I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 387Book 2: : Yellow Court Mystic Formula, Three Flowers Gather at the Crown
Vol 2 Chapter 387: Yellow Court Mystic Formula, Three Flowers Gather at the Crown
For Immortal Li and the others, using cultivation techniques to manifest the Tai Chi Diagram and simulate a fraction of Dao Venerable's innate divine abilities wasn't particularly difficult—in fact, it could be considered one of Taishang Dao's signature secret techniques. Even Uncle Pang wasn't unfamiliar with this: back then, Netherworld Immortal Qin Mu had employed similar mystic formulas.
However, this "not particularly difficult" assessment only applied to cultivators from Taishang Dao, and even then, only to true disciples. Now, Zheng Fa, the sect master of Jiushan Sect, had unleashed Taishang Dao's secret transmission technique, leaving Immortal Li and the others utterly dumbfounded and even suspicious.
Seeing Uncle Pang's awkward and puzzled expression, Immortal Li frowned and turned to Zheng Fa. Purple energy surged in his eyes as if comprehending something. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Similar yet different."
"Ancestor?"
"Zheng Fa's Tai Chi Diagram seems somewhat different from ours." Immortal Li paused before continuing, "Rather..."
He closed his mouth, seemingly unwilling to say more.
The old Nascent Soul cultivator frowned: "Rather what? Ancestor, this concerns our Taishang Dao's secrets."
"Rather, it closely resembles that move Dao Venerable just used."
Silence suddenly fell over the courtyard. After a long while, it was Zhenren Tongming who hoarsely voiced everyone's question: "Ancestor, are you saying... Zheng Fa learned it just now?"
Immortal Li nodded silently.
The Nascent Soul cultivators of Taishang Dao looked up at Zheng Fa, deep in thought, then simultaneously turned to stare at Uncle Pang. Their expressions were all too familiar to Uncle Pang—identical to how he looked at Senior Brother Yuan, without any difference.
...
Zheng Fa's Tai Chi Diagram was indeed learned on the spot.
Through his understanding of the Yang Spirit Method from the Yellow Court Scripture, combined with his Void-Piercing Spirit Eye's observation of Dao Venerable's techniques, and finally supplemented by the Creation Jade Slip's modern comprehension and deduction of spacetime, he had simulated this mystic formula in a short time.
In terms of power, it was far inferior to Dao Venerable's original version, not even comparable to Taishang Dao's secret transmissions within the sect. It might not even possess one-tenth of the original power.
But what Zheng Fa needed was precisely this one or two percent of restraining capability.
Against enemies like Lu True Immortal, restraining techniques like the Tai Chi Diagram were extremely effective.
Zheng Fa's Yang Spirit pushed forward with its right hand, and the Tai Chi Diagram expanded to a hundred zhang in size, pressing down toward Lu True Immortal.
The rainbow light transformed by Lu True Immortal was enveloped by the Tai Chi Diagram, as if losing its direction, circling in midair.
Seizing this opportunity, Zheng Fa employed the Rainbow Transformation Method, finally creating distance from Lu True Immortal.
Lu True Immortal roared angrily, clapped his palms together, and split the Tai Chi Diagram in two. Raising his eyes to locate Zheng Fa, he saw rolling waves of fire rushing toward him.
It was none other than the Great Sun True Fire!
From the Fusang Wood behind Zheng Fa, thousands upon thousands of Great Sun True Fire blossoms illuminated the sky golden.
Now when Lu True Immortal attempted pursuit again, he found himself in a sea of fire, his Dharmakaya burning everywhere, barely sustainable.
Although this Great Sun True Fire wasn't purely offensive, Lu True Immortal's projection had only just entered the Nascent Spirit stage. His Dharmakaya was no match for Dao Venerable's innate divine ability, the Tai Chi Diagram, in terms of defensive capability.
Unlike Dao Venerable's carefree attitude, Lu True Immortal surveyed his surroundings and actually used his palms to cleave through the sea of fire, charging straight at Zheng Fa.
