[{"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-148":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},2263874,4418,"Chapter 148: Life and Death","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-148",148,"\u003Cp>The disciples of the Demon Sect drawing blood to make talismans is fine everywhere—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>except that it’s rather suicidal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though now in the Xuanwei Realm the Demon Sect is in decline, the thirteen Demon Ancestors’ current states are uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you go wielding a scythe to cut down the leeks they’ve painstakingly grown for a million years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t the Demon Ancestors have any pride?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping out of the Sect Master’s thatched hut, Zheng Fa shook his head—the talisman matter is currently unfeasible, and cannot even be spread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, even if it saved a few spirit stones for buying spirit beast blood, it would easily attract powerful enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, talismans themselves are already highly controversial within the Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gains from doing this are wildly disproportionate to the risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, Lin Bufan still hasn’t said anything these past few days—what should we do with him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie asked suddenly, following behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then turned to Yuan Shijie: “What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill him,” Yuan Shijie said immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Yuan Shijie always seemed lively and cute, carefree and clueless,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when she spoke the word “kill,” it sounded utterly ordinary to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two simple words left Zheng Fa silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, he slowly nodded: “Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had received modern education, he now saw more clearly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>modern compassion cannot be applied in Xuanwei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You cannot let your own minor discomfort put those around you at risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the safest choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Lin Bufan came here to assassinate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just his identity as a Demon Sect disciple makes him deserving of death in the eyes of the entire Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan has lived this long partly because his blood has some use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, Zheng Fa and the others wanted to extract secrets from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this man was not very cooperative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And though his blood held great benefit, the risk was even greater—if the sub-talisman truly corresponded to a Demon Ancestor, that Ancestor might exert strong control over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keeping him within Jiushan Sect remained a persistent threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ask him again today. If he still refuses to speak, then do it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa said to Yuan Shijie, and the two headed toward the small wooden hut where Lin Bufan was imprisoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa saw Lin Bufan had somehow gotten out of bed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knelt on the ground, face deathly pale, blood still dripping from his mouth, gasping heavily—clearly, getting out of bed had been a great struggle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wish to serve you as my master, only asking that you spare my life!” Lin Bufan whispered, his voice filled with desperate resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to look at Yuan Shijie, who also looked bewildered: “I didn’t say anything to him—I’m not an idiot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This sister said nothing… but she came less and less, and the ones treating me stopped coming altogether.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man… is surprisingly perceptive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa frowned and said: “Get up first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan didn’t put on another show; he slowly rose, gripping the side of the bed, and looked at Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first time he heard of Lin Bufan, the shopkeeper described him as a somewhat foolish, even gullible Demon Sect disciple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second time he saw him, Lin Bufan seemed utterly broken, with only a faint desire for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third time he saw him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was now a hint of reckless madness on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a few days, this man had become two different people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re clever,” Zheng Fa said to Lin Bufan: “But I don’t want to take you on…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides wanting to live, you’re also planning to find an opportunity for revenge, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan fell silent, then slowly nodded after a long while: “My uncle spent his whole life serving Lin Yangtian—obedient in every matter, more eager than a dog—and yet he died at Lin Yangtian’s hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Others see us Demon Sect members and think we die and it’s nothing… but he was the one who raised me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Zheng Fa waved his hand: “Wanting revenge is your business, but I have no reason to help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m useful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My blood is useful! It’s useful to you, and also to that Li brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You’re really clever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would have thought this man had noticed even that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why I don’t want to accept you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa asked suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, you’re useful…” Zheng Fa said slowly: “But your desire for revenge will drag the entire Jiushan Sect into trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan’s eyes darkened, and suddenly he gritted his teeth: “I offer my Soul Seal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Yuan Shijie’s face showed a flicker of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Soul Seal was extremely well-known in the Xuanwei Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique was common among the Demon Sect but rarely practiced by the Immortal Sects—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>in short, by offering his Soul Seal, Lin Bufan placed his life, death, and every action entirely under Zheng Fa’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, his control over Lin Bufan rivaled that of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For many cultivators, offering a Soul Seal was no different from choosing death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lin Bufan simply volunteered to offer his Soul Seal…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had surrendered all control over himself to Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me, what is the current state of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa asked suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Holy Ancestor… his condition is likely poor; rumors say he is not in this realm,” Lin Bufan replied honestly, though unsure why Zheng Fa asked: “If the Holy Ancestor were well, I wouldn’t have survived this time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the reputation of the Demon Ancestor, Lin Yangtian’s curse against Lin Bufan had failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That does reveal something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not in this realm?” Zheng Fa slowly frowned. Could anyone else leave this world?