Chapter 99: Dao Body

In Bai Lao's home, the atmosphere was somewhat solemn.

The two of them, Bai Lao and the other, looked at Zheng Fa, their eyes filled with a hesitation to ask but dare not ask.

"Actually... it's quite normal, right?" Bai Lao fell silent for a moment, then suddenly gave a dry laugh: "The human body naturally carries electricity; yours is just a bit stronger, and the shock a bit more numbing."

Tang Lingwu, standing nearby, nodded and said with mock seriousness, "I've seen it in movies; it's very scientific!"

Zheng Fa:...

This old man and this young one probably understood this was his secret and did not want to press him to say more.

Zheng Fa indeed did not wish to tell the two of them at this moment.

Although he could cultivate the Dao, the destructive power of weapons in this world was terrifying—he did not believe he could guarantee his own safety.

But the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" given to him by Zhang Shijie changed his mind.

In the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method," Zhang Shijie, referencing the pattern of the four talisman diagrams within the Shanhe True Form Talisman, designed a method to condense a composite talisman diagram within the dantian:

At the tenth layer of Qi Refining, one talisman diagram is condensed per layer, and these ten talisman diagrams form one composite talisman diagram.

Zhang Shijie's train of thought was very clear:

Utilize the ability of talisman diagrams to attract corresponding talisman diagrams to absorb spiritual energy.

Utilize the ability of the composite talisman diagram to exist stably to solidify it within the dantian.

In other words, the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" requires one to design a composite talisman diagram oneself, and then condense it within the dantian.

Zheng Fa did not know how Zhang Shijie designed the composite talisman diagram, but obviously the outcome was not good—her Jin Dan was flawed.

Solving this problem would require Bai Lao's brain.

So even if not for this accidental small exposure, he probably would not have kept it hidden for long.

In fact, in his conception of a cultivation laboratory, these two were likely the first choice—having brains and relatively trustworthy.

Zheng Fa understood in his heart that he could choose not to speak now, but it would be hard not to make the two of them feel distrusted.

A certain degree of openness was actually the best choice.

He fell silent for a moment before speaking: "Earlier I said I came from a hidden sect..."

Bai Lao was stunned, then suddenly said, "That is actually true?"

"Yes, that sect is called the Jiushan Sect, and the disciples within... can cultivate the Dao."

After Zheng Fa finished this sentence, he looked at the two of them.

Bai Lao opened and closed his mouth, sighing, "Is this something we are allowed to know?"

Tang Lingwu, standing nearby, said nothing.

These two seemed not very surprised.

Indeed, these two were not fools—his behavior had indeed been somewhat strange.

Bai Lao even advised Zheng Fa.

"Zheng Fa, you are still young; do not speak of this matter to outsiders in the future." Bai Lao let out a bitter laugh: "I will pretend I never heard it."

Tang Lingwu nodded, saying simply, "I have already forgotten."

"Does your sect have any spell that can make me forget this matter without hurting my brain?" Bai Lao seemed to doubt Zheng Fa and asked further.

His face showed great anticipation, as if he was somewhat curious about what would happen if he were struck by an immortal sect spell.

"..."

No, why are the two of you being more cautious than me?

Zheng Fa understood; these two probably felt they knew too much.

"What I mean is, you two can as well."

Bai Lao trembled, looking at Zheng Fa.

"The two of us?"

Zheng Fa nodded.

"Are you not afraid..."

"The Jiushan Sect is not short of people," Zheng Fa said with righteous confidence.

Yes, just not in this world.

Bai Lao shrank his neck.

"Indeed, hidden for so long without being discovered, it seems they really are not afraid..." Bai Lao muttered: "It's just that I am even more afraid."

Do not be afraid; you are also a Nascent Soul.

Bai Lao and Tang Lingwu exchanged a glance; hesitation on their faces outweighed joy.

"Moreover, only by following me can you cultivate the Dao."

This was the assurance that made Zheng Fa most at ease—the meaning of the Lingshan Method to him was that only those he wanted to cultivate the Dao could cultivate the Dao.

As long as he could guarantee his most basic safety, naturally there would be those who longed for cultivation to join his camp.

"Master!" Hearing Zheng Fa's words, Bai Lao felt not disappointment, but joy on his face, as if a heavy stone had been lifted from his heart: "I saw your immortal wind and bone at a single glance!"

"Wait!" Zheng Fa held out his hand: "Our Jiushan Sect also has requirements for accepting disciples."

"Requirements?"

"Those talisman diagrams..."

Bai Lao was stunned, then suddenly realized: "So that is why you cared so much about them."

Zheng Fa nodded.

"Our sect is quite academic..."

"..." Thinking of the disciples of the Jiushan Sect who wielded talismans, Zheng Fa said nothing.

"It's just... how did you enter the sect?"

Although Old Bai didn't scold, Zheng Fa still felt deeply insulted.

"... My talent is extraordinary!"

After exchanging a few words, the two turned to look at Tang Lingwu—the young girl had been silent all along.

"I... don't want to cultivate."

She bit her lip and suddenly said.

"Hmm?"

"Does Jiushan Sect have any spells that can treat... hysteria?" Tang Lingwu raised her eyes, looking at Zheng Fa, with a longing in her gaze he had never seen on her face before.

"Hmm?"

"My mother has some issues in that regard."

Zheng Fa suddenly understood.

He recalled many things.

The sedan car that followed every time he walked side by side with Tang Lingwu.

