I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 224: Spirit Bamboo Slays Demons, A Drastic Change

Zhenren Tongming stared at the Tranquility Bamboo.

It was a slender, long spiritual bamboo, with just a few branches and dozens of pointed leaves. Nothing about it looked particularly strange.

Seeing that Zhenren Chengkong didn’t mind it, Zhenren Tongming spread his divine sense—and suddenly, the Tranquility Bamboo seemed completely different. It was as if it were breathing, the leaves like gluttons, absorbing and releasing the surrounding spiritual energy.

He tried to probe deeper with his divine sense, but suddenly felt it plunge. A wave of Dao sounds echoed by his ears, making him drowsy, as though he were about to sink into it completely.

“Wake up!”

A crisp shout snapped him back to consciousness. Remembering that feeling just now, his gaze toward the Tranquility Bamboo now carried a hint of fear.

“Zhenren Chengkong… this…”

He had achieved Soul Formation and naturally carried some pride. Yet he had almost fallen to a single stalk of Tranquility Bamboo.

How could he not be shaken? “It’s not that you’re too weak, it’s that this spirit bamboo is a supreme treasure even in our Supreme Dao Sect,” Zhenren Chengkong said reassuringly. “If I weren’t here to deal with the Great Freedom Demonic Sect, I wouldn’t be allowed to wield this treasure either.”

“You just got lucky—you practice the Supreme Dao method, not a demonic one…”

“Otherwise…”

Hearing this, Zhenren Tongming looked at the Tranquility Bamboo with even more reverence. Then he recalled that Zhenren Chengkong had said the bamboo was currently unwell, which made him feel deeply regretful. He wondered if he could find some powerful expert knowledgeable in spiritual plants to take a look.

But then again, considering Zhenren Chengkong’s status, even he couldn’t find a cure.

What could he possibly do?

“They’re here!” Just as his thoughts were swirling, Zhenren Chengkong chuckled lightly.

Who’s here?

Zhenren Tongming was puzzled, then suddenly sensed something and looked toward his own base—Tongming Mountain.

This time, the Hundred Immortals Alliance had mobilized not everything, but certainly their elite. Tongming Mountain had only a few Nascent Soul cultivators left behind with low-ranked disciples and mortals—completely vulnerable.

This arrangement, of course, was Zhenren Chengkong’s idea.

Zhenren Tongming had been worried the Great Freedom Demonic Sect would take advantage of the emptiness, but he couldn’t go against Zhenren Chengkong’s will. ṘАŊ𝘖฿ĚŞ

And now… his worries had come true.

Even though it was far away, he could still see golden lights shooting into the sky above Tongming Mountain.

He knew—they’d encountered a powerful enemy, and the sect had activated the Mountain-Protecting Formation. He didn’t even need to guess—those golden lights couldn’t break through the thick blood cloud overhead, let alone the heavy black smoke surrounding the mountain.

“The Great Freedom Demonic Sect is attacking Tongming Mountain!” Check latest chapters at ɴovelfire.net

From the side of the flying boat, a Nascent Soul cultivator shouted anxiously.

The other disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance were instantly thrown into chaos. Some wanted to return and help—many still had family on Tongming Mountain.

Zhenren Tongming, however, sank into despair. Others couldn’t see it—but he could.

That blood cloud—it was the sign of a Soul Formation cultivator’s arrival!

And that river of blood? He knew it all too well—it was the Ancestor of the Blood River, the same one who had once attacked the Jiushan Sect.

There was even a blend of demonic and monstrous auras coming from that direction. Clearly, more than one Soul Formation cultivator had arrived!

By now, even trying to return would probably be too late.

The disciples were simply anxious—he, however, was already despairing.

“No need to panic.”

Zhenren Chengkong chuckled lightly, as if he’d expected this.

He casually waved the Tranquility Bamboo toward Tongming Mountain. A jade-colored light shot into the sky, crossing thousands of miles in an instant, blasting through layers of blood clouds—one strike was enough to wipe out the blood river and black smoke completely!

