I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 518Book 2: : Post-War Tally, Reunion Dinner with Old Friends
Vol 2 Chapter 518: Post-War Tally, Reunion Dinner with Old Friends
"The Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array has reached its maximum power."
On the palace wall of Haori Mountain's Three Palaces was imprinted a light screen displaying a map.
Zheng Fa, Senior Sister Zhang, Uncle Pang, and other elders, along with Yun Wuji, were all present. The surrender of Haori Mountain and its merger into Jiushan was a monumental event, with countless complex matters to handle. Yet Lu Mo was about to convene the Da Luo Dharma Assembly, leaving them with very little time.
They simply decided to hold the meeting right at Haori Mountain.
Yuan Xiaoniao was among them, staring intently at the map, when she suddenly grinned and said, "Our Jiushan Sect is huge!"
Everyone laughed.
It was indeed massive. Even without counting the maritime regions, they were now truly a top-tier power in the Xuanyi Realm.
The current Jiushan Sect stretched as far as the Western Continent, backed by the Underworld, bordered by Taishang Dao to the south. Flying from east to west would take even Zheng Fa over two months.
The rapidly expanding territory filled most people in the hall with excitement and exhilaration.
Zheng Fa concentrated his thoughts, and hundreds of small black dots appeared on the map. Everyone knew these were the formation nodes of the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array.
"After Haori Mountain's surrender, the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array will expand further. But Senior Sister and I calculated that the new array's power won't exceed... zero point seven Creation units."
Yun Wuji couldn't help but twitch his face. Jiushan Sect's measurement units were certainly unique.
"In the short term, our territory is unlikely to grow much more. The power of the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array will enter a bottleneck period."
Everyone nodded and looked toward Yun Wuji.
Yun Wuji maintained a stern expression, feeling quite nervous inside.
"I intend to establish the Sun-Shooting Army." Zheng Fa explained his idea in detail. "Their innate treasure will be the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow."
Everyone nodded slightly.
Using the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow as an innate treasure wasn't novel—most members of the Lu Clan used this as their innate treasure.
Only Yun Wuji couldn't help but speak up: "But... there's no more Haori Mulberry. No one in the sect has cultivated this innate treasure for decades."
Zheng Fa had emptied Haori Mountain's Scripture Hall and was thoroughly familiar with the Vermilion Heaven Jade Manual, so he naturally knew this item required Haori Mulberry for refinement.
Hearing Yun Wuji's question, Zheng Fa turned to look at Madam Xuanhua.
Madam Xuanhua looked at Yun Wuji with some pride: "Through spiritual material conversion and spiritual plant cultivation, we've designed corresponding replacement and improvement methods. Particularly the Jiushan Golden Core Method allows most disciples to freely modify their treasures."
Yun Wuji opened his mouth to refute but then closed it, though he felt stifled inside. Haori Mountain was the top artifact forging sect in the Xuanyi Realm. While he had surrendered, he still took pride in the art of artifact forging.
The Sun-Shooting Divine Bow was Haori Mountain's top-tier treasure. Over the years, people in the sect had been refining it—how could it be so easily replaced?
As for improvements, he wanted to scoff even more—the peerless treasure that Haori Mountain's First Patriarch used to dominate the Xuanyi Realm needed improvements from you?
But remembering he was an outsider, he kept silent, though he felt frustrated inside.
Madam Xuanhua glanced back at Zheng Fa and, seeing him nod, took out a golden longbow from her storage bracelet and handed it to Yun Wuji, saying, "This is an unfinished product. Please offer your guidance, Immortal Yun, and give some suggestions."
Yun Wuji was taken aback, frowned slightly, then carefully examined the Jiushan version of the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow in his hand. The more he looked, the more silent he became, even beginning to doubt himself.
Seeing he wasn't speaking, Zheng Fa nodded and said, "The Sun-Shooting Army will also practice the Myriad Immortal Formation method, hoping to further improve the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow."
The Myriad Immortal Formation method was the foundation of Jiushan Sect, especially now that the Slaying Immortal Sword Formation had shown such brilliance.
