Xiuxian: I studied abroad in modern times

Chapter 612 Spring Days Are Late, An Uninvited Guest

The atmosphere at the table was very lively, and soon Zhao Jingfan and Yan Wushuang were drunk.

"Let me tell you, that so-called Demon Ancestor of Creation was nothing more than a single sword strike!" Yan Wushuang chuckled, his eyes wide. "I avenged what my father couldn't!"

Zhao Jingfan's eyes were glazed over, and his tone was disdainful: "Is this the revenge you've taken? Isn't this the power of the sword formation?"

After saying that, he looked at Zheng Fa and held up two fingers: "Zheng Fa, there are two things about you that I admire most."

Zheng Fa was stunned. Zhao Jingfan was a rather arrogant person. It was not easy for him to clearly say "I admire you." It was a very meaningful thing to say.

I doubt he'll admit it when he wakes up.

"First..." Zhao Jingfan pointed at Senior Sister Zhang, "When I first met Senior Sister Zhang, I was intimidated. How dare you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but he gave a knowing smile.

Now Zheng Fa believed that Zhao Jingfan was truly drunk.

"Second... is... is the Nine Mountains Sect." Zhao Jingfan murmured, lying on the table, "Nine Mountains Sect, your Nine Mountains Sect, our Nine Mountains Sect, how wonderful."

"Why can't everyone just let you do what you like?"

"Leiyin Temple, Lu Yao..."

Zhao Jingfan seemed to be very drunk, and his words were incoherent, but Zheng Fa could still understand what he was trying to say.

He took a sip of wine, looked into the distance, and before he knew it, he had also become drunk.

When he opened his eyes again, he was lying on Senior Sister Zhang's bed, with plain white curtains and warm bedding.

"woke up?"

When Senior Sister Zhang's voice came, Zheng Fa turned his head and saw that Senior Sister was sitting on a low couch, cultivating. He didn't know how long she had been there with him.

Zheng Fa sat up, put his feet on the edge of the bed, and supported himself with his hands on the blankets. He smiled and said, "It's been a long time since I've felt this relaxed."

"tired?"

In front of Senior Sister Zhang, Zheng Fa made no attempt to hide his feelings, and gave a wry smile: "A little."

His personality isn't the competitive type; he's even a bit of a homebody and prefers to do his own thing.

Those who only saw him leading the Nine Mountains Sect to conquer the once-powerful Haori Mountain and seize the Primordial Purple Qi would probably be shocked or even envious.

But for him, he was indeed more exhausted than proud—Zhao Jingfan knew him very well.

Therefore, he later completely let go and only sought to get drunk.

Coming to his senses, Senior Sister Zhang looked at him quietly, without saying a word, yet it was as if she had said a lot.

Zheng Fa smiled, briefly recovering from his slightly depressed mood, and looked at Senior Sister Zhang: "Senior Sister, how far are you from achieving the Dao Fruit?"

"It'll be soon," Senior Sister Zhang replied. "I'm preparing to integrate the Innate Eight Trigrams and the Nine Chapters Calculation Array. I'm already making some progress, but it's a long and steady process, so there's no need to rush it."

"We can use the Zizhi Tongjian to complete the rituals."

Zheng Fa's kind of opportunity is rare and hard to come by, and they can't be like Lu Yao, who wreaked havoc on the entire Xuanwei.

The scope of Ke Tongjian is already very large, and the "Talisman Dao Foundation Building Method" improved by Senior Sister Zhang is practiced by everyone in the Nine Mountains Sect. If we add the mortals within the Nine Mountains Sect, Senior Sister Zhang's audience is unprecedented in history.

For the past century, the Nine Mountains Sect has been promoting education, the most basic of which is mathematics. If we had to say, Senior Sister Zhang, as the mother of mathematics in the Nine Mountains Sect, could be considered her audience, as almost all mortals who had attended school were her students.

