I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 226: Chengkong’s Invitation, Stealing the Spotlight

After the entrance examination, Zhenren Chengkong directly approached Zheng Fa.

“I’d like to invite the Jiushan Sect to rejoin the Hundred Immortals Alliance. What does Sect Master Zheng think?”

He wasn’t one to beat around the bush, and came straight out with his intention.

“……”

Zheng Fa came to a sudden realization. He’d been wondering why Zhenren Chengkong had insisted on hosting the Hundred Immortals Gathering in the Jiushan Realm. Only now did he understand his deeper purpose.

He looked at Zhenren Tongming beside him and saw his expression was calm—clearly, he already knew about this.

Zheng Fa didn’t respond, and the two understood that he wasn’t willing.

“If you’re concerned about the mixed quality within the Alliance, Tongming has already cleaned house. And with me here, you can rest assured,” said Zhenren Chengkong.

Zhenren Tongming glanced at him, his expression growing more complex—hearing this level of patience from Zhenren Chengkong… it made him want to cry. Zheng Fa couldn’t just stay silent. He cupped his hands and replied, “Zhenren, our Jiushan Sect’s ancestral land is still occupied. We’re only trying to survive—we really don’t have the strength to fight the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.”

“That’s not quite true. You control the Jiushan Realm and have two Soul Formation cultivators. Why be so modest?” Zhenren Chengkong smiled.

Zheng Fa naturally knew he was referring to himself and Senior Sister Zhang.

“Zhenren, surely you know those two Soul Formations come with caveats?”

Zhenren Chengkong was momentarily speechless. This Zheng Fa—wasn’t he only in his twenties? Why was he like this?

He wasn’t arrogant, but instead this… overly cautious kind of humble. Honestly, he was perfect for being the Alliance’s leader!

“I’ve discussed it with Tongming. If you rejoin the Alliance, Tongming is willing to hand over the position of Alliance Leader to you.”

Zheng Fa’s eyes widened.

This really caught him off guard.

He looked at Zhenren Tongming, whose face was full of mixed emotions—not quite willing, but facing Zheng Fa’s gaze, he slowly nodded, confirming Zhenren Chengkong’s words.

Zheng Fa then looked back at Zhenren Chengkong. It was clear that bringing Zhenren Tongming along was meant to reassure him.

Objectively speaking, this was indeed a significant gesture of goodwill.

No matter how poorly the Alliance was doing against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect, compared to the current Jiushan Sect, it was still a giant.

For example, just this trip to the Jiushan Realm included over a hundred Golden Core cultivators from the Alliance—nearly ten times the number Jiushan had—and these were some of the best.

At the Nascent Soul level, the Alliance had several dozen.

Add in Zhenren Tongming as a Soul Formation cultivator…

If Zheng Fa were to take charge of the Hundred Immortals Alliance and absorb the Jiushan Sect into it, it would be like a snake swallowing an elephant.

Without Zhenren Chengkong’s background from the Supreme Dao Sect, no one would’ve agreed to it—not even if Zhenren Tongming himself wanted to offer it;

the various sects in the Alliance wouldn’t have accepted it.

After finishing, Zhenren Chengkong smiled and looked at Zheng Fa.

Behind Zheng Fa, Martial Uncle Pang and the others exchanged shocked glances.

“I…” Zheng Fa had just started to respond, but Zhenren Chengkong cut him off.

“I came to the Jiushan Sect for you.”

“For me?”

“Among the Five Great Sects, our Supreme Dao Sect has always embraced talent regardless of background. You’re extraordinarily gifted, your Golden Core is powerful, and you possess innate divine abilities. If you return to the Alliance, you’ll be part of the Supreme Dao Sect as well—it will only strengthen you.”

Zheng Fa listened quietly. He was quite curious about the Five Great Sects.

“Take Tongming, for example. He was originally a rogue cultivator, but due to his exceptional talent, my senior brother took him in and taught him our sect’s immortal techniques.”

Zhenren Tongming nodded at the side, confirming his words.

“Unfortunately, he put too much stock in the Hundred Immortals Alliance… delayed his cultivation, and could only become a peripheral disciple. He couldn’t be accepted as a true successor of our Supreme Dao Sect.”

“I asked him to give up the Alliance Leader position to you also because I want him to let go of that obsession.”

“You don’t need to think I forced him.”

Zhenren Tongming suddenly turned, looking at Zhenren Chengkong.