Tang Lingwu had said she knew a bit about hospitals for mental illnesses.

And that soft sentence: "I don't want to go home."

Old Bai beside them suddenly sighed and glanced at Tang Lingwu.

"How about I speak?" A hint of heartache appeared on his face.

"I'll say it myself." Tang Lingwu shook her head, looking out the window, as if she could see the black sedan parked at the corner downstairs.

"My mother, well, has a bit of an illness... not serious, but she cares too much about me." She paused: "She cares too much. She won't let me talk to men, won't let me do anything besides studying, and likes to follow me wherever I go..."

Zheng Fa remembered, Wang Chen had mentioned before that a boy tried to add Tang Lingwu's contact info, but ended up adding Tang Lingwu's mother.

He had thought Tang Lingwu was just too aloof; actually, he had suspected that Tang Lingwu wasn't such an aloof person when interacting with him—he wasn't narcissistic enough to think this girl would take a special liking to him at first sight.

Now he understood a bit of the reason.

"I even secretly registered my own social media account," Tang Lingwu said, pressing her lips together.

As expected.

"Then... why am I fine?"

Zheng Fa thought for a moment; it seemed he had been noticed by Tang Lingwu's mother long ago.

"Ahem."

Old Bai beside them coughed lightly, a smile of hidden merit and fame spreading across his face.

Even Tang Lingwu looked at the old man with some surprise.

"Your mother called me to ask; I advised her."

"With my mother's personality, how did you advise her, Grandpa Bai?"

Tang Lingwu's eyes lit up as she asked.

"Oh, nothing much, she was easy to advise—just needed to be a bit more open-minded." He pointed at Zheng Fa: "I told her I don't like girls, that you two are best friends, and that this kid would like me before he'd like you."

His expression held a smugness that disregarded Zheng Fa's fate entirely.

"..."

Zheng Fa remained silent, offering no response.

He was thinking about whether he had the ability to help Tang Lingwu.

Tang Lingwu's gaze gradually grew anxious.

"I also know topology..." She glanced at Old Bai, seeming to feel her own power was insufficient, and suddenly said: "I have money!"

"Money?"

"Her father, Tang Zhiqiang, you've probably heard of him."

Zheng Fa was stunned; he really had heard of him, someone who seemed to appear in the news.

Hmm... mainly gossip news, plus a small amount of financial news.

Zheng Fa now understood why Tang Lingwu's mother had some psychological issues.

He thought of Zhang Shijie, then looked at Tang Lingwu again.

Zheng Fa couldn't help but feel a sliver of doubt about his own talent—could he be some kind of body that attracts wealthy women?

"It's not that I don't want to, I'm just unsure if I can help your mother."

Tang Lingwu nodded: "I know, but having hope is better than having none."

After speaking, she took out a bank card and slapped it on the table—regardless of how much money was in it, this practiced gesture shocked Zheng Fa greatly.

"..." Zheng Fa thought for a moment and said: "How about I try first?"

"That works!" Tang Lingwu put the card into her pocket.

"How much money is in this card?" Old Bai beside them asked curiously.

"I don't know. Tang Zhi... my father gave me the card, saying he'd keep depositing pocket money into it." Tang Lingwu said somewhat carelessly: "A few hundred thousand?"

... A tiny bit of regret.

In the Xuanwei Realm, Zheng Fa began preparing to cultivate the "Taoist Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique" the moment he woke up.

He had originally thought about researching this cultivation technique a bit more first.

After all, Zhang Shijie had already stepped into a pit.

But now that his secret of cultivating was slightly exposed, he had to practice.

Exposing it before Old Bai and the other two wasn't too bad of a thing—he still trusted their character.

But he was unwilling to place his safety on anyone's character, no matter who they were.

But the modern world has no spiritual materials, and the talisman scripts Zheng Fa is most skilled at are essentially useless now.

Yet the "Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method" can solve this problem:

As long as he condenses the talisman diagram within his dantian using the Talisman Dao Foundation Establishment Method, he can release it without needing spiritual materials.

For instance, Shijie Zhang; Zheng Fa has never seen her draw talismans on talisman paper.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then drew a basic Yang Yuanfu on a white sheet of paper—the Upright Shadowless Talisman.

The Upright Shadowless Talisman can hide his figure, voice, and even scent for a short time.

Its effect in the Xuanwei Realm is not that great; a mystic-grade Upright Shadowless Talisman can likely be seen through by someone at the late Foundation Establishment stage.

But in the modern world, this thing is quite formidable...

Compared to talisman scripts leaning toward offensive or defensive power, what Zheng Fa is actually most worried about is the strict surveillance of the modern world—for individuals in the modern world, the ability to hide is even more terrifying.

Having decided on the talisman diagram to condense, Zheng Fa walked out the door.

To condense a talisman diagram within the dantian, a certain spiritual pill is needed—the Condensing Yuan Pill.

Zheng Fa arrived at the Nine Turns Pavilion, which specializes in selling pills.

There were few people in the Nine Turns Pavilion, and even the clerks were scarce. Zheng Fa stood at the entrance for a long time before a clerk lazily approached. He first looked at Zheng Fa's attire, then seemed to realize Zheng Fa's cultivation was not high, and his face showed the weariness brought by disappointment.

"What do you want?"

"Do you have Condensing Yuan Pills?"

"We do..." The clerk didn't move, just standing in place and saying, "Twenty spirit stones each."

"... Farewell!"

No wonder he can be a clerk; his eye is quite sharp.