I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 349Book 2: : Ancestor’s Nascent Soul Transformation, Sacred Ancestor’s Decree
Vol 2 Chapter 349: Ancestor's Nascent Soul Transformation, Sacred Ancestor's Decree
Great Learning Island blazed with the roaring Great Sun True Fire. Within the golden flames, the Jiushan Ancestor wailed incessantly, each cry more harrowing than the last.
Truth be told, one couldn't blame the Ancestor for his fragility.
What Zheng Fa was currently doing was essentially performing surgery on the Jiushan Ancestor... without anesthesia.
Thinking this, Zheng Fa turned to Senior Sister Zhang and said, "Senior Sister, next time let's add some illusionary techniques or something. This sounds too agonizing."
The Jiushan Ancestor within the flames stiffened abruptly, opening his eyes in disbelief as if momentarily forgetting his screams. He simply glared at Zheng Fa, not uttering a word yet his silent curses seemed deafening.
"It's just... first-time lack of experience, Ancestor. We can't stop halfway now."
Zheng Fa also appeared somewhat embarrassed.
When he modified his own cultivation technique, it wasn't this painful. The Great Sun True Fire was inherently part of his body and caused him no harm.
But for others, this thing's power was nothing to scoff at.
Although the Great Sun True Fire could help one break through and rebuild, the "breaking" process was truly scorching.
After a long silence, the Jiushan Ancestor looked around at the still-burning flames surrounding him and managed to force a smile, indicating his understanding.
Uncle Pang and Uncle Huang, who had come upon hearing the commotion, exchanged glances before looking at the Ancestor with eyes full of gratitude.
According to Zheng Fa's plan, they were all destined for this fiery treatment.
It was only because the Jiushan Sect's Nascent Soul technique remained incomplete that their turn had been temporarily postponed.
Looking at the Jiushan Ancestor, Uncle Pang couldn't contain his excitement and whispered to Uncle Huang, "If the Ancestor succeeds, wouldn't this make him our Jiushan Sect's first true Nascent Soul cultivator?"
Uncle Huang nodded slightly.
The Jiushan Sect certainly possessed legitimate Nascent Soul combat capabilities.
Currently, the Ancestor of the Blood River and Jiao Wuji, who were still outside protecting Jiushan disciples, served as examples.
But the significance of the Jiushan Ancestor's breakthrough was different:
This would be the first Nascent Soul cultivated entirely by the Jiushan Sect, achieved through their own techniques!
It would fill the gap of the Jiushan Sect lacking an indigenous Nascent Soul cultivator.
The importance to the Jiushan Sect went without saying, but for these two, the implications were even more profound.
Observing the Jiushan Ancestor's face, Uncle Pang and Uncle Huang secretly exchanged glances, both sharing the same confidence:
If even this... simple and naive Ancestor could reach Nascent Soul, wouldn't their chances be even greater?
...
Though the Jiushan Ancestor's screams were pitiful, he cooperated actively without any resistance to the Great Sun True Fire.
Gradually, numerous runes on his body dissolved within the flames.
Seemingly affected by this, the Ancestor shuddered violently before suddenly dispersing into four intricate runes midair.
"Senior Sister!"
Zheng Fa called out sharply. Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly, silver light glowing in her eyes as she focused on these four runes. Her Feixian Brush danced swiftly across the Nine Chapters Calculation Array. 𝘙ãΝǑʙËS
Within the calculation array, various talismanic diagrams gathered and dispersed. The spirit stones on the ground radiated brilliant light, but within half an incense stick's time, thirty percent had already dimmed rapidly. A gentle breeze scattered them into powder that slowly dissipated.
Xie Qingxue, standing nearby, had prepared for this. With a flurry of hand seals, dozens of spirit stones flew into the array, replenishing the Nine Chapters Calculation Array's consumption.
This was the most difficult step.
The talismanic diagrams of the Mountain River True Form Rune were not only complex but interconnected, flowing endlessly at incredible speeds.
To inscribe new diagrams among them required seizing that fleeting instant.
With the Jiushan Ancestor's life at stake and the inherently complex Nascent Soul technique, not a single mistake could be tolerated.
Naturally, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang exercised extreme caution.
Thus, before each inscription, Senior Sister Zhang would input the Ancestor's current state into the array for simulation—essentially a trial run to check for "bugs."
This placed tremendous demands on the Nine Chapters Calculation Array's predictive capabilities.
And the spirit stone consumption was enormous.
The total spirit stones consumed in simulating the Ancestor's Nascent Soul breakthrough had already surpassed any previous research project.
Watching the Jiushan Calculation Array burn through spirit stones, Uncle Pang couldn't help but show a pained expression.
Uncle Huang transmitted quietly, "Can't bear to part with them?"