For a moment, the entire world cleared.

But it didn’t end there. The jade light paused mid-air, then condensed into a phantom image of green bamboo, standing tall in the sky—vast and boundless, pressing down on the heavens.

Zhenren Tongming heard Jiang Chengkong give the bamboo another wave and softly recite:

“Jiang Chengkong of the Supreme Dao, sending a fellow Daoist to the afterlife.”

The bamboo shadow in the sky scattered into golden flowers, drifting down to the ground.

While everyone was still bewildered, a miserable shriek rang out across thousands of miles—sounding like unimaginable agony.

A blood-colored immortal sword shot up into the sky in a panic, trying to escape.

Zhenren Tongming was shocked—wasn’t that the Ancestor of the Blood River’s life-bound flying sword?

But the golden flowers clung to it, emitting a maddening screeching noise. Moments later, the sword was riddled with pits and holes, its spiritual light extinguished.

Even the Ancestor of the Blood River’s Soul Formation aura vanished completely.

“Dead?”

Looking at the Tranquility Bamboo again, Zhenren Tongming finally understood why Zhenren Chengkong had said he was lucky.

This thing was really powerful against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect!

“Too bad they ran fast.”

Zhenren Chengkong muttered.

His face looked slightly pale—clearly he’d used a good deal of energy. It seemed that even using the Tranquility Bamboo wasn’t easy for him.

Still, the surrounding demonic and monstrous cultivators had indeed fled without a trace—Zhenren Tongming could understand why. That bamboo had just instantly killed a Soul Formation cultivator...

Who wouldn’t be terrified?

…

The disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance weren’t scared.

Seeing Tongming Mountain turn from peril to safety, they all cheered loudly.

Even Zhenren Tongming was invigorated. Although Zhenren Chengkong always did things his own way and often made him uncomfortable, even annoyed—

He could fight!

Tongming Mountain had been completely powerless against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.

Now, he truly understood the value of having a powerful backer, and felt more loyal than ever.

Zhenren Chengkong glanced at him, the corner of his mouth lifting with a smirk. As if reading his mind, he said mockingly, “So now you’re impressed? My Supreme Dao Sect has deep foundations and endless talent. If we didn’t have that kind of power, how could we sit firmly among the Five Great Sects of the Xuanyi Realm?”

Zhenren Tongming didn’t mind and simply flattered, “With you here, those demonic cultivators will be fleeing at the mere sight of us!”

Zhenren Chengkong looked at the Tranquility Bamboo and shook his head.

Zhenren Tongming followed his gaze and saw that the bamboo’s jade hue had turned slightly murky, with patches of yellow discoloration…

“This…”

“The Great Freedom Demonic Sect can’t be underestimated. But for now, since they don’t understand my methods, they won’t dare to act rashly.”

“Forget the demonic sects… with your divine powers, who would dare disturb the Hundred Immortals Alliance?”

Zhenren Tongming added another round of flattery.

And he wasn’t wrong—the demonic sect had taken a heavy hit and would probably hold back for a while.

As for other factions, Zhenren Tongming didn’t think much of them.

Over forty flying boats flew through the sky with no more need to hide, roaring toward the Jiushan Realm.

The shadow of the tower ship nearly blocked out the sunlight above.

On the way, all cultivators yielded. Passersby dropped from their cloud mounts and looked up as the fleet passed overhead.

Not a single person dared fly alongside them, afraid of provoking them.

Even the disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance were beaming with pride, laughing along the way, completely exhilarated.

Zhenren Tongming could understand. They’d been oppressed by the Great Freedom Demonic Sect for so long, it was natural they’d feel stifled… today had been a long-awaited release.

“Who’s that!”

A disciple cried out.

A streak of rainbow light shot across the sky, faster than anyone in the Hundred Immortals Alliance could even blink—before they knew it, it had landed before them.

Zhenren Tongming jumped to his feet and turned to look at Zhenren Chengkong. Sure enough, Zhenren Chengkong’s smile faded, and his fingers once again touched the Tranquility Bamboo.

