[{"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-149":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},2263875,4418,"Chapter 149: Gaokao","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-149",149,"\u003Cp>Eating with Teacher Tian was a pleasant affair—the old woman, recommended by Old Bai, had the surname Tian, and she joked that her name meant she’d spent her whole life tilling fields.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t pretty by any standard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her hair was cut just below her ears, probably for convenience, and her skin wasn’t fair; instead, it was sun-darkened from years of farm work, streaked with a sickly yellowish pallor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that even in her youth, she’d never been considered beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when she smiled, she had a different kind of charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a broad, almost boisterous, even slightly uncouth grin—her mouth opened wide, her head tilted back slightly, sometimes revealing the roof of her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Tian was talkative.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with Old Bai, her close friend, she had no shortage of things to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Tang Lingwumin, she had plenty to discuss—from which milk tea she preferred to the latest fashion trends in skirts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had a remarkably youthful spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she learned Zheng Fa’s parents had long passed away, her reaction was unlike most people’s—she didn’t offer the usual condescending pity, but softly said, “Things will only get better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was just one sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Fa could tell, this simple phrase carried the most sincere blessing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old woman also had a hearty appetite—when Zheng Fa and the others first saw her order so many dishes, they assumed she was extravagant—but they soon realized she ate from start to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing their surprise,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Tian smiled, unconcerned: “Used to work hard, so my appetite grew big—I got used to it… Now, every extra bite is a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai’s smile slowly faded, his eyes filled with worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What exactly is the illness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A growth on my liver—surgically removed once, then it came back,” Teacher Tian explained, shrugging. “The doctors won’t treat me anymore—they say my age makes surgery too risky… I can’t ask them to risk it, can I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai glanced at Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa gave a slight nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already thought of several healing talismans; whether they’d work, he’d need to check in the Xuanwei Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Tian looked at Old Bai and suddenly said, “Whether I live or die isn’t up to me—but there’s one thing I want to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mother…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since I got sick, the one suffering most isn’t me—it’s my mother… I’ve seen you now, so I’ll return to spend my final days with her,” Teacher Tian said slowly. “I’m not worried about her retirement funds—I’ve saved enough, plus her pension, it should cover everything. But there’s one thing—if you have time, visit her often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teacher Tian smiled. “I always thought I’d bury my mother, never imagined she’d bury me. I don’t fear death—but after losing her husband, now losing her daughter, she’ll be utterly alone… I have no close family, so I can only beg my friends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai nodded gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough about that—don’t let the kids hear this talk about life and death,” Teacher Tian said, smiling, raising her drink toward Zheng Fa. “I heard you’re taking the Gaokao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I wish you top honors!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking into Teacher Tian’s smiling eyes, Zheng Fa paused, then drained his drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting in the car, watching Teacher Tian wave goodbye from the hotel entrance, Old Bai turned to Zheng Fa and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa replied after thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t mentioned treating Teacher Tian today—first, because they’d just met, and she hadn’t hinted at wanting help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second—and more importantly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accepting Teacher Tian into the retirement home was stricter than accepting Aunt Ye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secrets of cultivation couldn’t be hidden from her; otherwise, her talents couldn’t be fully utilized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I brought you here today because I wanted you to talk with her,” Old Bai said, voicing his thought. “You mentioned the criteria for recruiting staff at the retirement home—I realized there’s one more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa looked at Old Bai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compatible temperament.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t thought of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A team—even if everyone’s good—can fall apart if personalities clash. Right now, we’re fine,” Old Bai shook his head. “If someone new can’t fit in, it’ll ruin everything. That’s why I wanted you to meet her—what do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa recalled every detail of their meal together and smiled. “So far, she’s fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood why Old Bai had asked him and Tang Lingwumin to meet Teacher Tian first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was to see what kind of person she was—whether she was easy to get along with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, she’s genuinely good—that’s why I even considered it,” Old Bai nodded. “As for professional ability, she’s not among the absolute top tier, but she’s led national-level research projects. I don’t fully understand her field, but I’m sure she’s competent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lastly, character…” Old Bai fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly. “Character is the hardest thing to judge. I’ve lived this long—how many people’s character do I truly trust?