I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 270Book 2: : Reforging the Magic Tool, There’s No Time
Vol 2 Chapter 270: Reforging the Magic Tool, There’s No Time
Jiushan Realm’s University Island.
The Golden Core Project team, along with Senior Sister Zhang and others, held their breath, eyes filled with anticipation, watching Zheng Fa and Madam Xuanhua.
"Thirty-third experiment of Tianhe Sword Dao!"
Zheng Fa’s voice was a little tired, but his tone showed no discouragement despite repeated failures. As he finished speaking, silver light lit up in Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes.
Based on the hypothesis that divine soul serves as a medium for the fusion of spiritual energy, they had a theory—too many people participating in the refinement of the External Pill resulted in mixed divine souls, preventing the Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans from merging.
In these thirty-some experiments, far fewer people participated—only three, to be exact:
Madam Xuanhua, mainly responsible for modifying the alchemical furnace’s structure and refining the overall experimental plan.
Senior Sister Zhang, in charge of observing and recording experimental data and phenomena.
As for Zheng Fa, with his superior divine soul and deepest understanding of the Shenxiao External Pill, he was the experiment’s main operator.
The other disciples weren’t idle either—though their primary task here was study, they also helped Senior Sister Zhang analyze data and offered improvement suggestions.
Several of the previous thirty-two experiments had come close to success, only to fall short at the last moment.
After each failure, Zheng Fa would rest for a while, while Madam Xuanhua and the disciples busied themselves revising the plan, adjusting the furnace’s structure, and refining the selection and sequence of techniques.
No one complained, because everyone understood how remarkable the cultivation technique they were studying truly was.
And this method of research—it was nothing short of groundbreaking, unprecedented in the Xuanyi Realm!
What excited them even more was a shared sense—success was close!
In fact, in the last experiment, there had been a momentary fusion between the Earth-Elemental Sub-Talisman and the Wood-Elemental Sub-Talisman.
Zheng Fa looked at the “alchemical furnace” before him—it had grown another segment.
What used to be a three-chamber candied-hawthorn-like furnace now had six chambers, stacked on the ground—after a while, it even looked pleasing to the eye.
He let out a soft breath, formed a hand seal, and guided his divine soul along with Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Qi into the furnace.
A blaze lit up.
First chamber: normal.
Second and third: no problem either—this was the refining process for the Shenxiao External Pill, which Zheng Fa had long mastered.
But the reactions in the latter three chambers were based on a different Golden Core refining method from within the sect. Zheng Fa’s gaze sharpened, and the spiritual energy within him cautiously merged with the External Pill in the furnace.
University Island grew even more silent—even the wind seemed harsh.
Only the dull thuds from the furnace echoed in everyone’s chest.
Until Zheng Fa opened his eyes, and Senior Sister Zhang, Madam Xuanhua, and all the Jiushan disciples looked toward him.
He smiled: “It worked!”
“It worked!”
The earlier silence shattered in cheers.
Overjoyed Jiushan disciples shouted loudly. Zheng Fa saw Mu Qingyan bouncing excitedly while glancing at him, and couldn’t help but smile back—Mu Qingyan had performed impressively in the sect lately, not only learning quickly but also contributing insights to the Tianhe Sword Dao research that had even given Madam Xuanhua a breakthrough moment. ＲΑɴốꞖĚṧ
However, the way Mu Qingyan looked at him was odd, like she was conflicted about something.
Zheng Fa watched as Mu Qingyan left with the other disciples, shook his head, and didn’t think much of her strange behavior—within the Jiushan Realm, he had confidence.
Besides, he’d long known Mu Qingyan harbored some secrets, and now it seemed she was close to revealing them.
Zheng Fa glanced over at Senior Sister Zhang and Madam Xuanhua, who were still discussing experimental data. After a while, he followed Senior Sister Zhang back to her private cultivation chamber.
“You’re thinking of trying this Tianhe Sword Dao yourself?”
Senior Sister Zhang suddenly asked.
“Now that we understand how to upgrade the Shenxiao Golden Core, I want to give it a shot. This technique clearly demands a strong divine soul, and among Golden Core cultivators, I’m probably the best fit.”
Zheng Fa said candidly.
He was far beyond average Golden Core level—if even he failed, then this Golden Core method would be useless.
“Shenxiao Golden Core…” Senior Sister Zhang pondered. “Have you considered not calling it Tianhe Sword Dao, or even Nine-Turn Golden Core Method?”
Zheng Fa immediately understood her meaning—first, though this research was born from the Tianhe Sword Dao, most of its core came from the Jiushan Sect.
