[{"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-171":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},2263897,4418,"Chapter 171: Believe in You","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-171",171,"\u003Cp>Xuanwei Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Pang, have you found Master Zhang’s whereabouts?” In the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace, Zheng Fa asked Master Pang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang glanced at Zheng Fa, his face showing a pained expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve confirmed the general location, but… we haven’t found her yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his expression, Zheng Fa knew the situation was likely troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there any difficulties?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That place is near the Dark Self-Mastery Cult’s secret realm—there are too many demonic sect disciples… and I dare not venture in rashly,” Master Pang hesitated, then sighed: “I fear the Dark Self-Mastery Cult is setting a trap.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood Master Pang’s hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was afraid the Dark Self-Mastery Cult was luring them in with a siege-and-ambush tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t kill Master Zhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing a Nascent Soul cultivator from Nine Mountains Sect would still be worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would they… target our Nine Mountains Sect specifically?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Objectively speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What rank was the Dark Self-Mastery Cult?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What rank was Nine Mountains Sect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it worth their effort?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they weren’t in the same place, they’d certainly ignore us,” Master Pang didn’t feel Zheng Fa was belittling their sect—he spoke frankly: “But now, one mountain can’t hold two tigers. The Changchun Sect has been wiped out—and there’s also the Heavenly Stele.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine Mountains Sect considered Taiyang Commandery its territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Self-Mastery Cult believed its secret realm was there too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conflict was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s concerns weren’t unfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only because the Lei Chi environment is unique that those demonic Nascent Soul cultivators fear capsizing in a ditch…” Master Pang shook his head: “But our Nine Mountains Sect is still the weaker side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Lei Chi environment greatly narrowed the cultivation gap between cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although higher-level cultivators could maintain a relative advantage through magic treasures and such.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the outside world, the chance of failure was far greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang dared not enter Lei Chi because he feared they’d trade low-level disciples for his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Heavenly Stele had drawn many immortal sect figures, forcing the Dark Self-Mastery Cult to keep a low profile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if they have no scheme, and are merely defending their own secret realm, this matter is still troublesome,” Master Pang thought for a moment and said: “Our only option now is to rely on Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Chi’s unique conditions made it a terrible waste to send in Jin Dan or higher cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d have to rely on sheer numbers and sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that meant casualties were unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zheng, my junior disciple,” Master Pang, seeing his expression, sighed: “For Nine Mountains Sect, Master Zhang is more important than a hundred ordinary disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang spoke softly: “Do you know why I brought so many disciples here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, looking beyond the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half the Nine Mountains Sect disciples who came to Lei Chi were from Master Pang’s own lineage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Pang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A superior must never be soft-hearted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking out of the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace, Zheng Fa slowly strolled through the Lei Chi marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t look at the newly opened shops, nor at the growing crowds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was watching his fellow disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Lei Chi marketplace had grown increasingly prosperous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their lives were not bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patrol disciples walked in small groups, chatting quietly with smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they saw Zheng Fa, many bowed with warm smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were respectful yet familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa felt a quiet pride—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of other things, Nine Mountains Sect’s situation had improved greatly; disciples now wore more smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa felt he had contributed his share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Master Pang’s words might shatter this seemingly beautiful illusion—perhaps these very people would soon enter Lei Chi to fight the Dark Self-Mastery Cult for Master Zhang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Brother Zheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar voice came—it was Senior Brother Yang, once under Master Zhang’s command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had dealt with him when he first took charge of Nine Mountains Sect’s marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, when they came to Lei Chi, Senior Brother Yang had helped establish the new marketplace; their relationship had grown close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He noticed Zheng Fa’s expression and looked curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Yang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any news about Master Zhang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Brother Yang asked, concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa shook his head, hesitated, then spoke: “We have a general direction, but there are too many Dark Self-Mastery Cult disciples there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Brother Yang paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if understanding, his gaze slowly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, he finally spoke: “…Are we going into Lei Chi?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Senior Brother Sun Daoyu picked people, we all understood,” seeing Zheng Fa silent, Senior Brother Yang smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we don’t save Master Zhang, maybe we’ll live for now—but without her, Nine Mountains Sect won’t last long. Besides, even if we go in and fight those demonic scum, we won’t necessarily die, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa shook his head and smiled: “I didn’t see it as clearly as you did, Senior Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, Junior Brother Zheng,” Senior Brother Yang waved his hand, looking at Zheng Fa: “It’s not that you didn’t see—it’s that you see too many people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether it’s Master Pang, Master Zhang, or even the Sect Master—when has any of them ever truly seen us disciples?” Senior Brother Yang smiled: “I don’t know how you grew up, but you’re the only one who looks at us like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m being sentimental.