[{"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-164":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},2263890,4418,"Chapter 164: The Great Dream","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-164",164,"\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s college entrance exam score was the highest in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the phone, Old Chen’s voice still carried a hint of regret: “I heard you were just a few points shy of the provincial top score… just bad luck.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s good enough,” Zheng Fa chuckled through the phone. “As long as I get into the school I want, that’s all that matters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speaking of which, do you have a target school yet? Several schools already called me saying they couldn’t reach your phone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Old Chen’s words, Zheng Fa felt a little embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he cultivated the Ling Shan Fa, if his phone was too close, it would malfunction—shut down, freeze, that sort of thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t cared before—truthfully, few people called or messaged him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only tonight, because Tang Lingwumin reminded him, that he’d placed his phone far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t that disturb Teacher Chen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disturb? If being disturbed by the Dean of Admissions at Beijing University counts as disturbance, I’d wish to be disturbed every day!” Old Chen muttered. “Just don’t forget to fill out your application forms, even if you forget the exact day your scores came out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where are you planning to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Chen’s question implied this: with Zheng Fa’s score, he could get into almost any university or major in the country.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all came down to Zheng Fa’s choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa turned his head, looking at the old white-haired man and Tang Lingwumin beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white-haired man—retired professor from Beijing University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin—future student of Beijing University.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man mumbled something under his breath, unclear what.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin stared at him with wide, expectant eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beijing University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So certain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright then, I’ll have Beijing University’s admissions office call you later—don’t miss the call.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, a few reporters from local newspapers want to interview you. Where are you now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not really available—I’m in Beijing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is indeed inconvenient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And I don’t want to be interviewed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa said sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fame, in his view, brought more harm than benefit—especially fame from college entrance exam scores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To true elites or academic giants, such scores meant nothing—they wouldn’t look at him any differently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s fine,” Old Chen mused after a pause. “Actually, they were hesitant too, since publicity is restricted. I’ll hang up now—don’t forget to answer Beijing University’s call.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while later, Zheng Fa saw another message from Old Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, your school, district, and city all have scholarship bonuses—send me your bank account number.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A while later, Zheng Fa saw another photo from Old Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It showed several newly printed banners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first one read: “Celebrating Our Student Zheng Fa’s Admission to Beijing University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind it was another: “Celebrating Our Student Tang Lingwumin’s Early Admission to Beijing University.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two banners were intertwined, as if leaning on each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man glanced at the photo, stunned: “Your teacher… is he a fan of you and Tang Lingwumin as a couple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What major are you planning to apply for at Beijing University?” the old man asked, picking up where Old Chen had left off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then said: “My initial choice is still physics.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Physics was the subject he’d first told Old Chen about—he’d simply thought his physics score was the best, maybe he had some talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put plainly, he’d picked it randomly: whatever was easiest to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he was considering whether this discipline would be useful to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the old man—or if the old man hadn’t cultivated—Zheng Fa might have chosen mathematics, since its connection to spirit talismans was very direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the old man was here, studying mathematics would be a waste of Beijing University’s teaching resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, he could learn math from the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other, if he couldn’t understand it, he could just borrow the old man’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same applied to computer science, thanks to Tang Lingwumin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Physics…” the old man asked. “What’s your reasoning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to understand how spiritual energy affects the world—how it disrupts electrical circuits,” Zheng Fa said slowly, laying out his thoughts. “Physics might help me most in this regard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa concealed his truest thoughts from the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, as he crossed between the two worlds more often, he grew increasingly puzzled—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both the old man and Tang Lingwumin could practice the Ling He Shen, even cultivate—this proved human bodies themselves had no inherent difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, modern electricity truly aided his cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Add to that the changes in those few weeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the fact that the Ling Shan Fa could actually be cultivated led Zheng Fa to a simple hypothesis—the only variable separating the two worlds was spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether viewed from species or fundamental physical laws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two worlds seemed tightly connected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To study how spiritual energy affects the material world, physics was likely the most suitable discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he explained his thoughts to the old man, he suddenly noticed—Tang Lingwumin was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Tang Lingwumin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa turned to ask the old man beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled, as if he knew something but wouldn’t say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa eyed him suspiciously, then suddenly heard the roar of fireworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head—thousands of fireworks erupted from the village below, bursting into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the mountain top, it looked like a sea of flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To celebrate your excellent score.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s eyes widened slightly: “You planned this already?