I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 358Book 2: : Education Reform, Valuing Talent

Vol 2 Chapter 358: Education Reform, Valuing Talent

On University Island, most disciples looked at Zheng Fa with excitement in their eyes.

Some still felt a bit dazed.

Though they didn't fully understand the establishment of new colleges or the mentor system, they were all eagerly anticipating it.

It was as if they were saying:

Reform?

Reform sounds great.

They really liked the earlier reforms!

Zheng Fa continued:

"The Jiushan Military Academy will establish four colleges: Immortal Formation College, Sword Dao College, Thunder Law College, and Intelligence College."

"The Jiushan University will also have four colleges," Zheng Fa introduced. "Alchemy College, Artifact Refining College, Formation College, and additionally, an Agriculture College."

This specialization division followed one principle:

Knowledge directly contributing to production belonged to Jiushan University.

As for disciplines like immortal formations and sword dao, though related to artifact refining and formations, they were more specialized and thus incorporated into the military academy.

The college names were straightforward and easy to understand, and many disciples showed comprehension on their faces.

Zheng Fa added:

"The Jiushan academic system will also change. From now on, Jiushan disciples will have five years after entering university."

"During these five years, the sect will provide cultivation resources for you to study techniques, talisman methods, and various foundational knowledge."

"After five years of study, passing college exams and interviews will allow application to various colleges." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

The three thousand disciples on the island listened quietly with extremely serious expressions.

They clearly understood these words concerned their future life choices.

Zheng Fa's idea was quite simple:

The first five years at Jiushan University were for laying foundations, similar to general education.

At this stage, they had just begun cultivating, their foundational knowledge was shaky, and studying highly specialized, advanced knowledge wasn't realistic, let alone conducting research. Ｒ𝖆ＮȮΒĚȿ

Thus, Zheng Fa gave them five years to study talisman methods, cultivation, and prerequisite subjects—like topology, physics and chemistry knowledge, along with miscellaneous studies like Xiao Yuying's archaeology.

With the "Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique" and Jiushan Sect's abundant resources now, five years were enough for most disciples to reach Foundation Establishment.

After Foundation Establishment, whether sent out on missions or conducting research, their cultivation would barely meet requirements.

"Entering the colleges means becoming inner sect disciples of Jiushan Sect."

"Those who don't enter colleges will be outer sect disciples."

The disciples' expressions immediately changed, clearly nervous.

Zheng Fa explained: "Inner and outer sect disciples don't represent power or status—there's no hierarchy. But inner sect disciples receive sect subsidies and can focus on study and research."

"Outer sect disciples need to contribute to earn merit points. Of course, if your knowledge improves and you later pass college exams, you can still enter the inner sect."

After this reform, the colleges somewhat resembled modern graduate schools.

They would focus on cultivating specialists and researchers.

With relatively high thresholds.

"If you have talent in artifact refining, alchemy, or formations, you can apply to Jiushan University's four colleges. If your cultivation progresses quickly, you excel in combat, or have insights into thunder law or sword dao, you can try the military academy."

Jiushan University would nurture research talents.

The military academy would recruit more traditionally talented Xuanyi Realm geniuses.

In the future, Jiushan University would be the cradle for various researchers.

Military academy graduates would be professional soldiers, even officers.

Hearing this, many disciples stopped smiling and began worrying.

They glanced around, secretly sizing up their peers.

Especially those who had shown alchemy or artifact refining talent made them both envious and wary.

An evil atmosphere called "involution" quietly descended upon University Island.

"Oh, one month from now, the first inner sect entrance exam will be held. Afterwards, inner sect exams will be held every five years."

The already nervous Jiushan disciples felt like they'd been hammered upon hearing this.

Many showed despair on their faces:

The kind when your teacher walks in early morning announcing a pop quiz you didn't study for.

Their happiness was gone, and Zheng Fa was satisfied:

Smiling?

As sect leader, I'm still doing temp work at Zhongxuan Sect, busy every day.

If these disciples slacked off, how would that look?

The main purpose of this specialization was making disciples feel pressured:

Studying and researching goes against human nature.

For many, it's downright unpleasant.

