Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

This seems reasonable.

Modern world’s spirit plant cultivation and cultivation theory innovation have significant advantages due to the different developmental paths earlier on.

Even if he favors the modern world, as the sect leader of Jiushan Sect, he won’t use Jiushan Sect’s resources to subsidize the modern world.

But trading is different.

Although Zhang has a bit of a temper, she took good care of the modern world in my absence...

Zheng Fa suppressed his inner feelings and continued, "What about Mahayana?"

"There are twelve Mahayana cultivators in total."

Zheng Fa calculated silently. The number of Mahayana cultivators within Jiushan Sect is about the same.

"Over two hundred Divinity Transformation cultivators and over eight hundred Nascent Soul cultivators..."

Zheng Fa listened, feeling secretly shocked.

Seeing his expression, Old Man Bai pointed at Tang Lingwu and said, "This is all thanks to Little Ling Wu; don’t underestimate her reluctance to change anything in the nursing home’s grass or trees. But now, in the changes within the Immortal Dao Alliance, she holds the chief merit."

Zheng Fa looked at Tang Lingwu with comfort.

Since he left the modern world, most of the power within the Immortal Dao Alliance should have fallen into Tang Lingwu’s hands.

Zheng Fa had already trusted her the most, entrusting her with managing numerous companies.

Another key figure, Old Man Bai, also greatly cared for Tang Lingwu.

Coupled with Tang Lingwu’s consistently high cultivation, even without Zheng Fa’s presence, she could sufficiently deter various forces within the alliance.

Old Man Bai claimed that Tang Lingwu deserves the credit for the modern world’s development, indicating that besides his love for her, it’s probably six or seven parts true.

Zheng Fa praised Tang Lingwu, "Your management skills are superior to mine; the alliance’s strength is no weaker than Jiushan Sect."

He compared the strengths of Jiushan Sect and the modern world, finding them almost evenly matched!

Regarding Dao Fruit, excluding the cultivators who joined later, Jiushan Sect itself has only cultivated Zheng Fa and Zhang as Dao Fruit cultivators.

Zheng Fa considered himself neutral...

There isn’t much difference in the other cultivator levels; Jiushan Sect’s main sect has a slightly larger number, yet the modern world started much later, achieving such success, which even astonished him.

"After all, we’ve surpassed six hundred years." Tang Lingwu shook her head, humbly, "You’ve governed Jiushan Sect for less than three hundred years; if given another three hundred years, Jiushan Sect wouldn’t be what it is now."

That’s true; the progress of the modern world relies mainly on sufficient time. It’s worth noting that after six hundred years following the Industrial Revolution, the world underwent tremendous change.

Not to mention the rejuvenation of spiritual energy, which could be said to have a more significant impact than the Industrial Revolution.

Ultimately, the modern world’s progress sounds incredible, but it’s actually reliant on the Hongmeng Purple Qi, a supreme treasure.

Thinking this way, Zheng Fa found it sensible again; after all, it’s a treasure capable of making one become a saint.

"Moreover, you all didn’t even have the ’Yellow Court Scripture’ back then, and walked step by step. We... like your favorite saying, stood on Jiushan Sect’s shoulders."

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh.

"In fact, in terms of combat power, Jiushan Sect far surpasses us." Tang Lingwu seemed quite knowledgeable about Jiushan Sect, "Over the years, Jiushan Sect has been continuously facing crises, with most resources invested in warfare, consuming substantial resources to repair the Thick Earth Magnetic Array, and now needing repairs for the All Heaven Stars Formation. While we only need to cultivate quietly."

"One could say, it’s Jiushan Sect that’s been bearing the external crises for us."

As soon as these words were spoken, the nursing home quieted down. Old Man Bai sighed gently and said, "We should be grateful to Jiushan Sect."

Zheng Fa nodded slightly; he always understood that despite striving for impartiality, he had personal biases—his preference leaned more towards the modern world. Unless absolutely necessary, he wasn’t willing to let the modern world, especially Tang Lingwu and the others, take risks.

"Master Zhang is afraid we’ll drag you down." Tang Lingwu looked at Zheng Fa with a serious tone, "But the alliance has matured enough to assist you."