But...
Tai Chi Diagram!
Rainbow Transformation!
Great Sun True Fire!
This seamless three-move combo provoked frequent roars from Lu True Immortal, yet he couldn't catch up to Zheng Fa no matter what.
Even Immortal Li on the ground felt a twinge of pity for this arch-nemesis of Taishang Dao.
By the time Lu True Immortal's projection was burned to nothingness by the Great Sun True Fire, those seemingly world-splitting palms of his hadn't even touched the hem of Zheng Fa's robe.
Seeing Lu True Immortal defeated, Uncle Pang and the others on the ground quietly sighed in relief, only to see Tianhe Venerable draw his sword as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
Uncle Pang's heart tightened again.
Although these three weren't attacking simultaneously, and Dao Venerable had only made one move, facing these three mighty beings in succession would be an arduous trial for any cultivator.
Moreover, when Tianhe Venerable's Qingping Sword was used for slashing, it was quite satisfying—but when being slashed by it, death came swiftly!
Using that pirated Tai Chi Diagram for defense again would definitely not work.
But Zheng Fa had the Rainbow Transformation Method, so it shouldn't be a problem...
Just as he thought this, he heard Immortal Li let out a surprised sound, as if seeing something puzzling.
Looking up, he saw Zheng Fa's Yang Spirit return to the mud pellet palace, the Fusang Wood behind him slowly retracting and merging with his physical body.
Zheng Fa stood clad in purple-gold robes, gazing at Tianhe Venerable with what seemed like pity in his eyes.
Everyone heard him say: "Venerable One, you cannot defeat me."
Tianhe Venerable didn't speak—perhaps couldn't speak—but the slight tremble of his sword tip made his meaning clear. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Yet Zheng Fa continued persuading:
"My Dharmakaya is fundamentally transformed from Fusang Wood, far surpassing ordinary Nascent Spirits."
"I also have deep understanding of the Qingping Sword Technique."
"Venerable One, against others, your sword would be unstoppable."
He paused, then added: "But before me, you won't have time to draw your sword."
With that, his right fist suddenly rose and, at a speed surpassing everyone's vision, punched toward Tianhe Venerable!
Immortal Li sighed: "Has he learned Lu True Immortal's techniques too?"
The move Zheng Fa used bore some resemblance to what Lu True Immortal had employed earlier!
Everyone now understood why Zheng Fa was so confident.
Xie Qingxue especially understood: while the Tianhe Sword Technique's power was indeed boundless, it had one small flaw—merging man and sword required a brief moment.
To others, this moment might as well not exist.
But to someone like Zheng Fa who knew the Tianhe Sword Dao inside out, this moment was enough to prevent Tianhe Venerable from even drawing his sword!
Especially when combined with Lu True Immortal's close-quarters combat style—fierce and swift—paired with Zheng Fa's Rainbow Transformation Method, it perfectly countered Tianhe Venerable.
Today's contest between the three ancestors revealed some inherent counters:
The Tai Chi Diagram naturally countered Lu True Immortal's Dharmakaya.
The Tianhe Sword Dao's unparalleled power feared no obstruction from the Tai Chi Diagram.
Yet ironically, Lu True Immortal's Dharmakaya actually suppressed Tianhe Venerable.
Uncle Pang pondered:
This Zheng Fa was fighting one against three.
But wasn't this... three fighting three?
He quietly sighed in relief, only to see Immortal Li turn to him: "Is this the wonder of the Yellow Court Scripture you created, Zhenren?"
Uncle Pang looked up to see Immortal Li's blazing gaze, filled with fervor and respect.
Uncle Pang nodded.
That Zheng Fa could learn various techniques in such short time was inseparable from the Yellow Court Scripture's integration of three methods, and even from the Heavenly and Earthly Fiend Transformations.
After a long silence, Immortal Li could only sigh: "How I wish I could glimpse the profundity of this scripture."
...
Zheng Fa watched Tianhe Venerable before him, as if waiting for something.