That light hadn’t escaped either of their divine senses—but what shocked them was, even though they had sensed someone approaching, they didn’t have time to transmit the warning…

By the time the rainbow light arrived at their ship, only then did their divine senses belatedly trigger the alert.

Even though they had their own protective measures, the speed of that light still made them feel unprepared—if it had been an attack, they might’ve been in trouble.

The rainbow light faded, revealing Zheng Fa’s figure. He smiled and cupped his hands to the Hundred Immortals Alliance disciples. “Friends of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, apologies for not welcoming you sooner. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

After he spoke, he looked up, seeing the cultivators on the ship all staring at him silently...

Wait—these friends from the Hundred Immortals Alliance… don’t like to smile?

Zhenren Tongming saw that it was Zheng Fa, opened his mouth, then turned to look at Zhenren Chengkong.

Zhenren Chengkong’s astonishment hadn’t yet faded, and in that moment, Zhenren Tongming felt a strange sense of balance. A question lingered on his tongue but didn’t make it out:

Zhenren… does your Supreme Dao, full of geniuses, have a Golden Core like that?

You’re impressed too, huh?

…

Although the mood was a little odd, Zheng Fa was still invited onto Zhenren Chengkong’s tower ship.

It was his first time seeing Jiang Chengkong in person. At first glance, he thought the man looked quite ordinary.

“Greetings, Zhenren Chengkong.”

Zheng Fa bowed.

To his surprise, Zhenren Chengkong slightly rose—not fully standing—but did return the gesture. “Sect Master Zheng Fa, well met.”

His tone wasn’t particularly respectful, but Zhenren Tongming still glanced at him—this man had never returned a bow to him before!

Zheng Fa had no idea Jiang Chengkong was being unusually polite. He simply said, “The Jiushan Realm is fully prepared for the Hundred Immortals Gathering—venues and tools are ready. May I ask when the gathering will begin?”

Zhenren Tongming replied, “According to the previous agreement, it begins in three days… a few fellow Daoists who wish to observe still need some time to arrive.”

Zheng Fa nodded and smiled. “Then let our guests from the Hundred Immortals Alliance rest for three days. The Jiushan Realm has its own sights worth seeing.”

Zhenren Tongming seemed to remember something. “Zhao Jinglan and her brother have also come.”

The Eldest Young Lady of the Zhao Family and the Seventh Young Master are here too?

Zheng Fa smiled and nodded, knowing this was a favor from Zhenren Tongming—

This gathering was for elite disciples only.

Maybe the Seventh Young Master counted now.

As for Zhao Jinglan… probably just brought along for convenience.

Still, Zheng Fa felt genuinely grateful.

He led the Hundred Immortals Alliance disciples into the Jiushan Realm.

On Heavenly Palace Island of the Jiushan Realm, three Supreme Elders stood at the front alongside Senior Sister Zhang. Beside them was the recently joined Madam Xuanhua.

Xiao Yuying stood a bit farther away.

As for Elder Han, his identity was more sensitive, and with Wushuang Society’s secrets involved, he didn’t want to meet outsiders. He had left the Jiushan Sect a few days prior.

More Nascent Soul cultivators were arriving from the Hundred Immortals Alliance—

Under the lead of two Soul Formation cultivators, over a dozen Nascent Souls and several hundred disciples had come to attend this Hundred Immortals Gathering.

After exchanging greetings, Zhenren Tongming couldn’t help but turn to Madam Xuanhua and ask,

“Are you… Madam Xuanhua herself?”

“This humble woman greets Zhenren,” Madam Xuanhua paused briefly, then replied.

“Madam, you now…”

“I have joined the Jiushan Sect and now serve as an elder.”

Zhenren Tongming didn’t say anything, only cast a deep glance at Zheng Fa, feeling rather puzzled.

Madam Xuanhua was only Nascent Soul level. In terms of cultivation, he naturally didn’t take her seriously.

But her artifact refining skills—he had heard about them long ago… Tongming Mountain had once invited her to join too, but it hadn’t worked out.

