[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world":3,"chapter-cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-117":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Cultivation: I Studied Abroad in the Modern World",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2263843,4418,"Chapter 117","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-117",117,"\u003Cp>The old white-haired man’s house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light was dimly white; Zheng Fa and the other two sat in the living room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was somewhat somber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your mother doesn’t want you coming here anymore?” the old white-haired man asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin nodded slightly, then shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sniffled, as if trying not to worry the two of them, and forced a stiff smile: “My mom’s condition has been worse lately—I want to spend more time with her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stared intently at Tang Lingwumin’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin seemed unwilling to meet his gaze; she lowered her head, strands of hair falling across her cheek, casting a shadow that hid her exhaustion and helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the real reason?” Zheng Fa asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because of me,” Tang Lingwumin replied after a long silence, her voice quiet. “I stayed out too late here before—my mom got upset…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa remembered: back then, all of them had been excited searching for the Five Elements Sub-charms, and they’d come home later than usual for several days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin’s phone had rung several times back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then my mom found out I was staying up all night—she suffers from insomnia and can’t sleep through the night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s mind flashed to that notebook covered in charm diagrams—the Metal Sub-charm had been discovered by Tang Lingwumin during those late nights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all seemed tied to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that doesn’t mean she should forbid you from coming here,” the old white-haired man frowned slightly. “Has your mother’s condition worsened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No… it’s because I argued with her these past two days—she couldn’t take it anymore and banned me from coming over.” Tang Lingwumin’s tone carried regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why did you argue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told her… I’m not going to minor in management anymore—I’m switching to computer science. She thought I was defying her and refused to let me leave the house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man glanced at Zheng Fa, then asked Tang Lingwumin in confusion: “Wait, why did you want to minor in management in the first place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin explained to both of them: “My mom said that after my undergraduate degree, I should go abroad for a business degree and come back to take over my dad’s company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And computer science…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa noticed Tang Lingwumin’s head tilt slightly toward him—as if she wanted to look at him, but immediately stopped herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve recently realized I really love computer science!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa heard Tang Lingwumin say it a bit loudly, as if volume alone could make them believe her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His emotions were complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl probably realized computer science would greatly help with charm research, and knew Zheng Fa didn’t want outsiders to learn about cultivation—so she chose computer science.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin lifted her head, sensing their skepticism, and added: “Actually, even if I didn’t study computer science, I still wouldn’t study business—I just never told my mom!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mom never let boys get close to me—that’s fine—but she’s been hovering over me every day since I was a child. I’ve never had a single close female friend, no social skills at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With just two or three people I know well, I’m perfectly comfortable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The moment there are too many people, I feel overwhelmed and can’t stand talking. I’m just not suited for business, let alone managing a company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin’s expression was equally helpless as she explained to them: “I originally planned to study mathematics and do research—if I turned out to lack talent, I could still get by in academia with Lao Bida.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man froze, his earlier pity vanishing instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood him—this girl had just namedropped Lao Bida, the scholar whose paper would be immortalized in history; why should you pity her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their stunned silence, Tang Lingwumin flashed a mischievous smile, stood up, and said: “Now that my mom won’t agree, I’ll just have to go home and inherit my dad’s fortune! Don’t worry—I’ll go now, my mom’s waiting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I learned a spell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa suddenly spoke behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin stopped walking, then turned slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s called the Nourishing Spirit Charm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nourishing… Spirit… Charm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin repeated the three words, her voice trembling as she asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t be sure if it’ll work,” Zheng Fa said cautiously. “All I can say is, it strengthens the spirit and nourishes the soul—gently, without side effects or harm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was one reason he chose the Nourishing Spirit Charm—even though it wasn’t the most effective for healing the soul, it was the safest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Xuanwei Realm’s understanding of the soul far surpassed the modern world, the two realms were still different; Zheng Fa had made a conservative choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin slowly nodded; her earlier forced smile vanished, but her eyes brightened considerably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re unsure, we can test it first,” Zheng Fa said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Test?” the old white-haired man blinked. “On whom?