[{"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-133":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},2263859,4418,"Chapter 133: Worrier","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-133",133,"\u003Cp>I still need to go see it in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the data sent by the survey team, Zheng Fa paused and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not that Aunt Ye’s survey team isn’t thorough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, these are likely all professionals, and their investigation was extremely detailed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The data sent included not only photos but also some local geographic information collected on-site.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even some video footage taken by drones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Spirit Mountain Method is not a technique from this world, and some of the Sect Master’s discussions in the Treatise on Spirit Veins appear mystical by modern standards, making them impossible to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only by going there himself could he truly determine whether the location was suitable for the Spirit Mountain Method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least we’ve ruled out two places,” Tang Lingwumin nodded beside him, then added reassuringly: “There are still two left—we’ll find time to check them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought for a moment, feeling troubled: “We don’t have time before the college entrance exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They only get one day off every two weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A round trip to Beijing takes at least half a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add in the time needed to explore the mountains, and it’s impossible to do in less than two or three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he also wanted to confirm the retirement home’s location as soon as possible—he was already at Qi Refining fifth layer, just two or three months away from seventh layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be best if Aunt Ye could start construction before he reached Qi Refining seventh layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about taking leave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Chen…,” Zheng Fa shook his head slightly: “He’s a worrier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen had been his homeroom teacher for nearly three years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa could tell something of his personality—the teacher was so responsible he bordered on nagging.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worrier…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You could easily ask for leave,” Zheng Fa explained to Tang Lingwumin: “You don’t even attend classes anyway, and having your mother request it for you is simple… but I can’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin immediately understood what Zheng Fa meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had no parents…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he lived right on campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skipping class anywhere made it easy for him to get caught at home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Old Chen’s worrisome nature, Zheng Fa couldn’t find a legitimate reason to request leave, let alone an adult to vouch for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought for a moment and said: “I’ll try asking Old Chen in a couple of days—if that doesn’t work, I’ll just act first and explain later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly! We cultivators value freedom—we aren’t bound by a simple leave slip!” the old white-bearded man beside him agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin nodded slightly, though her gaze held a thoughtful look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa hadn’t even gone to ask Old Chen for leave yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen suddenly came to find him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The school is organizing a study tour,” Old Chen called Zheng Fa into his office: “The top twenty students in the senior year can go—voluntary sign-up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Study tour?” Zheng Fa blinked, then asked: “Where to?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen’s expression was odd, as if he himself barely believed the answer: “Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the past, even going to a provincial capital was considered a huge expense… this time they’re being generous—not only are we going to Beijing, but we’re flying round-trip, lasting about three to four days,” Old Chen said, looking baffled at Zheng Fa: “Of the top twenty in this month’s exam, our class has only two—yourself and Tang Lingwumin. I’ve already asked Tang Lingwumin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…,” Zheng Fa’s expression grew increasingly strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said she needs to ask her mother; since you have no parents, I can ask you directly,” Old Chen added: “Oh, and this study tour is free.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell silent for a long time, then forced his face into a serious nod: “I’ll go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, I’ll register you… you can go back now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zheng Fa reached the door, he still heard Old Chen muttering behind him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they’re going to waste money like this, why not just give me a raise?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the classroom, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but glance at Tang Lingwumin, who pretended not to notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin didn’t even look at him, her eyes sternly fixed on the book in front of her—she must have found some incredible fascination in this Data Structures and Algorithms textbook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he passed her desk, he caught a faint upward curve at the corner of her lips—she was clearly smug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did Old Chen want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he returned to his seat, Wang Chen asked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the study tour.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Study tour?” Wang Chen’s eyes lit up: “Are we going out? Where? Provincial capital?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beijing,” Zheng Fa paused, looking at Wang Chen’s eager face: “It’s just me—not us. You’ll have to wait for next time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean next time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next time means when you rank in the top twenty of the entire grade,” Zheng Fa thought for a moment and added: “And only if some rich little heiress happens to have money burning a hole in her pocket.