Yun Wuji became increasingly confused, but holding the bow, he didn't say much, just listened attentively with perked ears.
"Simultaneously, Haori Mountain will be converted into the Haori Base." Zheng Fa pointed at Haori Mountain. "This will be the Sun-Shooting Army's first base, used to supplement the insufficient power of the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array and conduct long-range strikes against invading enemies."
Senior Sister Zhang agreed: "The Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array pairs extremely well with the Sun-Shooting Army. While the array's power has limitations, its detection capabilities are unmatched in the Xuanyi Realm."
This wasn't Senior Sister Zhang being blindly confident.
After hundreds of large and small iterations, the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array's detection accuracy had indeed become increasingly precise. Combined with electromagnetism and various detection secret techniques, even ordinary Golden Immortals found it difficult to escape the array's surveillance.
"Senior Sister Zhang, you will lead the Sun-Shooting Army." Zheng Fa directly appointed her.
"Alright."
Even Yun Wuji had no objections. As a newly surrendered member, he wouldn't dare to lead an army anyway.
"Senior Sister, your task is to receive intelligence from the Shenxiao Army, calculate enemy locations, and issue firing commands."
Senior Sister Zhang nodded.
Uncle Pang clicked his tongue: "This task really can only be handled by Wuyi."
For the Sun-Shooting Army, the biggest problem was how to lock onto the enemy's location within a short time.
What kind of existence were Golden Immortals?
Some Golden Immortals skilled in teleportation methods were as fast as the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array's signal transmission. Capturing their traces required extremely strong computational ability.
In the Jiushan Realm, only the possessor of the Innate Eight Trigrams, Computational Queen Senior Sister Zhang, was qualified for this task.
With Senior Sister Zhang, the Sun-Shooting Army wouldn't waste attacks and could truly form combat effectiveness.
Entrusting the Sun-Shooting Army to Senior Sister Zhang really wasn't favoritism—at least not completely.
After discussing the most important Sun-Shooting Army, Zheng Fa looked at Jiao Wuji and Ancestor of the Blood River nearby and said, "The Primordial Dharmakaya will be entrusted to you two."
Jiao Wuji's eyes shone with intensity as he nodded vigorously, looking very excited.
The Primordial Dharmakaya could be said to be the biggest gain aside from the Sun-Shooting Army. If they could find the secret method to awaken the Primordial Dharmakaya, this would be another Golden Immortal combat power.
In terms of long-term value, this Dharmakaya was even more valuable.
The Primordial Demon Ancestor was the founder of the Dharmakaya Method. More importantly, the current humans of the Xuanyi Realm could all be considered descendants of the Demon Ancestor. Tracing their origins, almost all could be traced back to the Primordial Demon Ancestor.
It could be said that the knowledge contained within the Primordial Dharmakaya was one of the sources of the entire human race, as well as the origin of the Dharmakaya Method.
Its value was imaginable.
For Jiao Wuji and the other, this was an especially rare treasure—after all, they had originally practiced the Dharmakaya Method. Even though they later switched to the Yellow Court Scripture, they still leaned toward the Dharmakaya lineage.
However, the Primordial Dharmakaya was ultimately too profound. Zheng Fa didn't know exactly what could be researched from it, so he could only leave it to Jiao Wuji and the others to freely explore.
After discussing how to organize the newly controlled Haori Mountain territory and assigning tasks to everyone, they gradually dispersed to attend to their respective duties.
Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang flew side by side out of the Three Palaces, accompanied by Yuan Xiaoniao, when suddenly Senior Sister Zhang asked, "What do you think of that Yun Wuji?"
Zheng Fa understood that Senior Sister Zhang meant whether this Yun Wuji, who had switched sides during battle, was trustworthy, and how much trust she should give him as the Sun-Shooting Army leader in the future?
"Yun Wuji killed Bailian. While we can't rule out it being a trick, Bailian had far too many treasures on him."
Senior Sister Zhang agreed: "He must have been highly regarded at Leiyin Temple. If it was a trick, the cost would be too great."