He was full of uncertainty—Zhenren Chengkong had previously only said how much he valued Zheng Fa, never indicating this.

Hearing it now… it caught him completely off guard.

Zhenren Chengkong looked at him and smiled, “If you hadn’t agreed, I wouldn’t have bothered explaining any of this to you.”

Zhenren Tongming came to a realization—Zhenren Chengkong had, without saying it outright, tested him.

Realizing this, he didn’t know how to feel. He simply bowed sincerely toward Zhenren Chengkong, silently grateful.

And when he looked back at Zheng Fa, all the hesitation in his gaze had vanished. He smiled and said, “If anyone in the Alliance dares object, I’ll handle them.”

Zheng Fa glanced at Zhenren Chengkong. In just a few words, the man had resolved Zhenren Tongming’s internal struggle and gotten him to voluntarily make promises. It erased Zheng Fa’s remaining doubts.

Beautifully done. Clean and sharp.

Even the scale of it—this enormous Alliance was, in his eyes, nothing more than a tool to test Zhenren Tongming and win Zheng Fa over.

Thinking back to the previous claim of the Alliance being the “Sixth of the Xuanyi Realm”…

They really were just frogs at the bottom of a well.

This only highlighted how truly formidable the Supreme Dao Sect was.

Indeed, from Zhenren Chengkong’s tone, the position of Alliance Leader wasn’t even comparable to being a true disciple of the Supreme Dao Sect.

But still…

“Thank you for the honor, Zhenren…” Zheng Fa said after a long silence.

…

Watching Zhenren Chengkong and Zhenren Tongming leave, Martial Uncle Pang was still dazed. He turned to Senior Sister Zhang and asked, “Zheng Fa turned them down?”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded.

Martial Uncle Pang looked even more dazed, muttering, “Put this offer in front of a hundred Nascent Souls, ninety-nine would agree…”

Zheng Fa shook his head. “I may want to fight the Great Freedom Demonic Sect… but I can’t put the entire Jiushan Realm at risk for it.”

Becoming the Alliance Leader would mean standing on the front line against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.

It wasn’t that he feared provoking them. The Jiushan Sect’s ancestral land was still occupied, and though they hadn’t lost much, the grudge ran deep.

Even the matter of Gao Yuan—if the Seventh Young Master was mourning, how could Zheng Fa feel any better?

But as the Sect Master, to launch a war in anger would be irresponsible to everyone in the sect.

Martial Uncle Pang nodded lightly, then said, “If you’d agreed, this might’ve been the most glorious moment in Jiushan Sect’s history.”

There was still some regret in his voice.

“Our Jiushan ideals differ from the Xuanyi Realm. If we rushed to absorb outside cultivators, we’d likely end up like the old Hundred Immortals Alliance,” Zheng Fa replied.

Martial Uncle Pang was startled and suddenly recalled all the mess from the Alliance… and winced.

He understood Zheng Fa’s point—everything about Jiushan was different from traditional sects in the Xuanyi Realm, and it held enormous hidden value.

The sect’s disciples hadn’t yet matured.

If they suddenly brought in all those Nascent Souls and Golden Cores from the Alliance…

It’d likely cause more harm than good.

He stood frozen for a while, then gave a wry smile. “I almost got swept up in the glory. You’re more clearheaded than me…”

“I’m not clearheaded. I’m confident,” Zheng Fa said with a smile. “Just give Jiushan some more time… the Hundred Immortals Alliance? Even the Supreme Dao Sect…”

Martial Uncle Pang froze. He mulled over Zheng Fa’s words and shook his head. “I… whatever. I don’t even know where you get that kind of confidence.”

Zheng Fa just smiled. Of course Martial Uncle Pang didn’t disbelieve him—but that kind of thinking… was a bit outside his comfort zone.

The Five Great Sects had sat above the world for an entire era. In the minds of most cultivators, they were as high as the heavens.

Saying you might surpass the Alliance? Maybe believable. But the Supreme Dao Sect?

Martial Uncle Pang didn’t argue further. He just suddenly remembered something and said, “I’d like to take Zheng Shan as my disciple. What do you think?”

Zheng Fa was stunned. He really hadn’t expected Martial Uncle Pang to say that.

While Jiushan had started to resemble a modern university, it didn’t reject the traditional disciple system—mostly because of how resources were passed down. For example, Martial Uncle Pang’s cultivation materials couldn’t be evenly distributed among all disciples.

Zheng Fa had actually been considering combining a mentorship system with master-disciple practices once the disciples matured a bit more.