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just one or two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Zheng Fa’s expression grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone says math is hard. To me, human nature is harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back home, Zheng Fa kept thinking about Old Bai’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the four talismans he needed to form next, one must be a healing talisman—even if he never met Teacher Tian, he’d still need to form this type.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the foundation of the retirement home’s survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the way back, Old Bai, not wanting to pressure him, didn’t ask again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everything he said subtly pleaded Teacher Tian’s case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just her value, or his relationship with Old Bai, or the help Old Bai had given him—even just the Three Sons Talisman Law Old Bai had stayed up for nights last month to craft for him as a gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was willing to help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What troubled him was Old Bai’s remarks on character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai had met many people in his life—academic giants among them—but character was always hard to judge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His recommendation of Teacher Tian was partly to give her a chance at healing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But partly because he truly had no one else to recommend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood Old Bai’s caution—it was responsibility toward their small group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he also knew he couldn’t rely solely on Old Bai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa needed ways to test character or prevent leaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Illusion Talisman.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the first idea that came to mind—he was, after all, the Sect Master’s only disciple, and he knew illusion talismans well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, two of the four remaining talismans in the Foundation Establishment talisman set were now confirmed—Healing Talisman and Illusion Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days after returning from the provincial capital, the Gaokao began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s exam center wasn’t at Qingshui High School, but at the Experimental Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a junior high, not far from Qingshui High—twenty minutes by bus from his home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of the first Gaokao day, Zheng Fa carried a transparent folder, checked his admission ticket and stationery, then boarded the bus to the Experimental Middle School.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, the entire city seemed to make way for the Gaokao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance to Qingshui High School was closed off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing vehicles rarely honked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus Zheng Fa rode was filled with parents dropping off students and students heading to the exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bus driver was thoughtful—he played an inspirational song the whole ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Fa clearly saw the students’ faces were even tenser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they arrived at the Experimental Middle School, it was still before entry time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stood at the school gate with other examinees, waiting to enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he realized he stood out—he was the only one without parents accompanying him, holding just a folder, alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked somewhat lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t mind. Beside him stood a thin boy who was surprisingly friendly; after glancing at him twice, he suddenly asked: “Bro, you came alone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are your parents?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They can’t make it,” Zheng Fa replied coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your parents must be great…” The boy sounded envious of Zheng Fa’s freedom, almost boastful: “My parents got up at five or six this morning, more nervous than I am… Look, even my grandparents came.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa followed his finger—four adults were watching from afar; when they noticed him looking, they smiled and nodded kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng Fa, why haven’t you replied to Tang Lingwumin’s messages in the group?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they chatted, a girl from Zheng Fa’s class passed by—she seemed to be taking the exam at the same school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spotted Zheng Fa and called out to him immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“News?” Zheng Fa blinked. “I didn’t bring my phone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought it was inconvenient to hand over belongings upon entering the exam hall, so he brought nothing except exam supplies—he didn’t need to contact anyone anyway, and he’d head straight home after the exam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You didn’t bring your phone?” said the girl from his class. “Then I’ll tell her you’re here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, Zheng Fa saw Tang Lingwumin running toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never seen Tang Lingwumin like this—she usually wore plain clothes at school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most days it was just an ordinary T-shirt or shirt, sometimes even the least popular school uniform among teenagers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below, she mostly wore jeans and rarely wore skirts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today Tang Lingwumin wore a small qipao; whether because of her natural figure or the exquisite tailoring, her silhouette was exquisitely graceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she ran over, she drew many glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The boy beside Zheng Fa couldn’t help staring at her all the way until she drew near, when he awkwardly looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came to cheer you on!” Tang Lingwumin reached him, looked up with a smile, and spun around. “Look—may you win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa noticed the boy beside him glancing from his own large group of supporters to Tang Lingwumin—as if considering a swap.\u003C\u002Fp>",1642,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","75adf895bc7b784e08f64bed9cb30d21b608039fffef76cdddbb4cd07a42ae1a","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-150","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-148",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]