[{"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-225":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},2263951,4418,"Chapter 225: Meeting an Online Friend","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-225",225,"\u003Cp>“You mean the Heartless Demon King is waiting for Qingyun the Great Sage to arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The square-faced youth answered quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, caution is itself a form of fear of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, the Immortal Sects are powerful, and we truly don’t want to be the first to move—right now, the Great Zizai Demon Cult has almost no manpower left; it all falls on our demonic clans.” He spoke honestly: “The Demon Cult has pressed us for a long time, but the Ancestor has kept delaying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa and Master Pang and the others exchanged glances, all nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alliance between the demonic clans and the Demon Cult sounds like each side has its own agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why wait for Qingyun the Great Sage?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Nascent Soul Demon Kings refuse, but the Great Sage ordered the alliance with the Demon Cult.” The square-faced youth said: “On the other hand, after attacking your Jiushan Sect, we fear retaliation from the Hundred Immortal Alliance… so the Great Sage decided to come himself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa summarized: “Overseeing the battle, and holding the line?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang sighed: “They really do hold us in high regard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried a hint of despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa also felt a heavy weight in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, they had thought that with no Soul Transformation experts active, Jiushan Sect would only face a few Nascent Soul Demon Kings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now, Qingyun the Great Sage himself was coming…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Sage” is the demonic clans’ term for those beyond Soul Transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means Qingyun the Great Sage’s power is at least Soul Transformation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder Master Pang’s tone betrayed such despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Master Yuan gently gripped Zhang Shijie’s hand, her face filled with alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… when will you attack Jiushan Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The square-faced youth shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” Master Pang, growing impatient, unleashed his Nascent Soul aura straight at the square-faced youth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We don’t know.” The youth’s face was drenched in sweat; he hurried to say: “We’re all waiting for Qingyun the Great Sage, but he hasn’t arrived yet. The Ancestor says the Great Sage always needs time to prepare before each move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa froze, glancing at Zhang Shijie—both saw the same suspicion in each other’s eyes: the Soul Transformation state in Xuanyi Realm might be flawed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you really know nothing at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The square-faced youth hesitated, then whispered: “Before the Ancestor came, he instructed me to keep watch over your Lei Chi Market for a hundred days, and gather as much intelligence on Jiushan Sect as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A hundred days…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The meaning was clear: major changes would come after a hundred days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa glanced at the Golden Crow; according to the Golden Crow, they’d only been here for half a month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from these few words, the square-faced youth likely knew nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa didn’t press him, only ordered someone to take him away and keep him under close watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Three months.” Master Pang sighed suddenly: “A Soul Transformation expert will attack Jiushan Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, can we seek aid from the Hundred Immortal Alliance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the previous Nascent Soul experts of the Hundred Immortal Alliance had been unreliable, Jiushan Sect was still a member.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll send a letter to Tongming the Immortal myself—no, I’ll go find Tongming the Immortal in person!” Master Pang nodded firmly: “Some sects in the Hundred Immortal Alliance can’t be trusted; I must go myself to ensure secrecy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa now learned the rumored name of the Hundred Immortal Alliance’s Soul Transformation expert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t help asking: “Is Tongming the Immortal… trustworthy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no good feelings toward the Hundred Immortal Alliance anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, there was a traitor within the Hundred Immortal Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tongming the Immortal’s stance seemed ambiguous to Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tongming the Immortal holds immense prestige in the Hundred Immortal Alliance; the chance he’s colluding with the Demon Cult is slim.” Master Pang frowned: “Besides, if he lets Jiushan Sect fall, the entire alliance will lose its cohesion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded lightly after hearing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hundred Immortal Alliance had only banded together for mutual survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Tongming the Immortal refuses to save Jiushan Sect, the alliance’s reputation should be shattered outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zheng Fa noticed even Zhang Shijie seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once Master Huang brings the other disciples, I’ll set off for Tongming Mountain.” Master Pang said: “No matter what Tongming the Immortal says, I won’t return to Lei Chi—I’ll go straight back to Jiushan Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Huang arrived quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face was grim; she entered the Five Dragon Celestial Palace at once and told Zheng Fa and the others: “I’ve brought all the elite disciples. As for their families and ordinary disciples, I couldn’t take them—I feared alerting the enemy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang nodded: “Has Master Yuan made arrangements?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Yuan said he’ll arrange for them to evacuate nearby—if Jiushan Sect truly falls, it’ll preserve at least some seeds for our sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere inside the Five Dragon Celestial Palace was heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though unspoken, everyone understood the Sect Master was preparing for the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The spiritual energy here in Lei Chi Market is insufficient to sustain so many disciples—better they don’t come.” Master Pang sighed: “Sister Huang, I’m entrusting this market to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Pang…” Master Huang pursed her lips: “Master Yuan told you not to return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I’ve never accepted Yuan’s authority as Sect Master!” Master Pang snorted: “Why should I obey him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone fell silent, knowing Master Pang’s mind was made up—no amount of persuasion could change it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang then turned to Zhang Shijie: “I thought the chaos in Xuanyi Realm would take centuries or millennia to unfold—I planned to rest and recover—but now Jiushan Sect faces disaster so soon…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t stop you anymore.” Master Pang suddenly said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Shijie nodded lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa understood: Master Pang was signaling his concession to Zhang Shijie, unifying Jiushan Sect’s resolve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s one thing you must remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, please speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must protect his life.” Master Pang pointed at Zheng Fa: “As long as he lives, even if Jiushan Sect is reduced to its last survivor, there’s still hope for revival.