[{"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-217":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},2263943,4418,"Chapter 217: Mother of the New Law","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-217",217,"\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s praise made Zheng Fa smile awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To some extent, Zhang Shijie was naturally a New Law adherent—even before knowing the flaws of Soul Transformation cultivation, she and Zheng Fa had already discussed how to solve spiritual energy decline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the Old Law nor Tianhe Zuner’s New Law had avoided this problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa now suspected that the Old Law and spiritual energy decline were two sides of the same coin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time, Zhang Shijie had said they must forge a new path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after learning the secret of Soul Transformation did the New Law become more dangerous and urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was slightly worried Zhang Shijie might retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it seemed she had not been frightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if sensing his thoughts, Zhang Shijie smiled lightly: “Younger brother, you’ve underestimated me, haven’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Shijie…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie shook her head and held up her palm before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, suddenly understanding her meaning, and raised his hand to lightly clap hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me too! Me too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Yuan Shijie raised her hand loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Those things you just mentioned,” Zhang Shijie thought for a moment, “even Master Pang might refuse, and the debate within the sect would be fierce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang was never one to stir up trouble; he opposed Zhang Shijie because he feared damaging Jiushan Sect’s vital energy and leaving it unprepared for the coming Xuánwēi Realm’s great calamity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Zheng Fa’s ideas were truly shocking to the Xuánwēi Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the Qingyang Dao Body cannot be abandoned—you must become even more talented,” Zhang Shijie concluded. “If you display talent rivaling Tianhe Zuner, Master Pang and the others will let you become Sect Master directly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If your talent surpasses Tianhe Zuner, Master Pang and the others will carve a path for you using Jiushan Sect’s resources.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood Zhang Shijie’s meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slogans alone won’t do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xuánwēi Realm values strength above all, then talent—that is, future strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current strength is still far behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Talent, of course, must not be abandoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You said earlier that the Fusang Tree grows extremely slowly, likely because this divine wood is too extraordinary and lacks sufficient spiritual materials,” Zhang Shijie asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I think so too—the Fusang Tree is undoubtedly excellent,” Zheng Fa frowned. “But if it hinders my cultivation, it would be a serious delay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you have any ideas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then simply said three words: “Heavenly Stele Realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie froze, understanding his meaning, but her brow furrowed: “That would require a great deal of heavenly merit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa smiled, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his expression, Zhang Shijie knew he had some confidence, so she stopped asking and took off the jade bracelet on her wrist, handing it to Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since the path after Soul Transformation has flaws, I shouldn’t cultivate further. There are some resources inside—take them. Don’t let them go to waste,” Zhang Shijie said, eyes lowered, lashes hiding her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was stunned, still speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, Yuan Shijie raised her hand again: “Me too! Me too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…“ Zhang Shijie turned to Yuan Shijie, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shijie sheepishly lowered her arm, muttering: “I clapped too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa glanced at the jade bracelet in Zhang Shijie’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Xuánwēi Realm, spatial artifacts were rare; most cultivators used storage bags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Storage bags had extremely limited space—small ones were no bigger than a cardboard box, larger ones barely the size of a room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhang Shijie’s jade bracelet was different—it held a space as large as a small courtyard, far more valuable than ordinary storage bags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It likely contained most of her life’s wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s expression grew cold, as if offended by his refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, I have another request—a more important one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie’s expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, look at this Mountain-River True Form Talisman,” Zheng Fa pointed above them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie looked up at the cliff top, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was our Ancestor’s consciousness born within this Mountain-River True Form Talisman?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… why did the Mountain-River True Form Talisman give rise to consciousness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?” Zhang Shijie, unaccustomed to Zheng Fa’s habit of asking “why,” was momentarily baffled: “An unusual path to Dao, absorbing spiritual energy, then spontaneously gaining consciousness?” Her words reflected the Xuánwēi Realm’s superficial summary of such phenomena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Fa had another theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least now, in his view, every phenomenon must have a material basis—consciousness was no exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the four composite talisman patterns, recalling the basic knowledge of artificial intelligence he had learned from Tang Lingwumin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Zheng Fa’s perspective, human intelligence and artificial intelligence alike were merely three stages:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, input—whether through human senses or computer data import.