"Who said that? Don't slander me. Even that stingy Zheng Fa hasn't begrudged these spirit stones," Uncle Pang snorted softly. "Do you think I don't understand what Nascent Soul technique means?"
"Zheng Fa's perspective differs from yours."
To his surprise, Uncle Huang glanced at Zheng Fa with indescribable emotion:
"Zheng Fa privately told Wuyi... that in the past, every member of the Jiushan Sect benefited from the Jiushan Spiritual Vein."
"When he first joined, he received treasures from the Ancestor, enabling his achievements."
Uncle Pang froze, also looking at Zheng Fa.
He hadn't expected this currently "ruthless" Zheng Fa to think this way.
Uncle Huang also gazed at Zheng Fa, saying softly:
"Qingyang Dao Body, Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique... he remembers the origins of every foundation."
"If he hadn't constantly worried about the Ancestor's condition, why would he have immediately begun deriving suitable techniques for the Ancestor upon obtaining the Trapping Immortal Sword Canon?"
After a long silence, Uncle Pang gritted his teeth:
"That Yuan woman..."
Hearing this, Uncle Huang couldn't help but nod, uttering: "Disgusting!"
Having known each other for millennia and been at odds for centuries, today marked the first time they shared genuine heartfelt resonance.
...
The flames on Great Learning Island burned for over ten days.
When the Great Sun True Fire finally extinguished, the Mountain River True Form Rune floating in the air had transformed.
Originally four separate runes, they now faintly connected as one.
"Is it done?"
Uncle Pang couldn't help but ask.
Zheng Fa nodded: "According to Senior Sister Zhang's calculations, there shouldn't be any issues now."
"And the Ancestor now..."
Before Uncle Pang finished speaking, Uncle Huang suddenly pointed skyward: "Tribulation lightning!" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Everyone looked up to see rolling thunderclouds, dark ominous clouds covering the Jiushan Realm's sky.
"The Ancestor is undergoing his Nascent Soul tribulation!"
Zheng Fa quickly retreated with the disciples, explaining: "For an Ancestor who achieved Dao through spiritual veins, once the hidden dangers are resolved, spiritual energy accumulation ceases to be an issue."
Before his words faded, lightning flashed across the sky, endless thunder enveloping the Mountain River True Form Rune.
Zheng Fa, Uncle Pang, and the others watched from a distance as the Jiushan Ancestor faced his tribulation.
Uncle Pang's eyes showed concern as he quietly asked Zheng Fa: "You understand lightning techniques best—what are the Ancestor's chances of surviving the tribulation?"
Zheng Fa observed the lightning surrounding the Mountain River True Form Rune and shook his head slightly.
Uncle Pang's heart sank.
"The lightning tribulation isn't the problem."
Uncle Pang looked surprised, then heard Zheng Fa continue:
"I'm worried about the Heart Demon Tribulation."
Understanding immediately dawned on Uncle Pang: "The Ancestor's spiritual intelligence was incomplete before."
As the lightning dissipated, the Mountain River True Form Rune still brimmed with spiritual energy.
Uncle Pang sighed in relief, whispering: "Indeed, not a major issue."
But Zheng Fa looked beyond the realm boundary, once more sensing that soul power emanating from the starry void.
"Heart Demon Tribulation..." he pondered silently, "Does the Jiushan Ancestor also have external-domain heart demons?"
This truly surprised Zheng Fa.
During his own Heart Demon Tribulation, he'd sensed the heart demon might be... his parallel-world self.
But the Jiushan Ancestor was different—he had achieved Dao through extraordinary means, making him utterly unique.
How could parallel worlds contain similar existences?
Zheng Fa glanced at the Mountain River True Form Rune before raising his eyes skyward.
His gaze pierced through the Jiushan Realm, toward Xuanyi Realm's starry expanse.
"What are you looking at?"
"I'm thinking... the final answer to the Immortal Dao might lie in the heavens."
As his understanding of cultivation deepened, Zheng Fa's comprehension of the stages before Dao Fruit had become quite complete.
He'd also developed new thoughts about Tianhe Venerable's world-creating feat... he wondered if the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor knew anything about the reasons behind it.
"Look! The Ancestor!"
Zheng Fa lowered his gaze toward the Mountain River True Form Rune, only to find the four runes had vanished, replaced by a robust middle-aged man.
With a square jaw and somewhat familiar features.
The man's eyes remained closed, his expression shifting constantly as if trapped in an inescapable dream.
After an incense stick's time, he finally opened his eyes, gaze dazed.
Auroras manifested behind him.
Golden flowers drifted down from the sky in celebration.
"He succeeded..."
Xie Qingxue, silent until now, finally smiled.
Uncle Pang and Uncle Huang exchanged glances before bowing deeply: "Congratulations, Ancestor, on achieving Nascent Soul!"
