[{"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-140":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},2263866,4418,"Chapter 140: The Entrustment","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-140",140,"\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa’s slightly moved expression, Zhang Shijie smiled and suddenly said, “I’ll handle this as soon as possible—I’ll be leaving the sect for a while in a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leaving the sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, puzzled why Zhang Shijie had brought this up suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Zhang Shijie’s personality somewhat—she wasn’t the type to travel; unless Zheng Fa sought her out, and even then only when handling sect affairs, she usually stayed home to cultivate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Basically, she was a homebody.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, most cultivators in the Xuanwei Realm were a bit homebodies, since they spent most of their time cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie explained, “I told you before—there’s been a spiritual vein emerging in Taiyang County, and the Changchun Sect has begged for help repeatedly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa remembered—Zhang Shijie had previously planned to send Yuan Shijie there for exactly this reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now… why was Zhang Shijie going herself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I originally wanted to send Yuan Shimei because I thought you might face difficulties managing the marketplace—I was worried.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie, as if reading Zheng Fa’s thoughts, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood—Zhang Shijie meant he had performed too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Zhang Shijie stayed, Zheng Fa’s burden would be much lighter—he could simply consult her whenever he faced a difficult decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yuan Shijie…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, considering Yuan Shijie had always been kind to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa politely stopped thinking further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, what exactly is a spiritual vein?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s explanation didn’t fully ease Zheng Fa’s unease—Zhang Shijie, in both wisdom and cultivation, was like an anchor holding the Jiushan Sect steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought the three Nascent Soul elders within the sect seemed unreliable, while Zhang Shijie bore the most burdens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything that could make her leave the sect couldn’t possibly be as trivial as she made it sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help but feel worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spiritual vein…” Seeing his persistent questioning, Zhang Shijie smiled, sensing his concern—her voice softened: “A spiritual vein and a spiritual vein are essentially the same thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spiritual vein?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was startled—this was no small matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had read the Sect Master’s “Treatise on Spiritual Veins,” knowing that in the Xuanwei Realm, a spiritual vein was the very foundation of a sect’s survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now, with spiritual energy in decline, a rich, abundant spiritual vein was even more vital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spiritual veins usually lie on the surface and can gather spiritual energy over long periods for cultivators to draw upon,” Zhang Shijie explained to Zheng Fa and the others. “But a spiritual vein differs—it also gathers spiritual energy, yet it is often buried extremely deep underground, unknown to all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So when a spiritual vein emerges?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When a spiritual vein accumulates enough energy, it erupts, causing disturbances in the ambient spiritual energy, and only then do cultivators notice it,” Zhang Shijie added, seeing Zheng Fa still looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even after the eruption, the spiritual energy will slowly dissipate, but after so many years of accumulation, a spiritual vein often contains many valuable treasures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you mean—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A spirit stone mine has been discovered in the Taiyang County spiritual vein.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spirit… stone… mine…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa instantly understood why Zhang Shijie had to go herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister,” Zheng Fa frowned, “if a spirit stone mine has emerged… doesn’t that mean chaos is coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa knew perfectly well how vital spirit stones were to cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could serve as currency among cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also aided cultivation—though in this era, few cultivators were so wasteful as to use them directly for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were irreplaceable in array crafting and other fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Taiyang County is already in chaos—the Changchun Sect’s Sect Master has sent multiple messages saying not only have cultivators from the Hundred Immortal Alliance appeared, but also members of other sects, and even traces of the Demon Cult have been spotted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The Changchun Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Changchun Sect’s founding ancestor was once a disciple of our Jiushan Sect. After forming his Golden Core, he established his own family, which later grew into a small sect—but they’ve always shown great respect to us and regularly offered tribute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded, understanding that the Changchun Sect was likely a staunch vassal of Jiushan Sect—perhaps even founded with Jiushan’s covert support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa now grasped the importance of the spiritual vein’s emergence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie added suddenly: “The Shiwu Pavilion has long had its own systems—I’m not worried about that. But the marketplace has changed greatly—now there are arrival ships and theatrical performances—I’m still uneasy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister!” Yuan Shijie patted her chest. “Leave the marketplace to me—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng Fa,” Zhang Shijie interrupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie watched in stunned silence as Zhang Shijie pointed at herself and entrusted Zheng Fa: “Take care of Yuan Shimei too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and Yuan Shijie walked out of Zhang Shijie’s courtyard side by side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After walking a long distance, Yuan Shijie slowly dropped her pouty expression and said to Zheng Fa: “Taiyang County probably won’t be easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Shijie only indulges in her appetites when a great war is about to come,” Yuan Shijie said slowly, her face unusually grave. “She doesn’t even realize she has this habit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa staring at her,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie frowned: “Why are you looking at me like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I never thought you’d have such insight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pfft, when you care about too many things, I’d rather be a bird—free and easy,” Yuan Shijie tilted her head, looking smug. “Anyway, Zhang Shijie has sent many people to Taiyang County recently.