Tianhe Sword Dao, after all, was essentially a sword-refining technique.
As for calling it Nine-Turn Golden Core Method…
The problem was—it was kind of taboo.
That stone tablet inheritance was the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method.
Zhenren Chengkong was using it as bait!
Renaming it would definitely save a lot of trouble.
Besides, they weren’t exactly using the official version…
Senior Sister Zhang continued, “Looking at it now, up until the Golden Core, even Nascent Soul stage, Jiushan Sect has truly forged its own unique path.”
She wasn’t boasting.
For Foundation Establishment, they used the Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique.
For Core Formation, they relied on the Golden Core Project.
As for refining tools, now they had this knockoff Nine-Turn Golden Core Method—about 70% of its secret techniques came from the Golden Core Project, 20% of its core ideas from the Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique, and only about 10% from the Tianhe Sect or Tianhe Venerable.
Senior Sister Zhang’s words made Zheng Fa fall into deep thought.
Changing the name would indeed avoid a lot of hassle—it would please the Jiushan Sect, and maybe even the Tianhe Sect?
He should ask Yan Wushuang.
“So, what name do you think fits, Senior Sister?”
“This method is based on the Nine-Turn Golden Core, so out of respect, I think we should use part of its name, and combine it with our Jiushan Sect’s name…”
“Hmm… part of its name?”
“Right. Tianhe Venerable deserves respect, so let’s take more—how about four characters? I think Jiushan Golden Core Method sounds good!”
“……”
It is good, and gives absolutely no hint it has anything to do with the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method!
Seeing Senior Sister Zhang cheerfully head into her own courtyard, Zheng Fa smiled and shook his head. She seemed livelier than before—almost like Senior Sister Yuan.
Thinking of Senior Sister Yuan, Zheng Fa suddenly realized he hadn’t seen her lately.
No idea what she was busy with.
He didn’t worry much, and entered his own small courtyard, sitting cross-legged in the quiet cultivation chamber.
Zheng Fa first glanced at the tiny figure within his Golden Core, thinking for a long time before shifting his gaze to the Jade Slip of Creation.
He’d been pondering—since the Nascent Soul is also formed by combining the spiritual particles produced by the Golden Core, could this Jiushan Golden Core Method… Nine-Turn Golden Core Method, influence Nascent Soul formation?
He had this thought ever since understanding the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method’s principles.
Later, he even asked Yan Wushuang and found their sect’s Nascent Soul method didn’t differ from others.
So either Tianhe Venerable had his own Nascent Soul technique that wasn’t passed down,
Or… even Tianhe Venerable himself didn’t realize this!
After all, Tianhe Venerable might not have understood the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method as deeply as the Jiushan Sect—if someone had discovered something like the Spirit Particle Cycle Theory, it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed.
Zheng Fa wanted to cultivate the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method mainly to test its effects—could it help him form a Nascent Soul?
His cultivation speed was fast—extremely fast even—but the current situation was complex, and his slow breakthrough was holding him back.
Of course, he didn’t dare to experiment directly on his Nascent Soul.
With a thought, Zheng Fa guided the Jade Slip of Creation from his sea of consciousness into the Golden Core in his dantian.
Sitting on a meditation cushion, he pointed his fingers like swords, tapping on the nine apertures of his body—this was a Nine Apertures Secret Technique reverse-engineered by Madam Xuanhua from the alchemical furnace.
After all, a cultivator’s body couldn’t grow three new chambers—they could only refine their apertures, building new reaction chambers—or in other words—turn all nine apertures of their body into alchemical furnaces.
This wasn’t hard. After a Golden Core was formed, it could generate spiritual material on its own—Zheng Fa even once grew an alchemical furnace in modern times…
Zheng Fa took a deep breath. The Golden Core rotated slowly within his nine apertures, tempering the Jade Slip of Creation.
Half a day later, the Jade Slip of Creation flew out from Zheng Fa’s dantian, glowing with intense golden light—this was the power of the Metal-Elemental Sub-Talisman.
The materials composing the slip were mostly earth-element, and earth generates metal. With the addition of the Metal-Elemental Sub-Talisman, it was now different from before.
With a thought, Zheng Fa transformed the slip into dozens of golden blades, sending them flying into the sky above the courtyard.
“Flying swords?” Yan Wushuang’s voice came from outside the courtyard. “Zheng Fa, are you cultivating sword techniques now?”
Zheng Fa shook his head. The Jade Slip of Creation flew back into his hand, returning to its jade-green form.
