Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Zheng Fa watched as Gu Hong Taoist and the others carefully read through the "Golden Immortal World Autonomy Convention." Most of its contents were discussed by Zheng Fa at the Supreme Elder Council, though many details were added, especially regarding the obligations of the Golden Immortal World to Jiushan and the benefits they could gain.

Gu Hong Taoist opened the document, quickly scanning it with his Divine Sense, and repeatedly examined what he considered to be the most important rules:

"The Immortal Court respects the ownership and governance rights of each Golden Immortal over their own world. Meanwhile, each Golden Immortal should also undertake corresponding obligations."

This was the general principle, which Gu Hong Taoist repeated twice in his heart before focusing on the rule he cared about the most.

"Accept Nine Mountains Money as the unified currency, establish Nine Mountains Banks in all realms. No Golden Immortal shall refuse to use Nine Mountains Money or issue currency without permission."

The power of Nine Mountains Bank left a deep impression on him, and reading this, he felt a bit apprehensive. Is the Jiushan Sect applying this strategy once more?

He slowly shook his head, thinking to himself that if he didn’t intend to resist the Jiushan Sect, this wouldn’t be much of an issue, maybe even convenient, and decided to skip to the next point he was very concerned about:

"People from all realms can move freely, and the Immortal Court and each Golden Immortal must not limit this."

This seemed harmless...

But he now had some understanding of the Jiushan Sect’s educational system.

Given the profoundness of the "Yellow Court Scripture" and the quality of education at Jiushan University, to be honest, he was suspicious that the geniuses from his world would all run to the Immortal Court.

Moreover, not just those geniuses, even ordinary people might probably live better in the Immortal Court...

This was the real headache for Golden Immortals like them.

People are the most valuable treasure in every world.

"The Nine Mountains Immortal Court offers security guarantees to each Golden Immortal World; meanwhile, all cultivators across all worlds must serve mandatory military service. The details of the military service can be referred to in the ’Immortal Court Military Service Law.’

"Each Golden Immortal World is obliged to pay taxes to the Immortal Court. Each Golden Immortal collects taxes by themselves, and the Immortal Court does not interfere."

Reading this, Gu Hong Taoist frowned even more.

Although he had never heard of mandatory military service, he somewhat understood it. The Nine Mountains Immortal Court wishes to control the military might of each world, and he thought it was fine—quite the opposite; having a time limit and some rules is better than the Jiushan Sect demanding without end.

The problem is this taxation.

Talking about collecting taxes sounds simple, but if the exaction is too severe, then wouldn’t the people in his world flee even more?

"How is this taxation calculated?"

"This will be based on the population, resources of each Golden Immortal World, and the support received from the Immortal Court to determine a certain ratio."

Support?

Gu Hong Taoist hesitated for a moment before continuing to read further.

"All beings from all realms have the right to study at Jiushan University."

Gu Hong Taoist glanced over this, thinking it was good for other people in the world, but it wasn’t any support for him—he already understood that even though the Nine Mountains Immortal Court says it respects them, they’re actually eyeing the resources and population in their world, leading to these various regulations.

Most of the provisions in the "Convention" were added by other Supreme Elders.

Zheng Fa’s approach was relatively lenient; it was essentially monetary hegemony combined with free trade, using the Immortal Court’s strong productivity to control the Golden Immortal Worlds.

But Master Pang and others, starting from the interests of the Immortal Court, specifically added the clauses of mandatory military service and taxation; simply put, it’s about people and money.

Regarding these two points, the Supreme Elder Council passed it after not-too-fierce discussions.

Thus, the initial governance system between the Immortal Court and the Golden Immortal Worlds was formed.

Simply put, the Immortal Court essentially practices a feudal system in each Golden Immortal World, even somewhat like a tax package system, maximizing the reduction of governance costs while allowing the Immortal Court to gain more benefits.

None of the six Golden Immortals showed either happiness or sadness.

To be honest, this convention was harsher than they imagined, but it was still acceptable—especially the Peacock Emperor, who was visibly relieved at this moment.

Yet Gu Hong Taoist still felt a bit unwilling.

He looked further to see where the so-called support from the Immortal Court to the Golden Immortal Worlds was.

"Based on each world’s contribution to the Immortal Court, every ten thousand years the Immortal Court will distribute the corresponding... Star Power?" Gu Hong Taoist suddenly raised his head and repeated, "Star Power?"

The others all turned to look at Zheng Fa.

Zheng Fa smiled slightly, pointed to the sky, and the All Heaven Stars Formation in the Chaos turned silently. Star Power surged like a tide, shooting toward the Jiushan Realm.

All present were Golden Immortals and could immediately sense that this Star Power was like an umbilical cord, bringing countless nutrients to the Jiushan Realm, enabling this small world to grow rapidly.

"This..."

Gu Hong Taoist looked at the sky, his expression shocked, and when he looked back at Zheng Fa, there was a hint of fervor.

"The Jiushan Sect can manipulate Star Power?"

Zheng Fa nodded with a smile.

He wasn’t lying, whether or not it will be feasible in the future, it certainly is now, and as for ten thousand years later... let’s discuss that then.

Gu Hong Taoist was unaware that an Earth Emperor Corpse was hidden in the All Heaven Stars Formation.

Qingnv and the others knew, but they had long pledged their loyalty to the Jiushan Sect—after all, the reincarnation of Water Mother was Zheng Fa’s disciple!

In ten thousand years, perhaps it would still be Water Mother ruling!

So they definitely wouldn’t reveal it.

Thus, Gu Hong Taoist’s heart was stirred.

This was Zheng Fa’s trump card in winning over these Golden Immortals, and also the basis for the Supreme Elder Council’s confidence in adding taxation clauses.

As the array governing the heavens employed by the Ancient Heavenly Court, the All Heaven Stars Formation was considered to supply both storms and sunshine from the Immortal Court.