Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Leaving the Sect Leader's residence, Zheng Fa followed behind the Ninth Elder, with countless doubts in his heart.

What perplexed him the most was what kind of Supreme Treasure was at the mountain summit.

From what the Ninth Elder and the Sect Leader said, even if the Chongxuan Sect couldn't withstand Jiushan Sect, it seemed one could still preserve their life after entering the summit.

Moreover, there was another puzzling matter:

Why was the Ninth Elder supporting him in such a manner?

It wasn't that he was overly suspicious, but the relationship between Li Hao and his master, the Ninth Elder, wasn't all that close.

It also seemed like the Ninth Elder didn't have much to say to him.

The two of them walked out from the Sect Leader's residence, encountering many Chongxuan Sect disciples along the way, most with low cultivation, some in Foundation Establishment, and even more in Qi Cultivation.

Zheng Fa, having nothing else to do, quietly observed these "fellow disciples."

Only then did he realize that the situation in Chongxuan Sect wasn't very good—

Within the depths of Divine Fire Mountain's belly was an earth fire vein, with extremely high temperatures, making it feel like Chongxuan Sect was living atop a furnace.

Fortunately, cultivators inherently possess bodily functions far superior to ordinary people, and Chongxuan Sect was naturally proficient in Artifact Refining, thus resilient to the heat, hence there wasn't any danger to life.

But from the attire, expressions, and even the gazes of these disciples that Zheng Fa observed, he could faintly feel a sense of oppression.

Many disciples' clothes were even dirty, including the female disciples, clearly neglecting to clean them.

Only when they saw the Ninth Elder did their eyes show a hint of light, seemingly with some hope.

Yet, the Ninth Elder acted as if she saw nothing, walking briskly without pausing.

Zheng Fa followed her, passing through a silent oppression, while pondering silently in his heart.

It wasn't until they reached the entrance of the Ninth Elder's residence that she suddenly spoke: "In the coming days, study the Artifact Refining Method diligently. If you have any difficulties, feel free to ask me. If the Sect Leader can secure you an opportunity... make sure you seize it."

Hearing this, Zheng Fa, realizing it was for his sake, couldn't help being more astonished, his face showing a bit of surprise.

The Ninth Elder was not one to speak much; usually, she wouldn't give anyone a smile, yet at this moment, she smiled slightly, her tone lightly teasing:

"Chongxuan Sect is incapable, and so is my master... saving one is better than none."

In her words, there was surprisingly a hint of resentment.

"Master..."

"In this contention between Jiushan Sect and Haori Mountain, we of Chongxuan Sect..." the Ninth Elder paused, "don't even know how many will survive."

Even as an opposing party, Zheng Fa felt that the Chongxuan Sect's Ninth Elder was quite lucid.

Compared to Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect, Chongxuan Sect's little capability was really not enough to be considered.

"There are some things in the sect that can't be covered up. Your second senior brother and others are heading to Haori Mountain... Disciples within the sect are already rife with rumors."

Zheng Fa pondered this and understood why Chongxuan Sect disciples appeared so despairing.

No matter how much Haori Mountain is invested, letting geniuses go first... is evidence enough of many things.

Nobody is a fool.

Who knows what the Ninth Elder learned, but her words were even more pessimistic than usual.

Even though hiding it with all her might, her expression still revealed a bit of dissatisfaction with Haori Mountain.

This is understandable.

The relationship between Chongxuan Sect and Haori Mountain has been distant from the start, as if people weren't aware in earlier years, otherwise, they wouldn't have remained just a Nascent Soul sect for so many years.

At this point, they aspire to become part of Haori Mountain, which is normal, considering the latter is one of the Five Sects.

But expecting every member of Chongxuan Sect to willingly face death just because of this relationship... it's overestimating Haori Mountain's influence a bit too much.

It's evident that the Ninth Elder is clearly unwilling.

"What Haori Mountain wants to do... neither I nor the Sect Leader have the power to change,"

The Ninth Elder's expression dimmed further.

"But Haori Mountain highly values talented cultivators, especially Artifact Refining geniuses..."

"If you gain the favor of a Divinity Transformation Expert from Haori Mountain, there will be a sliver of hope."

"Your senior brothers and sisters don't have this talent..."

Zheng Fa fell silent for a moment, then gently cupped his hands towards the Ninth Elder.

This master of his, whose words were not entirely forthright, apparently still had some reservations, making it somewhat confusing to listen to, yet after a moment's processing, he understood:

In the Ninth Elder's eyes, these Chongxuan Sect disciples would all perish because of the conflict between Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect.

The only chance for survival, apart from going to Haori Mountain earlier through the official path they opened, was to earn the favor and personal protection of the Divinity Transformation Expert from Haori Mountain.

As for why she uncharacteristically valued him... Haori Mountain does not need useless individuals.

Only if Zheng Fa demonstrated enough talent could he catch the eye of the Divinity Transformation Expert from Haori Mountain.

Even though the relationship between Li Hao and the Ninth Elder as master and disciple was typical, they still had years as teacher and student.

Besides, the Ninth Elder was generally impartial despite her cold demeanor—or perhaps, she was a bit biased towards excellent students: when Zheng Fa showed certain talent, she wished for him to go to Haori Mountain.

She didn't want to save Li Hao; rather... she wished for more of her disciples to survive.

Now that Zheng Fa had a chance of survival, she did her part.

As for the other disciples, they were probably not qualified enough.

It's like after final exams, certain decent teachers always wanted to pull up those students who barely missed passing by one or two points...

It's just that, the Ninth Elder was saving the lives of her disciples.

Seeing that Zheng Fa seemed to understand, the smile disappeared from the Ninth Elder's face as she softly said, "Go now, study the Artifact Refining Method well."

As Zheng Fa walked out of the Ninth Elder's residence, he looked at the Chongxuan Sect disciples again, feeling a slight sentiment within:

It's not that he was very sympathetic to these Chongxuan Sect disciples, after all, they belong to the opposing faction, and his sympathy wasn't so excessive that even if Chongxuan Sect was in turmoil, it wouldn't choose Jiushan Sect.