So this request wasn’t unreasonable. The issue was…

“Martial Uncle Pang, Elder Han—the Sunset Sword Immortal—also told me the same thing.”

“He’s from the Tianhe Sect, isn’t he? What’s he doing trying to take Zheng Shan?” Martial Uncle Pang asked, wide-eyed.

Zheng Fa laughed. “Han Lao got quite close with my little sister recently. I guess they just hit it off.”

“He said he can’t pass on Tianhe Sect techniques, but he’s got other inheritances.”

Martial Uncle Pang opened his mouth, but his face was already bitter.

No matter how you looked at it, he didn’t have the upper hand!

Not to mention that the Sunset Sword Immortal was stronger…

Strictly speaking, Zheng Shan could still learn from Martial Uncle Pang without formally becoming his disciple…

But if she apprenticed under the Sunset Sword Immortal, then—

She’d get everything!

From Jiushan’s perspective, Zheng Shan mastering Han Lao’s techniques would eventually benefit the whole sect.

Thinking about that, Martial Uncle Pang felt he really should “let her go for the greater good.”

But still…

Why did this situation feel so familiar?

Martial Uncle Pang looked at Zheng Fa, and suddenly remembered—he was the one who had first taken interest in Zheng Fa back then!

And then that shameless Senior Brother Yuan swooped in!

Now again, he was the first to spot Zheng Shan…

History was repeating itself, and it made him thoroughly depressed.

But Zheng Fa said, “I didn’t promise Elder Han anything.”

“Huh?”

“My sister’s future is up to her.” Zheng Fa smiled. “Who she chooses as her teacher is her own decision.”

Compared to the position of Alliance Leader, this matter troubled him even more.

The Sunset Sword Immortal really was from the Tianhe Sect… there would be entanglements down the line.

As her older brother, Zheng Fa wanted Zheng Shan to have a strong teacher, but also a peaceful path, far from danger.

He was being greedy, unable to choose—so he’d leave it to her.

Hearing this, Martial Uncle Pang’s eyes lit up. His confidence returned.

As Zheng Fa and Martial Uncle Pang walked toward Ten Thousand Immortals Island, they ran into Zhou Qianyuan, who seemed to be waiting for Zheng Fa.

He looked hesitant and somewhat timid.

“Junior Brother Zhou?”

Zheng Fa asked curiously.

“Sect Master, Master,” Zhou Qianyuan greeted the two as he spoke, taking out a small booklet from his sleeve. “Lately I’ve had some thoughts about talisman techniques, and I’d like to show them to you.”

Zheng Fa’s eyes lit up. He took the booklet and flipped through it.

On the first page was the title: My Thoughts on the Metal-Water Thunder Technique.

Reading further, Zheng Fa quickly grasped Zhou Qianyuan’s line of thinking:

He had merged Martial Uncle Pang’s Linked Talismans Method, combined with the Five Elemental Sub-Talisman Theory learned from Zheng Fa, and even integrated some electromagnetism knowledge. What resulted was something quite fascinating:

Metal-Water Thunder Technique, or Metal-Water Thunder Talisman.

This thunder technique had a distinct feature: it first used the sharpness of metal-element thunder to break through the enemy’s defenses, then transformed via the "metal gives birth to water" principle—turning thunder into flowing water that clung to the enemy’s body to continue attacking. A persistent strike, relentless and unending.

Its power exceeded standard thunder methods by about fifty to sixty percent.

What surprised Zheng Fa even more was that this Metal-Water Thunder approach actually resembled a Compound Talisman Diagram.

“Junior Brother, how did you come up with this?”

He asked in delight.

“I was born with a Gengjin Dao Body, and with your and Master’s guidance… I stumbled upon this.”

Zhou Qianyuan smiled sheepishly, seeing Zheng Fa so pleased.

Zheng Fa nodded repeatedly, passing the booklet to Martial Uncle Pang, then said to Zhou Qianyuan, “Junior Brother Zhou… this Metal-Water Thunder Method, I see great potential. Once I verify it, I’ll definitely award you with Merit Points.”

Zhou Qianyuan looked a bit embarrassed. “Merit Points aren’t important, I just… I’m happy if the thunder technique is useful.”

“No, they are important! Junior Brother Zhou, if it weren’t for the rules, I’d be tempted to give you even more!”

Zheng Fa’s words made Zhou Qianyuan beam with joy as he cheerfully took his leave.