The Jiushan disciples behind them also bowed in unison:
"Congratulations, Ancestor, on achieving Nascent Soul!"
As if awakening, the middle-aged man nodded slightly toward the crowd.
He flew toward Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang, landing before them and actually bowing deeply.
Zheng Fa sidestepped hastily: "Ancestor."
"One must acknowledge the grace of Dao attainment."
Before Zheng Fa could respond, Senior Sister Zhang shook her head: "Ancestor, don't forget—when I first ascended the mountain, you bestowed true techniques upon me too."
Everyone froze. After brief thought, Uncle Pang suddenly said:
"The only disciples who could ascend the Ninth Peak were Wuyi and Zheng Fa, right? Who would have thought... these two would free you from your cage. Truly, what goes around comes around."
The Jiushan Ancestor's expression also showed emotion.
Hearing this, Zheng Fa suddenly turned to Senior Sister Zhang, his face registering surprise: "...Someone did foresee it."
"...Who?"
"...The Ancestor's original form."
The Jiushan Ancestor stood stunned as Zheng Fa continued: "The Jiushan Trials were likely left by your original form as... an opportunity for your escape."
Uncle Pang seemed doubtful: "Could the Ancestor have predicted you and Wuyi?"
"Perhaps not specifically, but... the Jiushan Trials' purpose might have been finding disciples capable of freeing the Ancestor."
Hearing this, the Jiushan Ancestor looked bewildered, speechless for a long time:
"The Jiushan Trials... were left for me?"
"Possibly."
After lengthy contemplation, the Jiushan Ancestor slowly shook his head:
"Regardless... my ten thousand years of cursing him are now forgiven."
Senior Sister Yuan approached, scrutinizing the Jiushan Ancestor with puzzled eyes.
"Ancestor, why did you change your face?"
The Jiushan Ancestor touched his face and smiled:
"I made it myself! Not someone else's face! My face!"
"My own face!"
Hearing this, Zheng Fa suddenly understood why the Ancestor had always wandered around wearing Senior Sister Zhang's face.
He hadn't wanted the original Jiushan Ancestor's face yet couldn't change his origins.
Only now could he sincerely declare: I am myself.
Senior Sister Yuan clearly didn't grasp this. After studying the Ancestor's face, she suddenly remarked with distaste:
"Ancestor, your eyes resemble Senior Sister Zhang's, and your nose looks a bit like Junior Brother Zheng's... if they had a child, would it look like you?"
...No wonder it seemed familiar!
Uncle Pang's gaze darted between Zheng Fa, Senior Sister Zhang, and the Ancestor before muttering: "The relationships are getting complicated."
Uncle Huang nodded silently.
The Jiushan Ancestor declared righteously:
"Their faces are what I know best! Besides, they're essentially my parents now—this shows I remember my roots!"
Zheng Fa gritted his teeth: "Ancestor... perhaps we should burn you some more?"
He'd thought the Ancestor had become reliable!
...
The Jiushan Ancestor's Nascent Soul breakthrough greatly impacted the Jiushan Sect.
Most significantly, the sect now possessed its first unique Nascent Soul technique—the "Mountain River True Form Art."
But the benefits didn't end there.
The Nascent Soul Ancestor brought Zheng Fa an enormous surprise:
"Ancestor, you can enhance spiritual veins?"
"Not just enhance—alter them."
The Jiushan Ancestor said proudly: "The Mountain River True Form Art incorporates the Lingshan Method. As a spiritual vein's manifestation, I can naturally modify spiritual vein paths and qualities."
Zheng Fa exclaimed joyfully: "Can you increase the spiritual energy concentration in the Nine Heavenly Palaces Islands?"
The Ancestor nodded arrogantly, nine mountain illusions appearing behind him as countless runes flew out like butterflies from the peaks.
Since obtaining the Tranquility Bamboo, the Jiushan Realm's spiritual energy had been gradually increasing, albeit slowly.
But now Zheng Fa could feel the Nine Heavenly Palaces Islands' spiritual energy density skyrocketing.
Great Learning Island alone already had five times its previous concentration.
"If concentrated solely on Great Learning Island, the spiritual energy could increase much further, but spread across all nine islands, this is the limit."
"Ancestor, what do you mean by altering spiritual veins?"
"Essentially temporarily redirecting their flow. Enhancing spiritual energy is just one aspect of my abilities."
Hearing this, even Xie Qingxue marveled: "Extraordinary beings achieving Dao face unique difficulties, but possess unimaginable powers."
Uncle Pang shook his head: "Actually, the most practical benefit is increasing the nine islands' spiritual energy."
"Our sect's disciple cultivation speed will improve significantly."
"Zheng Fa and Wuyi also need spiritual energy accumulation—the Ancestor's ability helps tremendously."