Yet with the current turbulent external situation, Jiushan Realm simply couldn't afford "happy education."

A secondary reason was that research required heavy investment—training qualified researchers was expensive:

Just the spiritual materials needed for alchemy and artifact refining experiments alone were substantial.

Without experiments, qualified alchemists and refiners could never be trained.

Thus, cultivating researchers couldn't use an egalitarian approach—thresholds were necessary.

Ultimately, not everyone was cut out for research.

Some disciples, after general education, could contribute to Jiushan Realm through missions while earning merit points for their own cultivation, without entering the university system.

In recent years, most Jiushan disciples were just learning basics, making specialization and screening meaningless.

Now the academic reform was timely, meeting Jiushan Sect's current talent needs.

"Sect Leader, what about the mentor system?" Sun Daoyu suddenly asked, his face showing some anticipation.

"After entering colleges as inner sect disciples, mentors will guide your studies and research."

The disciples simultaneously looked up at the Nascent Soul and Nascent Divinity venerables on stage.

Three thousand pairs of eyes shone like six thousand spotlights, bright and intense.

The island's air seemed to heat up.

Nobody was stupid—the sect leader bringing these venerables made their purpose obvious.

They were the university and military academy mentors!

Entering the inner sect meant being directly taken under a Nascent Soul venerable's wing?

Who wouldn't be tempted?

Beyond gaining a powerful backer,

having a Nascent Soul or even Nascent Divinity venerable personally guide you offered immense benefits.

Sun Daoyu asked in surprise: "Does entering the inner sect guarantee a mentor?"

Zheng Fa smiled: "Pass the exams and interview, and you'll get one."

The disciples grew even more restless.

In their minds, the sect leader's words translated to:

Study hard, enter inner sect, bring honor to your ancestors—no, gain an ancestor!

Suddenly a female voice asked: "Sect Leader, are you also a mentor?"

Zheng Fa looked—it was none other than Mu Qingyan.

Mu Qingyan gazed at Zheng Fa, eyes full of expectation.

Zheng Fa chuckled: "I am."

Mu Qingyan's eyes lit up as she nodded vigorously, then asked: "What's the interview like?"

Clearly this girl was quite confident.

Seeing other disciples equally curious, Zheng Fa explained: "The interview mainly assesses academic ability, communication skills. The military academy tests combat ability. Oh, publishing good papers in 'Debate' gives bonus points."

Debate?

The disciples hadn't received the new Tongjian devices yet, so they didn't understand. Zheng Fa didn't elaborate further, continuing:

"Details about colleges and exams will be announced on Jiushan Forum. Now I'll announce mentor appointments."

"Jiushan Military Academy: Headmaster Zhang Wuyi, concurrently appointed as Supreme Elder."

With the Nine Chapters Calculation Spirit's help, Senior Sister Zhang now had free time to serve as military academy headmaster.

The headmaster position was highly authoritative and crucial.

Besides Zheng Fa, only Senior Sister Zhang was truly suitable.

"Immortal Formation College Dean: Supreme Elder Pang. Immortal Formation College Mentor: Supreme Elder Huang. Thunder Law College Dean: Xiao Yuying—I'm also a Thunder Law College mentor. Sword Dao College Dean: Xie Qingxue. Intelligence College Dean: Venerable Han." Zheng Fa listed five names in one breath.

Senior Sister Zhang and five others stepped forward half a pace.

Light glowed in Zheng Fa's hand as a bamboo scroll appeared between his fingers.

He approached Senior Sister Zhang and solemnly said: "Please accept the appointment letter."

Senior Sister Zhang extended both hands to receive the scroll, silently bowing.

Zheng Fa then took out five bamboo tubes, giving one each to Xiao Yuying and the others before telling them:

"The future safety of Jiushan disciples is entrusted to you all."

Senior Sister Zhang and the others glanced at the disciples below, simultaneously nodding: "We'll spare no effort."

Zheng Fa then asked Xiao Yuying and two others: "Fairy Xiao, Fairy Xie, Venerable Han, would you serve as Jiushan Sect's guest elders?"

Xie Qingxue and the other two, having prepared for this, simultaneously nodded: "It would be our honor!"

