Chapter 132: Learn Learn

These past few days, Zheng Fa felt the spiritual energy in his dantian gradually overflowing, with a premonition that he was about to break through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

He sat on the cushion, swallowed a Yuan Yuan Dan, and prepared to condense the fourth Yang Yuanfu.

Regarding the choice of the ten Yang Yuanfu, he already had a certain plan in mind—

Roughly divided into three categories:

First, definitely ensuring his own safety; for instance, the first Yang Yuanfu, the Upright Shadowless Talisman, or even the second, the Frost Blade Talisman, were not entirely useless in the modern world.

At the very least, he was now an expert at assassination, making it so that not only could the killer not be found, but the weapon could not be found either.

A perfect crime was a piece of cake.

The second type of Yang Yuanfu he wanted was one that could acquire resources in the modern world.

This category was represented by the Spirit-Nourishing Talisman.

The third type was a category of talismans and incantations that Zheng Fa had not yet condensed but had long planned for—those that could be used to build a nursing home, cultivate power, or even aid research.

Especially the "Spirit Mountain Method" modified by the Sect Master, which also required the use of talismans and incantations in some places.

Counting it up, ten talismans and incantations were actually a bit few.

For the first three talismans and incantations, Zheng Fa condensed the Upright Shadowless Talisman, the Frost Blade Talisman, and the Spirit-Nourishing Talisman, which respectively belonged to the Earth, Metal, and Water elements among the Yin talismans and incantations.

Therefore, the talisman and incantation condensed this time could only be chosen from the Yin Wood element.

Zheng Fa originally had other plans, but he changed his mind at the last moment and chose a Yang Yuanfu called the Evergreen Talisman.

This was a talisman and incantation most commonly used by spirit farmers in the Xuanwei Realm—its effects were very broad, having the efficacy of promoting growth, nourishing, and healing for spirit plants.

Although the effect was not that strong.

Among spirit farmers, it was very popular as an all-purpose spirit talisman.

Zheng Fa wanted to condense this Yang Yuanfu not only because its attributes matched, but also because he considered the future development of the nursing home—he wanted to open up spirit fields at the nursing home to see.

On one hand, if some spirit grains and spirit plants that did not exist in the modern world could be cultivated in the spirit fields, simply selling them outward would yield huge returns.

But the most important factor that made Zheng Fa choose this talisman and incantation was actually the argument between Zhang Shijie and Pang True Person.

Zhang Shijie wanted to forge a new path, so she wanted to create a new Dao of Talismans.

Zheng Fa agreed with her philosophy, but he was not as optimistic as she was—could the Dao of Talismans really solve the problem of declining spiritual energy when it reached its end?

He feared that even Zhang Shijie herself did not have such great confidence.

Choosing the Evergreen Talisman was because he wanted to see if, in the future, spirit plants and modern agriculture could be combined to research agricultural techniques suitable for spirit plant cultivation, thereby giving back to the Jiushan Sect and the Xuanwei Realm.

Not to mention solving the problem of declining spiritual energy, even if they could research methods to increase spirit plant yields, it would be of great use to the Jiushan Sect.

Whether this matter would succeed or not, he dared not be certain in his heart.

But having one more possibility, in Zheng Fa's view, was worth it.

Soon, the Evergreen Talisman was condensed to completion in Zheng Fa's dantian, landing beside the Spirit-Nourishing Talisman.

With the successful condensation of the Evergreen Talisman, a small vortex of spiritual energy appeared above Zheng Fa's courtyard—he had broken through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

……

"Disciple Zheng has broken through again."

On the Eighth Peak, Pang True Person sighed and turned his head to look at Zhou Qianyuan beside him.

Zhou Qianyuan's expression was a bit embarrassed—he knew what his master meant; he had not yet broken through to the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

Zheng Fa's aptitude was much worse than his, yet now he had surpassed him.

"Disciple was a bit lax these past few days," Zhou Qianyuan said shamefacedly.

"This matter is not entirely your fault," Pang True Person did not demand much of him at this moment: "These past few days, you did not live well under my sect, so having no heart for cultivation is understandable."

"These past few days you have been following them to learn talismans and incantations every day, and you also have to study the Dao of Talismans at night, leaving no time for cultivation."

Zhou Qianyuan's face relaxed slightly.

"But... Qianyuan, you must understand, whether it is Disciple Zheng or Disciple Zhang, they are both the most outstanding geniuses of our Jiushan Sect in this generation," Pang True Person's tone carried some admonition: "You are now valued by them because of your talent, but if you fall too far behind..."

"Disciple understands!"

Zhou Qianyuan's expression tightened.

"Look at Disciple Zheng; you have many troubling matters, but aren't his ordinary matters even more numerous? The market, the play, and the Dao of Talismans..." Pang True Person continued to educate: "But in my eyes, he has never been lax in cultivation for a single day."

"Disciple..." Zhou Qianyuan was even more ashamed.

"Letting you follow him is not only to let you learn the Dao of Talismans; more importantly, it is to let you see how Disciple Zhang and Disciple Zheng treat cultivation," Pang True Person said softly.

"Yes!"

"A few days ago, you said Disciple Zhang intended for Zheng Fa to take charge of the Talisman Pavilion," Pang True Person nodded and said: "Just look, does he have the ability to make your senior brothers submit their hearts? If he can, then give this to him."

Pang True Person took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhou Qianyuan.

"Master?"

"As payment for my play tickets," Pang True Person said, pouting.

……

"It's fixed!" In the Ninth Peak, the Sect Master proudly said to Zheng Fa, Zhang Shijie, and the others.

Zheng Fa was stunned.

This old man actually did it so fast?

Cultivation level is indeed the primary productive force!

"How about we try it?"