Zheng Fa watched his back with a sense of fulfillment—not just from the thunder technique itself, but from Zhou Qianyuan’s dedication to research. That alone made him genuinely happy.

At this moment, he felt like a hardworking farmer, seeing the first stalk of rice growing tall in the field—a satisfaction that words could hardly capture.

“Uncle Pang, you asked me where my confidence comes from…” he sighed, “It comes from people like Junior Brother Zhou…”

Martial Uncle Pang said nothing.

Zheng Fa turned around and saw him staring at the booklet, his face complex, lost in thought.

“Uncle Pang?”

“You think… I’ve been unfair to Qianyuan?”

Martial Uncle Pang suddenly spoke.

“Ever since you came along, he and I have grown distant…” Pang sighed. “I never shorted him on anything, but…”

Zheng Fa understood.

Uncle Pang hadn’t mistreated Zhou Qianyuan—he had guided him with care, provided ample resources—Zhou Qianyuan wouldn’t have reached Foundation Establishment so quickly otherwise.

But Uncle Pang had initially treated Zhou Qianyuan as a personal disciple. Then, he had shown interest in Zheng Fa, and now Zheng Shan… Naturally, Zhou Qianyuan felt a sense of being overlooked.

It wasn’t that Martial Uncle Pang was wrong—when you’re hoping for a genius to uphold the sect, it’s understandable to be anxious, especially when you have people like Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang to compare with.

“Now that you have the Jiushan Sect, you’ve gained the confidence to turn down the Hundred Immortals Alliance…” Uncle Pang looked at the booklet and sighed deeply, “I’m not as good as you.”

“If Qianyuan has this kind of talent…”

“I’ll give him my all. One day, he might not lose to you or Zhang Wuyi!”

Finishing his words, Martial Uncle Pang turned and marched toward Zhou Qianyuan’s courtyard, holding the booklet in hand, full of vigor—clearly ready to whip him into shape.

Zheng Fa opened his mouth but didn’t say the words on his mind:

Junior Brother Zhou may be gifted… but come on, he doesn’t deserve that kind of treatment…

…

If Zhou Qianyuan had brought Zheng Fa a pleasant surprise, then Madam Xuanhua was steadily pushing forward with the External Pill experiments.

These past few days, Madam Xuanhua had only shown her face while greeting guests from the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Afterward, she focused entirely on leading the Golden Core Project disciples in the Xuanyi Realm, studying the improved Golden Core methods Zheng Fa had given them.

As a refining grandmaster, she couldn’t resist her curiosity about these new techniques and had no interest in dealing with Alliance socializing.

She wasn’t in the Jiushan Realm either, since some techniques couldn’t be used there.

The disciples under the Golden Core Project already had experience with the Divine Thunder External Pill, so they were seasoned now.

Combined with Madam Xuanhua’s artifact refinement skill and the resources provided by the Hundred Immortals Alliance—like Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend materials—their research progressed rapidly. They had already validated two techniques.

“One of them had a flaw in the spiritual energy–particle fusion stage, particularly with spell selection. I made some adjustments,” Madam Xuanhua explained. “But it still reduced nearly 30% of the steps compared to the old method, and the core quality improved significantly.”

She looked at Zheng Fa, eyes full of excitement and curiosity.

“You’ve spent so much on this, Madam…”

Zheng Fa replied. This progress was largely thanks to her seasoned experience—and much of the experimental materials had been covered out of her own pocket.

Madam Xuanhua waved it off, unconcerned. “What’s this, compared to these External Pill techniques?”

“Your disciples… they’ve helped a great deal too.”

She nodded toward the Golden Core Project team.

Zheng Fa smiled. “Since you’ve organized two Golden Core methods, let the senior disciples each begin their cultivation with them.”

Among the disciples, ten or so had reached Peak Foundation Establishment—they had joined precisely for this purpose, and were visibly elated at the news.

Even Madam Xuanhua’s gaze held a tinge of envy as she looked at them…

…

Two months later, the Hundred Immortals Gathering was nearing its end.

Struggle-for-Dao Island—formerly used by Zheng Fa for archaeological simulations—was now conveniently repurposed as the official venue. Fittingly, even the name matched the occasion.

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Elite disciples from the Alliance battled it out in the open plaza, dueling fiercely.

Zheng Fa sat beside Zhenren Tongming, accompanying them as they watched the duels. Dozens of Nascent Souls surrounded them, serving as referees and ensuring no one was seriously harmed.

