Chapter 209: Worried (4k)

In the classroom of Beijing University, Zheng Fa sat listening to the lecture.

There were few students in the classroom—only about a dozen—and the lecturer was an elderly man wearing a faded shirt and glasses; when he entered, he glanced at Zheng Fa with a puzzled expression.

His confusion was normal, for this course was Introduction to Atmospheric Science, a specialized class for the Meteorology Department.

Although Meteorology and Zheng Fa's Physics Department both belonged to the Physics College and their curricula overlapped significantly, Introduction to Atmospheric Science was exclusive to Meteorology, and normally only Meteorology students attended—there were very few of them, so Zheng Fa, as a stranger, stood out.

His goal was to audit the class:

Waiting for a meteorologist to stumble upon him was too passive and too reliant on luck, which didn't suit Zheng Fa's nature.

Yet refining Cloud, Rain, and Thunder required understanding meteorological knowledge.

So he simply decided to learn it himself.

The advantage of attending Beijing University was that—even though meteorology was a niche field at any university—Beijing University still brought together the top meteorologists, giving Zheng Fa ample learning resources.

As soon as he entered the classroom, Zheng Fa sensed the puzzled glances from the students and the elderly lecturer.

He didn't mind—if the professor didn't want him there, he'd leave; stealing books wasn't even theft, and auditing knowledge was nothing to be ashamed of.

On the other hand, from his experience, most Beijing University professors didn't care if students sat in on their lectures.

Indeed, the old man merely glanced at him twice, said nothing, and simply turned on the projector to begin lecturing.

Zheng Fa listened as attentively as any other student in the room, even taking notes more carefully than most.

This caused the old man to glance at him twice more.

The two lectures passed quickly; the professor didn't leave but stayed at the podium to answer questions from some students.

Zheng Fa didn't approach; he simply closed his book and mentally reviewed the lecture.

As an introductory course for Meteorology, Introduction to Atmospheric Science wasn't difficult to understand—or rather, meteorology itself derived from physics, so it posed no challenge for Zheng Fa.

He felt he had gained much, yet still had no clear idea of how to use Thunder Art to control clouds and rain.

Zheng Fa wasn't discouraged; at least, compared to those in the Heavenly Stele Realm, he still had direction.

Head bowed, he recalled the lecture while organizing his books, when he noticed a pair of feet beside his desk.

He looked up—the professor stood beside him, smiling: "Do you have any questions?"

"..." Zheng Fa froze.

The old man seemed to think he was shy and asked: "You're not from Meteorology—what department are you from?"

"I'm from Physics."

The professor nodded and asked again: "Do you have any questions?"

Zheng Fa was puzzled—this professor was unusually enthusiastic.

The old man seemed to sense his confusion and smiled: "Meteorology is a niche field. I've taught Introduction for over a decade and rarely encounter auditors..."

Zheng Fa knew this was true.

For instance, in today's Physics College, the Physics Department had over two hundred faculty members, including more than a dozen academicians.

But the entire Meteorology Department had only twelve teachers—fewer than the Physics Department's academicians.

Seeing he understood, the professor continued: "If you're interested in meteorology, feel free to ask any questions."

Zheng Fa felt a pang of guilt—he had little genuine interest in meteorology, and thus failed to honor the professor's open-minded teaching spirit.

Seeing the professor's keen gaze fixed on him, Zheng Fa thought for a moment and voiced his question:

"Professor, can today's artificial rain technology be achieved through electromagnetic force?"

He felt uneasy—this question sounded too amateurish.

The professor was stunned, clearly unprepared for such a question.

"This is a very new field," he said, without impatience, instead thinking carefully: "Few have researched this direction."

Zheng Fa nodded—he had indeed checked relevant materials; the topic was relatively obscure.

"Theoretically, it's feasible, but practically, this approach has a major flaw..." The old man paused suddenly, as if testing Zheng Fa: "Do you know why?"

"Energy. Cost." Zheng Fa replied softly.

"Correct." The professor smiled. "Artificial rain is already mature, but electromagnetic methods demand excessive energy."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa wasn't disappointed.

He had expected difficulty.

"Still, research does exist—mostly lab simulations. Oh, some meteorological weapon concepts are based on this too..."

Unexpectedly, the professor's words gave him a surprise.

"There's a relatively mature approach—foreign, from a few years ago—using lasers to influence rainfall. That experiment had more data and more refined research."