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. Some say the Holy Ancestor is healing, others say he’s sealed away, still others say he’s cultivating some divine art…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan was merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator; the Demon Ancestor was far beyond him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his next sentence made Zheng Fa’s gaze turn serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if the Holy Ancestor were to descend into Xuanwei, all our clan members would sense it… which is why the clan rumors claim he is not in this realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why choose me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, then asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even when selling yourself, you sell to someone with potential—you Jiushan Sect has only two geniuses…” Lin Bufan’s tone was slightly bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why didn’t you say anything before…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa suddenly understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was waiting for Zhang Wuyi to return. I told you outsiders wanted to harm her—just to make her come back, so I could then pledge allegiance to her,” Lin Bufan admitted honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Zheng Fa thought. Zhang Shijie didn’t seem to want to return at all; her letters sounded excited, as if she was having a great time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that she hasn’t returned to the sect, I… can’t hold on any longer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you want to accept him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master asked Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. He’s right—he’s useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master, upon hearing his answer, remained noncommittal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His blood and such—I don’t value it that much,” Zheng Fa slowly voiced his thoughts: “But the Great Freedom Demon Sect has already moved against me and Zhang Shijie. Whether we offend them or not, conflict is inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard him say he has some sense of connection with the Great Zizai Demon Ancestor...\" Zheng Fa said slowly. \"If the Demon Ancestor truly descends, we can prepare in advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was another reason Zheng Fa did not mention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hoped to uncover some secrets of the Demon Sect through Lin BuFan—such as that sub-character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they would have better means to deal with the Demon Sect in the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master looked at him, then gazed down toward Jiushan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had some ideas, but this matter carried risk—it concerned the safety of Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could not make a decision based solely on his own thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do as you think best.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master spoke only after a long silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've killed plenty of people from the Demon Sect before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, staring at the Sect Master’s puckered mouth—and for the first time thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man is somewhat reliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the modern era, Zheng Fa sat in Tang Lingwumin’s car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, they were not going to Tang Lingwumin’s home, but to the provincial capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The agricultural expert the White Elder had mentioned—the old woman from the short video—had already arrived in the provincial capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin’s driver, who wore those baggy pants, drove Zheng Fa, Tang Lingwumin, and the White Elder to the provincial capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The college entrance exam is in two days. Aren’t you worried?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably because they had grown familiar with each other, the baggy-pants driver chatted with them through the rearview mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa knew he was asking him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin didn’t need to take the college entrance exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine.\" Zheng Fa thought for a moment—his performance in the monthly exams was consistently among the top three in the school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of his deductions came from essays or subjective questions—those really depended on luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the rest, there was nothing left to review.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was two days before the college entrance exam; school had given a holiday. Perfect—the man had arrived in the provincial capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than three hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The car arrived at the provincial capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This place...\" Looking at their final destination, all three of them froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the most expensive hotel in the provincial capital—a luxury five-star chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cheapest room cost several thousand yuan—Zheng Fa didn’t know the exact amount; in his former financial state, this was beyond his scope of understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew of this hotel only because a classmate from a wealthy family had visited once and bragged about it to the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"White Teacher, is that teacher’s family very rich?\" he asked the White Elder curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Elder shook his head, equally puzzled: \"A normal family, I didn’t know she was this wealthy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Miss Tang, welcome!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the three reached the hotel entrance, the doorman suddenly called out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Tang Lingwumin nod lightly, as if it were routine,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the White Elder and Zheng Fa exchanged glances—they realized this was the real wealthy one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She said to meet her in the restaurant,\" the White Elder said, checking his phone. \"She’s treating us to dinner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the restaurant, they spotted the person they were looking for at once—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman sat alone, ordering a whole table of dishes, drawing considerable attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve struck it rich?\" the White Elder walked over, bewildered. \"Or just giving up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t that exactly what I’m doing?\" The old woman stood up and smiled at the three. \"I’ve calculated it all—the doctor says I have six months left. I’ve figured out exactly how to spend every penny of my money in those six months... not a cent more, not a cent less.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, Whitey,\" the old woman suddenly smiled at the White Elder. \"Don’t bother finding me any doctors anymore. I’ve spent all my money—if I’m saved, I’ll just be a poor beggar again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Elder fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman gestured to Zheng Fa and the others: \"You’re Zheng Fa? And this beautiful girl must be Tang Lingwumin? Come, come, eat! I ordered all this for you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was filled entirely with joy and freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>",1948,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","0882875869b459c3385708dc6768bcdc57ca714ca5b2ad038721fd7eb8a13e4a","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-149","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-147",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]