That he showed mercy to Tianhe Venerable stemmed partly from respect, but more importantly, he could clearly sense—Tianhe Venerable was different from the other two:
Tianhe Venerable seemed more illusory.
Likely, while Dao Venerable and Lu True Immortal still existed in the world, this Tianhe Venerable truly came from the past.
Actually, he would have loved to spar with Tianhe Venerable:
From battling Dao Venerable, his comprehension of the Yang Spirit Method, especially regarding the yin-yang talismanic diagrams, had deepened somewhat.
From fighting Lu True Immortal, he'd gained new inspiration for employing the Fusang Dharmakaya.
This contest between the three ancestors was both trial and opportunity—not only was he unafraid, he felt greatly enriched.
But if Tianhe Venerable disappeared now, he might never exist again.
Tianhe Venerable seemed to understand his thoughts, slowly lowering his gaze to the Qingping Sword at Xie Qingxue's waist.
"Ancestor..."
Xie Qingxue murmured, suddenly widening her eyes.
Zheng Fa also stared blankly as Tianhe Venerable swung the Qingping Sword.
Sword Qi Thunder Sound, Sword Qi Transforming Rainbow, Refining Sword Into Silk, Sword Transforming Myriad Forms.
The myriad splendors of Tianhe Sword Dao blossomed one by one within Jiushan Realm.
Until finally reaching the Qingping Sword Technique's ultimate move:
Man and Sword as One, Body Transforming into Sword Spirit.
Then, with a flick, the Qingping Sword resumed Tianhe Venerable's form.
Zheng Fa's eyes widened abruptly, instinctively looking toward Xie Qingxue, only to find her equally astonished gaze meeting his—she must have noticed something peculiar too.
Before they could react, they heard Tianhe Venerable chuckle lightly.
Looking up again, Tianhe Venerable's figure had already vanished without trace.
"It's over?"
Uncle Pang murmured, involuntarily looking toward Dao Venerable.
Dao Venerable's gaze swept over Zheng Fa as he performed a Taoist salute. With a tap to the Tai Chi Diagram above his head, its yin-yang fish split open, tearing through Jiushan Realm as he rode purple clouds, leisurely stepping beyond the realm.
Cold sweat broke out on Uncle Pang's forehead.
Even Zheng Fa felt somewhat stunned.
Was this Dao Venerable truly only at the Nascent Spirit stage?
Likely, Tianhe Venerable had already passed away, making him the weakest of the three. Lu True Immortal, for unknown reasons, remained at the True Immortal realm.
Only Dao Venerable was probably among the world's most powerful.
Zheng Fa had actually been most wary of him, yet he'd only made one move that didn't seem full-powered—highly suspicious.
But judging by Dao Venerable's silent departure now, it didn't seem like he harbored particularly malicious intent, but rather some other purpose.
Uncle Pang sighed in relief: "Finally over..."
Beside him, Head Seat Mingde looked peculiar: "Zhenren Pang, hasn't the Nascent Spirit Tribulation not even started yet?"
Everyone froze, then realized—shocked by the three ancestors, they'd forgotten one thing:
For ordinary cultivators, the Nascent Spirit Tribulation was only just beginning now.
Yet Zheng Fa... had already fought several major battles, expending considerable spiritual energy.
By rights, he shouldn't let his guard down.
Unexpectedly, Uncle Pang smiled: "Oh, that? I forgot."
"Forgot?"
Head Seat Mingde looked skyward.
Zheng Fa stood in the void, still gazing where Tianhe Venerable and Dao Venerable had disappeared, seeming deep in thought.
Yet above him, thunderclouds had already begun accumulating.
The sky darkened, black as deepest night.
Zhenren Tongming sighed: "Alliance Leader Zheng's lightning tribulation is far more terrifying than when I underwent my Nascent Spirit transformation."
Head Seat Mingde and others nodded—this was only natural given Zheng Fa's profound foundations, his tribulation would naturally surpass ordinary cultivators'.
