I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 291Book 2: : As If It Were Yesterday, Entering My Hub
Vol 2 Chapter 291: As If It Were Yesterday, Entering My Hub
In the days that followed, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang seemed to have returned to their familiar old routine.
Their research on Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation still followed the same methods.
Zheng Fa proposed various hypotheses, and Senior Sister Zhang, using her Yuan Spirit Dao Body, carried out experiments and provided feedback.
Zheng Fa then revised the technique based on her feedback.
The principles of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Technique were simple in theory, but in practice, the complexity far exceeded other cultivation methods—
To put it bluntly, this technique was far more complicated than the Great Freedom True Technique left behind by the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.
In Zheng Fa’s conception, simulating the human body was one form of transformation. Following this logic, the Great Freedom True Technique could, to some extent, be considered part of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation.
Of course, simulation varies— the Demon Ancestor’s technique had its own unique strengths, which couldn't be denied.
But from this, one could see just how vast and intricate Zheng Fa’s envisioned Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend method was. By his own estimation, its complexity... was about ten times that of the Great Freedom Technique.
On the flip side, this complexity was a result of Zheng Fa’s ambition:
The version of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation in his mind was capable of endless transformations— whether tangible or intangible, with spirit or without, even cultivators of the Xuanyi Realm or all kinds of divine beasts.
It could even manipulate creation and reverse Yin and Yang.
One could say this technique had a low starting threshold, but no upper limit!
That’s what Zheng Fa said when he was bullsh***ing with Senior Sister Zhang.
She just listened with a smile, not speaking, only looking at him with a gaze... that somehow felt indulgent.
Like she didn’t quite believe this technique would really work.
In truth, it wasn’t just her who didn’t believe it. If not for Zheng Fa’s two major advantages, even he wouldn’t dare to dream so wildly:
First, he possessed the Reversed Five Elements Divine Light—
To simulate other objects, one had to first understand their essence:
The light’s scanning ability toward various spiritual materials helped him comprehend their structure. That alone was a major source of confidence.
Second, and always his greatest source of confidence— was the modern world.
Setting spiritual energy aside, modern exploration of living and non-living things had reached deep levels.
This knowledge provided an excellent supplement to Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation:
At the very least, when simulating non-spiritual objects, he had endless references.
This might be even more precious than the Reversed Five Elements Divine Light.
In other words, for anyone else, this Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation would be an exhausting waste of effort.
Only Zheng Fa, who had accumulated from both worlds step by step, could now attempt to create such a true technique and feel that it was a natural progression, like ripe fruit falling from the tree. Ř𝘼ꞐОＢƐS
No cultivation method better fit the phrase “knowledge is power” than the one Zheng Fa envisioned.
Fantasies aside, at present, whether in terms of cultivation or accumulated knowledge, Zheng Fa was still far from being able to simulate all matter and transform endlessly. What he could actually do was more grounded: simulate techniques— like the aura alteration Xie Qingxue had mentioned.
After all, the looming concerns of the Five Sects Alliance remained. The first test of this Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation would be to conceal any traces in Zheng Fa’s body that could be linked to the Tianhe Venerable— including the Jiushan Golden Core Method.
Speaking of the Five Sects Alliance, based on the chatter from Xie Qingxue’s constantly blabbering mouth, it seemed the five sects were still arguing—
The main point of contention was the meeting location.
Clearly, the five sects didn’t fully trust one another, each wanting to host the summit on their own turf.
On the other hand, with the Great Freedom Demon Emperor dead, they weren’t in a hurry either.
To a bunch of Dao Fruit stage cultivators, a year or two might feel no different than a couple of minutes to mortals.
Zheng Fa was even less anxious—he wished they’d argue longer. Best case, he’d punch a Dao Fruit into next week.
“Switching techniques is actually the easiest part.”
Senior Sister Zhang sat cross-legged on the couch, her plain white robe nearly translucent. Her skin looked like clear, water-blue glass, with meridians and dantian apertures visible in exquisite detail.