At the moment, it was the final Golden Core match—and the spell duel was excellent.

The theater was packed. Many Jiushan Sect disciples were also in attendance, cheering for the contestants.

“Zhenren Tongming, this disciple surnamed Qi—he’s not only a High-Grade Golden Core, but his spell techniques are incredibly refined… truly worthy of being your sect’s personal disciple.”

A Nascent Soul who’d come as a guest half-praised, half-flattered.

Zhenren Tongming smiled. “He’s got some talent, sure. But the opposing Zhongxuan Sect disciple—his life-bound magical tool is extraordinary. He’s even better.”

“That’s still a Hundred Immortals Alliance disciple, isn’t it? All in the family,” the Nascent Soul chuckled.

Zhenren Tongming laughed even more heartily at that and glanced at Zheng Fa, unable to hide his satisfaction—when Zheng Fa refused Zhenren Chengkong, his emotions had been… complicated.

He wasn’t stupid. He knew Zheng Fa didn’t think much of the Alliance…

And though he was willing to give up the Alliance Leader position, as Zhenren Chengkong had said, it was practically the culmination of his life’s effort. To have Zheng Fa treat it like discarded shoes…

How could that feel good?

These two in the ring were among the strongest Golden Cores in the Alliance. Not only were they High-Grade Golden Core cultivators, but they had earned merit in battles against the Great Freedom Demonic Sect—a real point of pride.

Their performance in this duel truly lived up to their reputations… in Zhenren Tongming’s eyes, even rivaling Zhang Wuyi in her prime.

He looked at Zheng Fa now with a hint of provocation: You really think my Alliance’s disciples aren’t worthy of your respect?

“Zhenren, what do you think of these two disciples?”

He blinked and looked at Zhenren Chengkong beside him.

Zhenren Chengkong glanced at him and Zheng Fa, seemed to grasp his intent, and nodded. “With a bit more training, they may just qualify for entry into the Supreme Dao Sect.”

Zhenren Tongming smirked—clearly, Zhenren Chengkong had a bit of a grudge too. He had humbled himself to win Zheng Fa over, but had been rejected—who wouldn’t mind?

Hadn’t he stopped bringing it up ever since Zheng Fa said no?

Zheng Fa glanced at both men, then turned his attention to the ring. These two were indeed powerful—both High-Grade Golden Cores, both at Peak stage, Nascent Soul just a step away. They were among the best of the best.

Given their experience fighting the Demonic Sect, they had only grown sharper—impressive indeed.

Zheng Fa admitted to himself that aside from his own innate divine abilities, no one in Jiushan Sect could beat them in a straight fight.

No wonder Zhenren Tongming was so smug.

But Zheng Fa didn’t mind. The Alliance had paid—let them have their moment. In business, even emotional value counts—gotta let the client feel good!

Sure enough, as the match progressed, the Zhongxuan Sect disciple began to dominate using his powerful life-bound magical tool, and was just about to defeat the Qi-named disciple—set to win the title of this Gathering’s top Golden Core.

In the theater, everyone stood, ready to celebrate the victor.

At that moment, a beam of light shone from Seeking Immortality Island, followed by the gathering of Purple Sky Clouds, and a wave of spiritual energy spread across Jiushan.

There were dozens of Nascent Souls present, not to mention Zhenren Chengkong and Zhenren Tongming—who could fail to recognize what this meant?

“Someone’s forming a Golden Core?”

“A High-Grade Golden Core!”

Zheng Fa was stunned too. Seeking Immortality Island was home to Jiushan’s disciples, so whoever just broke through had to be one of the Peak Foundation Establishment senior brothers.

Given the improved Golden Core methods, it wasn’t shocking for someone to form a High-Grade Golden Core.

But after only two months? That was a little fast—he himself had taken a full year!

Then again, he had too much Sha Qi, which had slowed him down. Maybe this senior brother’s pace was actually more normal…

Noticing Zhenren Tongming and others looking at him, Zheng Fa smiled. “Just a disciple breaking through—back to the match, back to the match.”

The earlier phenomenon had caused both duelists to briefly pause—Zhongxuan Sect’s disciple even lost his edge…

The fight continued for a while, and just as they were about to reach a final outcome—another light burst from Seeking Immortality Island.

Zheng Fa: “…”

He looked at Zhenren Tongming’s increasingly awkward expression and could only sigh inwardly:

Well, now we’ve completely stolen the spotlight.

So much for emotional value—it’s probably negative now.