But Zheng Fa beneath the black clouds remained contemplative...
Seeing this, Zhenren Tongming exclaimed: "Don't tell me... Zheng Fa forgot about his own tribulation too?"
Uncle Pang shook his head, about to speak, when a purple lightning bolt descended from the clouds, striking Zheng Fa's crown directly.
Thunder exploded across the sky, echoing far and wide.
Zheng Fa seemed to finally snap back to attention, frowning slightly as if disturbed in his thoughts.
He raised a hand, lightning flashing in his palm as he struck back at the sky.
Two lightning bolts collided, vanishing in an instant.
The thunderclouds seemed angered, unleashing furious bolts like rain upon Zheng Fa.
Yet Zheng Fa didn't retreat half a step, meeting lightning with lightning, not even letting his robes get singed.
Immortal Li watched dumbfounded, narrowing his eyes as if studying Zheng Fa's methods, suddenly saying:
"Zheng Fa's Thunder Method..."
"Hmm?"
"Could he be learning it from the heavenly tribulation right now?"
Head Seat Mingde and the others observing Zheng Fa immediately understood Immortal Li's meaning:
Each of Zheng Fa's thunder techniques perfectly mirrored the tribulation lightning, without any difference...
On one hand, they marveled at Zheng Fa's exquisite thunder techniques.
On the other, they shared Immortal Li's peculiar feeling:
Learning the Tai Chi Diagram from Dao Venerable, the Dharmakaya combat techniques from Lu True Immortal.
Now you're even learning thunder techniques from the heavenly tribulation?
Immortal Li slowly shook his head, sighing admiringly: "Alliance Leader Zheng's talent truly leaves me in awe..."
Head Seat Mingde thought to himself that Immortal Li wasn't just being polite:
It wasn't that they didn't want to learn these things.
But when ordinary cultivators underwent tribulation, who had such leisure? Let alone mastering two peerless secret techniques in such short time—even just superficially—enough to make Immortal Li bow in admiration.
Zheng Fa's accumulation and comprehension were unprecedented even in Taishang Dao's records.
This inspection of Zheng Fa's potential and methods at Jiushan Sect had probably far exceeded Immortal Li's expectations.
...
Just as Uncle Pang had said, the current Zheng Fa truly didn't regard ordinary Nascent Spirit Tribulation as worthy of attention.
His Dharmakaya fused with Fusang Wood, combined with cultivation of the Yellow Court Scripture, made him comparable to a Loose Immortal even without wielding the Trapping Immortal Sword.
The lightning tribulation that other Nascent Spirits feared like tigers was practically like a light massage to him now.
Even some tribulations other Nascent Spirits never encountered couldn't harm him in the slightest:
After the lightning tribulation came the Yin Wind Tribulation.
Uncle Pang and the others only saw Zheng Fa shake his body, transforming into a Yin Wind, merging completely with his surroundings.
The Yin Wind Tribulation was something even Head Seat Mingde had never witnessed before, yet the sky now condensed with heavenly fire.
"I've heard some demonic cultivators encounter Yin Wind Tribulation during Nascent Spirit transformation, but this...?"
Head Seat Mingde looked puzzledly at Uncle Pang.
Uncle Pang also frowned and shook his head, seemingly equally confused.
"Heavenly Fire Tribulation," Immortal Li answered first. "Although uncommon, not extremely rare. Immortal sect cultivators undergoing Nascent Spirit transformation usually encounter lightning tribulations, heavenly fire tribulations less so. Demonic cultivators generally don't get heavenly fire tribulations. But cultivators facing all three calamities—lightning, yin wind, and heavenly fire together... I've never heard of such."
Immortal Li made another surprised sound, frowning at Zheng Fa, prompting Uncle Pang to look as well.
They saw Zheng Fa gazing at the heavenly fire, eyes containing some interest, ultimately not dodging as the flames engulfed him.
Anyone could tell Zheng Fa did this deliberately, yet none understood why.
