[{"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-190":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},2263916,4418,"Chapter 190: Junior","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-190",190,"\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t misread it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Crimson Sunset Sword Immortal treated him in an extremely odd manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the several jade boxes before him, Zheng Fa turned to the two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang looked helpless and pointed to Han Lao beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smiled warmly: “I’m visiting for the first time; I can’t be rude. These are just humble offerings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Master Pang scratched his head, his expression confused and troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept feeling this amiable old man wasn’t the same one who’d refused to draw a second sword to save him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, his expression grew wary: Could these two be demons in disguise?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… Master Han…” Zheng Fa was also bewildered: “You’ve done our Jiushan Sect great kindness; we should be the ones visiting you. Earlier, we merely feared disturbing your cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great kindness?” Master Han blinked, as if understanding something, then glanced at Master Pang: “Saved him? No matter. His life isn’t worth much—I just swung my sword at random.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s wariness slowly faded; his expression even grew relieved—this old man speaking like this felt right!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Look here…” Master Han pointed to the jade boxes before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa couldn’t refuse, so he opened a few jade boxes and took a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression grew even stranger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Han… this gift is far too generous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There weren’t many jade boxes—only three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two contained elixirs; one held spiritual materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t recognize all of them, but the ones he did recognize were of considerable value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Generous?” Master Han waved his hand: “I heard you cultivate Thunder Art, and wanted to buy some thunder-affiliated spiritual materials—but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Han tilted his head toward Master Pang, as if remembering something, then forcibly turned his neck to continue: “I don’t know who bought up every single thunder-affiliated spiritual material on the market…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Han, I can’t accept this.” Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, then refused: “You came to Jiushan Sect; our sect is honored. We’re barely able to repay your kindness—how could we take your things?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, this Crimson Sunset Sword Immortal was utterly baffling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, gifts given with intent always carry hidden demands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Nascent Soul cultivator rushing to build ties with him—Zheng Fa felt genuinely uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa’s firm refusal, Master Han looked slightly dejected, but quietly gathered the jade boxes, frowning in thought, his short frame somehow appearing almost wounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang, however, began speaking with Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seal marks?” Zheng Fa, hearing Yan Wushuang mention seal marks, set aside the odd Sword Immortal and nodded slightly: “Brother Yan, how do you propose we cooperate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already promised Yan Wushuang; he never intended to break his word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve thought it over,” Yan Wushuang said smoothly: “I can provide seal paper, spiritual ink—even demonic blood—and help with sales. You just handle production… the profits split fifty-fifty!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This arrangement was fair; Yan Wushuang didn’t seem to be seeking advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this plan, Jiushan Sect would essentially be making profit with no upfront cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, each seal mark could earn about ten spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it’s roughly half—just a few spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the issue is—they face almost zero risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No need to invest capital upfront.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s essentially technical equity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had another consideration—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cooperation would establish a preliminary link between Jiushan Sect and Tianhe Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this turmoil, he had little faith in the Hundred Immortal Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worse than going solo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, tying ties with Tianhe Sect—even if useless—was still better than nothing; after all, with the strength of both sects, real cooperation should resemble Changchun Sect’s relationship with Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t cooperation—it was paying protection money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this way, the deal became even more favorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Zhang Shijie exchanged glances; Zhang Shijie simply said: “You decide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang nodded beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zheng Fa felt reassured and nodded to Yan Wushuang: “I accept your terms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang smiled and nodded, unsurprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With preliminary agreement reached, the rest were minor details; Zheng Fa had his own people, Yan Wushuang wasn’t alone—let their subordinates negotiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yan Wushuang raised another question: “Brother Zheng, how many types of seal marks do you currently have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that they were partners, Zheng Fa didn’t hide it: “We can now reliably produce fourteen types of seal marks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All related to the soul?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Zheng Fa hadn’t expected such keen observation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zheng, I have an idea… soul-related seal marks are in high demand, but we could also develop others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That… the blood of the Great Freedom Demon Cult won’t work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was also helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Great Freedom Demon Cult disciples were just useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean…” Yan Wushuang instantly understood, his eyes gleaming: “Try other demon sects?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s face turned pale at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stiffly turned his neck, scanning his own Wulong Palace, as if calculating how many demon sects he could withstand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Yan!” Zheng Fa hurriedly stopped him: “One Great Freedom Demon Cult is already enough to give Jiushan Sect headaches!