Zheng Fa laughed, feeling a touch of sentiment inside. Having carefully nurtured the alliance, he hadn’t anticipated its growth in his absence, bringing a sense of pride as if his daughter had grown up.

"You all should still refrain from venturing out." Although feeling this way, Zheng Fa chose to have Tang Lingwu and the others remain secluded in the modern world.

"Why?"

Tang Lingwu seemed puzzled, and even Old Man Bai and others were somewhat surprised.

"Because of the Hongmeng Purple Qi..."

Zheng Fa explained that the appearance of the Emperor had made him very vigilant, even more concerned than before—if the Emperor is indeed the previous Human Saint, then undoubtedly, this Hongmeng Purple Qi must belong to him.

This item probably was seized by the Six Saints through some method and used to select the next Human Saint—the Emperor wouldn’t possibly let go of such a treasure, and might even sense it.

From a safety standpoint, since Tang Lingwu and others aren’t necessary, it’s best not to reveal themselves in the modern world.

If the Emperor can’t sense the Hongmeng Purple Qi, then Zheng Fa had another consideration for the modern world.

Bear in mind, the Emperor’s Earth Emperor Corpse was previously the Lord of the Underworld; if his plans became successful, then the Underworld’s security wouldn’t be guaranteed.

With this, the Jiushan Sect would have no retreat. Zheng Fa’s concealment of the modern world now was to preserve a last safe haven.

Zheng Fa concluded, "In case the Earth Emperor Corpse is resurrected, the modern world will be our final hope..."

Old Man Bai and others unknowingly adopted more serious expressions.

Zheng Fa smiled, offering comfort, "Of course, this is the worst-case scenario; maybe we’ll find a way to control the All Heaven Stars Formation."

Old Man Bai and others had helped repair the All Heaven Stars Formation, knowing its full restoration would be enough to counter Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal level threats. If Zheng Fa manages control, the Emperor’s threat would naturally lessen.

However, this formation is incomplete; replenishing it requires significant resources, which Jiushan Sect can’t provide as of now.

Moreover, the Emperor’s whispers within the formation remain. Without the Daoist Venerable’s assistance in suppression, Zheng Fa dared not use the formation.

Unexpectedly, Tang Lingwu and Old Man Bai exchanged glances, seemingly having other ideas.

"What’s on your minds?"

"Regarding the All Heaven Stars Formation, scholars of the alliance proposed a hypothesis."

Zheng Fa looked at Tang Lingwu and Old Man Bai in surprise, knowing that if they brought this hypothesis in front of him, it indicated at least they both believed it had some feasibility?

"The current issue is that cultivators controlling the All Heaven Stars Formation are being enchanted by the Emperor’s whispers or residual influence."

Tang Lingwu explained to Zheng Fa, "A scholar posed a crucial question—why are cultivators affected?"

Zheng Fa had pondered this, "Because of the formation method of the All Heaven Stars Formation."

This issue actually concerns the essence of cultivators. After attaining Dao Fruit, all cultivators become incarnations of Daoist Skills.

The Emperor is naturally no exception.

If the All Heaven Stars Formation originates from the Emperor, then it essentially forms part of him.

When Zheng Fa operates the All Heaven Stars Formation, he integrates part of the Emperor into himself—making it difficult to escape the influence of the formation.

Tang Lingwu was unsurprised by this answer, "Therefore, the idea is to change the formation method of the All Heaven Stars Formation."

"We’ve considered this many times, but it’s difficult." Zheng Fa sighed, "After all, it’s a formation at the Primordial Great Luo Golden Immortal level."

In essence, understanding the All Heaven Stars Formation is one thing, inventing improvements is another. Zheng Fa and his team lacked that level of expertise.

"No, what we are suggesting isn’t altering its operation method, but its control method." Tang Lingwu smiled, "What we have in mind is, why must a cultivator be the one controlling the formation?"

Zheng Fa was taken aback, a spark of inspiration igniting within his mind, "Heavenly Inference Array Plate?"

"The Heavenly Inference Array Plate alone isn’t reliable, as it’s a magical treasure. The Emperor might possess some understanding of magical treasures." Tang Lingwu pointed to the back mountain, "What we’re referring to is the He Luo supercomputer."

Mocking the Emperor, this antiquated figure never learned computing, hm?