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your disciple will remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was about to speak when Master Pang looked at him and waved his hand: “Death is hard—but sometimes, living is harder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Live well. I’m waiting for the day Jiushan Sect becomes Tianhe Sect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang spoke only a few more words, then asked them to leave the Five Dragon Celestial Palace, saying he needed to give final instructions to his direct disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed the palace doors tightly; no one knew what was said inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet when Zhou Gan and the others emerged, their eyes were red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang refused to see anyone else. The Five Dragon Celestial Palace rose from the ground and flew into the sky, gradually vanishing as everyone watched in silent farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Huang led the others to build new quarters, but Zhou Gan quietly sought out Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior Brother Zheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did Master Pang leave me a message?” Zheng Fa understood at once from his expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. Before he left, Master told us to follow your orders.” Zhou Gan spoke honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa realized: Master Pang had left this entire faction under his command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He also told me to tell you not to worry about the rift between the two factions,” Zhou Gan whispered: “He said if he dies for Jiushan Sect, the disciples under Zhang Shijie should have no more resentment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“… Master really thinks too much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, under these circumstances, neither Zheng Fa nor Zhang Shijie would allow further infighting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Pang’s instructions…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could only mean he cared too deeply for these disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of how Master Pang’s every word and action before leaving had been for Jiushan Sect—or for his own disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s heart grew bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Gan spoke again: “Master also had one more message—told to me in secret, and only for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa immediately grew solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What message?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He said, if you can save him, you should try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is… if something like last time happens, you should warn him first…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>… No wonder he said it privately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modern era, nursing home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin and the others sat in meditation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa’s cultivation had now reached Foundation Establishment, nearing the mid-stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The nursing home’s spiritual energy grew richer by the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin and the others cultivated faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Tang Lingwumin was nearly at Qi Refining Level Three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the old white man was probably not far from Qi Refining Level Two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Zhong, who started cultivating latest, was also slowly accumulating at Qi Refining Level One.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa glanced at the three of them, nodded lightly, then walked toward the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The climate had already entered winter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the vegetables in Tian Zhong’s field grew vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crouching beside the field, Zheng Fa stared at the vegetables.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red tomatoes, purple eggplants, lush green leaves, plump fruits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They paid no heed to the ever-colder temperatures, growing freely—so much so that the procurement staff sent from the restaurant had marveled at them for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before him lay a scene of vitality, yet he felt a pang of sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the three thunder arts on the Divine Edict, he had largely mastered Heavenly Tribulation Thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had also roughly understood the principle of Cloud and Rain Thunder—his problem was merely insufficient spiritual power and limited control, preventing full mastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Wood Thunder…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had a feeling that mastering Wood Thunder was currently beyond his reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His control over thunder arts was already struggling with Cloud and Rain Thunder…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin’s voice came from behind; she walked over and crouched beside Zheng Fa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her profile, in the morning sunlight, was especially clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just thinking… it’s too slow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa couldn’t explain, so he merely shook his head and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cultivation base was advancing too slowly, and as a result, his mastery of the Heavenly Stele Realm was insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could master the Heavenly Stele Realm, Jiushan Sect’s current problems would be solved effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin glanced at him, her eyes filled with confusion: “What’s too slow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mastering Wood Thunder is too slow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin didn’t understand why he was in such a hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his furrowed brows, she pursed her lips, feeling a pang of discouragement—sometimes she felt Zheng Fa kept things from her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fa was still lost in thought, pondering how to master the Heavenly Stele Realm as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Lingwumin stood up unhappily, glanced behind, and realized only Tian Zhong remained in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old white man had suddenly vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What puzzled her more was—Tian Zhong’s expression was even more hesitant than hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s Teacher Bai?” she asked softly as she walked over. “What’s wrong, Teacher Tian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He went to meet an online friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An online friend? Where did he get an online friend?” Tang Lingwumin blinked in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From a same-sex dating app…” Tian Zhong glanced at her, his tone flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...” Tang Lingwumin froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she knew she shouldn’t, in that moment she genuinely felt—Zheng Fa’s secrecy wasn’t so bad after all…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Zheng Fa didn’t learn from Teacher Bai, this was nothing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1882,"2026-06-19T19:16:07.172Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fd589ed651228f4d897f652b75c9f0f8b9af45684cfa1f5341f6682431b03343","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-226","cultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-chapter-224",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcultivation-i-studied-abroad-in-the-modern-world-cover.jpg"]