I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 354Book 2: : Nascent Soul Cultivation Technique, A Precious Gift
Vol 2 Chapter 354: Nascent Soul Cultivation Technique, A Precious Gift
"How's the genetic research on spiritual roots going?"
After the lecture concluded, Zheng Fa sought out Teacher Tian to discuss their earlier research on spiritual roots.
For modern immortal cultivation to advance rapidly, understanding spiritual roots was crucial.
Yet after nearly a year, progress seemed stagnant—clearly, they'd hit obstacles.
Zheng Fa hadn't pressed for updates, partly because he lacked expertise in this field and feared being an outsider meddling in specialized work.
Moreover, he didn't want to pressure the researchers.
Now that the Creation Jade Slip had evolved, containing extensive biological knowledge, he could at least comprehend their findings, if not guide them.
His inquiry was genuine—he wanted to help if possible.
Teacher Tian exchanged a glance with Tang Mudao before sighing: "Some progress, but not much."
"What kind of progress?"
Tang Mudao explained: "Using spectrometers, we've established clearer definitions for single and multiple spiritual roots."
"How so?"
"By measuring spiritual energy in testing jade, we found that if a person's total spiritual root capacity is set at 100, a single spiritual root means that root accounts for over 80%."
"What about multiple roots?"
"For any spiritual root to be detectable, its proportion must exceed 20%."
Zheng Fa understood now.
Everyone possesses the five elemental spiritual roots.
Dual spiritual roots meant two roots each exceeded 20%, while the other three stayed below 20%.
Thus, from dual roots downward, no single root could surpass 80%.
Triple spiritual roots meant three roots exceeded 20%.
But then—
"What about five spiritual roots?"
Zheng Fa's mind raced—did that mean perfectly balanced roots at 20% each?
That seemed implausibly rare, even more so than single roots.
"According to our research, five spiritual roots don't exist," Tang Mudao said slowly. "At least, not in the retirement home."
Zheng Fa recalled his observations in Xuanyi Realm:
He'd never encountered five-root cultivators either.
In fact, those with triple roots or below could hardly join immortal sects.
Truthfully, five-root cultivators in Xuanyi Realm were so insignificant they went entirely unnoticed.
Even Zheng Fa, who valued spiritual roots less than other sects, paid little attention to those below triple roots.
He'd never considered this anomaly.
"Does that mean everyone has at least four spiritual roots?"
Zheng Fa frowned—this contradicted Xuanyi Realm's reality, where testing jade could detect five roots.
Tang Mudao clarified: "Spiritual roots only indicate proportions, not total spiritual energy capacity."
Zheng Fa's eyes widened in realization: "Physical constitution differences?"
"Exactly. We've found that those practicing the calisthenics can absorb about 3% more spiritual energy than others," Tang Mudao explained. "Some with low absorption capacity and four roots get misidentified as five-rooted due to testing jade's limited precision." RαꞐꝋBÊ𝙨
Calisthenics?
A thought struck Zheng Fa.
The calisthenics were ultimately foundational martial arts connected to Dao Bodies.
He now grasped the essence of cultivation aptitude:
Dao Body and spiritual roots.
Dao Body was rarer and more fundamental—it might increase total energy absorption and grant unique abilities.
Spiritual roots determined conversion efficiency—how much absorbed energy became cultivatable power.
It resembled a car's fuel tank capacity versus combustion efficiency.
Nodding at Tang Mudao, he turned to Teacher Tian.
"Gene sequencing progress is slow," Teacher Tian admitted wearily. "Our sample size is too small."
"The human genome's enormous—billions of base pairs, with about 15% of gene functions still unknown."
Her voice carried frustration.
"Professor Tang's root proportions are too vague for practical application... We're completely lost."
Zheng Fa shared her headache.
The retirement home's thousand-person sample was statistically insignificant.
Moreover, if spiritual roots involved polygenic traits, they'd hit a dead end.
"So we need more precise biomarkers?"
Teacher Tian nodded: "Yes, ideally identifying the physical structures determining spiritual roots to leverage existing research, rather than groping blindly."
Seeing her despondency, Zheng Fa smiled:
"Don't worry—research takes time. We've still gained insights."
"Oh?"
"If spiritual roots remain unclear, we'll focus on developing the calisthenics for now."
Tang Mudao and Teacher Tian exchanged glances before nodding slowly.
Zheng Fa's reasoning was simple—with spiritual roots research stalled,
the calisthenics offered a viable method to enhance modern people's aptitude.
Earth now had ubiquitous spiritual energy, albeit thin for cultivation—but sufficient for foundational martial arts.
......
"Use the Nine Chapters Calculation Array to derive foundational martial arts?"
In Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang frowned at Zheng Fa's request before replying:
"If these martial arts can enhance cultivation aptitude, they're certainly valuable."
"But my understanding of them is limited—the derivation's effectiveness is uncertain."
