convinced!

He looked at the other disciples; their expressions so similar to his own —

I too want to stand among the figures in this Hall of Heroes!