Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

That might indeed feel a bit abrupt.

He pondered in his heart, deliberately casting the spell with a bit of difficulty in his hands, maneuvering the Great Sun True Fire, clumsily creating a top-grade level Feiyun Sword over several days.

By his own estimation, he had hidden at least fifty percent of his abilities this time...

Otherwise, this Feiyun Sword would at least be a supreme-grade magic artifact.

But when he turned his head, he saw the Ninth Elder first staring at the Feiyun Sword for a long time, then looking at the Feiyun Sword in the cavern, back and forth, wanting to speak but stopping.

Oops!

Overestimated the Chongxuan Sect!

"I have truly underestimated you in the past..."

No, is the Chongxuan Sect really this lacking...

"Even when I craft the Feiyun Sword, it is only a top-grade magic artifact..."

The Ninth Elder looked at Zheng Fa with growing satisfaction.

Pure cultivation technique, not to mention having the potential of a Nascent Soul.

Such a high talent in artifact refining.

Even though we weren't very close in the past, after all, you are my disciple, and your success will always be a good thing for me.

"Nowadays... among the next generation disciples of the Chongxuan Sect, you are probably the most talented..."

After saying this, the Ninth Elder fell into silence again.

After a while, she beckoned, holding the Feiyun Sword in her palm and said to Zheng Fa, "Come with me!"

Hmm?

Zheng Fa watched as she led him towards the mountaintop, feeling a surge of delight, but as they reached halfway up the mountain, the Ninth Elder suddenly turned her steps towards a cave residence.

"Sect Leader, Bixia requests a meeting."

The Ninth Elder called out at the entrance of the cave residence, and soon a young disciple came out from within, respectfully ushering the two into the residence.

Zheng Fa understood that this was the cave residence of the Chongxuan Sect Leader.

The layout within this cave residence was different from that of the Ninth Elder's, with the cave's rock walls made of a type of black mountain stone, giving off an extremely solemn and imposing atmosphere.

The Chongxuan Sect Leader was also an exceedingly serious middle-aged cultivator.

In his hand, he held an iron box, examining it closely, his brows knit tightly, making him appear even more intimidating.

"Ninth Elder, you're here? Just in time..."

The Ninth Elder interrupted his words, taking out the Feiyun Sword and saying, "Sect Leader, take a look at this Feiyun Sword..."

The Chongxuan Sect Leader was slightly taken aback, reaching out to receive the Feiyun Sword, examining it carefully, continuously nodding: "You made this, Ninth Elder? There's some improvement..."

"He made it."

The Ninth Elder pointed at Zheng Fa.

The Chongxuan Sect Leader paused again, injecting spiritual power into the Feiyun Sword, as if carefully checking the quality of this magic artifact flying sword, then half an incense stick's time later, he looked at Zheng Fa, unable to hide the astonishment on his face: "Li Hao made it?"

"Yes, I watched him make it with my own eyes."

The Ninth Elder affirmed.

Upon hearing this, the Chongxuan Sect Leader had no reason to doubt and looked at Zheng Fa with eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister, another talent has emerged under your tutelage!"

The Chongxuan Sect Leader said with a smile.

The Ninth Elder nodded with a smile and added, "Sect Leader, I want him to go to the mountaintop..."

Zheng Fa felt a tremor in his heart, somewhat pleasantly surprised.

He had come to the Chongxuan Sect precisely to figure out what was on the mountaintop.

"You mean..."

"Sect Leader, those Divinity Transformation Elders who control that Supreme Treasure... naturally would not fear Zheng Fa."

Zheng Fa's mind spun rapidly.

What Supreme Treasure?

"But they wouldn't care about our Chongxuan Sect either, nowadays they spread Secret Techniques, distribute Spirit Stones, all to prepare for the day they can refine that Supreme Treasure..."

"Once that Supreme Treasure is completed, perhaps we will be of no use, even..."

Zheng Fa found this perplexing.

Last time, the Ninth Elder didn't even know why Haori Mountain would pass the Chongxuan Sect's Secret Techniques of artifact refining, seemed like she had figured it out over the past two days...

But this Ninth Elder seemed to harbor some apprehensions, speaking hesitantly, like an annoying riddler.