“Starting with Senior Sister, the audience of the Nine Mountains Sect cultivators consists of two groups: those who cultivate the methods he created and ordinary people whose lives have been changed because of him.”

Zheng Fa also valued Senior Sister Zhang's attainment of enlightenment. Besides the relationship between the two, Senior Sister Zhang was more representative than himself. Senior Sister Zhang's success would further prove that the path of the Nine Mountains Sect was viable.

"In this way, once a cultivator creates a better method, other cultivators can also switch to it through the Yellow Court Scripture, and it will be easier for them to attain enlightenment in the future."

This sounds a lot like the practical application of the impact factor...

Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently and added, "These two are actually different. The one that appeals more to mortals is the divine path. The one that appeals more to cultivators is the immortal path."

Zheng Fa thought it made sense, but he felt lazy all over and didn't want to think about it deeply or even practice.

After attaining the Dao Fruit, cultivation becomes less useful for improving one's cultivation level.

He wandered around the courtyard a few times and sent a message to his two disciples, asking them to come over.

When Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan arrived together, Yuan Xiaoniao was already chattering away in the courtyard with Senior Sister Zhang.

Zheng Fa sat to the side, and seeing his two apprentices, he smiled, his tone tinged with guilt: "I've been too busy these days and haven't had time to teach you. I've truly neglected my duty..."

Deep down, he probably prefers to be a teacher.

"We have already received immense kindness from our Master..."

Gu Chang hurriedly said.

Mu Qingyan nodded repeatedly, but couldn't speak. Whether in her "past life memories" or in the Qingmu Sect, she had never seen a teacher apologize to a disciple.

"The victory in the Battle of Haori Mountain, as well as the Primordial Purple Qi, are inseparable from your contributions."

Zheng Fa looked at his two disciples with great pride.

Mu Qingyan's research enabled the Nine Mountains Sect to block the Gu God.

Gu Chang was even more remarkable; his intelligent network structure became the most crucial part of that paper on creating humans.

Under Zheng Fa's praising gaze, Gu and Chang couldn't help but laugh.

“I have achieved the Dao Fruit, so I have some time recently.” Zheng Fa’s words carried a hint of compensation. “If you have any questions about cultivation, I can answer them.”

"Yes!"

Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan expressed their gratitude, but what puzzled them was that Yuan Xiaoniao immediately flew out of the courtyard after hearing this.

Zheng Fahe and Zhang Taishang also got up and slowly walked out of the courtyard.

The two exchanged a glance, completely bewildered, and followed along.

It seemed that Zheng Fa and the others had planned this in advance. They flew out of the Purple Palace and landed on a meadow in the mortal realm of the Nine Mountains.

The clear river water flows down from the mountain, splashing against the rocks with a soft, tinkling sound.

The mountains are in full bloom, with orioles singing and butterflies dancing, looking like a colorful oil painting from afar.

Zheng Fa sat cross-legged on the grass, so light that not even the tips of the grass bent.

He nodded to Gu and Chang, gesturing for them to sit down.

Gu and Chang found it somewhat novel and, sitting opposite Zheng Fa, couldn't help but look him up and down.

Yuan Xiaoniao took a barbecue grill from her storage bag, stood it by the river, and held a fishing rod, seemingly preparing to fish and grill on the spot.

Senior Sister Zhang leaned against a rock by the river, smiling as she looked at Zheng Fa, took out her jade flute, and put it to her lips.

As the sound of the jade flute filled the air, Gu and Chang felt a sense of relief wash over them, and before they knew it, they voiced the doubts that had been building up over the past few days.

Zheng Fa would say he knew what he knew, and if he didn't know something, he would look at Senior Sister Zhang.

Sometimes Yuan Xiaoniao would chime in with a few words.

Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan often drew inferences from one instance to another and came up with their own ideas, which Zheng Fa listened to attentively.

While ostensibly providing guidance, Zheng Fa intentionally framed it as a discussion.