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think why that little thing suddenly told you to put your phone away? You forget the day your scores came out, but she remembers it every single day,” the old man grumbled, nodding toward Zheng Fa’s phone, where Tang Lingwumin’s incoming call was flashing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I originally planned to set them off at the nursing home, but they said fireworks weren’t allowed on the mountain, so I did it here,” Tang Lingwumin’s voice carried a hint of disappointment. “But I thought you’d enjoy seeing them from up here… are they pretty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beautiful,” Zheng Fa said sincerely, watching the colorful fireworks. “Why did you go to all this trouble for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the day I got early admission to Beijing University, my dad gave bonuses to everyone in the company,” Tang Lingwumin said over the phone. “When others score well, their parents celebrate too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The old man’s right—you should have what others have.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tang Lingwumin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop watching so many Badaozongcai  dramas with this old man,” Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then added. “Even if you do watch, don’t you think your perspective’s a bit off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And thank you—I’m really happy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Mm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this the talisman pattern?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s third eye faintly glowed golden, his head swiveling around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the effect of the Ling Shan Fa, spiritual energy filled the surrounding space—not very dense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this spiritual energy had been converted from Zheng Fa’s own power,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he found it nearly impossible to control; instead, the energy spontaneously manifested as various talisman patterns in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No good—my head’s spinning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching for a while, the old man shook his head, and the golden eye on his forehead slowly faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin beside him looked equally dizzy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their first time using the Spirit Eye Technique to observe talisman patterns—they’d gained little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa wasn’t disappointed—it was only a preliminary attempt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man rubbed his temples, then suddenly remembered: “You said earlier you condensed that… Great Dream Talisman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re going to use it to test Xiao Tian? What does the Great Dream Talisman do? Any side effects?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just like having a dream—what side effects could there be?” Zheng Fa explained. “I can only create her dream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then how do you plan to test her?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s simple—like having her captured and interrogated…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Isn’t that too harsh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or have her enter some strange world with you and see if she’ll protect you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...That’s a bit too emotionally damaging.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even simpler—let her fulfill her deepest desire and see what her true nature is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s perfect! I want to try this!” The old white-haired man suddenly slapped his thigh, excitedly saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the old man’s curious expression, Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwumin exchanged a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s curiosity was so intense even the two young people couldn’t understand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides... I could test it for Xiao Tian too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man muttered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“People who are already sick are suffering enough—if something else happens... and it was my recommendation, then...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This old man’s soft heart...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa shook his head helplessly. “You’ve already cultivated—Dream Talisman may not affect you much. Don’t resist in your heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa summoned a golden spirit talisman in his hand and shot it into the old man’s forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man quickly fell asleep; a small black energy cluster rose from his head, slowly rotating, revealing images at its center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The image showed a modest auditorium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A podium stood to one side, with hundreds seated below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most appeared to be foreigners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several cameras pointed at the podium, as if waiting for some important figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this Grandpa Bai’s deepest desire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin stared intently, asking with some confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa also shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a middle-aged foreign woman walked out smiling, standing behind the podium and speaking into the microphone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This year’s Fields Medal goes to...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grandpa Bai, dressed in a suit, stepped out cheerfully from behind the curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He joyfully accepted the award.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa Bai... still has an academic dream...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa felt no less admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the old man on the podium finished his acceptance speech, his face suddenly turning serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worldly matters are done—I must return!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, before the cameras and hundreds of spectators, he summoned a flying sword, still in his suit, stepped onto it, and shot out of the auditorium...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know if he has an academic dream—but I definitely see his ‘show-off’ dream,” Zheng Fa shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dream ended quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the black energy cluster above the old man’s head did not dissipate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandpa Bai really has many things he wants to do...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin muttered under her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the image, Grandpa Bai sat in the courtyard of a nursing home, his third eye glowing golden, surrounded by talisman patterns, his hand reaching out as if playing with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he... deciphering talismans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zheng Fa felt a touch of emotion: the old man placed his show-off and deciphering talismans on equal footing...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the dream version of Grandpa Bai shouted loudly: “I’ve understood! I’ve understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In reality, the old man on the chair leapt up, raising both hands: “I’ve understood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were just dreaming...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” The old man’s face beamed with joy. “I’ve understood! I get the difference between Yin-Yang talisman patterns!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1826,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","03390c542c0584a3ec6a5c69a37e78266269143ddecd4e1ce747a613bb1ce4d2","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-165","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-163",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]