[{"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-182":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},2263908,4418,"Chapter 182: Obsession","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-182",182,"\u003Cp>Zheng Fa hadn’t expected that Master Pang had invited these Nascent Soul cultivators yet still distrusted them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already told you before—some sects in the Hundred Immortal Alliance are untrustworthy,” Master Pang chuckled, as if sensing Zheng Fa’s surprise. “They likely resist Master Zhang’s Nascent Soul formation even more than the Demon Cults do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, it’s just one more Nascent Soul…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Master Zhang a common Nascent Soul?” Master Pang sneered. “She’s someone who could match Nascent Soul power while still at Golden Core—after forming her Nascent Soul, her strength likely surpasses mine by a third. In the Hundred Immortal Alliance, she’s unquestionably among the strongest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why invite these people here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of all the Nascent Souls near here, I’ve summoned most today—and indeed, some have already turned traitorous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded in agreement. “So these people aren’t allies—they might be enemies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang spoke coolly. “Better to keep them in the open than let them strike from the shadows. Through them, I’ve confirmed the Great Freedom Demon Cult truly intends to move against us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted Master Pang’s judgment of these people—and their malice made it hard to believe they hadn’t heard whispers; perhaps some had already colluded with outsiders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But you can’t stay here—there are too many Nascent Soul True Persons here,” Master Pang sighed. “I can’t protect you constantly, nor do I have the ability… Master Zhang’s Nascent Soul formation came too suddenly. Otherwise, I should’ve sent you back to the mountain first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was impossible. Once Master Zhang’s Nascent Soul formation began, the Nine Mountains Sect would be watched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning alone would be suicide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your situation is most dangerous,” Master Pang frowned. “First, you’re a famed genius of our sect—these people may have targeted you. Second, your close ties to Master Zhang aren’t a secret…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, are you saying someone will use me to hinder Master Zhang’s Nascent Soul formation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nascent Soul formation brings a heart demon trial,” Master Pang nodded. “They’ll surely interfere there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the Great Freedom Demon Cult, killing anyone from Nine Mountains Sect suffices. If they can’t kill Master Zhang, attacking our Five Dragon Heavenly Palace is another option—perhaps even inevitable. Kill us first, deprive Master Zhang of support, then strike when she’s isolated after forming her Nascent Soul—it’ll be easier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the righteous Nascent Souls have fewer options. The best method—clearly, kill you, so Master Zhang fails her heart demon trial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Internally, these treacherous Nascent Souls; externally, the Great Freedom Demon Cult—my Five Dragon Heavenly Palace is beset by troubles within and without,” Master Pang smiled. “I wonder how many Nine Mountains disciples will survive this trial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s eyes glowed silver as he scanned the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace, as if inspecting every disciple—especially his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared with a blank face, openly and boldly, yet Zheng Fa beside him didn’t know what to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To claim Master Pang didn’t care for his disciples was false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But undeniably, Master Pang was prepared to sacrifice them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke of fearing for Zheng Fa’s safety, yet both knew—once the Nascent Soul battle began, not a single disciple in the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace would be safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was merely a bigger target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s reluctance now wasn’t fake—but as Sun Daoyu had said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Choose a hundred times, he’d still choose Nine Mountains Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me take my fellow disciples into Lei Chi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang froze, staring at Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa explained his plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My senior brothers have already undergone much trial in the Great Dao Contest for Immortality. Now they’ve trained under Lin Bu Fan and are intimately familiar with Lei Chi’s environment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the cultivation levels of those within Lei Chi are suppressed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps in Lei Chi, my fellow disciples can become assets rather than burdens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Assets?” Master Pang frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I intend to lead my senior brothers and block the Great Freedom Demon Cult’s gate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Block the gate?” Master Pang stared, his gaze slowly brightening, then shifting to confusion. “Are you really Master Zheng?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve got this kind of courage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just need you to lend me some spirit talismans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spirit talismans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance to the Great Freedom Demon Cult’s secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Groups of Great Freedom Demon Cult disciples stood inside the gate, as if preparing to pour out en masse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were tense yet excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most carried the aura of Foundation Establishment, while several Golden Core disciples stood among them, barking orders to maintain order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the front of one unit, Lin Yangtian frowned slightly, wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outer Lei Chi severely restricted Golden Core cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangtian, what are you thinking?” asked a nearby Golden Core disciple, familiar with him, noticing his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m worried about attacking Nine Mountains Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, what’s Nine Mountains Sect? If not for Lei Chi trapping us, would they have dared stand by?” the Golden Core disciple sneered. “I heard there’s a bounty on our sect members’ blood in the Lei Chi Market—insolent beyond words. Today, we march on their door and make them know our Holy Cult cannot be trifled with.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yangtian’s face remained expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, he felt nothing—let them insult us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had hiding in this secret realm for years improved our reputation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s massive show of force was first because of Zhang Wuyi—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Wuyi’s rapid Nascent Soul formation stirred painful memories among the Holy Cult’s elite, even kindling a resolve to kill her at any cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, it was the bounty posted by Nine Mountains Sect in the Lei Chi Market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that bounty, many Great Freedom Demon Cult disciples hadn’t dared leave their gates for a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly stifling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yangtian still frowned—he sensed something odd about Nine Mountains Sect. Last time, his subordinates Lin Bu Fan and his nephew had been exposed without clear cause, leaving him baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking? Nine Mountains Sect’s strength is nothing compared to ours—only one Nascent Soul outside. This battle is a gift.” His companion chuckled. “If you hadn’t been to Nine Mountains Sect before and knew them a bit, you wouldn’t even be leading the vanguard. I hear the Lei Chi Market, though new, is wealthy—if we break through, we’ll strike it rich.