I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 114Book 2: : Worry

Vol 2 Chapter 114: Worry

In a classroom at Jingcheng University, Zheng Fa was sitting attentively, listening to a lecture.

There weren’t many students in the class, only about a dozen. The lecturer was an elderly man dressed in a worn-out shirt and glasses. When he entered, he glanced at Zheng Fa with a look of curiosity.

His confusion was understandable—this was Introduction to Atmospheric Science, a specialized course in the Meteorology Department.

Although the Meteorology Department and Zheng Fa’s Physics Department were both part of the School of Physics, and their courses overlapped significantly, Introduction to Atmospheric Science was exclusive to meteorology students. Since meteorology was a niche field with few students, Zheng Fa, as an unfamiliar face, stood out.

His goal was simple—auditing the class.

Waiting around for a meteorologist to conveniently fall into his lap was too passive and relied too much on luck—definitely not Zheng Fa’s style.

But perfecting the Cloud, Rain, and Thunder Techniques required knowledge of meteorology.

So he decided to learn it himself.

This was the advantage of studying at Jingcheng University—even though meteorology was an obscure major at any institution, Jingcheng University still attracted the top experts in the field, providing Zheng Fa with ample learning resources.

The moment he entered the classroom, he could feel the curiosity in the students’ and the professor’s eyes.

But he wasn’t bothered—if the professor refused to let him stay, he’d simply leave. Borrowing books isn’t theft, so auditing a class isn’t shameful.

From experience, most professors at Jingcheng University didn’t mind students sitting in on their lectures.

Sure enough, the old professor merely glanced at him twice before beginning the lecture, using a projector to display his materials.

Zheng Fa listened carefully, just like the other students in the classroom—perhaps even more attentively.

He even took more diligent notes than the actual meteorology students, drawing a few more glances from the professor.

Two class sessions passed quickly. The professor remained at the podium, answering students’ questions.

Zheng Fa didn’t go forward but instead closed his notebook, recalling the lecture in his mind.

As an introductory course, Introduction to Atmospheric Science wasn’t difficult to grasp—or rather, since meteorology itself was rooted in physics, it was not hard for Zheng Fa to understand.

He felt like he had gained a lot, but he still had no clear approach on how to use Thunder Techniques to manipulate clouds and rain.

But he wasn’t discouraged—compared to the people in the Heavenly Monument Realm, at least he had a direction.

As he lowered his head, flipping through his notes while deep in thought, he noticed a pair of feet appear beside his desk.

Looking up, he saw the professor standing beside him, smiling.

"Do you have any questions?"

"……"

Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned.

The old professor seemed to think he was too shy to ask, so he continued, "You're not from the Meteorology Department, are you? Which department are you in?"

"I’m in the Physics Department."

The professor nodded and asked again, "Do you have any questions?"

Zheng Fa was slightly puzzled—this professor was being way too enthusiastic.

Sensing his confusion, the professor chuckled. "Meteorology is an unpopular discipline. I’ve been teaching this course for over ten years, and I rarely see students coming to audit it."

Zheng Fa knew that was true.

For example, in the School of Physics, the Physics Department alone had over 200 faculty members, including more than a dozen academicians.

Meanwhile, the entire Meteorology Department only had twelve professors—fewer than the number of academicians in the Physics Department.

Seeing that Zheng Fa seemed to understand his point, the professor continued, "If you’re interested in meteorology, feel free to ask me anything."

Zheng Fa felt a little guilty—his interest in meteorology wasn’t genuine.

He didn’t want to disappoint the professor’s passion for teaching, so after some thought, he decided to ask a question he had been considering:

"Professor, can modern artificial rainmaking techniques be achieved through electromagnetic forces?"

He was a bit nervous—his wording sounded a little too much like pseudoscience.

The professor was briefly stunned, as if he hadn’t expected such a question.

"That’s a very new field," he said, but rather than dismissing the question, he pondered it seriously. "Very few people are researching this direction."

Zheng Fa nodded. He had already searched for information on this topic—it was quite niche.

"Theoretically, it's possible. Practically, however, there's a major problem with this idea…" The professor suddenly paused, as if testing Zheng Fa. "Do you know why?"

"Energy consumption. Cost." Zheng Fa answered softly.

"Exactly." The professor smiled. "Artificial rain techniques are already mature, but using electromagnetic forces would require far too much energy."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa wasn’t disappointed.

He had expected technical challenges.

"That said," the professor added, "there have been some experimental studies on this in controlled environments. Oh, and some weather modification weapons were actually based on similar concepts…"

Unexpectedly, this gave Zheng Fa a pleasant surprise.

