[{"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-130":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},2263856,4418,"Chapter 130: Master and Disciple","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-130",130,"\u003Cp>“Zheng Dishi, Zhang Shijie, go quick to the marketplace!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Zhang Shijie’s residence, Zheng Fa was speaking with her when Yuan Shijie burst in like a gust of wind, urgently addressing the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our little building’s entrance is blocked—I couldn’t even get through this morning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie’s words left both Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When did disciples of Jiushan Sect become so bold?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie exchanged a glance and flew toward the marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they even neared the marketplace, they saw a dense crowd gathered around the small building where Yuan Shijie used to work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them were several familiar faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vendors who once set up stalls in the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disciples who regularly shopped in the marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gathering had emptied the marketplace of customers and reduced the number of stallholders by more than half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly deserted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Zhang Shijie’s figure, the noisy crowd instantly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, these disciples held deep reverence for Zhang Shijie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zheng Fa still heard faint, excited whispers: “Zheng Dishi has arrived!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a play to watch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s ask Zheng Dishi to show it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>… Hearing this, Zheng Fa already understood how this rare collective event had come about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scanned the crowd and spotted three even more familiar figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Han Qi, what are you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi and the other two shuffled awkwardly out of the crowd, heads bowed, standing before Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you already watch it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had seen these three yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…” Han Qi mumbled, head down: “That’s exactly why we want to watch it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t all those senior brothers already seen it too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi pointed into the crowd; Zheng Fa followed his finger and saw—several senior brothers mingled among the crowd, smiling sheepishly at Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were all staunch supporters of Zhang Shijie; some were even enforcement disciples of the marketplace, and of course they’d supported the premiere of “Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had also seen these senior brothers in the theater last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie looked at the crowd, her gaze cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We… we’re here to maintain order,” said a senior brother Zheng Fa remembered as Yang: “So many people milling about—if something happens, we must protect Zhang Shijie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie stared at the Foundation Establishment disciples, eyes narrowed, letting out a soft: “Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, protect Yuan Shijie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?” Yuan Shijie pointed at herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, protect Zheng Dishi…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa echoed: “Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that right, Zheng Dishi?” Yang smiled kindly at Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too many people want us to show it again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the senior brothers being persuaded to leave, Yuan Shijie was taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those who watched yesterday want to see it again; those who didn’t watched heard the others bragging and now want to see it too,” Zheng Fa shook his head. “Jiushan Sect really has few places for entertainment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After being here so long, the only entertainment venue Zheng Fa knew was—Xunfang Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one run by the Shunü Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though that place was fun enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it drained both wealth and health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t as fresh as theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think, Dishi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a good thing,” Zheng Fa said first. “If it draws Jiushan Sect disciples, it will draw outside cultivators too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s show it again for free?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Show it, but not for free—the cost of theater isn’t low,” Zheng Fa thought for a moment. “Let’s divide tickets into internal and external: internal tickets for Jiushan Sect disciples, just enough to cover costs; external tickets to make profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cost of one theater performance was indeed high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the salary of the Sect Master, a Nascent Soul True Person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the ten spirit talismans alone were expensive—ten Earth-grade talismans were needed to create an environment capable of holding ten thousand people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Zheng Fa’s view, theater costs fell into two parts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was the talisman cost, equivalent in modern terms to production cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the only mature producer in Jiushan Sect was the Sect Master himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if this technique spread later, at least a Golden Core cultivator would be needed to produce theater—only Golden Core cultivators could draw Earth-grade talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other part was the projectionist’s salary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had figured out the Sect Master’s personality—he was lazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time the Sect Master agreed to handle projection only because it was the first theater premiere; he’d likely refuse afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Projection didn’t require Golden Core level—Foundation Establishment was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to maintain theater order, especially early on, a Golden Core cultivator like Zhang Shijie was better suited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined, Zheng Fa estimated each screening cost at least a hundred spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie nodded. “Then internal tickets will be priced at one spirit stone for ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa calculated: this price wasn’t cheap—a single theater ticket cost roughly the same as three Yellow-grade talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That might be a Qi Refining disciple’s entire daily income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for most disciples, watching a play once a month was still manageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, how will the income be divided?” Zhang Shijie suddenly raised another topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked at Zheng Fa, her expression hesitant: “The Administration Hall wants thirty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood why Zhang Shijie hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most important thing about theater was actually the Sect Master’s “World Within the Hut” technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The venue provided by the Administration Hall was hardly worth anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll handle projection from now on,” Zhang Shijie continued. “But the Administration Hall still takes thirty percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This division made more sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought a moment, then said: “Then let the Administration Hall take thirty percent, the producer—the Sect Master—take sixty percent, and the screenwriter—me—take ten percent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s gaze toward Zheng Fa softened slightly: “That’s a bit unfair to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfair?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sister, you have no idea how miserable modern screenwriters are!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ‘World Within the Hut’ technique is what matters most,” Zheng Fa said sincerely. “The story can be tried by other disciples later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, why is he being treated unfairly?” Yuan Shijie said, puzzled. “If the Administration Hall profits, isn’t that Jiushan Sect profiting? Won’t Jiushan Sect—won’t it be yours one day, Dishi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the Sect Master’s share, later…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wu…wu…” Yuan Shijie, her mouth sealed by a spirit talisman, couldn’t utter a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie, thinking about an old man’s inheritance… fine to think, but never say it aloud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Jiushan Sect disciples were eager to see the theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering costs, Zhang Shijie and Zheng Fa decided to show “Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian” again only after half a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Future theater screenings would likely follow this schedule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Showing it every half month took into account disciples’ limited income—twice a month was already high spending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More often might seem to encourage indulgence and neglect of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, it matched the arrival of the shuttle ships every half month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, those outside cultivators were the main target audience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a month later, “Saving Xiao Xiu Pang Qian” premiered again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the crowd was much larger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of Jiushan Sect’s thousands, about two-thirds came to the theater, plus curious outside cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first glance, the ten-thousand-seat theater was packed to capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan slipped furtively into the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wore the face of Sun Dao Yu, Senior Brother Sun—he had slapped a transformation talisman on himself before coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past half-month, the popularity of “Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian” has grown fiercer and fiercer within the Nine Mountains Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those disciples who had seen the preview screenings, who spent these days boasting about how magnificent the play was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made listeners itch to see it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, his master, True Person Pang, had consistently forbidden his disciples from attending; even now, as “Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian” was being re-staged, he still strictly forbade them from watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan was curious, and after much thought, he could only go disguised as Senior Brother Sun Dao Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why he didn’t transform into a stranger—that was because he had bought an internal ticket; only someone from the Nine Mountains Sect could enter the theater with one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why he chose to become Senior Brother Sun—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was because turning into someone else might cause him to run into the original person in the theater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t that be awkward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could only transform into someone from Master Pang’s lineage—those senior brothers couldn’t attend anyway, so he’d likely not meet the original.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Brother Sun was perfect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent a long time with him; impersonating Senior Brother Sun came naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as he walked past the ticket checkpoint, he entered the theater without a single person noticing his disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The play had not yet begun; Zhou Gan idly glanced around, then spotted someone he recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, not someone he recognized—he saw himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan stared fixedly at the man; the man seemed to sense his gaze and turned to look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that moment of eye contact, both recognized each other’s identities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Sun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan mouthed the question silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man across from him nodded, both of them looking bewildered—had all this transformation been for nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, Zhou Gan arrived atop the Eighth Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master coldly asked him: “Did you go see that play yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan quickly replied: “It wasn’t me—it was Senior Brother Sun!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he silently apologized to Senior Brother Sun inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But frankly—that man yesterday who looked like Zhou Gan was truly Senior Brother Sun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Funny, your Senior Brother Sun said the same thing,” True Person Pang snorted. “You both disguised yourselves to sneak in—I saw you both clearly from here! Disobeying your master is bad enough, but now you’re hiding your faces and shaming me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan, staring at his sneering master, hung his head in shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, his actions had been too sneaky—undignified and underhanded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you watched it too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile on True Person Pang’s face slowly faded, replaced by a hint of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Skipping tickets... isn’t that even worse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan asked earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Sect Master’s thatched hut, Zheng Fa was discussing with the Sect Master what the next play should be when—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie suddenly said to him: “Zheng Shi-di, I’m considering assigning you as a lecturer at the Talisman Hall. Would you be willing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s words caught Zheng Fa off guard; he looked up at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gave him a gentle nod, her expression serious—as if she had pondered this for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Zhou Gan beside him frowned, looking thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he had begun to understand Zhang Shijie’s intent.\u003C\u002Fp>",1776,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a48a17879def52af565ac6f1193800c3363eea84822f05a86e113dab436775c6","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-131","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-129",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]