Yan Wushuang entered and immediately understood. His mouth dropped open in shock: “You succeeded?”
“Yeah.”
Zheng Fa looked at the Jade Slip of Creation—of course, it still didn’t match the offensive power of the Tianhe Sect’s flying swords, but it now carried a sharp edge that could definitely cut.
Of course, Zheng Fa wouldn’t actually use it like that. What mattered more was that its defense had significantly improved—after absorbing the Metal-Elemental Sub-Talisman, the slip seemed much harder than before. So, maybe… server stability improved?
At least the machine room wouldn’t explode.
Most importantly, the spiritual energy within the slip had greatly increased—this meant it could now link to more Tongjian units.
He could even start experimenting with the online marketplace and e-learning site he’d been planning.
Yan Wushuang’s expression was hard to read—his eyes dimmed as he stared at the golden light on the slip, wanting to ask something, but then gave up.
He looked extremely conflicted.
After a while, he composed himself and asked, “When did you guys succeed?”
“Three days ago, I think.”
“……”
“Three days… it matches…”
“Matches what?”
Yan Wushuang shook his head, his gaze toward Zheng Fa strange. After a long pause, he finally said, “This technique of yours… you really shouldn’t call it Nine-Turn Golden Core Method. Don’t use that name outside…”
“Hmm?”
“Otherwise, I’m afraid my father and the elders of the sect won’t be able to take it…”
Zheng Fa hadn’t expected Yan Wushuang to say the same thing.
Senior Sister Zhang said it for the safety of Jiushan Sect—to avoid trouble.
“It’s best not to let my senior sister see it either…” Yan Wushuang added. “Or I’m afraid something might happen to her!”
Huh?
Afraid your Senior Sister will get into trouble?
Isn’t it my Jiushan Sect that should be worried about getting into trouble?
...
Zheng Fa felt Yan Wushuang was acting very strangely today. He shook his head and asked, “Brother Yan, once we finish this research and organize the Nine-Turn… Jiushan Golden Core Method, I’ll give you a copy.”
The current Jiushan Golden Core Method actually couldn’t match the Tianhe Sword Dao—at least Tianhe Sword Dao had reached the level of the second turn, while Jiushan Golden Core Method had only achieved the first.
But both Zheng Fa and Yan Wushuang knew, once the first turn was achieved, further research would become a thousand times easier.
“Give me?”
Yan Wushuang froze, then opened his mouth, his face written with disbelief and joy.
“You… I, I actually didn’t want it that badly earlier, it’s okay if I—”
He stammered incoherently.
“Mm, Brother Yan, you contributed to the research. Based on contribution, you’re entitled to a copy of the results.”
That was the rule in Jiushan Realm now—truthfully, without such incentives, it would be hard to motivate disciples to study.
Yan Wushuang had made no small contribution.
If not for that secret manual, the project might not even have been approved.
Not to mention, he’d demonstrated sect techniques himself.
“Of course, you’ll still have to sign a confidentiality agreement, Brother Yan.”
Yan Wushuang pursed his lips and nodded hard, holding back for a long while before whispering, “I won’t tell anyone!”
“I trust you…”
Zheng Fa patted Yan Wushuang’s shoulder with a smile—after all, this guy had practically become a professional spy just to pass him a message.
He added, “Actually, once our Jiushan Sect is powerful enough in the future, it’s not like we can’t tell people…”
“Huh?”
“Hoarding one’s broom isn’t a virtue.”
Zheng Fa’s secrecy now was really more about avoiding trouble—trouble from the Five Sects of Xuanyi, trouble from the Tianhe Sect, and ultimately, the trouble stemming from Tianhe Venerable himself.
But if circumstances allowed in the future, he’d love nothing more than to make Yan Wushuang’s story public, attracting more well-rooted cultivators to join Jiushan Sect.
A foolish rich second-gen meets Jiushan Sect, revives a lost ancient secret method, and helps mend a million-year regret of a sect.
What a brilliant publicity campaign! A perfect tale of sect collaboration!
Yan Wushuang stared at him dumbfounded and suddenly understood—Zheng Fa was different from Xuanyi cultivators, and Jiushan Sect was not like the other sects in Xuanyi.
...
Yan Wushuang returned cheerfully to the Tianhe Sect residence. Xie Qingxue was in the courtyard, looking irritable, and grew even more annoyed seeing him grinning like an idiot.
“You went to Jiushan Realm again?” she scolded. “The situation is uncertain right now. Instead of staying put and cultivating properly, why are you always running off to Jiushan Realm?”