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, data storage, computation, judgment, or information processing: humans use the nervous system, artificial intelligence uses algorithmic structures like neural networks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Output need not be mentioned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, his Master had given him a jade cylinder containing his insights on talisman arrays, and Zheng Fa had noticed something intriguing—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If spiritual energy were likened to electric current, his Master’s talisman arrays showed spiritual energy flowing through several distinct circuits, each composed of different talismans, producing different effects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost like a circuit board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the similarities between the two worlds, Zheng Fa grew even more suspicious of how the Mountain-River True Form Talisman generated consciousness:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If viewed as a spiritual-energy lifeform,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>could these composite talisman patterns be seen as various circuits—or even naturally formed algorithmic structures?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And might the centuries-long absorption of spiritual energy, producing consciousness, essentially be a prolonged input process?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, could he try building a spiritual-energy computer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, his eyes burned with intensity as he turned to Zhang Shijie: “Sister, what I ask of you is to lend me your body!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie froze. Nearby, Yuan Shijie raised her hand: “I’m… still here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean using my Yuanling Dao Body to test various composite talisman patterns?” Zhang Shijie understood: “To see which patterns can help us compute, deduce, and even generate consciousness?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Your Yuanling Dao Body can generate various talismans internally—it’s perfect for this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie thought for a moment: “That’s not difficult. But will it be useful?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa considered: “Sister, I can say this—if this succeeds, half the New Law is already achieved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie slowly nodded, though her expression remained unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Zheng Fa not witnessed the explosive development of computers in modern society, he himself might not have understood…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But honestly, Zheng Fa truly believed: if Zhang Shijie could help him build a spiritual-energy computer,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then no one else could ever be the Mother of the New Law!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa hurried back from Jiushan Sect to Lei Chi and arrived once more beneath the Heavenly Stele.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several cultivators stood near the Heavenly Stele; seeing Zheng Fa, many greeted him warmly—thanks to Xiao Yuying’s good reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of Xiao Yuying, she appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yuying walked over, her gaze fixed solely on Zheng Fa, as if no one else existed, and stopped beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stood side by side. Xiao Yuying suddenly turned to Zheng Fa, opened her mouth as if to speak, then hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Xiao?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yuying shook her head: “I know where a spiritual treasure lies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way you say that sounds exactly like “I ate three bowls of rice today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could clearly sense the stunned expressions on the faces of nearby cultivators who overheard them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you interested?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa stared at Xiao Yuying, bewildered by her generosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The location of that spiritual treasure is extremely dangerous—I cannot enter,” Xiao Yuying said to Zheng Fa. “I need someone whose Thunder Art surpasses mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa finally understood why Xiao Yuying treated him so kindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed to be seeking a favor from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dangerous…” Zheng Fa frowned, thought for a moment, then shook his head. “Lady Xiao, I’m only at Foundation Establishment. If you think it’s dangerous, how could I dare go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll guarantee your safety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that this Lady Xiao Yuying placed great importance on the spiritual treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa shook his head even more firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s more dangerous than ancient relics and secret realms?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it be better to grind more Heavenly Merit in the Heavenly Stele Realm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yuying looked at Zheng Fa with an odd expression—as if she had seen through his cowardice: “Others, upon hearing of a spiritual treasure, would beg me on their knees… but you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa grinned. “My master once had a disciple who stirred up many powerful enemies while searching for treasures… so he strictly forbade me from acting rashly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xiao Yuying nodded slightly, as if convinced: “I know your Sect Master—he’s a timid man…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, yes! I really want to go!” Zheng Fa bowed apologetically, nodding rapidly. “But my master’s orders are impossible to defy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Yuying shook her head and fell silent, as if giving up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before stepping into the Heavenly Stele, Zheng Fa suddenly heard her whisper into his ear: “The spiritual treasure I mentioned is connected to the Heaven River Venerable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, halting his steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood why the notoriously reckless Lady Lingye had resorted to secret telepathy—any spiritual treasure tied to the Heaven River Venerable could drive countless cultivators to risk their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zheng Fa wasn’t just startled by that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he was deeply curious about the Heaven River Venerable—especially his new method…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zheng Fa’s stunned expression, Xiao Yuying smiled triumphantly. “If you change your mind, we can discuss it further after we leave the Heavenly Stele.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1614,"2026-06-19T19:16:07.172Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","221aa1efc40830d8adfd746d708e6677ee6525be75eab0dddd8cfe1a49438dea","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-218","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-216",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]