Yet the Sect Leader understood perfectly.

"You mean... let Li Hao go and make an appearance?"

"Exactly... he now at the very least has the potential of a Nascent Soul, and is extremely talented in artifact refining, might even catch the eye of that Master on Haori Mountain."

"In case of an unforeseen event, this can provide more opportunities for survival in the future."

The Chongxuan Sect Leader remained silent at these words, only speaking softly after a long pause: "This is against the rules, we need to be at Nascent Soul level to ascend for the Supreme Treasure refining..."

"But Li Hao, in artifact refining, is already not inferior to me, a Nascent Soul!"

The Ninth Elder argued.

The Chongxuan Sect Leader still did not agree, so the Ninth Elder revealed her thought: "Sect Leader, our Chongxuan Sect is now not in control of its own destiny... we must retain some Essence Qi."

"Aren't there those disciples sent to Haori Mountain?"

"But which of them have talent like Li Hao?"

The Ninth Elder pointed at the Feiyun Sword, reasoning with ample justification and an imposing manner.

The Chongxuan Sect Leader looked at Zheng Fa, his expression conflicted, only nodding after a long time, "I'll find an opportunity to ask the Master."

The Ninth Elder didn't say more, clearly understanding that this matter was not within the control of the two of them.

Then the Chongxuan Sect Leader shifted the topic, suddenly handing the iron box in his hand to the Ninth Elder, his tone surprisingly a bit bitter: "I also have a magic artifact for you to see."

"What is it?"

The Ninth Elder asked curiously.

I know what this is!

He was all too familiar with this object; this was the Green Leaf Needle - a magic artifact exported by the Jiushan Realm to the Hundred Immortals Alliance's various sects.

How long has it been?

The Chongxuan Sect got their hands on it so soon?

It was evident that some sects within the Hundred Immortals Alliance were indeed closely linked to the Chongxuan Sect.

The Ninth Elder opened the iron box and looked, her expression remained puzzled: "Green Leaf Needle? Quality is pretty good... where did this come from?"

"It's made by Jiushan Sect."

"..."

The Ninth Elder's expression became even more surprised, taking another glance at the Green Leaf Needle within the box, commenting: "The Jiushan Sect's artifact refining isn't bad either!"

"More than just not bad? Do you know how much Jiushan Sect sells this Green Leaf Needle for? Only twenty Spirit Stones!"

"...So cheap?"

The Ninth Elder exclaimed in surprise, clearly understanding the implication here.

"And that's not all, they have many other magic artifacts, all cheaper than what we make, and even more powerful! I originally thought, without us, the Jiushan Sect's Artifact Refiner's Guild wouldn't make a difference, who knew..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

The Ninth Elder also didn't respond.

Zheng Fa, however, understood the underlying meaning of the two—Chongxuan Sect, or rather Haori Mountain, wanted to hinder Jiushan Sect's progress in artifact refining, but now it seemed that Jiushan Sect still had a batch of talents!

At least talents capable of manufacturing magic artifacts.

Artifact Refining Skill is not just about the economy, for various sects, strong artifact refining capabilities imply outstanding combat power.

This is undoubtedly a significant blow to the Chongxuan Sect.

Both the Ninth Elder and the Chongxuan Sect Leader remained silent for a long time, without much else to say... after all, the fate of the Chongxuan Sect was not in their hands.

Zheng Fa followed this master out of the Sect Leader's cave residence, still pondering what supreme treasure might be on the mountaintop, when the Ninth Elder suddenly said to him:

"Are you worried about Jiushan Sect?"

Hmm?

Zheng Fa looked up to see the Ninth Elder smiling at him, saying, "While Jiushan Sect may have talent in artifact refining, in my view, your talent in artifact refining exceeds that of the maker of the Green Leaf Needle."

Of course... that thing was made by Jiushan Sect disciples, who indeed didn't get special training, compared to Zheng Fa who had the Great Sun True Fire as an extra advantage.

The Ninth Elder looked at Zheng Fa with a proud smile, clearly feeling quite proud of Zheng Fa.

...You should be proud.

After all, you taught both sides.

The Jiushan Sect disciples could be considered your pseudo-granddisciples too.