Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 329 - 204: Embracing All Streams, Conceptualizing Cooperation

Chapter 329: Chapter 204: Embracing All Streams, Conceptualizing Cooperation

Zheng Fa looked at the silent Mu Qingyan and always felt that she had been rendered silent by Xiao Yuying.

He guessed correctly.

At this moment, Mu Qingyan was indeed plunged into deep self-doubt:

She was actually clear about the value of the "Golden Core Project"—yet she still believed that the secret realms and treasures of the outside world were more precious.

The problem lay in Xiao Yuying’s attitude.

Xiao Yuying, in both her past and present lives, was someone she could never surpass—unless she could successfully undergo the Divinity Transformation in this lifetime.

And now, Xiao Yuying seemed to be in a position of asking something from Zheng Fa, a meaning which she, Mu Qingyan, understood all too well.

"Electromagnetism"...

This was a relatively basic course in the Jiushan Realm!

One only needed to reach the required mathematical standards to choose it.

Yet Xiao Yuying was willing to pay with Qingyun Immortal Fruit, and even worried that Zheng Fa would not accept her request to study...

Was Xiao Yuying foolish?

She swallowed, staring dumbfounded at Zheng Fa, only to hear him ask: "Shall I send you out?"

"...Sect Leader!"

"Hmm?"

"I’m not leaving!"

Loyalty to the Jiushan Realm was written all over Mu Qingyan’s face!

"Then, the ’Hanhai Outer Pill’..."

Mu Qingyan quickly said: "Disciple is willing to contribute to the ’Golden Core Project’!"

Zheng Fa looked at her twice, nodded lightly and said: "In that case, if you wish to leave, tell me later; if not, I will convert this ’Hanhai Outer Pill’ into project contributions for you. Once the project is complete, in terms of good deeds and honor, you will not be at a disadvantage."

"...Thank you, Sect Leader!"

This thank you was much more sincere.

It seemed she had realized that Zheng Fa had also discerned her little schemes and concealments but did not take them into account.

Mu Qingyan probably felt a bit uneasy and hastily took her leave.

Xiao Yuying glanced at her departing figure and suddenly said: "That disciple is not quite normal; she probably has her own little schemes."

Zheng Fa and Zhang exchanged a look and both smiled.

Xiao Yuying merely mentioned it in passing. Seeing that they did not continue the topic, she then asked, "The matter I spoke of earlier, Master Zheng, what are your thoughts?"

Zheng Fa thought for a moment and then said: "Based on the friendship between me and Fairy, as well as the support you, Fairy, have given to our Jiushan Sect before, I am in principle agreeable to the matter."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuying nervously said: "In principle? What does your Jiushan Sect need?"

"That’s not what I meant. I need to discuss it with the elders," Zheng Fa had an idea in his mind, but he did not elaborate at the moment, "Fairy, you must be tired from your journey, why not go rest first?"

Seeing him say this, Xiao Yuying could only nod, but her eyes were full of unease as she left.

...

"What do you think of that Mu Qingyan?"

As soon as she left, Zhang spoke up.

The reason for not discussing this matter just now was mainly that it was an internal affair of the Jiushan Sect, inappropriate to discuss in front of Xiao Yuying, an outsider.

"This matter..." Zheng Fa smiled and suddenly said: "Didn’t Zhang teach me before?"

"Ah?"

"Do I not have my own secrets?"

Zhang was startled upon hearing this and also started to laugh.

If talking about secrets, Zheng Fa’s odd behavior was much more than Mu Qingyan’s.

But Zhang was like someone deaf and blind, turning a deaf ear and a blind eye.

Zheng Fa always kept in mind the protective intent she showed.

"You are different..." Zhang spoke earnestly, "The Jiushan Sect can be said to have survived because of you."

"Naturally, Senior Sister would think I’m different, but what I want to say is... without Senior Sister’s tolerance, I wouldn’t have achieved today’s success, and the Jiushan Sect wouldn’t have its current peace." Zheng Fa expressed his thoughts and then continued, "I have to admit, most of the geniuses in the Xuanwei Realm have their own secrets."

Zhang nodded her head, "You mean to judge by deeds, not by heart?"