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a bit hard…” Wang Chen understood, his expression sinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Keep trying, maybe…” Zheng Fa still wanted to encourage him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I usually wake up laughing halfway through that dream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day of the “study tour” arrived soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people went to Beijing this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the top twenty students in the grade showed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense—traveling to Beijing round-trip wasn’t cheap, especially under the guise of a study tour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Few parents would object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides these twenty students, the school assigned three adults to accompany them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen, a female teacher, and a vice principal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once we’re out, I’m responsible for your safety,” Old Chen warned the students seriously: “No one is allowed to go out alone. Boys, report to me if you want to leave; girls, report to Teacher Wang. Follow all instructions outside—understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded eagerly, their faces brimming with excitement regardless of gender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus waiting for them was already parked at the school gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Zheng Fa saw the driver, he was one hundred percent certain this was Tang Lingwumin’s doing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Big Pants, don’t think wearing slacks and sunglasses today fools me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the bus, the vice principal and the two teachers sat in the front row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other students filed in one by one, each finding their own seats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa sat in the third-to-last row, practically behind everyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was tacitly aware—unless they were close, they sat alone in a row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what puzzled Zheng Fa was that several boys who had originally sat by the aisle suddenly switched to window seats, as if leaving space for someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Tang Lingwumin boarded and he saw the suppressed anticipation on those boys’ faces, Zheng Fa understood…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin stood at the bus door, glanced at the driver, then scanned the cabin, walking straight toward Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After she sat beside him, Zheng Fa saw those boys quietly move back to their original seats…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You arranged this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin shook her head quickly, as if denying everything. Seeing Zheng Fa still looked unconvinced, she whispered: “Group effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached Beijing, Zheng Fa understood what “group effort” meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hotel wasn’t expensive—just an economy chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was paired in a double room with a boy he didn’t know well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two were stuck in awkward silence when the door suddenly knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zheng Fa opened it, not only was Tang Lingwumin standing there, but also Aunt Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised Zheng Fa most—was the old white-bearded man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re all…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go while we talk—I’ve already informed your principal,” Aunt Ye said softly: “Time is tight… it’ll take hours to reach the mountains, so we leave tonight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can go alone,” Zheng Fa immediately understood Aunt Ye’s intent, glancing outside at the dark sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was already past ten at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d likely have to hike through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who’d be comfortable with that at this hour?” Aunt Ye waved her hand: “If you’re worried I’ll tire… just give me a massage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-bearded man beside him quickly added: “I want one too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he addicted to the Spirit-Nourishing Charm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upstairs, Old Chen and the vice principal shared a room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Through the window, he spotted Zheng Fa’s group: “That’s Zheng Fa… where are they heading?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened the window to call out to Zheng Fa, when a hand clamped down on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t call out—I agreed,” the vice principal said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen was baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know how this study trip came about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it organized by the school?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah!” The vice principal gave him a look of pure innocence: “Does our school have this kind of money to waste on anything else?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me tell you the truth—someone came to us with money, claiming it was a social donation... Can you guess who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vice principal patted Old Chen’s shoulder. “Besides, the visit to Beijing University was arranged by them—otherwise, how would our school even have the face to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the backs of Zheng Fa and the others, then suddenly said, “So this whole trip is just to make vinegar for Zheng Fa—and we’re the dumplings?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But still...” Old Chen frowned. “Zheng Fa’s family isn’t around—I still need to keep a closer eye on him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...” The vice principal sighed. “They don’t want Zheng Fa treated differently—they spent big money to make everything seamless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look—the students get to relax and broaden their horizons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The school gets photos, writes a few promotional articles, and has something to boast about later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, two knocks came at their door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the two of us,” the vice principal opened the door and returned, grinning, holding four bottles of beer and a large bag of grilled skewers, “we got the freedom every married man dreams of!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone wins!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But does Zheng Fa even know...?” Old Chen stared at Zheng Fa’s back, still uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his line of sight, Zheng Fa suddenly raised his arm and waved it in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen’s phone vibrated. He picked it up, glanced at it, then smiled and walked inside. “Huh? Principal, you’re hoarding the booze all to yourself? Drinking alone is no fun—I’ll keep you company!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vice, vice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I get it, Principal!” Old Chen laughed, snatching a skewer. “It’s bound to happen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa lowered his arm. Tang Lingwumin, curious, asked, “What were you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sending a safety update to a man who worries too much,” Zheng Fa replied, then turned to the old white-haired man beside him. “Why are you here too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I arranged your visit to Beijing University—and came to see someone...” The old man’s eyes flickered, as if harboring other thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See someone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A dying man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s tone carried weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understood... This was a test of his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>",1809,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","470fdf9cfab46b33c17345a43a367aea23b499752d8123825c68b2d677eccdfa","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-134","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-132",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]