Now seeing that Madam Xuanhua fully regarded herself as part of the Jiushan Sect, it left him feeling somewhat sour.

…

After both sides’ Nascent Souls exchanged greetings, they were still in the midst of small talk when a figure rushed over from the Rainbow Bridge, shouting as he ran, “Sect Master! Sect Master… we have a new crop!”

The man was a little plump—it was Zhenren Qian.

His cultivation was low, and he was overly excited. It wasn’t until he got close that he realized there were a lot of people here…

And upon looking again, he didn’t recognize most of them, but having once been part of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, he had seen a few of these Nascent Soul cultivators from afar!

Everyone turned to look at the noisy cultivator approaching. Seeing that he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, their expressions shifted slightly.

Zhenren Qian’s behavior was extremely disrespectful by Xuanyi Realm standards…

If he had run into someone with a bad temper, he might not have lived.

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Zhenren Qian’s face.

Only now did he remember—the Hundred Immortals Alliance was arriving these few days. But he had been too absorbed in the Jiushan Agricultural Canon and had completely forgotten.

And… because Zheng Fa didn’t care much for hierarchy and was especially tolerant toward researchers like him, he’d unconsciously lost that sense of caution.

Now, he’d caused a mess!

Under the pressure of so many Nascent Souls, his legs were shaking, his heart frozen, his mind blank—he didn’t know what to do.

Zheng Fa glanced at the frightened Zhenren Qian, then turned to the Nascent Souls of the Hundred Immortals Alliance and suddenly smiled, “Well? Aren’t you going to greet our honored guests?”

Zhenren Qian quickly said, “This humble one greets all you Zhenren!”

Zheng Fa beckoned him over, letting him stand at his side, and then said to the Hundred Immortals cultivators, “This is Zhenren Qian, a master of agronomy in my Jiushan Sect. Frankly, the reason all of us in Jiushan can eat our fill is thanks to him.”

Seeing how seriously Zheng Fa introduced him, the cultivators of the Hundred Immortals Alliance all returned his greeting.

“Today, he’s discovered a new crop—perfect timing for you all to take a look.”

Hearing this, it was clear Zheng Fa not only wasn’t blaming the chubby cultivator but was shielding him.

They were guests, and seeing that Zhenren Chengkong didn’t comment, everyone responded politely.

But as for Zhenren Qian… he was only Foundation Establishment. When had he ever seen so many Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators being this kind to him?

He was completely flustered.

At that moment, an old man in the crowd looked at Zhenren Qian and suddenly seemed to remember something. “You’re from the Qianhe Sect…”

The old man seemed to struggle to recall his name.

“Does Master Yu really remember me? This humble one is Qian Qi. I was indeed a disciple of Qianhe Sect. After the sect was destroyed by the demon race, I joined Jiushan Sect.”

“Right, Qian Qi. You used to manage Qianhe’s market, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Zhenren Qian replied honestly.

Master Yu nodded and didn’t say more, just looked Qian Qi up and down with a puzzled expression.

Zhenren Chengkong then asked,

“You’re skilled with spiritual plants?”

Naturally, this was directed at Zhenren Qian.

Knowing the man was an emissary of the Supreme Dao Sect, Zhenren Qian replied even more respectfully, extremely humble, not daring to boast, “Skilled is too much—it’s all thanks to the Sect Master’s guidance.”

Hearing this, Zhenren Chengkong seemed to remember his Foundation Establishment level and lost interest, saying no more.

…

Zheng Fa took everyone on a tour of Heavenly Palace Island, then brought them to Ten Thousand Immortals Island. Though small, it was inhabited only by Zheng Fa and a few Nascent Souls—more than enough room for the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

He didn’t linger and simply let the disciples of the Alliance settle themselves.

Once he was gone, over ten Nascent Souls from the Hundred Immortals Alliance gathered to discuss what they’d seen in Jiushan Realm.

The most noteworthy topics, of course, were the Merit System and the Hall of Esteemed Sages.