Sun Daoyu watched Xie Qingxue nod, ecstatic.

Just as he thought!

His earlier question about mentors was because he'd guessed Xie Qingxue would be one!

Xie Qingxue was famously Tianhe Sect's top true disciple, her strength surpassing ordinary Nascent Divinity cultivators—unfathomable.

Xiao Yuying and Venerable Han were also renowned figures in Xuanyi Realm.

These three had not only joined Jiushan Sect but would now mentor students!

Jiushan Sect's rising momentum was obvious to all.

As he pondered, new worries emerged:

Did the military academy allow changing mentors?

If possible, could his master Supreme Elder Pang... accept it?

Not that he coveted Fairy Xie's strength—he'd just always dreamed of being a sword cultivator since childhood!

Zheng Fa scanned the disciples below, unsurprised to see many staring at Xie Qingxue:

Tianhe Venerable's reputation.

Xie Qingxue's strength.

Plus sword cultivators' inherent coolness.

The Sword Dao College would likely be the military academy's most popular program.

He could already imagine future entrance exam competition.

This was exactly what Zheng Fa wanted:

With the "Jiushan Golden Core Method" in their possession, who else in Xuanyi Realm could claim the most orthodox sword dao heritage?

In his plans, immortal formations and sword cultivation would be Jiushan Military Academy's two flagship programs.

"Next are Jiushan University's mentors."

"The headmaster position will be filled by me personally."

This was why he only taught thunder law instead of heading the military academy—with the modern world's assistance, he could maximize his advantages at the university.

He wasn't cut out for the military academy's violent work.

"Alchemy College Dean: Venerable Xiong. Mentor: Venerable Song."

"Artifact Refining College Dean: Madam Xuanhua."

"Formation College Dean: Zhang Wuyi."

Zheng Fa paused before announcing the final Agriculture College appointments:

"Agriculture College Mentors: Ancestor of the Blood River, Jiao Wuji."

Many disciples were shocked, staring at these two notorious figures in confusion.

Only a few knew these two had been frenziedly breeding various spirit beasts in recent years, having greatly contributed to mortal textile industry development:

Some well-informed disciples even heard they'd not only developed spirit silkworms but were shifting research toward spirit beast fur.

But Zheng Fa's next words surprised everyone even more.

"Agriculture College Dean: Venerable Qian Qi."

Three thousand disciples slowly turned, eyes landing on a slightly plump middle-aged man in the crowd.

Venerable Qian stood among them, looking at Zheng Fa in disbelief.

Dazedly, he saw Zheng Fa smile at him:

"Venerable Qian? Will you accept this dean position?"

He found himself nodding automatically.

"Then please come up."

Venerable Qian slowly stepped forward, moving through the crowd.

Fellow disciples looked at him with curiosity, surprise, even scrutiny.

He understood why—thanks to the sect leader's resource allocation, he'd formed his golden core last year, becoming much stronger.

But compared to the venerables on stage (all at least Nascent Soul), his cultivation was still lacking.

Standing beside Ancestor of the Blood River and Jiao Wuji, Venerable Qian felt extremely uncomfortable.

A Golden Core dean leading two Nascent Divinity mentors... both demonic sect cultivators.

His legs trembled.

"Venerable Qian, would you serve as a Jiushan Sect elder?"

"E-e-elder?"

Venerable Qian's eyes widened, his mouth trembling too.

"Yes, elder." Zheng Fa nodded at him before addressing the disciples: "After becoming inner sect disciples, you can still advance to true disciple, elder, or supreme elder."

"These three positions receive annual merit points and can apply for research funding, even manage the university or military academy, advising on Jiushan Realm's development direction."

"They're only granted to the exceptionally capable."

"Only those with outstanding contributions qualify."

"Becoming a true disciple requires major achievements or groundbreaking research results, plus elder recommendation."

"Promotion to elder requires unanimous elder approval."

Venerable Qian heard Zheng Fa say:

"Venerable Qian, based on your contributions, all elders believe you qualify as elder. The Agriculture College dean position also belongs solely to you."

Venerable Qian turned blankly.

Supreme Elder Pang and others nodded at him respectfully.