Yuan Shijie heard this and said eagerly, ready to try.

When she heard Zheng Fa's proposal earlier, she had already become interested in this game.

Zhang Shijie also had a look of keen interest on her face.

The Sect Master threw out a dozen or so talismans and incantations.

Zheng Fa's vision blurred for a moment—then he realized nothing had changed.

Before him still stood the Jiushan Sect.

Now he somewhat understood why this old man had been so fast.

"I set up this illusionary realm based on the Jiushan Sect," his master's voice transmitted beside his ear: "Within this illusionary realm, you possess your own cultivation, magical treasures, and spirit talismans—there is only one difference from reality: you cannot die!"

Somehow, Zheng Fa detected thick malice in this old man's voice.

……

Half an hour later, Zheng Fa, face pale, looked at the three people before him.

The Sect Leader wore a smile of satisfaction.

Shijie Zhang gazed at the sky.

Shijie Yuan looked at the ground.

Simply refusing to look at him.

Of these three, two were at the Jin Dan stage, one at the Nascent Soul stage—what was it like for him, a mere Qi Condensation cultivator, to play games with these three?

Let me put it this way—

For him, this was Grandma Wu entering Lion Camel Ridge for the third time.

For these three, this was three heroes battling Lin Daiyu.

Several hundred spectacular deaths!

The one who struck most viciously was his very own master.

"Ahem..." The Sect Leader, unable to sit still under Zheng Fa's resentful gaze, turned to Shijie Zhang and the other: "What do you two think?"

"Quite good."

"I think it's excellent!"

Both nodded in agreement.

"No good!" Zheng Fa spoke up: "It must be changed."

"I know you suffered a bit just now..." the Sect Leader said somewhat unwillingly.

Clearly, this old man was too lazy to make changes.

The looks in Shijie Zhang and the other's eyes also conveyed this meaning—they both believed Zheng Fa was objecting simply because his gaming experience had been too poor.

"... That is not the reason; the entire set of rules must be changed."

Zheng Fa's expression, however, was utterly serious.

"First, this illusionary realm has too few maps, and since they know the Jiushan Sect too well, it cannot test these disciples' adaptability in unfamiliar locations."

Hearing this, Shijie Zhang and the other couldn't help but nod slightly.

Clearly, they were now treating Zheng Fa's suggestion with greater seriousness.

"Second, we cannot allow these disciples to fight individually," Zheng Fa added: "One reason we created this thing is to cultivate the disciples' practical combat abilities; another is to encourage mutual cooperation. Especially for lower-level disciples, having some coordination greatly increases survival rates compared to fighting alone."

"You mean..." The Sect Leader also began to ponder thoughtfully.

"Form teams; compete in small squad formations."

Seeing that all three seemed persuaded by his words,

Zheng Fa voiced his most important consideration: "Finally, there is the issue of cost. Master, how much did it cost to establish this talisman array?"

"Fifteen Earth-grade talismans."

The Sect Leader said, frowning, apparently understanding his point.

"This cost is too high," Zheng Fa stated: "One trial session costs more than a theatrical play... this violates our original intention of letting disciples undergo more trials—we might as well let them risk their lives for real."

"Add maps, change the mechanics, reduce costs." Zheng Fa smiled, looking at his master's resistant expression: "Master, this all depends on you."

……

Modern times.

After another monthly exam, the atmosphere in the classroom held a strangely joyful air—

Exams, of course, could not be called enjoyable.

But the brief relief after finishing them made people cherish it all the more; the classmates in the classroom also knew that at this time, the teachers' demands on them would relax slightly.

Zheng Fa put down the textbook in his hand and suddenly spoke to Wang Chen behind him: "Do you have time?"

"... Whether I do or not depends on what matter you're talking about," Wang Chen replied vigilantly.

"I just want to ask you to teach me how to play games."

Zheng Fa's words made Wang Chen widen his eyes; he thought for a moment: "What kind of game? Connect-the-dots? Little Tadpole Looking for Mom?"

"Just the popular games on the market, preferably ones with some competitive element."

In previous years, Zheng Fa had devoted himself entirely to study and hadn't played many games.

Regarding improving the simulated trial, he couldn't help much with either changing the maps or reducing costs.

But game mechanics, he could draw lessons from.

Upon hearing this, Wang Chen became excited; he secretly pulled out his mobile phone from his desk and said: "Come, come, I'll teach you!"

Zheng Fa also took out his phone, followed him to download several hit games from the app market, and started playing.

"Zheng Fa, my mom said the expedition team has sent the report back."

While he was playing games with his head lowered, Tang Lingwu's voice came from above his head.

"Then let's go check at Teacher Bai's house later," Zheng Fa responded without lifting his head, right in the middle of a tense moment.

Tang Lingwu didn't leave either; she just stood beside Zheng Fa, curiously staring at the screen of Zheng Fa's phone.

It was evident that she hadn't played many games either.

"Wang Chen! What are you doing?" Just as Wang Chen was immersed in the game, Old Chen's sinister voice came from behind him: "Playing games?"

Wang Chen's hand trembled, and he looked in terror at Old Chen's face, which was filled with anger.

"Did you do very well on your exams? Or are you guaranteed admission to a prestigious university? At a time like this, you still have the mind to play games?"

After finishing his scolding, Old Chen looked up again and saw Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu with their heads together, seemingly studying jointly; turning back to Wang Chen, he lectured with the frustration of iron that refuses to become steel:

"Look at Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu! They are the top two in the class again! What are they doing? Why can't you learn from them?" As he spoke, he walked forward, stopping beside Zheng Fa's desk.

Seeing the familiar scene on Zheng Fa's phone screen, Old Chen's mouth twitched as he said, "Can't you at least learn from their spirit of balancing work and rest?"