Zheng Fa immediately pulled out his notebook and wrote it down.

It wasn't that Zheng Fa couldn't find this information—he could find far too much of it.

But lacking professional knowledge, he ended up unable to tell which experiments were rigorous and scientific, and which were worthless.

Sometimes Zheng Fa felt that ignorance in the Xuanwei Realm stemmed from too little information—like blind men touching an elephant—while modern ignorance came from too much information, with sand and silt mixed together... it was truly paradoxical.

The professor's referenced research, at least, had been vetted by professionals.

As he left the classroom, Zheng Fa sincerely thanked the professor: "Thank you for your guidance."

The old man waved his hand: "If you're willing to learn, I'm willing to teach. If you have more questions, feel free to come back anytime."

Xuanwei Realm.

Zheng Fa was again studying under the Sect Master.

"Previously, since you hadn't cultivated the Divine Thunder Control True Art, teaching you my talisman array method would've been wasted. Now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, you may begin learning it."

Around them, besides Yuan Shijie, there was no one else.

Strictly speaking, even counting Yuan Shijie, there was no one else.

Even the Sect Master had set up a talisman array, seemingly to prevent eavesdropping.

He continued to Zheng Fa: "But before I teach you the talisman array method, I must clarify a rule."

"Yes." Zheng Fa adopted a respectful, obedient posture.

"This talisman array method is my exclusive technique. Without my permission, you must not teach it to anyone."

"Yes."

"Especially Zhang Shijie."

"..."

Zheng Fa glanced at Yuan Shijie, surprised at his master's trust in her.

He didn't think his master was stingy—this was, in fact, a long-standing rule in the Xuanwei Realm.

Yet he couldn't help recalling the old professor from earlier.

Seeing Zheng Fa's serious expression, the Sect Master nodded: "Do you know where the talisman array method came from?"

"No."

"It shares the same origin as your Pang Shu's Linked Talisman Technique."

Zheng Fa suddenly remembered something: "Then... the True Form of Mountains and Rivers Talisman?"

The True Form of Mountains and Rivers Talisman was the complex composite talisman he had seen at the Nine Mountains Ancestor's shrine upon entering the sect.

At the time, because he had grasped one-tenth of its mystery, he received the Ling Shan Fa and Qingyang Qi—now Qingyang Qi had transformed into the Qingyang Dao Body.

Honestly, Zheng Fa thought the talisman's utility was limited—he was currently especially envious of Xiao Yuying's Magnetic Orb Body.

But the Ling Shan Fa had indeed become the foundation of his modern cultivation.

Thus, he had a strong impression of the True Form of Mountains and Rivers Talisman.

"Precisely." The Sect Master smiled, evidently pleased with his insight: "After reaching Nascent Soul, both your Pang Shu and I studied the True Form of Mountains and Rivers Talisman—he unlocked the Linked Talisman Technique, and I unlocked the Talisman Array Method."

The Sect Master briefly explained, then handed Zheng Fa a jade cylinder: "This jade cylinder contains the essence of my Talisman Array Method. Study it first; ask me later if you have questions."

"But don't become obsessed with it," the Sect Master suddenly sighed: "My greatest skill, the Zhou Tian Thunder Talisman Array, has reached its limit—I'm no longer confident it can defeat Nascent Soul late-stage cultivators."

"Limit?"

"Yes." The Sect Master sighed: "The power of a talisman array depends on the power of its individual talismans—I've already used the strongest thunder talismans available for the Zhou Tian Array."

Zheng Fa's mind stirred—he recalled the Heavenly Tribulation Talisman he had just developed.

"Master, if you knew the origin talisman of Heavenly Tribulation Thunder, would it help your Talisman Array Method?" he asked directly.

"Heavenly Tribulation Thunder? The thunder art from the Heavenly Stele Realm?" The Sect Master sighed: "I've thought of it, but not only is mastering Heavenly Tribulation Thunder difficult, turning a technique into a talisman isn't simple."

Zheng Fa smiled and flicked a talisman into the sky.

The Sect Master and Yuan Shijie looked up—above them, a golden, majestic heavenly thunder struck the ground beside them.

With his Nascent Soul cultivation, how could the Sect Master not sense the power of this thunder art?

"T... Heavenly Tribulation Talisman?"

He spoke with rare hesitation.

"Yes."

