[{"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-135":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},2263861,4418,"Chapter 135: Politeness","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-135",135,"\u003Cp>\"I heard Zheng Shi-di is going to give a lecture at the Rune Law Hall tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi was walking toward the marketplace when a thin, tall man beside him suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lecture?\" Han Qi was curious—he hadn’t heard a thing: \"Zheng Shi-di giving a lecture?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, I heard he’s now a lecturer at the Rune Law Hall,\" the thin man said, relaying the gossip he’d picked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We should go tomorrow to support Zheng Shi-di—just in case something happens.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi paused, then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean, Senior Brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know what the Rune Law Hall is like—it’s trouble-prone!\" Han Qi said with concern: \"Zheng Shi-di’s still at Qi Refining. Holding his own against new Qi Refining disciples is no problem, but past lecturers were all Foundation Establishment Senior Brothers—I’m afraid they’ll sideline him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin man nodded silently, about to speak again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man suddenly passed by him, head bowed, steps hurried—as if afraid lingering too long would draw attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to notice Han Qi and the others, and bumped hard into the thin man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin man, caught off guard, stumbled forward and glared up at the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh? Li Senior Brother?\" the thin man cried, surprise flashing across his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Li Senior Brother wore a coarse cotton Jiu Shan Sect disciple robe, its cuffs worn thin from washing—uncommon even in Jiu Shan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most Jiu Shan disciples didn’t wash clothes at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For one, even if they wanted to, most would just use a Purification Rune—a yellow-grade rune that cleansed them inside and out, like bathing while still wearing your clothes, washing them along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the clean version.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more importantly, though low-tier disciples were poor by Jiu Shan standards, they were still rich compared to common folk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cotton cloth, which required no spiritual materials to produce, was extremely cheap in the marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was common for Jiu Shan disciples to simply throw out dirty robes and buy new ones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most disciples, unless they had odd habits, dressed quite neatly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Han Qi and the others knew this Li Senior Brother was genuinely poor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother looked up at the three, pulled his hands deeper into his sleeves, and his face flushed with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Li Senior Brother, where are you headed?\" Han Qi smiled, bowing politely, his tone warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Han Qi’s confident demeanor and the uniform of a marketplace enforcer, Li Senior Brother grew even more self-conscious, lowering his eyes: \"I... I’m going to find some work in the marketplace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then you picked a great day!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A great day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, the marketplace is packed with outside cultivators—they’re willing to spend! If you work the docks all day, you’ll earn two or three times your usual wage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\" Li Senior Brother, rarely venturing out, didn’t know how much the marketplace had changed: \"Then... I’ll be off, Senior Brothers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take your time, don’t rush!\" Han Qi called after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him walk away, the thin man sighed: \"Senior Brother, how did Li Senior Brother end up like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: \"Among the Senior Brothers we originally followed, Li Senior Brother had the best temperament—he was considerate... His talent was decent too, but he kept obsessing over rune seals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard his father was also from Jiu Shan Sect... and had some connection to Zhang Shijie’s Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thin man mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Li Senior Brother’s father was a Foundation Establishment cultivator—they’d always been under Zhang Shijie’s lineage,\" Han Qi explained: \"But Li Senior Brother’s father died in an explosion caused by a rune seal—and took several other disciples with him. That’s how the family fell. I never expected Li Senior Brother would get hooked on it too—probably spent every last coin on it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Senior Brother’s bowed figure vanish into the marketplace, Han Qi couldn’t help but sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d originally followed Li Senior Brother—truthfully, aside from being poor, life had been quite pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother had a good temper, rarely went out, and never caused trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just have them run errands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, as his fortunes worsened, he could no longer afford to support the three of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they’d parted amicably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that his own life had improved slightly, he’d grown softer—seeing Li Senior Brother sink further into poverty, he felt a pity he’d never felt before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother walked through the marketplace, head down, avoiding eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that if he looked up, he’d see unfriendly glares—six out of ten rune-sellers in the marketplace disliked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since his father’s death, they’d turned his father and him into a joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother knew he wouldn’t find work in the marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as a shop assistant, not as a bookkeeper, not even as a simple laborer hauling goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any Jiu Shan disciple who knew him wouldn’t hire him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who didn’t know him learned quickly from others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over time, no Jiu Shan disciple in the marketplace would employ him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had a way to earn money—go to the docks and find outside disciples who didn’t know him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guide them, run errands—enough to cover basic needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trudged through the marketplace to the docks, and realized Han Qi and the others were right—the docks were swarming with outside cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a middle-aged cultivator who looked wealthy hired him to show him around Jiu Shan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, the middle-aged man asked questions—clearly curious about many things in Jiu Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master, do you know who proposed the free shuttle boats for Jiu Shan Sect?