Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Zhang's eyes flashed with understanding, and she said, "Are you saying that because of the death of Tianhe Venerable, the Tianhe Sect was restricted from researching array formations by the Four Sects?"

"What you say is exactly what I'm thinking," Zheng Fa speculated. "In the Xuanwei Realm, only the Four Sects have the power to completely prevent the Tianhe Sect from developing array formations, or even deliberately avoid their research."

Xie Qingxue frowned, still puzzled, "This is possible, but there's no evidence."

"There is evidence! Within the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Evil Formation' lies your Tianhe Sect's sword refining method!"

Zheng Fa's words shook Xie Qingxue to her core.

"Of course, I haven't studied the Tianhe Sect's sword refining techniques deeply, but I can detect some slight traces in it."

"The 'Heaven and Earth Divine Evil Formation'?"

"Sister, we have now touched upon all aspects of cultivation arts and roughly have a framework," Zheng Fa shifted the topic, "Among them, the talismanic Dao is the most fundamental; it is the foundation of all cultivation, or rather, of the entire Immortal Dao."

"The so-called talisman is law, and law is talisman."

Zhang nodded, "Indeed, whether artifact refining or alchemy, essentially they both reorganize matter using spells."

"And array formations are actually a higher-level technology built on artifact refining. I suspect it is a simplification by Divinity Transformation cultivators or even Dao Fruit cultivators."

"Spirit Stones can stably contain spells and can affect each other."

In Zheng Fa's current perspective, the Immortal Dao's technological system is gradually becoming clear. When compared to a modern knowledge system, talismanic magic is analogous to mathematics:

This is the foundation of the Immortal Dao system; any cultivation technique or technology can be explained with talismanic magic. It is the groundwork of the Immortal Dao edifice.

Artifact refining and alchemy overlap with disciplines of physics, chemistry, and even some materials science and pharmacology.

And array formations are almost equivalent to computers in this context.

But for Mystic Micro Cultivators, it is actually... bionics.

"Are you saying that array formations are when post-Divinity Transformation cultivators inscribe part of their cultivation methods into Spirit Stones?"

"Yes, Dao Fruit cultivators embody a set of Basic Great Methods, judging from the method left behind by the Great Freedom. From Nascent Soul to Dao Fruit, it is a process of building the Taoist Body with cultivation techniques."

"And merely based on what I've learned from the 'Heaven and Earth Divine Evil Formation', its essence aligns with this thought process."

Zheng Fa's understanding of array formations is actually quite straightforward:

All cultivation techniques, in Zheng Fa's view, are programming for the physical world.

Internally, they construct a stronger Dharma Body with cultivation techniques.

Externally, they use spells to command the powers of heaven and earth.

"The Spirit Stone's unique trait lies in its ability to house various cultivator spells and exert them stably."

Zheng Fa gazed at the Spirit Stone in hand, channeling the Spiritual Power from his Dantian into it.

The Spirit Stone began to emit a radiance, and its aura gradually became identical to Zheng Fa's Spiritual Power.

Zhang, observing the Spirit Stone, also sighed, "The answer is right in front of us, yet we've ignored it, as if blind."

The special nature of Spirit Stones has always been evident but unnoticed—this thing perfectly replenishes Spiritual Power!

It's important to know that the Spiritual Power of cultivators differs greatly due to cultivation methods and innate talents.

Many pills can restore a cultivator's Spiritual Power, but their effects vary significantly from person to person.

But not Spirit Stones.

Xie Qingxue also took out a Spirit Stone and infused it with Spiritual Power; the aura of the Spirit Stone closely resembled her own.

"Spirit Stones can replenish Spiritual Power because not only do they embody the Five Elements, but also simulate Divine Soul fluctuations," Zheng Fa praised the Spirit Stone in his palm, "When cultivators infuse their Spiritual Power into it, they receive power akin to one of the same root and source."

"Therefore, anyone using it to replenish Spiritual Power gets a perfect effect, as if another cultivator is providing them with Spiritual Power."

"This kind of spiritual material is far more unique than other spiritual materials. Lady Xuanhua has tried to replicate it these days but faced difficulties."

"Hence, if refined with particular techniques, spells can be inscribed into it, forming an array."

In Zheng Fa's eyes, arrays are essentially where cultivators above Divinity Transformation extract part of their cultivation techniques and inscribe them into Spirit Stones.

The modern world's computers started purely from mathematical logic, gradually transitioning to neural networks, even beginning to simulate the human brain.

However, in the Xuanwei world's arrays, from the start, it was a simulation of cultivators, so Zheng Fa sees it as bionics.

"In contrast to Divinity Transformation Magic Artifacts or Dao Fruit Magical Treasures, using Spirit Stones to establish arrays has benefits... it has low thresholds and is flexible. Golden Core cultivators can inscribe spells within, and if you wish to change the array, just replace the Spirit Stone and alter the spells contained within,"

Zhang nodded at these words:

"Even though I can perfect the Jiushan Great Array with the Primordial Spirit Dao Body, it can't last long after all..."

"The Immortal Formation Skill of our Jiushan is inherently similar to this Spirit Stone-based array, but it consumes Spiritual Power from cultivators."

"This Spirit Stone is much more stable."

Zheng Fa chuckled and shook his head, "The Immortal Formation Skill has its own merits; a Spirit Stone-based array is inevitably limited by resources and location... Immortal Formation Skills are extremely useful in duels."

Zhang agreed with a smile—The greatest benefit of the Immortal Formation is that it's movable!

Xie Qingxue grew anxious and urged, "What does this have to do with my Tianhe Sect?"

"Fairy Xie, think about what your respected master did to lead Tianhe Sect to its demise? And who could have caused its downfall?"

Xie Qingxue's face showed confusion, but Zhang spoke up:

"The Four Sects, or possibly... the four ancestral founders of Tianhe Sect."

Xie Qingxue hesitated as if wanting to speak, but couldn't say anything, clearly acknowledging this analysis.