As he spoke, a smile finally appeared on Uncle Pang's face:
"Thus, the Ancestor's breakthrough benefits our Jiushan Sect enormously."
Senior Sister Zhang also smiled: "Aside from the Ancestor, no other Nascent Soul could have helped our sect this much."
"No..."
Zheng Fa suddenly interjected.
Others looked at him curiously.
Without meeting their gazes, Zheng Fa looked beyond the Jiushan Realm and said slowly: "There's more."
Following his gaze, Senior Sister Zhang asked: "Junior Brother, are you looking at Zhongxuan Sect?"
...
At Zhongxuan Sect's Divine Fire Mountain peak.
Shi Nandang held a golden talisman edict, his face dark as night.
The six other Nascent Souls present also remained silent with bowed heads.
Zheng Fa (in disguise) and Zhongxuan Sect's three Golden Core cultivators held their breaths.
"The Sacred Ancestor has decreed."
Shi Nandang spoke grimly:
"Haori Mountain provided so many spirit stones and materials to weaken the Jiushan Sect and Hundred Immortals Alliance..."
"Yet rumors claim the Jiushan Sect's Ancestor has reached Nascent Soul!"
"The Sacred Ancestor asks me, and through me asks you: Where have all these resources gone?"
"How has the Hundred Immortals Alliance grown stronger instead?"
Zheng Fa's expression remained impassive, but the Ninth Elder beside him couldn't help glancing his way, thinking inwardly:
Without those resources, would the Hundred Immortals Alliance have grown this strong anyway?
Among the six Nascent Souls, the gaunt elder said:
"We are ashamed..."
"No need for shame. The Sacred Ancestor shows mercy, allowing us to atone through service!"
The six Nascent Souls' anxious expressions eased slightly.
"How shall we atone?"
"The Heaven and Earth Divine Fiend Array cannot be delayed further! Twenty years—within twenty years, we must refine the Trapping Immortal Sword!"
"With this sword, no matter how many Nascent Souls the Hundred Immortals Alliance has, they'll pose no threat."
"Twenty years?"
The gaunt elder exclaimed: "Previously we had forty! Our strength barely suffices to refine this treasure—how can we halve the time?"
Forty years?
This Trapping Immortal Sword must be exceptionally troublesome.
"The Mountain has considered our difficulties."
"Will they send reinforcements?"
"No. The Taishang Dao and Tianhe Sect show unusual movements recently. Compared to them, the Hundred Immortals Alliance is trivial—one extra Nascent Soul matters little. The Mountain's focus cannot shift here now." Shi Nandang shook his head. "But the Sacred Ancestor will send more resources—double the previous amount, plus various spiritual medicines."
"Henceforth, you four Golden Core cultivators can assist our refinement using these medicines."
Zheng Fa rejoiced inwardly.
He'd been seeking opportunities to access the Trapping Immortal Sword.
Unexpectedly, the Jiushan Ancestor's breakthrough had alarmed Haori Mountain about the Hundred Immortals Alliance, creating this chance.
As he contemplated this, Shi Nandang suddenly addressed him:
"Li Hao."
Zheng Fa looked up in surprise to see Shi Nandang smiling warmly at him.
"The Sacred Ancestor specifically praised you in the decree."
Zheng Fa appeared confused.
Shi Nandang continued: "The Sacred Ancestor said the entire Zhongxuan Sect consists of mediocrities—only you show promise. Having now received our clan's heritage, he places great hopes in you."
"Your current task is leading Zhongxuan Sect to continue harassing the Hundred Immortals Alliance, disrupting their development at all costs."
Leading Zhongxuan Sect... I'm being anointed?
Zheng Fa glanced at the Zhongxuan Sect Leader beside him, who stood with bowed head, not daring to speak.
"These three will assist our refinement efforts. Your cultivation remains insufficient for prolonged participation, leaving you available."
Seeing Zheng Fa's glance, Shi Nandang declared firmly:
"The Sacred Ancestor decreed: all those resources can be yours if you prove capable!"
"Earn sufficient merit, and greater rewards await upon your return to the Mountain!"
Hearing this, Zheng Fa quickly clasped his hands: "Many thanks for the Sacred Ancestor's favor!"
Shi Nandang smiled:
"Only thanks for the Sacred Ancestor? I spoke highly of you."
Zheng Fa started before hurriedly adding: "Many thanks for your patronage, Honored One!"
The Ninth Elder listened to this exchange, biting his lip while staring fixedly at the ground, not daring to lift his head...
Handing Zhongxuan Sect to Zheng Fa?
And this is your recommendation, Honored Shi?
Whether Zheng Fa receives future rewards remains unknown, but Honored Shi... will likely face the Sacred Ancestor's wrath someday.