Yan Wushuang shrank his neck.
“Those who know you know you're Tianhe’s true disciple, the Sect Master’s son. Those who don’t might think you're from Jiushan Sect!”
Yan Wushuang lowered his head. Hearing this, he muttered, “If only I were that lucky…”
“What did you say?”
Xie Qingxue widened her eyes, not quite catching what he said—or maybe just not wanting to believe what she’d heard.
Yan Wushuang shook his head. Seeing her expression, he realized Senior Sister was in a bad mood, so he asked, “Senior Sister, who upset you?”
“Who else?” Xie Qingxue cursed, “Qingping Sword!”
“That Qingping Sword just keeps buzzing and buzzing… I think something’s wrong with it!”
Xie Qingxue said gloomily.
Yan Wushuang started to feel uneasy. He asked, “That Qingping Sword, does it react to the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method?”
“Exactly! The Nine-Turn Golden Core Method is the Sect Ancestor’s fundamental technique, and the Qingping Sword was the personal weapon he carried before attaining Dao. In fact, it might have even been forged from the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method…” Xie Qingxue explained. “Only by fully understanding the Nine-Turn Golden Core Method can one fully unleash the power of Qingping Sword.”
Hearing this, Yan Wushuang fell silent.
“It’s just… I think I’ve hit a bottleneck.”
“Senior Sister…”
Yan Wushuang suddenly spoke.
“Huh?”
“I’ll take better care of Qingping Sword from now on!”
“…Huh?”
...
Zheng Fa was still in the lab, continuing his research on the Jiushan Golden Core Method, when he received a message from Zhenren Chengkong.
Great Sage Qingyun—visiting the mountain!
He exchanged a glance with Senior Sister Zhang, and the two walked out of Jiushan Realm together.
“That Great Sage Qingyun is probably here to clear their name…”
Zheng Fa guessed.
“Not just that, probably also to seek help or propose an alliance.”
Senior Sister Zhang’s reply made Zheng Fa nod secretly.
The Blood Fiend Banner had vanished, and the prime suspects were the seven Great Sages of the demon race—followed by the Netherworld Immortal.
As far as Zheng Fa knew, Zhenren Chengkong and Head Seat Mingde had been trying to contact the Seven Great Sages to get to the bottom of it. Unexpectedly, Great Sage Qingyun had come in person—on Mount Tongming, where there were eight or nine Soul Formation cultivators from the immortal sects!
For Great Sage Qingyun to come alone, he was either ridiculously brave or truly had no other choice.
Zheng Fa led Senior Sister Zhang toward the main hall of Mount Tongming, encountering quite a few Hundred Immortals Alliance disciples along the way.
Things had changed.
A few days ago, when they’d just returned from Donghai County, the Hundred Immortals Alliance had been full of joy.
Even though those below Nascent Soul hadn’t attended the celebratory feast, the festive atmosphere had naturally spread to all the lower-level disciples.
Especially the disciples of Mount Tongming—they’d been smiling nonstop every day.
But now, everyone’s face was clouded with gloom.
Zheng Fa understood why—although news of the lost Blood Fiend Banner hadn’t fully spread, the actions of the major sects on Mount Tongming were suspicious.
On one hand, the Soul Formation cultivators were all visibly disturbed. These disciples weren’t blind—who couldn’t tell?
On the other hand, and more importantly, the Hundred Immortals Alliance disciples—and even many disciples from other sects—were being sent out daily to search for traces of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.
Who couldn’t guess that something was wrong?
The Great Freedom Demonic Sect had already been wiped out, so what were they searching for?
Zhenren Chengkong and the others had no choice—they feared more blood rituals appearing in the mortal realm and had to keep the cultivators on high alert.
The problem was… nothing turned up.
Countless disciples were dispatched, but none found any trace of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect’s cultivators.
Passing through the anxious and confused disciples of Mount Tongming, Zheng Fa led Senior Sister Zhang into the great hall.
Inside, the five Soul Formation cultivators from the five sects were all present. Great Sage Qingyun stood in the hall.
As soon as Zheng Fa entered, he felt a heavier, more oppressive atmosphere than outside.
The five Soul Formation cultivators had dark expressions, and the once elegant and composed Great Sage Qingyun now looked flustered and panicked, face full of urgency.
Zheng Fa sat beside Zhenren Tongming and gave him a look, asking what was going on.
Zhenren Tongming shook his head and just kept his eyes on Great Sage Qingyun.