Inside her dantian, her chibi-sized Nascent Soul pouted her tiny cheeks, her pudgy little hands forming hand seals, and her aura changed—becoming something Zheng Fa found very familiar.
“Shenxiao Golden Core?”
Zheng Fa said in surprise.
Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly. The corners of her lips curled up in a rare show of pride. “I’ve been studying the Jiushan Golden Core Method lately and made some progress. I’ve also gained new insights into the Yuan Spirit Dao Body.”
“This Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation of yours…”
“It seems to resonate with my Yuan Spirit Dao Body.”
That did make sense!
It’s just that the simulation capability of the Yuan Spirit Dao Body was limited to internal spiritual power, and didn’t extend to appearance, form, or material.
Zheng Fa was quite excited. He said to Senior Sister Zhang, “If this technique is truly perfected, it might be an excellent fit for you!”
His eyes were shining. The joy in his pupils seemed to overflow and spill right into her heart.
She was momentarily dazed.
Zheng Fa kept talking. He rarely voiced his hopes or ambitions around others, sometimes even appearing overly modest.
But with Senior Sister Zhang, it was different:
“This Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation could be said to integrate all of Jiushan Sect’s unique techniques. Without your Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique, without the Jiushan Golden Core Method, there would be no Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation.”
“This technique is self-contained from start to finish. In the future, it could be our Jiushan Realm’s exclusive cultivation method—maybe even form a Dao Fruit?”
He looked at her again and smiled.
“When I first joined, you taught me the Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique. We improved it together.”
“Now I’m teaching you Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation, and we’re still perfecting it together.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Senior Sister Zhang also smiled. She understood what he meant by “wonderful.”
From the bottom of his heart, he still loved this kind of life—exploring the truth of the world, pursuing progress in the immortal path.
What made it even better was having a kindred spirit to share everything with—completely and without reservation.
Even the smallest step forward was worth celebrating, and even failures felt less bitter when you saw each other standing there.
She looked around. They were no longer in the old Jiushan Sect. The sect was no longer a place of constant infighting, no longer bullied by the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Zheng Fa had even killed the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, and now his name had probably spread across the Xuanyi Realm.
Yet here he was, still nostalgic for those days.
So was she.
In this unfamiliar world, seeing Zheng Fa’s familiar face, even the “little little Senior Sister” in her dantian opened her eyes, showing her gums in a silly little grin.
As night fell and Senior Sister Zhang looked a bit tired, Zheng Fa said goodbye: “Rest well, Senior Sister. I’ll go organize what we learned today and come back tomorrow.”
Senior Sister Zhang watched as he entered a nearby courtyard. When she saw the light go on in his study, she didn’t return to her own home. After thinking for a long time, she turned and walked toward her master’s courtyard.
“Wuyi? Did you need something?”
Martial Aunt Huang looked surprised to see her.
“Master, I came to ask you to teach me…” Senior Sister Zhang’s usually calm face turned a little red, and her voice faltered slightly, “the dual cultivation method.”
“……”
Martial Aunt Huang stared at her, seemingly at a loss for words.
Senior Sister Zhang’s head drooped lower and lower.
“You mean the dual cultivation pill method created by your grandmaster?”
Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently.
“You’re planning to... use it with who?”
Martial Aunt Huang looked a little strange.
Senior Sister Zhang froze. She seemed genuinely surprised by the question.
Who else could it be?
“Isn’t Zheng Fa cultivating the Shenxiao Golden Core?”
Only then did she realize—her master’s dual cultivation method had been derived from the sect’s own Golden Core techniques, which meant it wasn’t compatible with Shenxiao Golden Core.
“Master, Junior Brother Zheng wants to create a technique called Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation...”
“If he succeeds, altering his internal technique shouldn’t be difficult.”
According to her and Zheng Fa’s theory, cultivating this technique might even let Zheng Fa switch the type of Golden Core inside him. Eventually, he might be able to try all twelve of the sect’s developed Golden Core methods.
That’s why she came to ask for the dual cultivation technique.
Martial Aunt Huang looked vaguely stunned. As one of Jiushan’s upper ranks, though she was only active in the Disciplinary Hall now, she had seen most of the sect’s research achievements.