"But that doesn't mean Yun Wuji is trustworthy." Zheng Fa changed his tone and continued, "To put it bluntly, this person has been wavering all along, just trying to save his own life."
Yun Wuji's style was obvious—he wouldn't place his bets until the last moment. This person was very clever, but expecting him to have firm principles was simply impossible.
This point, Zheng Fa actually saw very clearly.
"Then why did you give him the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow..."
"Aside from my main body, only Immortal Yun and Lord Shuyu Dragon in the sect have this capability. No one else has the strength."
"That's true..."
Operating the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow itself meant fighting above one's level—it was difficult to further reduce the cultivation requirements.
Zheng Fa could do it because his cultivation was truly profound, and he had Fusang Wood as backup energy.
Others simply couldn't fully utilize the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow's power.
"I can't possibly guard the Haori Base every day. Lord Shuyu Dragon can exert his strength better in the maritime regions. So he's the only choice."
Zheng Fa spoke his honest thoughts. He certainly didn't completely trust Yun Wuji, but for the Sun-Shooting Divine Bow, there really was no other choice.
Senior Sister Zhang slowly nodded and said, "I'll keep an eye on him."
"No need to be overly guarded either. He's a clever person, with a clever person's indecisiveness and overcautiousness... As long as I'm not in dire straits, and the Jiushan Realm hasn't reached certain defeat, there's no need to be too wary of him. After all, he doesn't have many choices left either."
Zheng Fa had dealt with Yun Wuji quite a bit. This person was truly a master at playing dumb—he understood everything clearly but was always concerned about this and that.
"As long as our Jiushan remains strong, he will be loyal."
Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly. Only then did the two realize Yuan Xiaoniao hadn't been chattering for a while. Turning to look, they discovered Yuan Xiaoniao was lost in thought.
"Senior Sister Yuan?"
"Ah?" Yuan Xiaoniao swallowed her saliva and came back to reality, looking around. "Is it time to eat?"
"......"
They really had come to eat.
The three flew out of the Three Palaces, entered the Jiushan Realm, and landed in front of Zheng Fa's family courtyard.
Zheng's Mother had prepared a table full of dishes.
In terms of age, Zheng's Mother was already over a hundred and several decades old, but she remained healthy—because she was now a Golden Core cultivator too.
In earlier years, Zheng's Mother's aptitude wasn't sufficient, and she couldn't enter the path of cultivation.
After Gu Chang discovered the spiritual roots improvement method, Zheng Fa took time to enhance his mother's aptitude.
Zheng Fa had always allocated his own resources, and Zheng Shan had always been at home, helping their mother with cultivation. Thus Zheng's Mother smoothly advanced to Golden Core.
"Zheng Shan, you're already at late Nascent Soul stage?"
Yuan Xiaoniao exclaimed as soon as she saw Zheng Shan.
Zheng Shan smiled with pursed lips, looking like she was in her early twenties, but she had been cultivating for nearly a century. With her aptitude and the Jiushan Realm's cultivation methods, reaching late Nascent Soul stage was actually quite normal.
Yet Yuan Xiaoniao seemed quite emotional: "Back then, a single late Nascent Soul cultivator could have wiped out our Jiushan Sect."
"Wipe out Jiushan Sect? Who would dare?"
A rebuttal came from the doorway as Zhao Jingfan and Yan Wushuang walked into the courtyard one after the other.
Zhao Jingfan was carrying a gift box.
"What's this?"
"Two Supreme Elders from the sect asked me to bring congratulations gifts." Zhao Jingfan said helplessly. "They said since you didn't want a grand celebration, they still had to congratulate you on achieving Scattered Immortal stage."
This gathering was partly because even Zheng Fa felt somewhat exhausted after the great battle and wanted to rest for a while.
On the other hand, it was also to celebrate Zheng Fa's achievement of Dao Fruit.
Uncle Pang had originally proposed holding a celebration, but Zheng Fa, considering the imminent Da Luo Dharma Assembly, Haori Mountain's recent surrender, and countless matters to handle, simply invited a few old friends from earlier days for a family meal at home.