The heavenly fire entered Zheng Fa through his hundred apertures, thread by thread, flowing through his extraordinary meridians before gathering in his dantian, swirling around the Creation Jade Slip as if tempering this treasure.
"So that's how it is..."
Previously undergoing tribulation, Zheng Fa had felt the heavens opposed cultivators, as if disliking their advancement.
But after cultivating the Yellow Court Scripture, his control over himself had reached microscopic precision—especially the "Preserving Spirit Illuminating Self" technique allowed him to record even his subtlest changes.
This tribulation revealed something different:
After each lightning bolt dissipated, a spark of spiritual opportunity seemed to enter his sea of consciousness, making his Yang Spirit more substantial.
Within the Yin Wind Tribulation, that soul-eroding wind contained a gentle, yielding spiritual energy subtly neutralizing the violence and impulsiveness in his Dharmakaya.
Even this inexplicable Heavenly Fire Tribulation was tempering his lifebound treasure...
As the spirit belonged to yin, it required supremely yang lightning for gestation.
The Dharmakaya leaned yang, yet needed yin fire to cleanse its harshness.
And the Heavenly Fire Tribulation greatly benefited the lifebound treasure in the Heavenly River Method.
Only now did he realize: at least for Nascent Spirit tribulation, it wasn't that heaven opposed cultivators, but rather a rewarding trial:
Fail, and perish.
Succeed, and receive boundless benefits.
Only, other cultivators lacked the "Preserving Spirit Illuminating Self" technique to perceive their minute evolutions. Even after tribulation brought great progress, they'd attribute it solely to their cultivation advancing, unaware of heaven's assistance.
When the heavenly fire dissipated, the Creation Jade Slip's spiritual light grew even more dazzling, seemingly gaining some spirituality in Zheng Fa's perception!
"Spiritual Treasure... so that's how." Zheng Fa smiled freely, now understanding how some cultivators' lifebound treasures advanced to Spiritual Treasures.
These three calamities were clearly heaven's favor!
Watching the heavenly fire gradually fade, Zheng Fa felt somewhat reluctant, then perked up, looking beyond Jiushan Realm with even greater anticipation:
Honored inner demons, please come in!
...
"Who would have thought Alliance Leader Zheng would pass the three calamities so easily, yet this inner demon tribulation takes so long. Who knows when he'll emerge."
In Immortal Li's courtyard, the old Nascent Soul cultivator sighed. He no longer dared call him "Zheng Fa," only "Alliance Leader Zheng," yet his face showed subtle satisfaction.
Others shared similar expressions—after all, Zheng Fa's tribulation had been too discouraging for fellow Nascent Souls. Now seeing him apparently deeply afflicted by inner demons gave them some comfort.
Seeing this, Uncle Pang secretly thought:
"That depends on how long the inner demons can last..."
After witnessing Zheng Fa's tribulation, Immortal Li seemed eager to meet him, now appearing more impatient than others. He asked Uncle Pang urgently: "It's been over three months—how is Zheng Fa? Has anyone from your sect checked?"
"The sect master is fine," Uncle Pang answered honestly.
"Then why so long?"
"Well... perhaps these inner demons are particularly tenacious."
Immortal Li frowned, finding "tenacious" an odd description. He wanted to ask more when he suddenly looked up at the sky.
Clear radiance swept across the heavens. Sensing something unusual, everyone flew up to investigate.
Above Zheng Fa's secluded cultivation spot, an auspicious cloud slowly rose. Upon it manifested three fist-sized green lotuses not yet bloomed, their clear light showering the world, bursting from Jiushan Realm to illuminate everything brightly.
Bathing in this radiance, everyone felt extraordinary comfort—minds clear, hearts joyful, overcome with an urge to bow in worship.
"Ancestor?"
Head Seat Mingde called softly, cautiously watching Immortal Li.
Uncle Pang turned, equally surprised to see Immortal Li smiling with glistening tears.
Immortal Li chuckled, "I just remembered... many things."