Now that she thought about it, this Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation... didn’t seem entirely impossible.
But...
“Zheng Fa has never been boastful, but his vision…” Martial Aunt Huang sighed. “Far surpasses anyone I’ve ever known.”
Senior Sister Zhang smiled, clearly proud.
“What are you grinning about! Are you sure about this?” Martial Aunt Huang scowled, muttering like her disciple was throwing herself away, “This dual cultivation method may not harm your foundation, but it won’t benefit you much either. It might even slow you down a bit at first.”
“Your grandmaster lost time back then for the same reason.”
“You’re still young, at the stage of rapid progress.”
Though this dual cultivation method didn’t involve draining Yin to replenish Yang, it was still a case of giving more than receiving for the stronger partner. If Senior Sister Zhang used it with Zheng Fa, it’d be like charity—
Using the sect’s own resources for it, no less.
“Master, my divine soul and spiritual power aren’t yet strong. I’m still far from Soul Formation, while Junior Brother is advancing quickly and facing great danger.”
“The more famous our Jiushan Sect becomes, the stronger his enemies will be…”
“With this method, he could grow stronger, faster.”
Martial Aunt Huang rolled her eyes and snapped, “Junior Brother this, Junior Brother that—can’t you think of yourself for once?”
“...Master!”
“If you won’t think of yourself, I will! No!”
Senior Sister Zhang seemed to have expected this. Her master didn’t dislike Zheng Fa—in fact, she often praised him.
But she also knew her master only had eyes for her, almost obsessively so.
“Master, he thinks of me too…”
She said softly.
“Hmm?”
“This Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation... is best suited for my Yuan Spirit Dao Body. If it’s perfected, it’ll benefit me tremendously.”
Martial Aunt Huang’s expression shifted slightly. After thinking it over, she realized—it was true.
She fell briefly silent.
“Master, ever since Junior Brother entered the sect, I’ve known I chose the right person.”
Senior Sister Zhang spoke softly in persuasion. Seeing her master remain silent, she bit her lip, and her tone dropped even lower:
“If... if Junior Brother were to die from an accident because his cultivation is too low...”
“I’m afraid I’d end up like you, Master—living with guilt for the rest of my life.”
Martial Aunt Huang suddenly raised her head and looked at her disciple.
Senior Sister Zhang knew she had struck a nerve, but this was her sincere thought—
Though things were somewhat stable at the moment, Jiushan Sect was increasingly at the center of the storm. Zheng Fa might have all kinds of tricks, but his weakness was deadly.
He cultivated diligently, and not slowly, but it was still far from enough to deal with the current situation.
Senior Sister Zhang understood the reality best and knew her Junior Brother was always walking a tightrope.
She’d thought about it over and over in the past, but found no good solution.
Now, as she and Zheng Fa began shaping Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation, an idea came to her—dual cultivation.
The sect did have some dual cultivation methods, but most were inferior. The best one, naturally, was in her master’s hands.
Especially with her master as a living example of its success.
But bringing it up... was still picking at an old wound.
The room was silent for a long time. Senior Sister Zhang kept her head lowered and said no more.
“Take it.”
Suddenly, a resigned voice came from in front of her. Senior Sister Zhang looked up and saw the jade slip on the table, joy lighting her eyes.
“You…”
Seeing her expression, Martial Aunt Huang sighed deeply. In a daze, she seemed to see her late husband in this disciple... and also a glimpse of her younger self...
...
Zheng Fa, of course, had no idea that not only was Senior Sister Zhang asking for a cheat code for him—she was ready to be one herself.
He was in the modern world, gathering his real cheat codes!
“Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation?” Tch… Old Bai scratched his head, then his body, like a monkey.
“Gotta say, the idea’s pretty interesting.”
Tang Mu Dao thought it over and found the theory plausible. But in practice...
“This is incredibly difficult!”
It really was.
But after reading the Great Freedom True Technique, Zheng Fa had come to understand: all fundamental techniques in this world were extremely complex—
At least at the level of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor.