Even the intimidating Jiao Wuji and Ancestor of the Blood River showed a hint of respect.

Disciples below looked at him with envy, already cupping their hands in salute.

People and objects before him blurred slightly—through glistening tears, he saw his past self in the marketplace, bowing humbly to customers.

He saw himself scrambling away like a stray dog when Qianhe Sect was annihilated.

He saw himself squatting in herb gardens day after day for years.

Finally, he saw his current self: standing beside two Nascent Divinity venerables, the center of attention.

When his vision cleared again, Zheng Fa stood before him, smiling.

"Venerable Qian, please accept the appointment letter."

"Yes!"

Venerable Qian extended both hands, gripping the letter tightly, veins bulging on his knuckles.

The Jiushan reforms divided cultivators into five categories.

Above inner sect disciples were true disciples, elders, and supreme elders.

Zheng Fa had clearly defined these three groups' authority and responsibilities.

They truly held power compared to other disciples.

True disciples could independently apply to lead research projects, command other disciples in emergencies when encountering danger outside.

Elders had greater authority—as academic leaders, they mentored disciples and participated in university/military academy governance.

Zheng Fa also consulted them on Jiushan Realm matters.

Supreme elders were different.

Currently, Jiushan Sect's supreme elders were only Senior Sister Zhang, Uncle Pang, Uncle Huang, and Elder Yuan.

They were Jiushan Realm's true decision-makers—no major decisions could bypass these five.

If Zheng Fa left the realm or entered seclusion, supreme elders would hold Jiushan Realm's authority.

Simply put, supreme elders required not just knowledge, contributions, or cultivation, but Zheng Fa's absolute trust to entrust Jiushan Realm to them.

These three groups received much higher "salaries" than inner sect disciples.

Zheng Fa looked at Venerable Qian, eyes slightly smiling.

Venerable Qian probably didn't realize what becoming elder truly meant:

Beyond power and reputation, today's glory,

the most important aspect for him was... elder salaries were fixed.

But while Madam Xuanhua and others were at least Nascent Soul, Venerable Qian was merely Golden Core:

The same salary held completely different meaning—

Like... a tycoon's daily earnings exceeding ordinary people's lifetime income.

Resources making Madam Xuanhua work could drive Golden Core cultivators like Venerable Qian to desperation.

Zheng Fa could confidently say Venerable Qian would be among Jiushan Realm's first batch of self-trained Nascent Souls.

Promoting Venerable Qian recognized his outstanding contributions:

Fusang Wood and Tranquility Bamboo were extremely significant.

New species in herb gardens, supported populations, and generated wealth for Jiushan Realm—all evident.

Not to mention agriculture's contributions to alchemy.

Nobody could oppose him as Agriculture College dean.

It could only be him, no one else.

But Zheng Fa also intended to demonstrate valuing talent:

Show what position a relatively mediocre person could reach through research.

Venerable Qian set an excellent example for disciples:

After all, elder salaries would be publicly displayed on Nine Chapters Calculation Array.

"The first thing these disciples learned was spamming papers."

Sitting beside Senior Sister Zhang, Zheng Fa looked at the flood of new papers in "Debate," his expression complicated, seemingly headache-inducing.

The reforms had injected disciples with motivation:

Perhaps too much motivation.

Whether pressured by inner sect exams,

coveting Venerable Qian's salary,

or simply wanting to skim merit points from the pool—

three thousand Jiushan disciples produced over six thousand... academic trash in twenty-some days.

Most disciples didn't understand paper standards—the abysmal quality could ruin Zheng Daozu's reputation in modern academia.

"Most lack sufficient accumulation to begin with," Senior Sister Zhang laughed at his pained expression. "Besides, they're not writing nonsense—many secret techniques and ideas are quite novel."

Zheng Fa exhaled, nodding slowly.

The disciples' shortcomings stemmed from inadequate ability, not attitude—many shared their prized secret techniques.

Inability was understandable.

Poor attitude was inexcusable.

Patiently browsing "Debate's" papers, Zheng Fa suddenly stopped, frowning seriously.

Senior Sister Zhang leaned over, softly reading one title:

"'Investigating the Decline of Crimson Feather Heavenly Yang Qi'?"