As a natural-born Primordial Spirit Dao Body, she'd never practiced such basic techniques.
"Besides, cultivators never valued martial arts much," Uncle Pang added. "A 3% cultivation boost wasn't worth the effort."
This was true.
Xuanyi Realm never quantified cultivation aspects precisely.
More importantly, sects favored geniuses—they had no shortage of candidates to cherry-pick.
What use were foundational arts compared to a single-rooted Dao Body?
Three percent?
Hardly worth the trouble.
Only someone like Zheng Fa, aiming for mass cultivation, would prioritize them.
The Nine Chapters Array's derivations required extensive reference data.
"I have research data on foundational martial arts." Zheng Fa produced a jade slip for Senior Sister Zhang.
It contained modern research on the calisthenics.
She examined it briefly before nodding: "I can attempt it."
"No, not you."
"Not me?"
"Check the slip's latter portion."
"The latter—?"
Puzzled, Senior Sister Zhang sent her spiritual sense deeper into the slip—this time remaining entranced for an exceptionally long time.
Uncles Pang and Huang exchanged bewildered glances, itching with curiosity yet unable to see the slip's contents.
But they witnessed Senior Sister Zhang's extraordinarily complex expression upon resurfacing.
She opened her eyes, clutching the slip while gazing at Zheng Fa with watery intensity:
"Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit?"
Zheng Fa nodded:
"Senior Sister, you'll no longer need to manually operate the array!"
Unable to contain himself, Uncle Pang blurted: "What's this Calculation Spirit?"
"Simply put, it's an array spirit that can control the Nine Chapters Array in my stead."
Uncle Pang's eyes bulged comically as he exclaimed:
"Array spirits exist?!"
His gaze darted across the hall—where Xie Qingxue stood equally wide-eyed.
This comforted him: So even Tianhe Sect's disciples lacked such knowledge.
"May I see?" Xie Qingxue requested.
Since learning her sect restricted array research, she'd voraciously studied related texts.
At Zheng Fa's nod, Senior Sister Zhang handed her the slip.
After prolonged examination, Xie Qingxue suddenly exclaimed: "This is a Nascent Soul cultivation method!"
Uncles Pang and Huang started: "Nascent Soul method?!"
For Golden Core cultivators like them, those words were spellbinding.
Senior Sister Zhang's lips curled into unmistakable pride:
"It is. Custom-made for me—the perfect Nascent Soul method."
Both uncles whirled toward Zheng Fa, demanding in unison:
"Truly... a Nascent Soul method?"
"Essentially," Zheng Fa confirmed. "This Calculation Spirit derives from Haori Mountain's 'Vermilion Heaven Jade Manual,' sharing the Yang Spirit Method's principles."
"Though possibly incomplete, the direction is correct."
Ultimately, it was a simplified Yang Spirit variant.
The trio fell silent until Uncle Pang finally managed:
"You developed this... to give Wuyi more rest?"
"Initially, yes."
"And you created a Nascent Soul method in the process?"
Zheng Fa nodded slowly.
Uncle Pang stared at the ceiling pensively before muttering: "Is Elder Yuan still in secluded meditation?"
Uncle Huang's expression turned peculiar: "Should we... summon him?"
"We should," Uncle Pang sighed. "If he dies in meditation, so be it. But if he succeeds and emerges to see this..."
"..."
His face radiated pity: "However wicked Elder Yuan was, enduring two Heart Demon Tribulations seems excessive."
......
The Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit required more preparation time.
Tang Lingwu's team had designed an entirely new calculation language, necessitating complete array reconstruction.
The Calculation Spirit's algorithms were dozens of times more complex than the original array.
Thus, the university island's array needed not just rebuilding but significant upgrading.
Senior Sister Zhang wasn't rushing her Nascent Soul breakthrough—
For her, the Calculation Spirit represented an experimental pathway.
By observing the spirit during array construction, she could familiarize herself with the method and identify flaws before actual ascension.
Hence her meticulous involvement—she personally oversaw every detail, leaving even Zheng Fa sidelined.
With neither array responsibilities nor Senior Sister's attention, Zheng Fa found himself uncharacteristically idle.
He returned to Letu Island.
"Brother!"
Zheng Shan, now reaching Zheng Fa's collarbone, came bounding over.
Their mother hurried out, asking: "You're back?"
"Yes."
"Should I... prepare dinner?"
A pang of guilt struck Zheng Fa—he hadn't shared a proper meal at home in half a year.
Between Jiushan Realm affairs, Hundred Immortals Alliance matters, and now overseeing Zhongxuan Sect—
even without administrative duties, he cultivated or dual-cultivated constantly.
Haori Mountain's looming threat drove him to maximize every moment.
Consequently, he'd neglected his family.
Though Letu Island was nearby—mere steps away—meals were unnecessary for him now.
Pressed for time, he typically exchanged brief words before departing.