For a mere Golden Core cultivator like Zheng Fa to want to create something ten times more complex than that—others would think he was biting off way more than he could chew.
But...
In the nursing home’s conference room, Zheng Fa looked around at the room full of academic cheat codes and smiled:
“I’ve come up with a basic framework for Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend Transformation, divided into three parts:”
“First, spiritual power transformation, meaning technique switching. This part, Cheng Yun…”
“You guys already completed theoretical research on the Golden Core Project. Now I want you to lead a team to study the conversion between different cultivation methods. Can you do it?”
Cheng Yun’s heart skipped a beat. His mouth went dry. He was an old man here, but in this room? A nobody.
He hesitated.
Smack!
His advisor, Professor Wang, slapped him on the back and muttered, “What are you waiting for? Say yes!”
“Ah? Yes!”
Cheng Yun jolted and quickly responded.
Professor Wang cursed his student silently but also felt an odd envy—
When intelligence is similar, opportunities like this are what set people apart.
This kind of challenge was a rite of passage to becoming someone great.
Even though Cheng Yun was his own student, Wang couldn’t help muttering under his breath: D**! Lucky bastard!*
Zheng Fa smiled. His preference for Cheng Yun wasn’t bias. This task didn’t require top-tier scientific knowledge. What mattered most was understanding Golden Core methods.
And Cheng Yun was the best fit.
Besides, his greatest aid in this area was still Senior Sister Zhang and her Yuan Spirit Dao Body.
Put simply, this part was the easiest. Giving it to Cheng Yun just made sense—he was familiar.
But the other sub-projects wouldn’t be so easy.
“Part two is using Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans to simulate non-spiritual matter.”
“Everyone, I’m limited in ability. So far, I’ve only split it into two categories—non-biological and biological.”
“The research direction is clear: using Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans to simulate molecular and atomic structures.”
“In terms of difficulty, we’ll begin with non-biological...”
Zheng Fa paused, then began calling names:
“Academician Wu, Academician Gao…”
He rattled off over thirty names. Among them were more than thirty academicians;the rest were all top players in their fields—leaders, movers, and shakers.
“Your task is to write this technique—specifically, the non-biological portion.”
Seeing them nod obediently, he turned to others and named them: “The biology section will be yours, then?”
Most of the room exchanged glances and suddenly realized something:
Zheng Fa’s casual roll call had assembled three project teams—each ridiculously strong. The kind of lineup no research in the country had ever enjoyed!
It wasn’t just the sheer number of scholars. Realistically speaking,
Let’s not pretend—
China’s academic world was riddled with factions. Even in this room, some folks would never have worked together before. At best, they didn’t sabotage each other.
Yet under Zheng Fa’s plan, former rivals were awkwardly making eye contact, unsure how to handle it.
As he interacted with more scholars, Zheng Fa had come to learn plenty of academic gossip:
Fighting for titles, funding, recognition, prestige...
Scholars were still human. Few were saints. Many played dirty.
But Zheng Fa didn’t care.
“This is the first large-scale collaboration of the Hongshan Research Institute…” he said, seeing their discomfort. “Professor Tang will record everyone’s contribution points. Based on those, I’ll share cultivation methods and distribute spiritual medicine from the nursing home.”
“The sooner you make progress, the sooner you earn your points.”
The scholars’ eyes lit up, one by one.
Zheng Fa watched two old rivals in fluid physics glance at each other—then break into smiles, suddenly like old buddies.
His message was clear:
The more complete this technique became, the sooner they could begin real cultivation.
Funding? Titles? Prestige?
In the face of immortality, who cared about past grudges?
They could bury the hatchet, even swear brotherhood!
At this moment, there were no enemies in the room—only fellow Daoists!
The groups spontaneously formed into clusters. One person spoke, another replied—they had started discussing!
Zheng Fa observed it all, amused.
Ten times the Great Freedom…? Too much?
He looked over the conference room, filled with contentment. His grand plan of “harnessing minds” had finally come to this—
The finest minds of the world… all within my grasp!