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked Li Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother paused—he’d heard of this before. Living by the docks, the shuttle boats were big news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think... Zheng Shi-di?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zheng Fa?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, the cultivator immediately named Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother froze, his expression turning wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t stupid—he could tell this man wasn’t here to sightsee, but to probe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his expression, the man admitted frankly: \"To be honest, I’m in charge of the marketplace for Qian He Sect nearby. Your marketplace is thriving, and I came to learn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly, after watching so long, your free shuttle boats are something we could adopt,\" the middle-aged man sighed: \"But your... theater... ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Theater?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a blind spot for Li Senior Brother—he looked confused, utterly unfamiliar with the term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t know what theater is? It’s Zheng Fa’s doing!\" the middle-aged cultivator said, as if incredulous, pointing to a distant circular amphitheater: \"Inside there—it’s amazing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sounded like a Jiu Shan native, pushing it like a sales pitch: \"I tell you, I came just to watch once... but after watching, I wanted to see it again! I’m coming back next month!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother stared, then murmured: \"Really that good?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Listen, Young Master,\" the middle-aged cultivator said with envy: \"I may run the Qian He marketplace now, and I’m someone important—but when I think of how easily you can watch theater, with internal tickets... I truly regret not joining Jiu Shan Sect back then!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"... \" Li Senior Brother twitched his lips, suddenly feeling his worn, faded Jiu Shan robe had gained value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, he felt a strange pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’d say Jiu Shan was stronger than Qian He before—but ordinary disciples’ lives were similar! It’s Zheng Fa—he came and created all these new things... I think he’s the kind of person who loves trying new things, and actually makes them work!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At parting, the middle-aged cultivator sighed again to Li Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his way back, Li Senior Brother couldn’t stop turning those words over in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he thought, the stronger the urge grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Loves new things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rushed into the marketplace and found Han Qi and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you’re now under Zheng Shi-di?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Senior Brother’s eager face, Han Qi and the others were baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, could you three introduce me to him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Senior Brother said bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, Zheng Fa arrived at the Rune Law Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped through the courtyard gate, he felt a pang of reflection—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d only been here three times before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three times, as a new disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, this fourth time, he was the lecturer—in less than half a year since enrollment, Zhang Shijie told me to be headmaster—this felt absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students hadn’t arrived yet, but the lecturers had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And they’d come in droves—it was clear many had come because of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Qi Refining newcomer, enrolled for less than half a year, becoming a lecturer at the Rune Law Hall—this was undeniably attention-grabbing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the lecturers watching him, Zheng Fa bowed deeply, posture humble: \"This junior has no experience as a lecturer. If I make any mistakes, please, Senior Brothers, guide me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense! Your rune talent is legendary!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need for guidance—let’s exchange insights!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We senior brothers may well need to learn from you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These senior brothers behaved more and more politely, even somewhat humbly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa felt even more embarrassed and continued humbly: “I don’t fully understand the rules of the Spirit Character Hall; if I’ve offended anyone, I humbly ask all senior brothers to forgive me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re all fellow disciples of the same sect—why talk about rules?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stood up and looked at these friendly, courteous senior brothers, and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that talk about disputes in the Spirit Character Hall, about the two factions being like water and fire!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that talk about senior brothers despising me for my low Qi Refining cultivation and rising too fast?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s all slander from outside enemies!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just look at this atmosphere!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t it excellent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Zhang Shijie watched this scene of fraternal harmony, nodded, and gave a quiet, self-effacing smile as she slowly walked out of the Spirit Character Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a random passing thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the disciples come to listen to the Character Discourse began to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa found an empty room and waited for the disciples to come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the surface, the Spirit Character Hall’s rule was that students chose their own instructors—anyone could attend whomever they liked, with no forced assignments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, there were usually only two instructors present—one from each faction—so unless a student was rebellious enough to defy their master and betray the sect, they had little choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Zheng Fa represented the faction led by Zhang Shijie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Zheng Fa hadn’t expected was that the first to enter were several Character Discourse Hall instructors—including one from Pang Shu’s faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Zhang Shijie could make them courteous, but not truly respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>",1773,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","6af132b6a157b9b81e59faeafaa86f28fe538fff685ec39ee2068451e310f013","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-136","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-134",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]