“Our Seven Sage Heavens’ loyalty to the Immortal Sect is as clear as the sun and moon—we absolutely did not take the Blood Fiend Banner!”
Zheng Fa curled his lips. Loyalty?
If even one person in this hall believed that, then this Soul Formation cultivator must be a gift from the heavens!
But at the head, Head Seat Mingde slowly nodded and directly asked, “If it wasn’t you, then do you know who took the Blood Fiend Banner?”
“No…”
Great Sage Qingyun shook his head, but his next sentence explained why everyone’s face was so grim. “But, Head Seat, what I said earlier is true—someone is likely forging a fifth Blood Fiend Banner!”
Zheng Fa rubbed his forehead.
This news… was just too bad.
“How did you find out?”
Head Seat Mingde seemed to have already digested the information and asked coldly:
“Head Seat, please discern,” Great Sage Qingyun said quietly. “After we received word from your sect, we were also shocked and suspicious. First, we thoroughly investigated the Seven Sage Heavens to check if there were any remnants of the Great Freedom Demonic Sect.”
“There are no more demons in the Seven Sage Heavens cultivating the Great Freedom Demonic Art.”
Everyone understood what Great Sage Qingyun meant—it really wasn’t the doing of the Seven Great Sages.
“And then?”
“Then, we decided to investigate the seas.”
“The seas?”
“Yes, we contacted many great demons and had them inspect the human inhabitants of the islands in their territories.”
Now, everyone understood.
According to Ancestor of the Blood River, forging the Blood Fiend Banner required human essence blood, and in enormous quantities.
Whether it was the Netherworld Immortal or Jiao Wuji and the others causing chaos in the Eastern Continent, it was all ultimately for this purpose.
So when they heard the banner had gone missing, Head Seat Mingde and the others not only monitored the populations under the Hundred Immortals Alliance but also sent word to their own sects to ask whether there had been mass disappearances of mortals.
With four of the Five Sects of Xuanyi joining forces, there were almost no blind spots left in the mortal regions of the Eastern Continent—the efforts were comprehensive.
The problem was… there were humans on the sea islands!
“The Blood Fiend Banner requires that many humans!” Head Seat Mingde said angrily. “Could the humans on the islands even be enough?”
The seas were demon territory, so humans there were extremely scarce. Jiao Wuji and his kind had tried to land onshore because going island to island to collect mortals was too slow—a long delay might spoil the plan.
“Over a thousand sea islands’ human populations have disappeared…”
The bitterness in Great Sage Qingyun’s voice was unmistakable.
“A thousand islands? Are your demon race all blind?” Head Seat Mingde could no longer hold it in. “You didn’t notice anything at all?”
“Well…” Great Sage Qingyun sighed, “My demon race never cared about mortals to begin with. And there are great demons who sleep hundreds of years beneath the sea—discovering things a little late is very normal.”
“But not a single one noticed?”
Even Zhenren Tongming couldn’t help but speak up.
“Later, we investigated further and found that the one who abducted the mortals was extremely skilled in concealment. Some of our great demons are no weaker than you, Head Seat, but… they noticed nothing.”
Head Seat Mingde’s face darkened, but he softly said one sentence: “It’s really that disgraceful disciple?”
Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang exchanged glances—they knew he was referring to Netherworld Immortal Qin Mu. Head Seat Mingde had always had a special spiritual connection with the Netherworld Immortal, but after searching in vain for over a month, he’d found nothing.
Now hearing Great Sage Qingyun say the culprit was adept in concealment, his thoughts naturally turned to Qin Mu using some incredible secret technique to completely sever the spiritual link.
Beside them, Xie Qingxue frowned and said, “If that’s the case, then we should search the seas again… if they’re only daring to hide offshore, perhaps they’re not as strong as we thought. As long as we can find them, there’s still time!”
“Great Sage Qingyun, contact the sea demons—even if you have to scrape three feet deep, find the Netherworld Immortal and the others!”
The others were visibly invigorated—this line of reasoning did make some sense.
Zheng Fa gently shook his head and asked Great Sage Qingyun a question: “How many people did they abduct? When did the last group disappear?”
“In terms of people, at least eight or nine hundred thousand—we estimate it’s over a million.” Great Sage Qingyun thought for a moment, then answered honestly. “The last disappearance… was half a month ago.”
“A million people, half a month…” Zheng Fa lowered his eyes and sighed. “It’s too late.”
“According to what Jiao Wuji and Blood River said, the number of mortals and the time elapsed are enough to forge another Blood Fiend Banner.”