"There’s actually a more refined approach—it’s from foreign research, from a few years ago. They used lasers to influence rainfall. That experiment had more data and was much more well-developed."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa immediately pulled out his notebook and jotted it down.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t find this research himself—if anything, he had access to too much information.

But without specialized knowledge, he couldn’t tell which experiments were scientifically rigorous and which were unreliable.

Sometimes, Zheng Fa felt that the ignorance in the Xuanyi Realm stemmed from a lack of information, like blind men feeling an elephant.

But in the modern world, ignorance came from too much information, drowning valuable insights in a sea of irrelevant data…

It was a paradox.

At least this professor’s reference was something professionally vetted.

As he left the classroom, Zheng Fa sincerely thanked the professor.

"Thank you for your guidance."

The professor waved it off with a smile. "As long as you’re willing to learn, I’m happy to teach. If you have more questions, you’re always welcome to sit in on my lectures."

——

Xuanyi Realm.

Zheng Fa was once again studying under the Sect Master.

"In the past, since you hadn’t cultivated the Divine Thunder of Shenxiao, my Talisman Formation Techniques would have been wasted on you. But now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, you can begin learning them."

Besides Senior Sister Yuan, no one else was present.

Strictly speaking, even with her there, it still felt like no one was around.

Sect Master Yuan had even set up a talisman formation, seemingly as a precaution against eavesdroppers.

He then told Zheng Fa, "But before I teach you the Talisman Formation Techniques, there’s a rule you must understand."

"Yes, Master," Zheng Fa responded obediently.

"These techniques are my exclusive methods. Without my permission, you cannot pass them on to others."

"Understood."

"Especially not to Junior Niece Zhang."

"……"

Zheng Fa glanced at Senior Sister Yuan, surprised at how much trust his master placed in her.

He didn’t think his master was being petty—this was a common rule in the Xuanyi Realm.

Still, he couldn’t help but think of the old professor from earlier.

Sect Master Yuan, seeing Zheng Fa’s serious expression, nodded in satisfaction. "Do you know where the Talisman Formation Techniques originated?"

"I don’t."

"They actually come from the same source as your Martial Uncle Pang’s Linked Talisman Technique."

Zheng Fa suddenly thought of something.

"Then… what about the True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers?"

That was the complex composite talisman he had seen when he first entered the sect and met the Jiushan Ancestor.

At the time, because he had grasped one-tenth of the True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers, Zheng Fa had obtained The Lingshan Method and Qingyang Qi.

Now, Qingyang Qi had already transformed into the Qingyang Dao Body.

To be honest, Zheng Fa felt that it wasn’t as useful as he had initially thought—right now, he was especially envious of Fairy Lingye, Xiao Yuying’s Primordial Magnetic Dao Body.

But The Lingshan Method had indeed become the foundation of his research in the modern world.

Thus, he had a deep impression of the True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers.

"That’s right."

Sect Master Yuan smiled, seemingly quite pleased with Zheng Fa’s perceptiveness.

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"After Martial Uncle Pang and I reached the Nascent Soul stage, we both studied the True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers. He comprehended the Linked Talisman Technique, while I comprehended the Talisman Formation Method."

Sect Master Yuan explained briefly before taking out a jade slip and handing it to Zheng Fa.

"This jade slip contains the essence of my Talisman Formation Method. Take a look at it first, and if you have any questions in the future, you can ask me."

"But don’t become too obsessed with it," he suddenly sighed. "My greatest formation, the Zhoutian Thunder Formation, has already reached its limit. Against late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, I can no longer be certain of victory."

"Reached its limit?"

"Exactly." Sect Master Yuan sighed again. "The power of a talisman formation depends largely on the strength of its talismans. In the Zhoutian Thunder Formation, I’ve already used the most powerful thunder talismans available."

Zheng Fa’s heart stirred—he suddenly thought of the Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder Talisman he had just developed.

"Master, if you had access to a Prime Talisman of Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder, would it help improve your formation?" he asked directly.

"Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder? The thunder technique from the Heavenly Monument Realm?"

Sect Master Yuan let out another sigh. "I’ve thought about it too, but mastering Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder is already difficult enough—let alone converting it into a talisman. That’s easier said than done."

Zheng Fa chuckled, then flicked his wrist, sending a talisman soaring into the sky.

Sect Master Yuan and Senior Sister Yuan instinctively looked up.

In the next moment, a golden, majestic tribulation lightning bolt crashed down right in front of them.

With Sect Master Yuan’s Nascent Soul-level cultivation, how could he not sense the sheer power of this lightning?

"Hea—Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder Talisman?"

He stuttered—a rare sight.

"Yes."

"This… this…"

Sect Master Yuan stared at Zheng Fa for a long time before suddenly turning to the slightly bewildered Senior Sister Yuan.

