[{"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-172":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},2263898,4418,"Chapter 172: Bounty","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-172",172,"\u003Cp>Hearing Zheng Fa ask this, Lin Bufan’s expression was complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Nuo clearly sighed in relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Daoxiong hasn’t been cooperating much these days,” Li Nuo quietly complained about Lin Bufan; Zheng Fa turned to glance at this former Demon Gate disciple, whose facial muscles slowly stiffened, revealing a sense of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed Li Nuo’s words were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since he left Jiushan Sect, Li Nuo could no longer control him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me about the talismans you’ve tested,” Zheng Fa said to Li Nuo, ignoring Lin Bufan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Previously, I already tested it—Lin Daoxiong’s blood has a remarkable effect on soul-based talismans,” Li Nuo said eagerly: “At first, I made the Soul-Nourishing Talisman, then the Soul-Shaking Talisman, the Soul-Stab Talisman… now, there are about eight or nine kinds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Soul-based… what about other types of talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell into thought; he had always believed Lin Bufan’s blood could make soul talismans because of the special spiritual runes within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Other types don’t work—only soul-related talismans succeed easily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How much blood is needed for one talisman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Including losses, one liter of blood per talisman is guaranteed,” Li Nuo said after thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is the blood of a Foundation Establishment cultivator the same as that of a Qi Refining cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know—Lin Daoxiong is Foundation Establishment, and his blood produced talismans that became Xuan-grade talismans,” Li Nuo answered honestly: “I speculate that if it were Qi Refining, the talismans would correspond to Huang-grade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I recall you told me before that beast blood can produce a thousand spirit talismans?” Zheng Fa asked, recalling the data Li Nuo had given him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The talismans made from Lin Daoxiong’s blood can only print a hundred Xuan-grade talismans,” Li Nuo said, his expression somewhat depressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than spirit beast blood—so this Demon Gate disciple’s blood isn’t all advantages…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there other costs besides blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes—spirit paper costs money, spirit ink costs money; the rest are minor,” Li Nuo answered honestly: “Almost all are mundane materials.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the talismans made from Lin Bufan’s blood, the Soul-Nourishing Talisman and Soul-Stab Talisman are relatively valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others are also slightly more expensive than ordinary spirit talismans—because for most cultivators, the soul remains profoundly mysterious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Lin Bufan, a thought forming in his mind—could the Great Zizai Demon Ancestor have made unique breakthroughs in the realm of the soul?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan, under his gaze, grew even more fearful, bowing his head and admitting: “Young Master, I was wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa looked at him, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one willingly gives up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this was Lin Bufan’s own choice; in a sense, it was the price of his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man came from the Demon Gate—he indeed has more cunning thoughts than others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think, now that you’re mine, after I left Jiushan Sect… no one dares to punish you? Maybe they even have to pamper you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said this to Lin Bufan, his tone devoid of emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lin Bufan came from the Demon Gate, he is now Zheng Fa’s servant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet within Jiushan Sect, his status was oddly special—weren’t the servants of Zhao Fu also servants?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat broke out on Lin Bufan’s face; Zheng Fa had struck upon some hidden, private thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dropped to his knees with a thud, head bowed, unable to speak for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa watched him, silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sweat on his face grew more profuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Get up,” Zheng Fa waved his hand, letting him rise, as if lightly letting the matter pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufan stared at Zheng Fa, his eyes filled with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t like torturing people,” Zheng Fa said to him earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nor do I play games—I’ll tell you plainly,” Zheng Fa stroked the soul talisman in his hand and said softly: “If you still harbor these thoughts… hmm, I’m a kind-hearted man…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One side, Yuan Shijie rolled her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll give you a quick death.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie: “?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Lin Bufan shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For this special training of Jiushan Sect disciples, do you know what to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood!” Lin Bufan shouted: “I’ll give it my all!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them slowly leave the room, Yuan Shijie asked: “Young brother, are you really planning to kill Lin Bufan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, this place has no shortage of Great Zizai Demon Cult disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa paid no mind to Yuan Shijie’s silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked toward the hall where Master Pang was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie called from behind: “Young brother, where are you going?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have matters to discuss with Master Pang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m coming too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the hall, Master Pang, after hearing Zheng Fa’s idea, opened his mouth in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean… using spirit talismans in the marketplace to offer… not buy, but reward… for the blood of Great Zizai Demon Cult disciples?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two liters of Foundation Establishment Great Zizai Demon Cult disciple’s blood in exchange for a hundred Xuan-grade talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We won’t lose out—each talisman imprint can print a hundred Xuan-grade talismans,” Zheng Fa calculated for him: “Two liters means two hundred talismans; after deducting the cost of paper and ink, we still make at least ten or so spirit stones in profit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang listened, then slowly closed his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought for a moment and said: “If there are too many spirit talismans, won’t the price drop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At most, we won’t make a profit—but this reward… isn’t it under our control? We can simply stop it later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang was convinced; he pinched his chin and said: “What about Qi Refining cultivators? Don’t we want theirs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the greatest threat in Lei Chi are still the Foundation Establishment ones… as for Qi Refining, are our Jiushan Sect disciples really that weak?