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa chuckled bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just more inclined toward modern thinking—some of his views often seemed out of place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Brother Zheng, before we came here, we all understood,” Senior Brother Yang whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of us had no choice—whose orders could we defy? An Nascent Soul’s command?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for me, I came because I’m part of Master Zhang’s inner circle—I had to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And there’s another group—very few, but I know they exist,” Senior Brother Yang paused, then said: “They believe in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Believe in me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That you won’t let us die for nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re not coming for Master Zhang—they’re coming for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected such people to exist in Nine Mountains Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Brother Yang smiled: “Junior Brother, no one in Nine Mountains Sect is blind. Everyone knows what’s been done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he bowed to Zheng Fa: “I’ll go prepare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa watched his back, speechless for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several days later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clear, ringing bird cry echoed above the Lei Chi marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A green phoenix spread its wings across the sky, its talons gripping two men with grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phoenix landed in the marketplace and transformed into a round-faced girl, hurrying into the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior Brother Zheng! I’m here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Yuan Sister even entered, her vibrant, energetic voice filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stepped out to greet her, looking at the three before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here! The people you asked for—I brought them!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Sister pointed to Lin Bufan and Li Nuo beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both men looked pale, as if the journey had been grueling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stared at Zheng Fa, their faces filled with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa gave them a slight nod but did not speak to them; instead, he turned to Yuan Shijie and asked, “Sister Yuan, I asked you to beg our Master for more copies of the Great Dao Striving for Immortality talisman array—did you get them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That old miser is stingy! He said he had no time—he’s busy putting on a play,” Yuan Shijie snorted. “But when I told him you wanted them, he tossed me a whole pile.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She handed over a storage bag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa opened it and saw a complete set of spirit talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zheng, why do you need so many talisman arrays? And why did you specifically ask the Sect Master to swap for a Lei Chi map?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his satisfied expression, Yuan Shijie asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Pang is sending disciples into Lei Chi. I want to give them some special training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms: cramming before the exam to raise the pass (survival) rate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie instantly understood and clapped her hands. “That’s a good idea—but why bring these two along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bu Fan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa turned to look at Lin Bu Fan, whose expression was complex—he hadn’t expected to return home so soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, I’ve told you everything I know about the Great Freedom Demon Cult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa waved his hand. The soul seal was in his possession; the man might harbor hidden thoughts, but his loyalty to the Great Freedom Demon Cult—hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the Young Master wants me to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demon Cult?” Lin Bu Fan’s face turned ashen; suddenly, he realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie and the other two looked at him with pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This task was a death sentence for anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, who knew if the Great Freedom Demon Cult had ways to detect traitors?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet on the other hand, aside from being brutal toward Lin Bu Fan, it was truly a sound strategy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jiushan Sect currently knows almost nothing about the Great Freedom Demon Cult. If someone could truly infiltrate it, they might even uncover Sister Zhang’s whereabouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re unwilling?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m willing!” Lin Bu Fan gritted his teeth. “I only ask one thing of you, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If one day you encounter Lin Yangtian and take his life, please go to my uncle’s grave and tell him.” Lin Bu Fan whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie’s expression softened with pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could hear the fatal resolve in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It hasn’t come to that yet,” Zheng Fa said, studying him for a moment before shaking his head. “I called you here to join this training.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bu Fan looked up, stunned and elated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re the exam.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Lin Bu Fan stared blankly at Zheng Fa, still confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Every Jiushan Sect disciple who will take part in the assault on the Great Freedom Demon Cult must first adapt to your methods in the Great Dao Striving for Immortality—and kill you before they’re allowed to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bu Fan blinked, repeating softly: “Every one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Uncle Pang says the more, the better.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master! I’m willing to infiltrate the Great Freedom Demon Cult!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Good boy. Your life belongs to me now—don’t waste it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming—or rather, forcing—Lin Bu Fan to accept reality, Zheng Fa turned to Li Nuo beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Nuo flinched at his gaze and hurriedly waved his hands. “I don’t know any Great Freedom Demon Cult techniques!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, which talisman seals can you now make using Bu Fan’s blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1770,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","256909088a021df57187748486a415de34d27fd98cc6cb6eedee53d8f8f8a997","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-172","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-170",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]