[{"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-157":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},2263883,4418,"Chapter 157: Lei Chi","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-157",157,"\u003Cp>On the Ninth Peak of Nine Mountains, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After such a major incident, even Master Pang had come personally to the Ninth Peak, and those accompanying him—Sun DaoYu and Zhou Gan—looked thoroughly baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and Yuan Shijie were also there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Master Pang arrived, he shouted: “Brother, what exactly happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was deeply anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master, however, remained calm: “Sister Huang sent word—she arrived too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean ‘too late’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She first went to Changchun Sect to assess the situation, but found it utterly empty—even the spiritual vein had been destroyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others could not help but feel a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no longer just about annihilation—it was total eradication, a sign of ruthless brutality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sect Master continued: “With no leads, Sister Huang turned to Lei Chi to search. After days of fruitless searching… she eventually discovered traces of many Da Zi Zai Demon Cult disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Later, by following these demon disciples, she realized Changchun Sect had been wiped out by the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult… Their sect master had discovered their presence and was preparing to send word to Sister Zhang when they were caught.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Da Zi Zai Demon Cult?” Master Pang’s face was filled with confusion: “Why are they sending so many people to Taiyang County?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also what Zheng Fa found puzzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could understand if the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult targeted talented cultivators—after all, they’d learned from past mistakes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But wiping out Changchun Sect entirely?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was far too conspicuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the Xianmen still held dominance over the Xuanwei Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how deep the demon sect’s roots, they were now on the defensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not here for Taiyang County,” the Sect Master unexpectedly shook his head, looking slightly frustrated: “They were already here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to Sister Huang, this spiritual vein’s emergence carried with it a Lei Chi, triggering massive underground changes—apparently exposing the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult’s secret realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This… it almost felt like the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult was the one wronged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d been hiding quietly, cultivating in peace, when a spiritual vein suddenly fell from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang was also speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pursed his lips, his expression growing heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood the implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an unexpected ambush—no one had prepared for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on the other hand, if the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult, cornered at their own doorstep, grew desperate, they’d likely fight to the death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Sister Zhang and the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Huang followed those demon disciples and discovered the students Sister Zhang had taken—when they reached Changchun Sect, they were ambushed by the demon disciples. Sister Zhang could only lead them into hiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, even Zheng Fa grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That place is the Da Zi Zai Demon Cult’s stronghold. Sister Zhang, outnumbered by several Nascent Soul cultivators and wounded, could only lead them toward Lei Chi…” The Sect Master shook his head: “Only by leveraging the power of Lei Chi could they barely hold on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean… leveraging the power of Lei Chi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang was confused again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lei Chi is extremely violent… According to Sister Huang, the deeper your cultivation, the more caution you must exercise. If you reveal a Foundation Establishment-level or higher cultivation base, heavenly lightning strikes you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re Golden Core or above, ten thousand thunderbolts descend upon you. For Nascent Soul cultivators… I heard a demon sect Nascent Soul was literally blasted to death for being too arrogant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa twitched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now understood why Sister Zhang had fled to Lei Chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, she planned to use her vast experience in low-level combat to kill these shameless Nascent Soul cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did Sister Huang find Sister Zhang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. She fought several demon sect Nascent Soul cultivators and ventured deep into Lei Chi.” The Sect Master frowned: “The students separated from her also suffered heavy losses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>everyone fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no one showed the same urgency as Yuan Shijie,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the situation was still difficult to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was Sister Zhang’s disappearance critical to Nine Mountains Sect,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but the bigger problem was the demon sect’s secret realm—Taiyang County was Nine Mountains Sect’s territory, and now a demon cult’s hidden base had appeared right on their doorstep, making everyone’s scalp tingle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will seek aid from the Hundred Immortal Alliance,” the Sect Master decided immediately: “This is too large for Nine Mountains Sect to handle alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His master’s meaning was clear: Forget chivalry—everyone joins the fight against the demon sect!