They didn’t know much about the Merit System… but the Hall of Esteemed Sages, they understood clearly—and didn’t quite know what to make of it.

“Sect Master Zheng actually thinks so highly of that Qian Qi.”

Qian Qi had already left a deep impression. After seeing his statue in the Hall of Esteemed Sages, their impression deepened even more.

Just then, Master Yu sighed softly and said, “That Qian Qi—I almost didn’t recognize him today.”

Even Zhenren Chengkong looked over curiously.

“What do you mean, didn’t recognize?” Zhenren Tongming asked.

“Zhenren, do you know what kind of person Qian Qi used to be?” Master Yu explained. “He was a market steward at Qianhe Sect—slick and sycophantic. I’d met him before and thought he was just a flatterer.”

Zhenren Tongming was stunned.

This Master Yu was the head of the Hundred Herbs Sect, which was the best in the Alliance at cultivating spiritual plants. Qianhe Sect naturally bowed to them.

So it was normal that Master Yu had encountered Qian Qi.

And no one would doubt a Nascent Soul’s memory—there was no way he’d mistake a person.

But now this Qian Qi…

Thinking back to the man’s demeanor today, while his cultivation was low, he hadn’t seemed slick at all—when speaking to Nascent Souls like them, he’d even shown faint composure and dignity.

No wonder Master Yu had trouble recognizing him.

Zhenren Chengkong found it amusing too. “So joining Jiushan Sect turned him into a whole new person? What was his skill level in spiritual farming before?”

Master Yu chuckled and didn’t hold back, “If I may be blunt, it’s not that I look down on him…”

“He was just a market steward at Qianhe Sect.”

“And those so-called spiritual farming techniques of Qianhe’s were nothing special.”

Everyone nodded at that.

After all, Master Yu was the undisputed authority in this field.

And to be fair, Qianhe Sect had never been very prominent in the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

“Then why does Zheng Fa value him so much?”

someone asked.

“Probably because he has no one better to use,”

Master Yu answered.

At that, the group laughed and didn’t say more—though it did suggest they looked down a bit on Jiushan Sect, and they were, after all, guests.

As they were chatting, footsteps echoed outside the courtyard.

Sun Daoyu came in with a group of Jiushan disciples, carrying food boxes in hand—they’d brought meals.

Nascent Soul cultivators naturally had no need for food, but Jiushan couldn’t not offer hospitality—otherwise it would seem disrespectful.

Once the boxes were opened, something felt off—inside were foods none of them recognized.

“What’s this?” Zhenren Tongming asked curiously.

Sun Daoyu replied respectfully, “The Sect Master said there’s nothing fine enough to entertain our esteemed guests—these are just some spiritual plants cultivated by Jiushan Sect…”

Everyone looked into the boxes.

It wasn’t lavish—no meat, just rice, two plates of leafy greens, and a dish of spirit fruits.

But… if these were all Jiushan’s own cultivars, that changed everything.

Whether they were rare or not, they were at least something novel, right?

Everyone turned to Master Yu, who studied them for a while before confirming, “Never seen them before.”

Sun Daoyu smiled, “They’re indeed unique to our sect. In fact, they didn’t even exist in Jiushan Realm before—Zhenren Qian led the disciples to slowly cultivate them.”

At those words, Master Yu’s expression froze a little. He glanced at Zhenren Tongming and murmured, “Was I really wrong about him?”

“Zhenren?” Sun Daoyu didn’t catch what he said and asked.

“That Zhenren Qian—he’s really from Qianhe Sect?” Master Yu asked, full of doubt.

Sun Daoyu was a sharp one. As soon as he heard that, he understood what Master Yu was really asking.

He chuckled, “To be honest, Zhenren Qian is indeed like a different person now—truly impressive… but then again, that’s normal.”

“Normal?” Master Yu didn’t understand—shouldn’t they be suspecting possession at this point?

“When you meet our Sect Master Zheng, anyone would change,” Sun Daoyu said with a sigh, as if he’d seen it too many times.

At that, Zhenren Tongming felt even more conflicted inside…