Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World-Chapter 77 - What He Taught
Chapter 77: Chapter 77: What He Taught
Chapter 77 -77: What He Taught
The moment Zheng Fa stepped onto the plank walkway, he knew this was purely a test of mental state—it even swayed when stepped on!
The swaying was not severe, but the unstable feeling could cause immense unease.
Standing on it, gusts of piercing wind surged face-on, making his clothes flap loudly.
If he looked slightly downward, the valleys ahead seemed endlessly deep.
Participating in a talismanic magic examination in such an environment would make anyone nervous, regardless of whether they had acrophobia or not.
If one also considered the time limit on the plank walkway below one’s feet, this examination seemed outrageously tricky—Jiushan Sect must have some truly wicked people!
Zheng Fa took two deep breaths, trying to push the surrounding environment to the back of his mind, focusing his attention on the talismanic diagram on the next level of the plank walkway.
…
Zhao Mansion, in Zhang’s courtyard.
Watching the people trembling on the plank walkway within the screen, Sun Daoyu’s eyes also flickered with nostalgia.
Smiling, he said to Zhang, “Seeing them really brings back memories of my early days.”
Zhang gave him a sidelong glance, “What?
Want to try it again?”
Sun Daoyu chuckled dryly, “Not really… Back then, my legs were also trembling while standing there, and inside my heart, I couldn’t understand why they had to torment us like this.”
“Do you understand now?”
Sun Daoyu nodded and sighed, “If facing such illusory dangers and difficulties disrupts one’s calm and concentration on drawing talismans, such a mindset wouldn’t withstand the trials of Immortal Sect.
It’s just, it might be better not to know…”
These somewhat vicissitudinous words made Zhang look up at him.
It seemed Sun Daoyu was merely sighing, before he then praised Zhang, “According to past results in the Hundred Immortals Alliance, passing two mountains is normal, surpassing four mountains is excellent.
But to enter our Jiushan Sect this time, probably reaching six mountains is the minimum requirement—of course, if someone could directly step onto the ninth peak like you did, Zhang, breaking the millennium-old record for new disciples, there’s naturally no need to worry about this.
Your shadow still lingers above these nine peaks.”
Hearing his words, other ladies nearby turned their gaze towards Zhang.
They had always heard of Zhang’s genius, and now they had a firsthand impression.
“So you’re saying your junior is aiming at me?”
Unexpectedly, Sun Daoyu shook his head, “He’s young, and ambition is good… But to be honest, I doubt even the Master thinks he can truly match your talent, Zhang.
Your talent in talismanic Dao is once in ten thousand years.
Not just this time, perhaps even in a thousand years, no one will break your record.”
Zhang shook her head, not agreeing, but her gaze fell on the screen in the air, watching Zheng Fa as he continued to climb upward.
…
By now, Zheng Fa had entered the state of brushing through diagrams, or rather, although the examination might have been designed to test the temperament of new disciples.
It was particularly suitable for Zheng Fa, who, after days of practice, almost instinctively recognized talismanic diagrams.
Once it becomes instinctive, he could produce the correct solutions and find answers even without much thought or fear.
He had nearly forgotten that he was suspended in mid-air, his eyes and mind full only of the talismanic diagrams on the plank walkway.
The difficulty of the examination gradually increased.
In the first two mountains, the corresponding talismanic diagrams appeared frequently, one or two out of every ten.
This was not difficult for Zheng Fa, nor for most people here.
From his peripheral vision, he saw that more than half of the people could reach the third mountain.
But starting with the third mountain, the difficulty of the examination suddenly leaped like a runaway horse.
The frequency of corresponding talismanic diagrams decreased, appearing only about once every twenty diagrams.
And the speed at which the plank walkway beneath his feet vanished had also significantly increased—by Zheng Fa’s estimation, the time had reduced by about one third.
After about forty diagrams appeared on the next level of the plank walkway, if you didn’t move, the Primordial Talisman beneath your feet would disappear.
This sudden increase in difficulty caught many off-guard, as the sky was filled with falling faces of despair, accompanied by intermittent screams echoing through the valley.
This situation inevitably affected other people, causing more and more people to fail.
Zheng Fa saw Seventh Young Master, who had also just reached the Third Mountain.
Seventh Young Master originally did not look down at the valley below, but held his chin up, clumsily but determinedly climbing forward.
Yet, when he heard the screams around him, he couldn’t help but glance downwards—then he froze.
“Third Zhao!”
Zheng Fa called out to him.
“You’re the ‘Third’!”
Seventh Young Master responded through gritted teeth, but his limbs obviously went a little weak, and he refused to move from his spot.
“Zhao Jingfan.” Zheng Fa looked back at him and suddenly asked, “After waiting for ten years, cursing for ten years, are you willing to go back like this?”
“…”
Zheng Fa only said this and seemed unwilling to persuade further, simply continuing forward.
Watching his back, Seventh Young Master’s eyes gradually reddened.
He was familiar with Zheng Fa’s state—it was that numb addiction typical of the talismanic diagram strategy.
He sighed and focused his gaze on the next pathway.
His bloodshot eyes seemed unable to see anything else, only those talismans that he knew so well, that nauseated him, that he cursed, yet also poured ten years of his life into.
The two of them, one walking, one climbing, numbly and steadily proceeded towards the Ninth Peak.
Gradually, most people were left far behind them.
Zhou Qianyuan, who had originally been leading, seemed to sense something.
Looking back, he saw Zheng Fa rapidly closing the distance between them.
He had harbored resentment towards Zheng Fa and felt somewhat competitive.
Now, seeing Zheng Fa catching up, his face showed tension and panic.
Zheng Fa seemed not to notice him, his eyes fixed on the talismanic diagrams, appearing utterly unconcerned about who was beside him.
The footsteps of others were getting slower and slower, but Zheng Fa seemed to be entering even deeper into a state, moving forward instinctively, his movements growing faster.
When passing Zhou Qianyuan, Zheng Fa did not even spare him a glance.
Zhou Qianyuan watched Zheng Fa, who left him behind without even looking back, and paused in his steps.
Then, he saw another figure behind Zheng Fa, rolling and crawling, but also moving quickly, pass him as well.
This person seemed to have seen him but stopped, then stood up on both legs.
Zhou Qianyuan recognized the person, who always stood by Zheng Fa muttering annoyingly; he was even too lazy to speak to him.
This person made a very familiar expression—the same proud look that often appeared on his own face.
“I am Zhao Jingfan.”
The familiar phrasing and tone made Zhou Qianyuan more certain that this person was deliberately imitating him, and he felt a mix of annoyance and embarrassment.
After saying this, Seventh Young Master prepared to move forward, but seemed to think of something, stopped again, pointed at Zheng Fa, and said, “Oh, my talismanic Dao, he taught it.”
Zhou Qianyuan watched his retreating figure, his face cracking with emotion.
He understood the implication: You’re still showing off in front of Zheng Fa.
I’m his disciple, and you can’t even defeat me.
Zhou Qianyuan clenched his fists and quickened his pace to chase after the two men.
…
Inside Sister Zhang’s courtyard.
Sun Daoyu watched his actions and sighed, “My fellow disciple is overwhelmed…”
Beside him, the lady and the young miss exchanged glances, both faces showing guilt…
