I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 357Book 2: : Nine - s Calculation Spirit - Overly Conservative
Vol 2 Chapter 357: Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit - Overly Conservative
Zheng Fa strode ahead, stepping out of the side hall's entrance.
The early morning air on University Island carried a light mist, its cool tendrils brushing against his cheeks.
All Jiushan Sect disciples stood in orderly rows outside the hall.
Their youthful faces, shrouded in the morning fog, brimmed with vitality and vigor.
Footsteps approached from behind as Senior Sister Zhang emerged with several Nascent Soul elders in tow.
Before the Jiushan Calculation Array stood a half-zhang high platform, its rear featuring a black wooden staircase facing Zheng Fa's group.
Zheng Fa led Senior Sister Zhang and the others up the steps.
Uncle Pang stood slightly toward the back of the platform, scanning the crowd until his gaze found his direct disciples Sun Daoyu and Zhou Qianyuan.
The disciples returned puzzled looks, clearly wondering why the sect leader had summoned everyone.
Uncle Pang shook his head slightly, indicating he didn't know either.
His eyes lingered on Zheng Fa's back, curiosity bubbling within him:
He knew about Jiushan's reforms, but the specifics remained unclear.
Among them, only Junior Sister Zhang might know more.
What exactly did Zheng Fa envision for Jiushan?
Zheng Fa surveyed the crowd, noting their expressions of confusion and tension. From the corner of his eye, he saw Senior Sister Zhang standing two paces behind him, smiling encouragingly.
"Disciples," his voice cut clearly through the silence, "I've gathered you today for one matter only."
Sun Daoyu and others perked up their ears, curious about this grand assembly's purpose.
"I wish to discuss Jiushan Realm's present... and the future I envision."
Blank stares met his words. Though simple, the statement seemed to baffle them, as if hearing something unprecedented.
Even Uncle Pang looked startled, while nearby, Master Song and Elder Xiong gaped at Zheng Fa in astonishment.
Such a thing had never occurred in Xuanyi Realm.
Most sects left all decisions to their leaders or elders.
Uncle Pang suddenly turned, staring at the disciples in shock—
Had Jiushan Sect truly grown this powerful?
Master Song and Elder Xiong exchanged even more astonished glances.
While other statistics hadn't registered, these disciple numbers shocked them.
One-third of three thousand disciples had reached Foundation Establishment or higher?
Typical sects barely managed one-tenth that ratio.
The Golden Core cultivator count proved even more staggering!
Though no alliance-wide census existed, Golden Core cultivators had always been notable figures in the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
By rough estimate, the entire alliance previously had only about two hundred Golden Core cultivators.
Now Jiushan Sect alone matched that number.
Considering Jiushan's mere three thousand disciples versus the alliance's tens of thousands, this core formation rate seemed unbelievable.
Ten years ago, Jiushan had fewer than twenty Golden Core cultivators.
In just five years, that number increased tenfold?
Even counting from Zheng Fa's ascension as sect leader, barely a decade had passed.
Under Zheng Fa's leadership, Jiushan had undergone heaven-and-earth transformations!
"Jiushan Sect has grown wealthier and stronger."
As Zheng Fa spoke, reverence—even fanaticism—appeared on many disciples' faces.
Excited murmurs spread through the crowd, some even shouting praises like "The sect leader is wise!"
"These achievements belong partly to you. That's why I'm sharing them with you."
The murmuring ceased instantly, silence descending upon the platform.
Sun Daoyu stared blankly at the sect leader, feeling both surprise and an inexplicable joy.
Zheng Fa spoke mostly sincerely—
Himself, Senior Sister Zhang, even Elder Xiong and Madam Xuanhua acted more like researchers.
But applying their discoveries into production, transforming them into resources, relied on these disciples.
Zheng Fa paused, his tone growing more earnest:
"Thank you."
Three thousand disciples might seem numerous, but managing Jiushan Realm's affairs stretched them thin.