Meeting his mother's hopeful gaze, he nodded:
"Alright."
Overjoyed, she rushed to the kitchen.
"Brother!" Zheng Shan summoned a grand chair telekinetically, grinning: "Sit!"
"Hmm?"
Zheng Fa eyed his sister suspiciously.
At seventeen, Zheng Shan retained slight baby fat but had blossomed into a young woman.
Her single spiritual root granted rapid progress—she'd already reached early Foundation Establishment.
Such uncharacteristic attentiveness raised alarms.
"You want something?"
"Yes!" She nodded vigorously. "I want to work for the Hundred Immortals Alliance!"
"The Alliance?"
Zheng Fa frowned.
Currently, Jiushan Realm only deployed two groups there:
Han Qi's Divine Thunder battleship trade team.
And some of Uncle Pang's disciples conducting investigations—though their numbers were limited for safety.
"Why this sudden interest?"
"I... I'm afraid people will talk."
"About what?"
"About me being your sister."
Zheng Fa's brow creased slightly: "Has someone said something?"
"No, nobody." She shook her head meekly. "But... I feel uncomfortable."
"Everyone takes turns on missions, but I've never left Jiushan Realm despite being Foundation Establishment."
Zheng Fa fell silent.
He wasn't entirely impartial—within Jiushan Realm, Zheng Shan faced minimal risks despite receiving no special resources.
"Truly no complaints?"
"None!"
"You just want to... explore?"
"Yes!"
Seeing her determined expression, Zheng Fa nodded.
Her face lit up.
"No."
"Brother!"
"It's not favoritism." His tone chilled. "Have you considered—if you're captured, what should I do?"
"If someone uses you against Jiushan Sect, what about our disciples?"
"Have you only grown physically?"
Zheng Shan froze, lips trembling wordlessly.
Zheng Fa inwardly sighed.
While protective, he couldn't risk Haori Mountain exploiting her.
Even Uncle Pang would oppose her leaving Jiushan Realm.
She must've exhausted other options before approaching him.
Seeing her dejection, he offered no comfort.
They sat silently until dinner.
......
"What's wrong with you two?"
At the table, their mother set down her chopsticks, eyeing Zheng Shan's sullenness and Zheng Fa's silence.
Zheng Shan kept eating stubbornly.
Only when their mother grew visibly concerned did Zheng Fa explain.
Unexpectedly, their mother sighed:
"She mentioned this... It's not about adventure."
Surprised, Zheng Fa glanced at his sister: "Then why?"
"You've been busy lately."
"Somewhat."
"She misses you—wants to help... didn't think it through."
Their mother smiled gently at her daughter.
"..."
Zheng Fa paused mid-bite, turning to his sister.
Zheng Shan continued eating quietly.
"These past months, she's practiced diligently after school, hoping Foundation Establishment would let her assist you."
"She's still immature..." Their mother chuckled softly. "Told me secretly that if she took missions, you'd have time to return."
Immature indeed.
Watching his downcast sister, Zheng Fa's heart softened.
......
After dinner, he entered Zheng Shan's room.
She sat meditating cross-legged, seemingly oblivious.
"Still angry?"
"No!"
"You can't join the Alliance."
"You scolded me!"
"..."
Where'd she learn this?
He flicked her forehead lightly.
Rubbing the spot, she glared reproachfully.
"I brought you a gift."
"Gift? Food?"
Her eyes instantly sparkled.
"No." He produced a storage pouch mysteriously. "Better."
Snatching it eagerly, she unleashed an avalanche of textbooks onto her bed.
Cornered beneath the pile, her lips quivered as she surveyed the academic deluge.
"This is... a gift?"
At this moment, anger was irrelevant. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
She looked utterly lifeless—or perhaps suicidal.
"Wrong item."
"Wrong—?"
Confused, she noticed Zheng Fa's amused expression—realizing he'd tricked her.
"Brother!"
Launching from the bed, she flailed at him wildly.
He held her back with one hand while producing another item:
"Here's the real gift."
After futilely punching air, she examined the object—a bronze mirror.
"Tongjian? I already have one."
"This is new—just developed. Yours is the first."
Zheng Fa smiled.
Though Zheng Shan huffed, she accepted it eagerly.
The mirror's surface shimmered as she activated it.
"Eh?"
She stared at six unfamiliar icons. "What are these?"
"Tap one."
The first icon expanded into an interface featuring Zheng Fa's portrait.
"That's you?"
"Yes." He patted her head gently. "Whenever you miss me, use this to message or call."
"Really?"
Her face brightened instantly.
"More—try this."
Another tap activated a live feed of Zheng Fa's smiling face.
Holding the mirror, she tilted her head between the image and real Zheng Fa.
"Anytime you or Mother want to see me, just look. It works even outside Jiushan Realm." He grinned. "Like your gift?"
"Love it!"