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa recalled—when he had visited the Fu Fa Pavilion, he’d noticed many instructors from Zhang Shijie’s lineage were gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed they’d gone to Taiyang County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But with Zhang Shijie’s strength, even if she clashes with a Nascent Soul True Person, she won’t be in serious danger… then I can just go to Taiyang County to visit her!” Yuan Shijie thought for a moment, apparently having comforted herself again, grinning carefree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zheng Fa walked home, his brow furrowed unconsciously, his heart heavy with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s departure meant losing a powerful ally within the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t worth worrying about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His status as Sect Master’s disciple and Yuan Shijie’s backing were enough to let him walk freely through Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Yuan Shijie’s words made him realize—his cultivation was still far too low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So low that Zhang Shijie didn’t feel comfortable telling him the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now, he truly couldn’t offer any real help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Zheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zheng Fa reached his doorstep, he suddenly heard someone calling out to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up—it was Zhou Gan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood outside Zheng Fa’s gate, as if waiting for him a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Brother Zhou? You’re looking for me?” Zheng Fa invited Zhou Gan inside and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing urgent,” Zhou Gan shook his head, pulling out the jade cylinder bestowed by Master Pang and adding with concern: “But Senior Brother, your brow was furrowed earlier—did you have trouble? Can I help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t hide it—he and Zhou Gan were now familiar enough to speak openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed: “I just feel my cultivation is too low.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too low?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan paused, staring at the jade cylinder in his hand, seeming hesitant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—I’m only at Qi Refining fifth layer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother, I’m only at Qi Refining fourth layer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan cut him off, his tone slightly plaintive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere turned awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan pursed his lips and handed the jade cylinder to Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan’s face was serious: “This is the jade cylinder my master gave me—he said to deliver it to you on a suitable day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa reached out to take the cylinder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, a cheerful clamor erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng Fa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s courtyard gate burst open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice and the action—both felt familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng Fa! I came to see you!” The Seventh Young Master’s voice rang through the gate as he strode into the courtyard, exclaiming cheerfully: “Surprise!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dashed to the main hall’s entrance, still talking: “I thought, your father has your sister with him at Qingmu Sect, but you’re alone here in Jiushan Sect with no family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must be lonely!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So as soon as I could leave the sect, I came to find you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Seventh Young Master peered inside and saw Zheng Fa’s hand resting on Zhou Gan’s arm, about to take the jade cylinder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two looked intimately close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trembled his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Zheng Fa, then at Zhou Gan, his expression was complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa silently withdrew his hand, feeling an awkwardness like being caught in adultery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seventh Young Master? What are you doing here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hurried toward the door and saw another familiar figure: “Miss Zhao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Zhao stood at the door, shaking her head at her dejected younger brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was going out on business and passed by Jiushan Sect. This one insisted on coming along…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who insisted on coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Young Master stood at the main hall’s entrance, looking slightly wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Zhao shot him a glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came… I came to watch the play!” Seventh Young Master snorted. “The reputation of Jiushan Sect’s play has reached Qingmu Sect. What’s wrong with me coming to see it? I’ll leave right after!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Zheng Fa couldn’t help smiling: “Seventh Young Master, I’m thrilled you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Seventh Young Master’s expression slowly brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—I have no family or connections in Jiushan Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what about him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s here to deliver something for his master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan nodded silently and lifted the jade cylinder in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Signaling he was merely a simple errand boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Young Master laughed, slinging an arm around Zheng Fa’s shoulder: “You’ve been lonely in Jiushan Sect—I’ve brought you something good!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Young Master extended his hand toward his sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Miss Zhao reluctantly handed over a small bundle; when opened, it held jars and bottles, along with wrapped snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are all Qingmu Sect’s specialties,” Miss Zhao explained. “He picked out anything he thought you’d like and brought them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng Shi-di!” came Han Qi’s voice from the door. “The vendors at the marketplace have delivered even more items these past two days! We’ve brought them all to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qi and his two companions appeared at the door, carrying large and small bundles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Young Master glanced at his own small bundle, fingers tightening as if wanting to pull it back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa walked over, unwrapped a small oil-paper packet, pinched out a chilled red sugar cake, and popped it into his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He chewed, mumbling to Seventh Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seventh Young Master stared at his expression, stunned for a moment, then finally laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1776,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fcf87580278b8bbe7d5b4b2e3e8a66aaec276a48d4f2aeb4149c9449781a7804","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-141","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-139",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]