I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 356Book 2: : Cultural Invasion, Jiushan Reformation
Vol 2 Chapter 356: Cultural Invasion, Jiushan Reformation
In the side hall, Uncle Pang and others carefully examined their new Tongjian devices.
Even the lowest cultivation among them was at the Nascent Soul stage, while this Tongjian was merely a Foundation Establishment level magical tool.
Yet their eyes brimmed with curiosity, even awe.
Though none had seen smartphones before, they were no fools. After Madam Xuanhua's explanation, they fully grasped the Tongjian's uniqueness:
Not just its functions, but the very concept of such a device was unprecedented in Xuanyi Realm.
Magical tools in Xuanyi Realm generally served only two purposes: either aiding in combat or assisting cultivation.
Other types existed but were never valued.
No one had ever conceived of creating something like the Tongjian before.
In the past, if someone tried selling them a tool that couldn't kill enemies, protect users, or speed up cultivation, they'd have called it a scam.
Yet looking at the Tongjian before them, they unanimously thought:
Buy!
As Xiao Yuying had said, no cultivator in Xuanyi Realm could resist the new Tongjian.
"Such a device is already unprecedented in Xuanyi Realm with vast market potential," Xiao Yuying broke the silence first. "Could these two applications really be more profitable?"
Uncle Pang nodded slightly, clearly agreeing.
Even imagining the Tongjian's potential profits for Jiushan Realm strained his comprehension.
Yet Madam Xuanhua implied these apps might surpass the Tongjian itself in profitability...
This utterly exceeded his understanding.
Madam Xuanhua glanced at Zheng Fa with visible admiration:
"Just as I never imagined magical tools could be made this way before the Tongjian. Had our sect leader not designed these apps, I'd never have conceived earning spirit stones like this."
She tapped the Jiushan Marketplace icon.
A new interface appeared on the floating screen, displaying rows of magical tools and pills.
Arranged vertically with images on the left and text with prices on the right, the names, styles and costs were instantly clear. Even without prior exposure, Uncle Pang immediately grasped its nature.
"Zheng Fa moved the marketplace into the Tongjian?"
Uncle Pang exclaimed in surprise.
Zheng Fa silently praised the elder's sharpness - his words hit the mark perfectly:
To Xuanyi cultivators, this marketplace was essentially an online trading hub.
Madam Xuanhua nodded: "Following the sect leader's vision, eventually all Hundred Immortals Alliance and even entire Xuanyi Realm cultivators can purchase pills and tools through Jiushan Marketplace."
"Purchase? How would deliveries... ah! The Divine Thunder Warships!" Uncle Pang's initial confusion gave way to realization. "The warships can deliver goods!"
Indeed, this elder was the most practically-minded among Jiushan's previous generation, instantly identifying the marketplace's logistical foundation.
Zheng Fa had contemplated online marketplaces for years.
Without the Divine Thunder Warships and their low-cost delivery system, this remained an impossible dream.
Now with improved cultivation, perfected Tongjian, and functional logistics, everything had fallen into place.
Uncle Pang murmured: "Every Tongjian user becomes our marketplace customer. If every Xuanyi cultivator gets one... this marketplace could encompass the entire realm, becoming its largest trading hub!"
The hall's occupants suddenly understood Madam Xuanhua's emphasis on these apps.
Jiushan Marketplace eliminated geographical limits - shopping required only a Tongjian.
One could imagine the vast market Jiushan Realm would command.
Elder Xiong of Qingmu Sect stared at Zheng Fa.
"With so many customers, we could sell every pill we produce?"
Though obvious, his tone brimmed with disbelief.
Zheng Fa nodded.
Elder Xiong's breathing grew heavy. As Qingmu's chief elder, he understood the value of guaranteed sales.
Contemplating the marketplace's potential, his hands trembled holding the Tongjian.
"Not just unlimited customers," Madam Xuanhua added another bombshell.
"The marketplace won't just earn from buyers. The sect leader plans to let other sects and rogue cultivators open shops here too."
"...Shops?" Elder Xiong murmured before slapping his thigh excitedly. "Right! We can charge rent!"
Others looked equally enlightened.
With such market scale, merchants would flock to Jiushan Marketplace.
Rent had always been marketplaces' primary income.
"This... this marketplace earns from both buyers and sellers?" Uncle Pang stuttered. "Profiting from both ends?"
Zheng Fa winced at the crass phrasing.
This wasn't profiteering - it was making business accessible across Xuanyi!
"My priority isn't profit - that's secondary," Zheng Fa explained. "What matters is how this marketplace unites cultivators."
Jiushan Marketplace held immense significance for Jiushan Realm.
Firstly, it solved a looming problem:
Jiushan's technological advancement meant ever-increasing production of tools and pills.