From Jiushan Sect, it was Senior Sister Zhang and Senior Sister Yuan. Outside Jiushan Sect, it was Yan Wushuang and Zhao Jingfan.
As soon as they sat down, Zheng Shan brought the wine jug, and the table was filled with dishes.
"Auntie's cooking skills keep getting better."
"Staying in the courtyard every day with nothing much to do, I just experiment randomly." Zheng's Mother stood up smiling. "There are still two dishes in the pot. You eat first."
Zheng Fa knew his mother still had some old habits—she preferred to stay in the kitchen during meals.
He looked at Zheng Shan on his left and, after some thought, said: "Shan'er, do you want to leave the Jiushan Realm?"
Zheng Shan looked up sharply: "Brother?"
"You can now." Zheng Fa said softly. "With the Profound Earth Primordial Magnetism Array and the Sun-Shooting Army, we can initially guarantee your safety."
"Really?"
Zheng Shan's eyes lit up.
"Do you dislike the Jiushan Realm that much?"
"Not exactly..." Zheng Shan lowered her head. "People in the Jiushan Realm all know I'm your sister. It feels awkward."
"First learn the Seventy-Two Earthly Fiend Transformations, then try not to leave the Jiushan Sect's territory. The Eastern Continent is still quite safe."
Hearing this, Zheng Shan's eyes brightened.
Nearby, Senior Sister Zhang held the wine jug and poured a cup for Zhao Jingfan.
Zhao Jingfan immediately jumped up, exclaiming: "Supreme Elder Zhang, this..."
"Today there are no Supreme Elders."
Zhao Jingfan was stunned for a moment, then sat back down, suddenly chuckling.
"What are you laughing about?"
Zheng Fa looked over curiously.
"Back then, how could I have known I would become the sect leader of Qingmu Sect?" Zhao Jingfan actually seemed emotional. "Even less imagined that you would become an immortal."
Zheng Fa also smiled upon hearing this, picked up his wine cup, clinked it with Zhao Jingfan's, and drank it all in one go.
Everyone at the table looked at each other and laughed.
Everyone at the table had met during humble times. Back then, even the highest cultivation holders, Senior Sister Zhang and Yan Wushuang, were only at Golden Core stage.
But now, Zheng Shan and Zhao Jingfan were both at late Nascent Soul stage.
The others had even reached Nascent Soul stage.
Having known each other for many years, as they chatted, they quickly lost any sense of unfamiliarity.
Zhao Jingfan talked about his first impression of Zheng Fa: "Back then, Zheng Fa was nobody special. He usually hid it well, but after spending time together, you'd discover he looked down on everything, despised everything. It was infuriating to see. But since I also enjoy provoking people, we somehow clicked."
Zheng Fa smiled faintly.
Zhao Jingfan was quite right. At that time, he had spent five years in the modern world, his mind full of comparisons between the modern era and the Xuanyi Realm. The sense of disparity was too great.
To be honest, he really had an inexplicable arrogance, considering himself mature when it was actually inappropriate.
If he hadn't met someone like Zhao Jingfan, he would have likely suffered greatly.
"I also wondered back then—you were just a servant, what gave you the right to look down on our Zhao family?" Zhao Jingfan took a sip of wine and suddenly looked outside the courtyard.
Stars rotated around them.
Divine Sky Flying Boats shuttled back and forth between the mortal realm and the Three Enclosures and Four Symbols.
Everything was bustling yet orderly.
"Seeing today's Jiushan Realm, I finally understand where your arrogance came from."
Zhao Jingfan turned his head, looking at Zheng Fa with the same expression as many years ago: "Back then I made an agreement with you to meet again at Nascent Soul stage, but honestly, I didn't even believe it myself at the time."
Zheng Fa couldn't help but laugh, remembering how Zhao Jingfan had waved from his flying boat back then, making bold declarations.
"Now, everything is ten times, a hundred times better than what I imagined back then."
Zhao Jingfan's eyes looked hazy, as if drunk.
"I've also wondered—what would have happened if I hadn't been more tolerant of you back then?"
He looked at Zheng Fa with a serious expression: "...Thank you."