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No way!” the old white-haired man waved his hands. “My mind’s perfectly fine—no problems at all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it,” Tang Lingwumin said firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa flicked his finger; the Nourishing Spirit Charm in his dantian trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of spiritual power shot from his fingertip, forming a golden charm in midair that flew to Tang Lingwumin’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin tensed, instinctively closing her eyes, her lashes trembling as the charm sank into her forehead—her body went limp, collapsing toward the floor; Zheng Fa rushed to catch her and laid her gently on the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man jumped, thinking Tang Lingwumin had truly collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But upon closer look, both relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was sound asleep—even with a slightly stuffy nose, she let out faint, soft snuffles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin slept only a short while—fifteen minutes—and woke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her transformation was striking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she arrived at the old white-haired man’s house, her face was weary, her spirit low, dark circles under her eyes—clearly unwell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now she seemed like a different person—her complexion flushed, her gaze clear, her spirit vibrant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man leaned in, peering curiously, asking Tang Lingwumin: “So dramatic? How do you feel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feel?” Tang Lingwumin grinned broadly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa felt a bubble of blissful foolishness radiating from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard her speak in a dreamy voice: “It feels like my head’s soaking in a hot spring, and my soul’s basking in the sun…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to try! I want to try!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man, listening, suddenly seemed tempted; he shouted at Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your brain’s not sick, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How many math students aren’t crazy?” the old white-haired man replied confidently. “Let me try!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mom doesn’t believe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting down her phone, Tang Lingwumin sighed to the two of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa wasn’t surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just one of her classmates; it was natural her mother wouldn’t believe him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man reached out; Tang Lingwumin handed him the phone, skeptical but willing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello? Oh, yeah, it’s me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man spoke to the other end with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, I’m calling about this kid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He really has this ability—he’s amazing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t doubt it! I tried it myself!” the old white-haired man swore earnestly. “Oh yes! I’ve got a condition too—I’ve been taking medicine all along!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other side seemed to believe him, listening to his nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think about it—I charged you for tutoring little Tang, but I didn’t charge her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! That’s why!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you do it today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man looked at Zheng Fa; Zheng Fa shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already tested the Nourishing Spirit Charm on Tang Lingwumin and the old white-haired man twice today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more use, and the charm in his dantian would vanish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tomorrow! After school tomorrow, I’ll come to your house? Sure, sure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hanging up, the old white-haired man gave the two of them a triumphant look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Teacher, how did you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin looked at him with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People with illness see illness in everyone,” the old white-haired man shook his head. “You really think I was joking about math students going crazy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve seen too many—I know how to handle them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man’s tone carried a heartbreaking depth of experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the school bell rang the next day, Tang Lingwumin sprinted to Zheng Fa’s desk, staring at him intently, as if afraid he’d change his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa sighed helplessly, leaving his papers and pen untouched, and stood up to follow her out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mom sent the driver to pick us up—it’s only twenty minutes from school to my house,” Tang Lingwumin said cheerfully. “I’ll ask her to bring you back later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked out of the classroom side by side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Chen, sitting behind Zheng Fa, watched their retreating backs, turned slowly to his desk partner, and asked in a tone laced with uncertain disbelief, as if doubting his own ears: “Did you hear that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desk partner’s expression mirrored the same disbelief, as if he thought he was dreaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I hear right? Zheng Fa is going to Tang Lingwumin’s house?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And her mom sent a driver to pick him up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this meeting the parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I think so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand!” Wang Chen’s voice rose in bitter outrage. “Why him?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His desk partner nodded slowly, pointing toward the door. “Look at Old Chen—he looks even more confused than you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Chen turned and saw Old Chen standing in the hallway, staring down at the ground below, smoking while frantically scratching his bald scalp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face wore the bewildered look of someone who’d just seen an alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa did not go to Tang Lingwumin’s house alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his recommender and guarantor, Bai Lao had already been waiting in the back seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin’s driver dressed plainly—baggy shorts and a T-shirt, no suit and tie like the chauffeurs in TV dramas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The driver said nothing the whole ride, but Zheng Fa keenly sensed he kept glancing at him through the rearview mirror, clearly curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A twenty-minute drive wasn’t short in this prefecture-level city; Zheng Fa watched the car slowly enter a villa district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t extravagantly lavish like in TV shows—no grand estates or massive iron gates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just row upon row of detached three-story villas, spaced far apart, their buildings showing signs of age—likely over ten years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably built early, this area sat right in the city center, on prime land, with a small, not-too-tall hill behind it.\u003C\u002Fp>",1750,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6c780efb0ddaa5b8f439a7bd0164f4996e1fd01f1b269f52bef4dfadc2ecf792","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-118","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-116",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]