Everyone worked tirelessly.
Dozens had died in conflicts with Haori Mountain, mostly from transport fleets or investigation teams.
Sun Daoyu felt his spine straighten, pride swelling within him.
Serving the sect was duty, but hearing his contributions acknowledged—learning Jiushan's progress included his efforts—filled him with unexpected pride.
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His fellow disciples wore similar expressions.
One suddenly shouted: "We would die for our sect leader!"
Normally finding such words nauseatingly sycophantic, Sun Daoyu now felt blood surging as he joined the chorus:
"We would die for our sect leader!"
Uncle Pang watched his disciple's flushed face from the platform, marveling at this storybook scene of unity materializing before him.
Zheng Fa chuckled, raising his right hand in a gentle downward motion.
The roaring crowd fell silent instantly.
University Island became utterly quiet, the previous unity seeming almost illusory.
Though untrained, this discipline made Elder Xiong and Master Song exchange awed glances.
The scene proved those shouts came genuinely from the disciples' hearts.
"Having discussed our present, let me share Jiushan's future plans."
As curious Sun Daoyu watched, Zheng Fa turned slightly, forming a hand seal toward the Nine Chapters Calculation Array behind him.
The array's spirit stones emitted a soft glow as the seal landed.
Light coalesced midair, vaguely forming a graceful feminine figure.
Even Uncle Pang and the elders stared curiously at this unfamiliar phenomenon.
When the glow faded, a jade-like translucent woman hovered above the array, her cool gaze sweeping the crowd.
Uncle Pang couldn't help asking: "Is this the Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit?"
Zheng Fa smiled at the figure: "Why not introduce yourself?"
"I am the Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit," the woman said smoothly. "An array spirit born from 1,080 spirit stones consumed by the Nine Chapters Calculation Array."
"Capable of controlling the array, recording, calculating, and deducing."
Sun Daoyu marveled at her lifelike speech, amazed by the array's wonder—but what did this have to do with Jiushan's future?
Zheng Fa turned, seemingly reading his confusion:
"Henceforth, Jiushan Sect's resource management will be entirely handled by the Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit."
Sun Daoyu's eyes widened in shock as realization struck.
Some disciples still murmured in confusion.
Zheng Fa continued:
"From today, mission assignments, material exchanges, and merit distributions will be solely managed by the Calculation Spirit."
"If algorithm issues arise, Senior Sister Zhang and I will revise and publicly announce them—normally, no one may interfere."
"This includes even the Supreme Elders."
Uncle Pang studied Zheng Fa with a strange expression.
Elder Xiong and Master Song remained baffled, exchanging clueless glances.
But those like Sun Daoyu who understood found it even harder to believe.
Facing their disbelief, Zheng Fa shifted topics:
"When I first joined Jiushan, my senior sister's guidance brought me many benefits."
"Yet I knew most disciples harbored deep grievances."
"Back then, Jiushan stood divided, full of mutual resentment."
"Factions fought over resources, nearly tearing the sect apart."
Uncle Pang pressed his lips, unable to respond.
"Now, as I said, Jiushan has grown wealthy, eliminating much scheming. But wealth alone isn't enough."
Zheng Fa paused. "We also need... fairness."
The word landed like a ton-weight, silencing even breaths across University Island.
Sun Daoyu pondered—fairness?
How?
Cultivators embodied inequality.
Vast power gaps meant higher cultivators could crush lower ones like insects.
Where was fairness?
Even at equal cultivation levels, talent, mentorship, and combat ability created hierarchies.
Despite his respect for Zheng Fa, Sun Daoyu now thought the sect leader naive.
This fairness obsession almost resembled robbing the rich to aid the poor.
It unsettled him—as a mid-Golden Core cultivator with a Supreme Elder mentor, he stood among the "rich."
These changes might threaten his interests.