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa wanted to use the reward to reduce casualties among Jiushan Sect disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he wasn’t a mother hen—could he protect every single Jiushan Sect disciple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve grasped this point—good,” Master Pang nodded, his tone approving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Li Nuo… Li Nuo,” Master Pang shook his head, looking at Zheng Fa with unusual admiration: “I heard you were the one who gave him spirit stones to research—Zhang Shijie couldn’t stop you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who could have imagined he’d actually accomplish something huge!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang sighed: “Li Nuo and his father have wandered around Jiushan Sect for over a hundred years—we old folks were blind and foolish!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you can’t say that…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Especially that Huang woman! Li Nuo’s father had ties with her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa twitched his lips and said honestly: “Master, it’s understandable no one valued Li Nuo before—if not for now, I wouldn’t have brought out this talisman technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes, whether to pay with money or with life—our Jiushan Sect disciples aren’t fools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, the talisman technique was unpopular because it threatened the livelihood of most Jiushan Sect disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the current situation is very different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, Zheng Fa’s method is essentially hiring mercenaries to fight the Great Zizai Demon Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Put plainly, it’s to save their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, the Great Zizai Demon Cult has come right to their doorstep—the conflict is intensifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people are busy fighting for their lives against the Demon Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No time to draw talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s roughly like this: normally, automation steals workers’ jobs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when war breaks out and workers go to the front, automation compensates for labor shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So why did you come to me? What do you want to ask?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m afraid we’ll offend the Great Zizai Demon Cult too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa honestly voiced his concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This plan is terribly hostile to the Great Zizai Demon Cult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Offend them or not—do we even have a choice now?” Master Pang sighed: “Do you know why your master refused to leave Jiushan Sect even at the cost of his life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One more question—once this reward is announced, will anyone really risk their life against the Great Zizai Demon Cult?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang looked at him, his expression strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hundred mystery-grade talismans and dozens of spirit stones—who wouldn’t be tempted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Zheng, you don’t understand those free cultivators,\" Master Pang sighed. \"They’re poor to the point of poetic despair.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa called over Yang Ju and others, told them the reward details, and asked them to spread the word in the marketplace later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\" Yang Ju hesitated, reluctant to leave, as if he had something to say. \"Young Master Zheng, this reward... isn’t quite fair...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This reward is for outsiders—but can Ninth Mountain Sect disciples participate too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa looked at Yang Ju.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t his whole plan meant to keep these people from walking blindly to their deaths?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ju met Zheng Fa’s gaze, slightly embarrassed but speaking loudly: \"Slaying demons and purifying evil has always been my dream...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing others nodding eagerly, Zheng Fa rubbed his forehead. \"Anyone who wants to enter Lei Chi must pass his trial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to Lin Bufen beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Ju and the others stared at him, eyes gleaming, fists clenched, ready to leap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Bufen: \"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Zheng Fa hadn’t expected: the moment the reward was posted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>someone who clearly had no interest in such meager spirit stones showed up at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Zheng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Master Pang told him Yan Wushuang was coming to visit, Zheng Fa had been puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Yan,\" Zheng Fa greeted him warmly—he owed Yan Wushuang for the information about Chen Ting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the reward posted in your marketplace real?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang asked straightaway about the newly posted reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s real—but Young Master Yan, you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who is this person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True disciple of the Tianhe Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he possibly be short on this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Master Zheng, you don’t understand,\" Yan Wushuang sighed. \"I travel far and wide, making allies and building an organization—everything costs money. I’m broke!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa remembered: when this man had withstood the heavenly lightning, his crane-feather cloak hid not even a single inner robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he’d assumed it was Tianhe Sect’s style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed—was it because he was poor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this, Zheng Fa said to Yan Wushuang: \"The reward is real.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then good,\" Yan Wushuang paused, then asked suddenly: \"If I bring you a live one... how much will you pay?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at Yan Wushuang’s square face, radiating righteous vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Are you the evil slave trader of demonic captives?\u003C\u002Fp>",1737,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7ddaa77b95bce7b06bcfcd1980e11f7b5eb37aed609d6aed171a0cf7fc20277d","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-173","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-171",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]