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yangtian’s face broke into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—he had no interest in fighting for the Great Freedom Demon Cult’s honor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fighting for the wealth of the Lei Chi Market—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he was willing to lead the charge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He directed his group of Foundation Establishment disciples across the secret realm gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, he saw chaos ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were retreating rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s happening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned, voice sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enemies attack!” shouted a Foundation Establishment disciple ahead. “They’ve blocked the gate! The first three senior brothers are dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Yangtian and the nearby Golden Core disciple stared at each other—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait, weren’t we supposed to be attacking them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How did they attack us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like Nine Mountains Sect!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could an outside sect be more ruthless than us?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and the Nine Mountains disciples stared at the black-stone archway, their expressions wary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The archway was small—barely wide enough for two or three to pass side by side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking the gate seemed dangerous, but was far safer than staying in the Five Dragon Heavenly Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Lei Chi, all cultivators above Foundation Establishment must remain grounded!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Daoyu stood nearby, tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, shouldn’t we wait until more of them emerge before attacking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior brother, do we have many people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Daoyu looked around and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Nine Mountains disciples were few—fewer than fifty Foundation Establishment cultivators total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he understood Zheng Fa’s plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They emerge one by one—we strike together!” Zheng Fa said. “Don’t fear using spirit talismans! We’ve got plenty today!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, Li Nuo and a group of Nine Mountains disciples waved talisman seals, rapidly crafting spirit talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, by the way—where are those Demon Cult disciples’ corpses? Drag them over. Don’t waste them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Daoyu twitched his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of “supply from the enemy” is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Somehow, the Nine Mountains Sect’s tactics feel off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to look back, watching the endless stream of spirit talismans behind him—he couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable sense of security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, those inside seemed to realize that Zheng Fa and the others had blocked their secret realm’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, a few Foundation Establishment cultivators tried to rush out—they were immediately overwhelmed and killed by Zheng Fa and his group’s combined attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, they apparently realized Foundation Establishment cultivators were too fragile, and two Golden Core cultivators burst forth from the arched gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Core cultivators’ physical bodies were far stronger than those of Foundation Establishment cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were surrounded by black mist that shielded them, enduring a waterfall of Xuan-grade talismans as they charged toward Zheng Fa and his group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young brother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their fearsome appearance, the disciples of Jiushan Sect all wore expressions of dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa saw clearly—they were not unaffected by the spirit talismans; they were merely relying on their physical cultivation to endure them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them surged many members of the demonic sect, using these two Golden Core cultivators as a path to finally flood into Lei Chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people had been trapped inside the secret realm, too afraid to even peek out, but now their faces glowed with excitement as they frantically flew toward Zheng Fa and his group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the Jiushan Sect disciples beside him and whispered, “Fall back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the Jiushan Sect disciples, though confused, obeyed instantly due to Zheng Fa’s authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the two Golden Core cultivators of the Great Freedom Demon Sect, accompanied by numerous Foundation Establishment disciples, charged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they drew nearer, Zheng Fa suddenly reached out, peeled off his Daoist robe, and carefully stowed it in his waist pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two leading Golden Core cultivators of the demonic sect halted, as if suddenly remembering something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa smiled faintly, sending a spirit talisman soaring into the thunderclouds above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Thunderfire Talisman he had borrowed from Master Pang—a Di-grade talisman imbued with the spiritual sense and power of a Golden Core cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, the thunderclouds above roared like surging waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been enraged by the Golden Core spiritual sense within the Thunderfire Talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning fell like rain; the space within a hundred zhang around Zheng Fa became a playground of dancing thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Golden Core cultivators before him saw their ferocity fade into blankness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then into terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, they turned and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But within Lei Chi, they dared not use magic treasures or divine techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were quickly overtaken by Zheng Fa, who moved without restraint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under two strokes of heavenly lightning, both Golden Core cultivators were grievously wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other demonic sect disciples, seeing Zheng Fa charging toward them with a sky-full of heavenly tribulation, turned pale and scrambled back into the secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When rushing out, they had thought the secret realm’s entrance was crowded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, running inward, it was even more packed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far away, Yan Wushuang, along with two True Disciples from Haorishan and Taishang Dao, watched the scene unfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa’s actions, all three froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chu Tianque from Haorishan wore a complex expression, glancing between Zheng Fa and Yan Wushuang beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, he slowly spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does this Brother Zheng have some connection with you, Elder Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang was equally stunned—wasn’t this fighting style just his own?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After long thought, Yan Wushuang suddenly burst into laughter:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Brother Zheng! He truly shares my exact tastes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Tastes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two exchanged glances, as if they already knew exactly what those tastes were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes toward Zheng Fa grew distant, tinged with wary respect.\u003C\u002Fp>",1972,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","c6fc0996534155439491d0be76a3a9ab9a49630739647ce493305f1f41a40606","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-183","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-181",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]