"You are not to speak of this to anyone."

"Master?"

Even when he was teaching her the Talisman Formation Method, he hadn’t been this secretive.

Sect Master Yuan let out a long sigh.

"You’re moving too fast… If word gets out, it would be far too shocking."

After a moment of hesitation, Sect Master Yuan finally couldn’t hold back anymore.

"This… Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder Talisman…"

His face practically screamed: I want to learn this!

It was understandable—the Zhoutian Thunder Formation was his ultimate technique. Now that he had seen the potential of Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder, how could he not be tempted?

But almost immediately, Sect Master Yuan shook his head and dismissed the thought himself.

"No… This is your unique ability…"

"I’m willing to teach you, Master."

"…What?"

Sect Master Yuan stared at Zheng Fa in disbelief.

"Why?"

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, and countless reasons flashed through his mind.

For example, his master had treated him well.

For example, if his master grew stronger, it would guarantee his own safety.

Or even—if his master improved his Thunder Formation, he could pass it down to Zheng Fa in return.

But when he finally spoke, an image suddenly flickered through his mind—

That elderly professor in his worn-out shirt, standing in front of him in the lecture hall.

"Master, if you want to learn, I’m willing to teach."

"…That’s all?"

"That’s all."

"You had better not be this generous when dealing with outsiders!"

Sect Master Yuan stared hard at Zheng Fa, suddenly looking genuinely worried—as if his disciple were a complete fool.

"Master, I understand."

Zheng Fa shook his head, but his gaze was fixed on the distant horizon.

Senior Sister Yuan watched from the side.

For some reason, she suddenly felt like Junior Brother Zheng was looking at another world entirely.

——

A few days later.

As soon as Zheng Fa arrived outside the Heavenly Monument Realm, he unexpectedly ran into Fairy Lingye, Xiao Yuying.

"Zheng Fa."

Before he could even greet her, Xiao Yuying called out to him—as if she had something important to say.

"Fairy Xiao?"

Zheng Fa clasped his hands in greeting, his face full of puzzlement—it was clear that he had no idea why she had stopped him.

Nearby, several cultivators also paused to watch.

Some even had expressions of amusement, as if they were waiting for a show.

"I just wanted to tell you something." Xiao Yuying looked him over and said, "I have mastered Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder."

Zheng Fa’s heart tensed slightly.

That was fast.

He had relied on modern experimental equipment to fully grasp Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder.

But Xiao Yuying… had she really mastered it purely through her Primordial Magnetic Dao Body?

"I know that you must have mastered it as well."

Xiao Yuying continued, "But I am a Nascent Soul cultivator, while you are merely Foundation Establishment… You probably can’t even cast Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder more than a few times per day, right?"

"That’s… true."

Zheng Fa still had no idea where this conversation was going.

"I just wanted to let you know," Xiao Yuying said matter-of-factly, "that this time, I will probably surpass you. But it’s not because you lack skill—it’s simply because of the gap in our cultivation levels."

Zheng Fa’s eyes widened.

Was she… trying to comfort him in advance?

Did this person actually have emotional intelligence?

Xiao Yuying added, "You’re actually quite impressive. You’ll get used to this eventually."

"……"

Alright—maybe she had some emotional intelligence… but not much.

"At the very least," Xiao Yuying glanced at the surrounding cultivators and said, "you’re already far stronger than these people."

Okay—no, she absolutely doesn’t have any emotional intelligence at all!

Without another word, Xiao Yuying turned and headed toward the Heavenly Monument Realm.

"Brother Zheng…"

From behind, Yan Wushuang and the others looked at him, their expressions somewhat gloomy, a hint of concern in their eyes.

Yan Wushuang carefully studied Zheng Fa’s expression and couldn’t help but be impressed.

"If it were me, I could never remain so calm…"

After some thought, he added, "Then again, Brother Zheng, you’re only at Foundation Establishment, yet you’ve still managed to suppress Fairy Lingye for a while. That alone is something to be proud of! It’s just a pity that in the Heavenly Monument Realm…"

Zheng Fa didn’t say anything.

In truth, he was a little worried.

His biggest reason for developing the Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder Talisman was to compensate for his lack of spiritual power and soul strength.

Now, his storage bag was packed with stacks of Heaven’s Tribulation Thunder Talismans.

He had been planning to enter the Heavenly Monument Realm and farm merit points…

But if he ended up pissing off Fairy Lingye—

Would his master’s upgraded Thunder Formation be enough to hold her off?

Seeing the genuine concern on Zheng Fa’s face, Yan Wushuang let out a soft sigh.

Brother Zheng may act like he doesn’t care…

But deep down, this must be really painful for him…