...Talking with Senior Sister Zhang was always relaxing.

"Yes, our Jiushan Realm has its own system in place. Regardless of her origins or intentions, as long as she has made contributions to the Jiushan Realm, there will be rewards. If there are acts of betrayal, it is never too late for us to punish."

"There’s no need to be paranoid, we should make more friends and fewer enemies..."

Zhang nodded her head in understanding of Zheng Fa’s meaning—In an environment like the Xuanwei Realm, it is impossible to expect someone to be completely selfless, especially since many geniuses have their own fortuitous encounters, not to mention Zheng Fa’s magnanimity.

...

"Alchemy of outer elixirs... is a bit more troublesome than I imagined."

Looking at the records of "Hanhai Outer Pill," Zheng Fa furrowed his brow, apparently encountering some difficulties.

Senior Sister Zhang also took the transcribed version, glanced over it, and understood Zheng Fa’s point: "This alchemy furnace is quite special."

"Yes, I knew that alchemy of outer elixirs requires very high standards for an alchemy furnace, but from this ’Hanhai Outer Pill’, it seems each Cultivation Technique has a corresponding alchemy furnace."

In the method of refining described in this "Hanhai Outer Pill," aside from the materials needed to cast the outer elixir, the most troublesome part is indeed the alchemy furnace.

"This alchemy furnace seems to emulate the bodies of cultivators who practice the ’Hanhai Scripture.’"

"So, to create the most suitable outer elixir for yourself, you must first construct a Pill Furnace that mimics your own body?"

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

"That explains why the alchemy of outer elixirs is so precious... even the successive Nascent Souls of our Jiushan Sect do not have such techniques."

"What are your plans?"

"At least with this ’Hanhai Outer Pill’, we have a direction."

"First, we should still try out this ’Hanhai Outer Pill’, on one hand, to let the project team get familiar with the skills, and on the other hand, to validate our theories."

"Next, we’ll see if we can follow the thought process of this ’Hanhai Outer Pill’ and develop the ’Shenxiao Outer Pill’, or even the ’Dragon Tiger Outer Pill.’"

Senior Sister Zhang listened to his arrangements and didn’t say much, as it seems she shared similar thoughts with Zheng Fa.

"Of course, one ’Hanhai Outer Pill’ might not be enough to fully grasp the underlying principles..." Zheng continued, "I plan to ask Fairy Xiao if she has any such heritage and exchange knowledge with her to conduct research in comparison."

"Is that what you wanted to discuss with us just now?"

"No, that’s a small matter." Zheng Fa shook his head, "I intend to hire Fairy Xiao as an archaeology professor for our Jiushan Realm and, particularly, to collaborate with her in archaeological research."

This idea came to Zheng Fa while working on the "Golden Core Project."

Senior Sister Zhang was slightly astonished as she looked at Zheng Fa.

"Senior Sister, we must admit that the foundation of our Jiushan Realm is too shallow."

...

Although Zheng Fa’s ideal Jiushan Realm was closer to modern times, he was not ready to blindly transplant it.

The primary difference between the cultivation civilization and modern civilization is that in the Xuanwei Realm, where life spans are greatly extended, there truly is a phenomenon of ’the older, the stronger’!

Even... there seems to be a matter of precedence, such as the concept of the Way, implying that if predecessors have occupied a path, later generations can only live in their shadow.

In the Xuanwei Realm, archaeology truly is the most important scientific activity...

He also wasn’t confident that the group from Jiushan Realm could outdo the Xuanwei Realm’s accumulation over several epochs...

Even if they could outdo them.

What reason would he have not to want everything?

"You mean to study those ancient heritages using the methods of the Jiushan Realm, like how the disciple of Tianhe Venerable did?"

Senior Sister Zhang suddenly understood.

Indeed, Senior Sister knows my heart well!

"Xiao Yuying, perhaps, won’t be willing."

Senior Sister Zhang frowned.

Zheng Fa nodded; a proud person like Xiao Yuying might not mind giving away treasures, as she indeed is wealthy and treats many treasures indifferently.

But to be treated as someone’s tool, that’s a completely different matter.