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, if the Great Freedom Demon Cult hadn’t been entrenched in Taiyang County with no room for compromise, Zheng Fa wouldn’t dare play with seal marks so boldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why fear them? Those people…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be cautious!” The Crimson Sunset Sword Immortal suddenly spoke, after long silence: “Demon sects aren’t so simple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words left everyone stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given his status, his words carried high credibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Han frowned: “Our Ancestor once truly slew several Demon Ancestors—but this calamity, their legacies have reappeared.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The implication was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On another note,” Master Han warned: “Demon sects’ secret realms operate under rules different from the Xuanwei Realm. Demon sect disciples’ performance in secret realms is incomparable to their behavior in the Xuanwei Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never underestimate demon sects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t know why, but he felt this man was subtly warning him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…This… sounds just like the Heavenly Stele,” Yan Wushuang murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Not just you think so.” The Crimson Sunset Sword Immortal smiled strangely: “Our Ancestor thought so too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Ancestor once left a saying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Among the Demon Ancestors, at least one was a Dao-Opening Ancestor—but their path, our Ancestor simply chose not to take.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a toothache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think of his own Yin-Yang Five Elements Divine Light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to this, he’d just become Xuanwei’s number three—temporarily ranked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Remember: don’t enter demon sect secret realms unless you’ve reached Nascent Soul! Even then, you can only say you have a chance to survive.” The Sword Immortal repeated it again; Zheng Fa felt no mistake—he was looking directly at him as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This left Master Pang and the others with grave expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d suppressed the Great Freedom Demon Cult within the secret realm; Zhang Shijie had even reached Nascent Soul—they’d grown somewhat complacent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing the Sword Immortal’s words, they realized the secret realm lay right beside Jiushan Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hearts grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t fully explain the true nature of the demon sect secret realm,” the Sword Immortal continued: “If you wish to learn more, use the Heavenly Stele.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Stele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and Zhang Shijie exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They understood each other’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must go see the Heavenly Stele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, it clearly had deep ties to the demon sect secret realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, because of Lei Chi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Heavenly Stele caused Lei Chi to change, and the Great Freedom Demon Cult lost its restraint and escaped…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Better to know early and flee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang chatted with Zheng Fa a while longer, then left with the Sword Immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving Lei Chi Market, both wore thoughtful expressions, seemingly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Immortal spoke first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You say...” he frowned and asked, “If you want to befriend someone, what’s the best way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Wushuang’s expression turned peculiar as he spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Han Lao... in the Heaven River Sect, you were famous for looking down on everyone. Now, at your age, is it not too late to start learning human relations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today, you’re again bringing gifts to Brother Zheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again reminding Brother Zheng not to enter that demonic sect’s secret realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You even advised him to go to the Heavenly Stele.” Yan Wushuang spoke faster and faster: “You only said that because you’ve seen Brother Zheng cultivating Thunder Law, and you know the Heavenly Stele would benefit him greatly, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” The Setting Sun Sword Immortal stammered: “Is it that obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... Brother Zheng is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator, yet you’re hiding things from him—how could anyone not suspect?” Yan Wushuang sighed: “Still, Han Lao, I understand you. This can’t be rushed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Brother Zheng your descendant? Which generation?” Yan Wushuang stroked his chin, convinced his theory was sound: “Did you abandon your wife and child back then? Now you feel guilty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why does he bear the surname Zheng?” Yan Wushuang’s gaze toward Han Lao grew dismissive: “Didn’t you even give him your real surname back then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... Be his elder?” The Setting Sun Sword Immortal gaped: “I wouldn’t dare dream of such a thing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modern times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa had just stepped out of the room when he saw Teacher Tian frowning at the same few blades of grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed puzzled about something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai stood beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zheng Fa approached the two, he saw Teacher Tian tear off a leaf and place it into Old Bai’s mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his mouth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa watched as Old Bai chewed the leaf twice, spat it out with a “Pah!”, and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Tian... what are you two doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa asked, baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m pondering a question,” Teacher Tian stood up, clapped her hands, and declared firmly: “Though spiritual energy has made these grasses grow deep-rooted and leafy, they’re worlds apart from the spiritual plants you described.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... These grasses contain no spiritual energy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. Not just this one—every one of them.” She pointed to the wheat seedlings: “They’re all the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher Tian, I understand your point—but just one question... to confirm whether there’s spiritual energy, you could just use the Spiritual Eye Technique. Why make Old Bai eat the grass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“... He wanted to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai grinned smugly: “The grass Teacher Tian picked is sweet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa studied Old Bai’s expression and felt it clearly bore an unspoken message:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’ve got it coming, kid!\u003C\u002Fp>",1726,"2026-06-19T19:16:02.864Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","cb8e7ccf0c03651427f29ade188319c8ce480dc9a1d0263c5c8528750be74043","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-191","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-189",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]