While positive, converting production capacity into wealth required markets.
Traditional Hundred Immortals Alliance marketplaces had limited purchasing power and accessibility.
Though currently sufficient, they couldn't match Jiushan's progressing technology indefinitely.
Secondly, it fostered unity.
"Whether Hundred Immortals Alliance or future Xuanyi cultivators, those earning spirit stones through Jiushan Marketplace will naturally align with us," Zheng Fa said quietly. "We can yield less crucial industries for their survival."
As commerce developed, its complexity would increase.
Even with the Nine Chapters Calculation Array, Jiushan Sect couldn't monopolize all industries.
The drawbacks outweighed the benefits.
His plan was Jiushan controlling key sectors and high-end industries while opening others to outsiders.
With the marketplace collecting rents, profits were guaranteed.
Most importantly, this approach influenced hearts and minds:
Cultivators were still human, driven by self-interest.
Merchants entering Jiushan's commercial system would gradually conform to its shape.
Thus formed a virtuous cycle: heavy education investments bred talent, whose research enhanced production, generating resources through Jiushan Marketplace to nurture more talent.
Only through this trinity could Jiushan's development stabilize.
While Zheng Fa contemplated the marketplace's implications, he noticed sudden commotion.
The quiet hall had become boisterous.
Turning, he saw Senior Sister Zhang and Uncle Huang clustered together with Xiao Yuying and Xie Qingxue, chatting animatedly.
Approaching quietly, he found them browsing Jiushan Marketplace on their Tongjians, seemingly shopping for magical tools.
"This tool is beautiful!" Xie Qingxue pointed at a jade hairpin.
"An Artificer Pavilion female disciple crafted this - skillful with clever touches," Madam Xuanhua recalled before glancing at Xie Qingxue. "It would suit you, True Person Xie."
"I'll order one!" Xie Qingxue clearly adored the pin, asking others, "Want one too?"
Senior Sister Zhang declined.
Xiao Yuying hesitated before saying, "I'll get one too - inexpensive enough that regrets won't hurt."
Zheng Fa was baffled. Weren't they all at least Nascent Soul cultivators? What use had they for decorative hairpins?
And wasn't Xiao Yuying hardly lacking in hair accessories?
At least Senior Sister Zhang remained frugal...
Wait -
Senior Sister Zhang's fingers danced across her Tongjian in rapid succession, her movements screaming extravagance!
"Senior Sister Zhang, why so many dresses?"
"To rotate."
"...I've never seen you visit marketplaces?"
"Too crowded. Hassle."
"True!" Xie Qingxue nodded emphatically. "Always surrounded by people. I rarely went at Tianhe Sect either."
This surprised Zheng Fa.
Indeed, with Senior Sister Zhang's status, visiting Jiushan Marketplace now resembled an inspection tour.
Uncomfortable for all involved, especially given her busy schedule.
Xiao Yuying's fame likely caused similar issues. Browsing the marketplace happily, she said, "This marketplace is so convenient now."
Seeing their enthusiasm, Zheng Fa realized the marketplace's potential exceeded expectations.
Noticing Uncle Pang staring strangely at Uncle Huang, Zheng Fa asked, "Uncle?"
Uncle Pang secretly transmitted: "It's been years."
Confused, Zheng Fa transmitted back: "What has?"
"Huang... hasn't smiled like this in years."
His tone held faint nostalgia.
Zheng Fa observed Uncle Huang chattering excitedly with Senior Sister Zhang about matching dresses.
As Uncle Pang said, Uncle Huang's smile was remarkably carefree - unlike anything Zheng Fa had seen in years at Jiushan Sect.
Uncle Pang sighed:
"Huang used to love marketplaces, shopping daily for clothes and accessories - utterly extravagant. My senior brother constantly complained to me, sometimes borrowing money. But later... she stopped going."
Zheng Fa hadn't anticipated this side effect.
Seeing Uncle Huang's smile gave him unexpected pride, and surely comforted Uncle Pang...
"Still as shallow as ever!"
"?"
So the old man dared only mutter this secretly, fearing retaliation?
As the shopping quartet remained engrossed, Uncle Pang impatiently said, "Taking forever to pick clothes! Explain this Jiushan Entertainment instead."
"Simple," Zheng Fa tapped the icon. "It features news, plays, and novels."
"News? Disciple Yuan's project?"
Uncle Pang looked puzzled.
"The same."
"But why show news externally? Risks leaks."
Clearly unconvinced.
Zheng Fa smiled without explaining.
Even propaganda expert Elder Yuan underestimated the true power of controlling narratives.
Changing topics, Uncle Pang asked about the other sections.
"Plays? Like that 'Rescue...'"