"Of course, I don't mean equal merits or materials for all," Zheng Fa continued. "I mean equal rewards for equal tasks, contributions, or technical achievements."
"No one receives preferential treatment for higher cultivation, better talent, or powerful mentors."
"No one suffers bullying or theft for being weak or lacking connections."
"Monthly, the Calculation Spirit will publish resource distribution records for verification."
Sun Daoyu finally understood—Zheng Fa wasn't being radical:
Naturally, higher-cultivation, talented disciples could contribute more, thus earning more.
Glancing around, he saw others comprehending too.
Most looked pleasantly surprised, even eager.
Clearly, the majority not only accepted but welcomed these changes.
Zheng Fa exchanged a smile with Senior Sister Zhang as disciples murmured.
This reform's core concerned four words—distribution systems.
From Zheng Fa's observations, all Xuanyi Realm sects followed one principle: favor geniuses.
Or rather, the stronger received more resources.
This made some sense, fitting Xuanyi's realities.
But such systems harmed sect unity, especially for research-focused Jiushan.
To Zheng Fa, favoring the strong resembled giving more money to the rich:
Stronger→more resources→stronger→more resources...
Such sects might produce exceptional talents.
But this didn't serve Jiushan's needs.
Moreover, cultivators emerging from such systems tended toward self-interest, prioritizing personal advancement.
Past conflicts like the Talisman Pavilion disputes, Senior Brother Zhuang's resentment, even Han Qi's extortion stemmed largely from this distribution system.
Senior Sister Zhang stood beside Zheng Fa, smiling at his determined expression.
Uncle Huang frowned, transmitting:
"Has Zheng Fa acted too hastily? Xuanyi has no precedent for this."
After consideration, she replied:
"He explained—beyond fairness, this reform lets disciples benefit from Jiushan's development."
"Without resources reaching them, wealth becomes meaningless. Though diligent now, they'd slacken later." she elaborated. "Our merits may not decrease, but clear fairness will let them see..."
"See what?"
"That Jiushan's strength brings them endless benefits. Seeing this, their loyalty will grow daily."
Uncle Huang fell silent, unable to refute this logic.
"Even if I managed the array, doubts would linger." Senior Sister Zhang observed the Calculation Spirit. "But disciples can learn the array's workings."
"Understanding breeds acceptance."
Uncle Huang remained silent, though still concerned.
"Master, Zheng Fa prepared contingencies. If problems arise, we can revert."
"Revert?"
"That's why he acts now—Jiushan's early development means few entrenched interests oppose this. Later changes would cause greater chaos."
After a long pause, Uncle Huang nodded slowly.
Master Song transmitted to Elder Xiong:
"With Jiushan's rapid advancement and disciple cultivation prowess, this reform might truly unify them."
Elder Xiong sighed quietly: "Brotherly harmony, elder kindness, impartial justice, united purpose... Now even the most exaggerated stories seem conservative."
Master Song nodded curiously: "Then why sigh?"
"Seeing Jiushan like this... I can't help envying."
"You should rejoice!"
"Why?"
"Aren't we part of Jiushan now? Our appointment letters are coming!"
Elder Xiong jolted with realization, staring eagerly at Zheng Fa's back—
He hadn't received that letter yet!
This limbo felt unbearable!
As if sensing his urgency, Zheng Fa raised his hand again, silencing the murmuring crowd.
"This concludes Jiushan's first reform." Zheng Fa announced. "Any objections?"
Silence reigned on and below the platform.
Zheng Fa nodded. "Then let's discuss the second new system—specialization tracks."
Specialization tracks?
Sun Daoyu looked puzzled again.
With a wave, Zheng Fa summoned stacks of waist-high textbooks:
"Having studied on University Island, you've discovered your aptitudes. Continuing uniform curricula wastes both sect resources and your talents."
Many disciples nodded in agreement.
"Starting today, Jiushan University and Jiushan Military Academy will establish specialized colleges with mentor systems to cultivate expertise."