Unbeknownst to them, both Gu and Chang felt that their past doubts had disappeared and they had gained a lot of inspiration, making great progress.

Seeing their satisfied expressions, Zheng Fa couldn't help but smile. As if remembering something, he asked, "After accepting you as disciples, I haven't had a proper chat with you yet."

Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan looked at Zheng Fa, somewhat puzzled. "You two have both reached the Nascent Soul stage. What are your thoughts on your future paths?"

Seeing the two hesitate, seemingly unsure how to begin, Zheng Fa simply asked Senior Sister Yuan, "Senior Sister Yuan, what do you say?"

Senior Sister Yuan, who was grilling fish, looked up, wiped her drool, and chuckled, "Path of the Dao? What path of the Dao?"

"I said yes, what are your wishes and aspirations?"

"A wish." Senior Sister Yuan put down the grilled fish in her hand, her expression serious as she fell into deep thought, looking rather solemn.

Everyone waited quietly, even Senior Sister Zhang put down her jade flute.

Senior Sister Yuan's gaze was firm: "I hope that in the future I can go fishing and play with you and Junior Brother again!"

Everyone was silent, and Senior Sister Yuan slowly lowered her head.

Zheng Fa then looked at Gu Chang and Mu Qingyan.

Gu Chang pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and said, "I want to continue my research on the intelligence system."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly.

"I want to know what the differences are between people, and how intelligence is generated." Gu Chang seemed to have thought for a long time. "I like to stay in the laboratory, simulating various intelligent networks and seeing all kinds of possibilities."

Zheng Fa smiled, his face showing approval, and then looked at Mu Qingyan.

Mu Qingyan blushed and said softly, "I...I also like to study pharmacy."

"You like it too?"

“I…I don’t have the same unwavering resolve as my senior brother.”

Mu Qingyan looked somewhat ashamed, but Zheng Fa understood. Mu Qingyan's experiences were rather bizarre, and her mind was much more complicated. Compared to Gu Chang, she found it difficult to settle down as a researcher.

Zheng Fadu was somewhat surprised: "You want to be the leader of the Nine Mountains Sect?"

"This disciple dares not! It is Senior Brother's turn to succeed him." Mu Qingyan hurriedly said, "This disciple was born into the Qingmu Sect and dares not covet the position of sect leader. I just... just want to do more for the sect."

She glanced at Zheng Fa, and as if afraid he wouldn't believe her, she explained, "This disciple... is afraid that Xuanwei will turn into the way she appeared in the dream again."

Gu Chang smiled and said, "If Master makes my junior sister the sect leader, I will be relieved."

Mu Qingyan was taken aback and turned to look at Gu Chang. She saw that this senior brother had a sincere expression on his face, as if he really did not want to take over the position of sect leader.

Seeing her surprise, Gu Chang said earnestly, "Junior Sister, the position of sect leader is far too heavy a burden for me. My mind is not as strong as yours..."

Mu Qingyan then believed it, after all, the current leader of the Nine Mountains Sect was incredibly powerful.

Seeing that they were still getting along well, Zheng Fa smiled and shook his head: "I will not decide the next sect leader position on a whim."

Mu Qingyan was stunned.

"Qingyan, it doesn't matter that you come from the Qingmu Sect. But if you want to become the sect leader, you can't do it just by being my disciple."

"Yes!"

Mu Qingyan beamed with joy, and Gu Changye said from the side, "I will help my junior sister."

Zheng Fa was indifferent; he already had some plans for the sect's succession—

On the one hand, he will not follow the complete master-disciple succession and will insist on keeping the position of sect leader in his lineage.

On the other hand, he would not hinder Mu Qingyan's ambition for the sake of selflessness; in fact, he would encourage her ideas.

Seeing Zheng Fa's meaning, Mu Qingyan's expression became even more lively, and she suddenly asked boldly, "Then what about you, Master?"

"I?"