"Yes. Our sect's plays will be available here for paid viewing."
"Excellent! This will profit immensely!" Uncle Pang exclaimed. "Possibly surpassing the marketplace!"
Zheng Fa nodded - the elder had good business sense.
His observations showed many cultivators prioritized entertainment over basic needs.
Cultivators theoretically enjoyed long lifespans yet lived precariously under immense stress.
Golden Core cultivators could even forgo eating.
Without purpose, idleness bred unbearable boredom.
Entertainment options were severely lacking.
Jiushan's theaters constantly sold out, becoming major attractions drawing outside cultivators.
"But novels seem outdated - can't innovate much there. Plays are novel and unique to Xuanyi."
Uncle Pang declared confidently: "I read many novels in youth but lost interest long ago. Paying for them? Unthinkable!"
Before Zheng Fa could respond, an urgent voice interrupted.
"What happens next?"
They turned to see Elder Xiong fidgeting anxiously.
"Next what?"
Uncle Pang asked confused.
"The novel!"
"What novel?"
Elder Xiong excitedly explained: "The protagonist's fiancée gets stolen by Haori Mountain disciples! Near death, he finds a ring containing a mighty expert's remnant soul! After miraculous encounters, he joins Jiushan Sect, soars rapidly, awakens artificer talents, reaching Golden Core in ten years!"
Pausing, he glared almost resentfully at Zheng Fa. "It cut off just as he sought revenge on that Haori Mountain scum!"
Uncle Pang looked dumbfounded. "What novel is this? I've never seen it."
"My new work."
Intrigued, Uncle Pang opened the novel section on his Tongjian. Finding only one title, he began reading.
A Nascent Soul cultivator reads swiftly, but his expressions changed faster - one moment scowling, next beaming.
Occasionally he'd slap his thighs loudly, oblivious.
After half an incense stick's time, he looked up:
"What comes next?"
"That requires payment."
"..."
Without hesitation, Uncle Pang shoved a spirit stone at Zheng Fa.
Handing him a card, Zheng Fa explained: "This Merit Card's serial number input into your Tongjian grants Merit Points redeemable in both Jiushan Marketplace and Entertainment."
Monetizing these apps faced payment system challenges.
Given Xuanyi's primitive monetary systems, Zheng Fa adopted a prepaid card solution similar to gaming point cards.
Though cumbersome, it was Jiushan's current best option.
Approaching with Senior Sister Zhang, Uncle Huang eyed Uncle Pang's dramatic expressions:
"Is he having a qi deviation?"
"Reading novels."
Uncle Huang sneered: "Same old immature Huang."
Madam Xuanhua defended: "Can't blame Elder Pang."
"Oh?"
"Though simplistic in plot and plain in language, the sect leader's novel is utterly absorbing. I lost a full day reading, nearly neglecting Artificer Pavilion duties."
"...That compelling?"
Uncle Huang looked astonished.
Uncle Pang stared strangely at Zheng Fa:
"Compelling? Zheng Fa's novel is... tsk."
"Tsk what?"
"The villain's a Haori Mountain true disciple surnamed Lu - utterly despicable! Haori Mountain's full of hypocritical scum!" Uncle Pang's tone grew odder. "Meanwhile Jiushan Sect's portrayed as harmonious - kind elders, fair discipline, united purpose."
"The contrast makes readers despise Haori Mountain!"
"And admire Jiushan Sect!"
"Written so plausibly too - not a single flawed detail."
Of course flawless.
While the plot was deliberately simple, Zheng Fa had meticulously researched:
Every cultivation method, magical tool, pill, local custom - especially Haori Mountain's internal rules - were authentic.
His undercover work at Zhongxuan Sect as a Haori Mountain true disciple provided firsthand material.
In modern terms, this would be considered trashy wish-fulfillment fiction.
But in Xuanyi Realm? It verged on documentary.
Modern readers might scorn it as lowbrow, but Xuanyi cultivators would hail it as... The Glorious Jiushan Dream!
"This version of Jiushan Sect is so perfect..." Uncle Pang looked peculiarly at Zheng Fa. "Even I feel embarrassed."
Others exchanged awkward glances.
As Jiushan's most devoted elder, his reaction spoke volumes about the novel's idealized portrayal.
Sun Daoyu entered, bowing to the Nascent Souls before addressing Zheng Fa: "Sect members are assembled, awaiting your instructions."
Nodding, Zheng Fa asked Uncle Pang: "You think the novel's Jiushan is unrealistic?"
Uncle Pang grinned: "Not that Jiushan isn't good, but this version... exaggerates."
Smiling, Zheng Fa headed out, leaving behind words:
"Because that's my vision for Jiushan."
"If it seems unrealistic, after today's reforms, we'll make it reality."