"This... this..." The Sect Master stared deeply at Zheng Fa, then turned to the slightly bewildered Yuan Shijie: "You are forbidden from speaking of this."

"Master?"

He had never given Yuan Shijie such strict instructions when teaching her the Talisman Array Method.

The Sect Master sighed: "You're progressing too fast—this would be too shocking if it spread."

After a moment, the Sect Master hesitantly spoke again: "This... Heavenly Tribulation Talisman..."

His face clearly read: I want to learn this!

It was understandable—his master's entire foundation was the Zhou Tian Thunder Talisman Array; seeing the Heavenly Tribulation Talisman, he now saw a path to advance it further—how could he not desire it?

But immediately, Sect Master Yuan dismissed the thought: "Never mind… this is your unique method…"

"I am willing to teach it to my Master."

"Huh?" Sect Master Yuan stared at Zheng Fa, puzzled: "Why…?"

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, many reasons flashing through his mind.

For instance, this Master had treated him well.

For instance, if this Master grew stronger, his own life would be safer.

Or perhaps, after the Master's Thunder Talisman Array evolved, he could pass it back to him.

But when he spoke, the image of the old man in his worn shirt suddenly flashed in his eyes: "Master, if you want to learn, I'll teach you…"

"That's it?"

"That's it."

"Don't you ever be this generous outside!" Sect Master Yuan looked at Zheng Fa, suddenly as if worried his disciple was an idiot.

"I know, Master," Zheng Fa shook his head, but his gaze fixed on the distance.

Yuan Shijie watched from the side and suddenly felt Zheng Shidi was looking at another world.

…

Several days later, as Zheng Fa arrived outside the Heavenly Stele, he unexpectedly met the Immortal Xiao Yuying.

"Zheng Fa."

Before he could speak, Xiao Yuying called out to him, as if she had something to say.

"Immortal Xiao?"

Zheng Fa bowed to Xiao Yuying, his face filled with confusion—he had no idea why she had stopped him.

Others nearby also paused, watching the two converse.

Some even wore expressions of eager anticipation.

"I just wanted to tell you—I've mastered Heavenly Tribulation Thunder," Xiao Yuying said, glancing at Zheng Fa twice.

Zheng Fa was slightly surprised.

That speed was too fast.

He himself had only truly mastered Heavenly Tribulation Thunder by using modern experimental equipment.

But this Xiao Yuying… could she really have achieved this level solely through that Magnetic Orbital Body?

"I know you've mastered Heavenly Tribulation Thunder too," Xiao Yuying added. "But I'm a Nascent Soul, while you're only Foundation Establishment… you probably can't unleash it more than a few times a day, right?"

"Yes…"

Zheng Fa still didn't understand why Xiao Yuying had stopped him.

"I just wanted to tell you," Xiao Yuying said matter-of-factly. "This time, I'll likely surpass you—but it's not because you're inferior. It's just that our cultivation bases differ."

Zheng Fa widened his eyes. Was she coming to comfort him in advance?

Did this person even have this much emotional intelligence?

Xiao Yuying went on: "You're already quite good. You'll get used to it eventually."

"…"

Okay, she might have some emotional intelligence—but not much.

"At least compared to these people," Xiao Yuying glanced around and added, "you're already far stronger."

Alright, she really didn't.

After speaking, Xiao Yuying ignored everyone else and walked straight toward the Heavenly Stele.

"Brother Zheng…" Behind him, Yan Wushuang and others looked his way, their expressions gloomy, eyes filled with concern.

Yan Wushuang carefully observed Zheng Fa's expression, then sighed in admiration: "If I were Brother Zheng, I wouldn't be this calm…"

He paused, then added: "Then again, Brother Zheng—you're only Foundation Establishment, yet you once outshone Immortal Yuying. That's enough to be proud of! Too bad this Heavenly Stele Realm…"

Zheng Fa said nothing.

He was indeed a little worried…

His greatest purpose in studying Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Talismans was to solve his lack of spiritual power and spiritual sense.

Now, his storage pouch held thick stacks of Heavenly Tribulation Thunder Talismans.

He was about to enter the Heavenly Stele Realm to farm Heavenly Merit points…

What if he annoyed this proud Immortal Yuying—would the upgraded Thunder Talisman Array from his Master hold up?

Seeing the worry finally appear on his face,

Yan Wushuang sighed inwardly. Despite Brother Zheng's calm exterior,

his heart must be troubled.

…

(End of Chapter)