What are your wishes for the future?

"Me?" Zheng Fa thought for a while, then suddenly said, "Right now, I think the same as Senior Sister Yuan."

"Ugh?"

Yuan, who had been silently grilling fish nearby, suddenly looked up, her eyes bright, and stared at Zheng Fa.

"With two or three close friends and disciples by my side, the spring days are long and there is nothing else to do."

……

But Zheng Fa's wish remained just a wish.

He didn't get to rest for long before the invitation from the Crystal Buddha arrived in his hands.

Inside the Heavenly Palace, the high-ranking members of the Nine Mountains Sect looked at a name card surging with Buddhist light, their expressions solemn.

"An uninvited guest..." Uncle Pang sighed.

The expressions on everyone's faces were not very clear.

Everyone knows that Leiyin Temple needs the Primordial Purple Qi, and this Great Luo Dharma Assembly is actually quite troublesome for the Jiushan Sect.

Yun Wuji, standing in the hall, looked somewhat timid. He was probably the one in the hall who least wanted Leiyin Temple to come.

Holding the visiting card in his hand, Zheng Fa looked at the worried crowd in the hall, casting aside his recent leisurely demeanor, his expression resolute:
"Let's meet first and then talk."

His idea was actually very simple: he could talk to anyone. Moreover, since the Buddha of Glazed Glass dared to risk the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation to enter the Nine Mountains Realm, their Nine Mountains Sect wouldn't be so afraid not to even meet him.

Two days later, the Lapis Lazuli Buddha and his entourage finally arrived at the Nine Mountains Boundary.

The group consisted of eleven people: a crystal Buddha, two true immortals and bodhisattvas, and eight arhats. The group stood together, radiating a magnificent Buddhist light.

Even in the mortal realm of the Nine Mountains, one could see half the sky bathed in golden light.

The Nine Mountains Realm has never seen so many powerful cultivators before; even the boundary walls have become somewhat transparent.

"Sect Leader Zheng."

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha clasped his hands together in greeting to Zheng Fa from afar, his eyes gleaming with golden light as if he were assessing Zheng Fa's background.

"Welcome to our humble sect, Venerable Lapis Lazuli Buddha." Zheng Fayuan bowed and welcomed the Venerable Lapis Lazuli Buddha and his entourage into the Heavenly Palace of the Purple Palace Enclosure.

After a group of people said some extremely meaningless things, the Lapis Lazuli Buddha finally revealed his purpose.

"I suppose Sect Leader Zheng is aware that I have come here on the orders of the Mahayana Buddha, to invite you to Leiyin Temple to participate in the Great Luo Dharma Assembly."

Why did you invite me?

Although Zheng Fa had some guesses in his mind, he still simply asked.

“The Mahayana Buddha once said that the Great Luo Dharma Assembly is to establish a heart for heaven and earth and to establish laws and regulations for the immortal path.”

"Firstly, this concerns the entire Xuanwei Immortal Path. The Nine Mountains Sect is a major force within Xuanwei, so how can it be absent?"

"Secondly, this also requires Primordial Purple Qi..."

"The Primordial Purple Qi belongs to my Nine Mountains Sect." Uncle Huang, with his fiery temper, retorted directly, "Whether you need it or not, whether you give it to us or not, is not up to you to decide."

The Lapis Lazuli Buddha smiled, seemingly unconcerned about Huang Shishu being a Nascent Soul cultivator, and continued as if he hadn't heard, "This humble monk has come here with another request."

"What request?"

"My future Buddha of Leiyin Temple, the White Lotus Bodhisattva, was killed by a villain." The Glazed Buddha turned his head and stared at Yun Wuji sitting down. "I request that Headmaster Zheng hand this person over to me to take back to Leiyin Temple and be executed in accordance with the law."

Yun Wuji, stared at by the Golden Immortal Liuli Buddha, turned pale and became restless.

(End of this chapter)