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Master Pang looked reluctant: “But… the spirit stone mine inside the spiritual vein, and the Lei Chi…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The spirit stone mine must be decided among our Nascent Soul cultivators. But the Lei Chi—I believe it’s even more important… We must send disciples below Foundation Establishment.” The Sect Master hesitated: “We must find Sister Zhang. In this environment, lower-level disciples are better suited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the Lei Chi greatly benefits our sect’s supreme true transmission, the Divine Thunder Subduing True Art. If we can claim the Lei Chi, Nine Mountains Sect may one day restore its former glory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa sensed everyone was secretly glancing at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew what they were thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lei Chi was extremely advantageous for him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was still Qi Refining, his spiritual sense already rivaled Foundation Establishment, and his talisman arts carried the power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, he had trained the Five Thunder Body Art, which excelled at withstanding lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone in Nine Mountains Sect could navigate the Lei Chi like a fish in water, it could only be him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even believed everyone present knew this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I’ll lead a team…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not going!” the Sect Master suddenly said: “I won’t let you go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stared at his master, stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was clearly the best choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Zhang is important,” the Sect Master hesitated, “but your talent is no less than hers. She’s already missing—I won’t risk you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re my disciple!” the Sect Master suddenly adopted his master’s stern tone: “Obey me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at his master’s serious face, Zheng Fa didn’t know what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang, however, nodded: “Indeed. We still don’t know Sister Zhang’s condition. Let’s wait until we find her. Zheng Fa, don’t act rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing even Master Pang opposed him, Zheng Fa clenched his lips and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he was silent, the Sect Master and Master Pang nodded, seemingly satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then who do we send?” Master Pang frowned: “The person’s cultivation must be low—ideally below Foundation Establishment—but they must have enough authority to command the other disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren’t many candidates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine Mountains Sect had only two branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Sister Zhang’s branch, Zheng Fa was the obvious choice—but the Sect Master wouldn’t let him go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they had to choose from Master Pang’s branch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang studied the two beside him—Zhou Gan and Sun DaoYu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among his disciples, only a few had authority, and these two were among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were the most suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gan… your cultivation is still Qi Refining, and you’re a single-element cultivator, single-element…” Master Pang seemed reluctant: “Not suitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Sun DaoYu beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“DaoYu, you’re dual-element—no, you’re exactly Foundation Establishment. You go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun DaoYu: “?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After everyone else left, Zheng Fa followed his master into the thatched hut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What, you have something to say to me?” the Sect Master asked when Zheng Fa didn’t leave: “You want to find your Sister Zhang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No…” Zheng Fa paused, then voiced his thought: “Master, why won’t you let me go? I’m clearly the best choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Best choice?” the Sect Master muttered, sneering: “You’re my disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In my life, I’ve taken only three direct disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of them died while traveling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa finally understood why the old man had refused when he heard Zheng Fa wanted to leave Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s nearly developed a mental demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Shijie is naturally gifted and vital to Jiushan Sect—she is our future—but she is Huang Shimei’s disciple.” The Sect Master suddenly gazed toward the doorway and said, “I now have only you as my disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not forbidding you to go, even without Zhang Shijie’s matter, when your Five Thunder Body reaches completion, you must still go to Lei Chi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The fifth step of the Five Thunder Body requires summoning heavenly thunder to refine the body. Even after mastering the first four steps, it remains somewhat dangerous for you,” the Sect Master explained. “Lei Chi’s advantage is that it has many spiritual plants suited to the Divine Thunder Subduing Method, as well as heavenly thunders of varying levels, allowing you to purify your body with them as safely as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait until your Pang Shu’s disciple has gathered clear information, then cultivate for a while longer—go only when you reach Qi Refining tenth level,” the Sect Master said calmly. “Right now, that place is a mix of good and bad; we don’t even know how many members of the Great Freedom Demon Cult are there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Master, for looking out for me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment before speaking softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only today did he truly realize this Master was acting in his best interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, this isn’t just my own thought—before Zhang Shijie left, she came to see me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said, if anything happened to her, I should stop you first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa blinked, surprised Zhang Shijie had left such an instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said you would be a better Sect Master than I am, and better than she is,” the Sect Master said, as if recalling Zhang Shijie’s words. “For Jiushan Sect, you matter more than she does.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa slowly descended the Ninth Peak and arrived at Zhang Shijie’s courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked slowly through the garden, from the study to the back courtyard, where he sat in the pavilion, listening to the waterfall roar behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting for a long time, he rose again and walked slowly toward the flower garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His path matched exactly the one Zhang Shijie had taken with him during their past discussions on the Dao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the end, Zheng Fa almost felt as if Zhang Shijie were beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head instinctively—but saw no familiar figure.\u003C\u002Fp>",1746,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8439d8c1692a563f8f0f2eadc7a6516877a43c682e7b6c65a13be27e9a5fec51","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-158","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-156",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]