Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

When Tongming Master visited the Jiushan Sect, he had anticipated that the days of the Hundred Immortals Alliance would be difficult.

Yet the scene within the Jiushan Realm still took him by surprise.

"Master Zhang, why is this workshop market in such a state?"

Tongming Master followed behind Zhang, pointing at the Jiushan District Market and asking.

He remembered vividly the bustling impression of the Jiushan District Market:

When he visited before, the place was brightly lit, teeming with people, filled with steaming food and the clamorous laughter intertwined, leaving one disoriented.

But upon his return, nine out of ten shops had their doors closed; only a few disciples patrolled the market aimlessly, and the whistling wind carried a mournful chill through the streets.

Zhang was slightly silent, seeming reluctant to speak.

Tongming Master understood.

Haori Mountain had dealt a blow to the Jiushan Sect far beyond what they knew.

On reflection, the accumulation of Haori Mountain was far more than the emerging Jiushan Sect, and for Jiushan Sect to withstand Haori Mountain's suppression for so long was beyond many people's expectations.

Tongming Master carefully observed the Nine Mountains Disciples on the way, finding their Spiritual Power very pure; their attire was not rundown either, but they all seemed hurried and uncommonly busy, somewhat impatient.

Upon reaching the Medicine Garden, Tongming Master was startled once more.

The Medicine Garden of the Jiushan Realm was quite renowned even among the Five Sects — capable of cultivating both Qingjing Bamboo and Fusang Wood; its agricultural expertise was arguably unmatched in Xuanwei.

But now, large plots of the garden were barren, with spiritual medicine growing sparsely, lacking in Essence, Qi, and Spirit, and even tinged with a withered yellow.

Master Qian stood among the fields with his disciples, his eyes somewhat dazed.

Tongming Master fell silent.

The Jiushan Sect's current difficult circumstances truly caught him off guard.

Returning to the guest room, Tongming Master gazed out the window, and after a long while, let out a light sigh.

The few disciples beside him exchanged a look, understanding what their Master was sighing about, and then said: "Fortunately we went to the Supreme Dao..."

This time, Tongming Master did not reprimand them, only nodding lightly, lamenting: "The Jiushan Sect's foundation is still too shallow; being able to withstand Haori Mountain's suppression for so long is already not easy."

"Then Master, should we..."

Tongming Master pondered for a moment and said: "I will send a message to the sect to see what Xuande Chief has to say."

...

"Wuyi, what was Zheng Fa thinking?"

Master Pang hurriedly arrived, accompanied by Xiao Yuying and Master Qian.

"A market shutdown, early harvesting of the medicine garden's spiritual medicine, pretending to be poor?" Master Pang frowned, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, "Wouldn't the Supreme Dao look down on our Jiushan?"

Zhang shook her head to explain: "It's not about pretending to be poor; the brother does not trust the Supreme Dao."

"Oh?"

"If Tongming Master came here and found that our Jiushan Sect was actually thriving and unaffected... our Jiushan Sect would gain face, but it would expose the ineffectiveness of Haori Mountain's various tactics."

Master Pang suddenly understood: "So you are saying that you fear someone from the Supreme Dao leaking information to Haori Mountain?"

Zhang nodded and said: "Haori Mountain's strength is indeed superior to our Jiushan Sect, and if one plan fails, they may come up with another. It would be exhausting for us to handle. Instead, it's better to show weakness."

"The junior brother says that our Jiushan Sect is already more of name than substance and it's not appropriate to appear ostentatious anymore."

"He also said something about building high walls, accumulating grain, and delaying proclaiming kingship, which sounds odd."

Xiao Yuying nodded upon hearing this, seeming to agree, and after a moment, sighed: "Many understand this principle, but cultivators who can set aside their obsession with fame and fortune are too few. The more talented, the more powerful, the more they care about their reputation."

Zhang smiled: "The junior brother always thinks differently from others."

Master Pang pondered for a long while, then gently nodded, and suddenly said: "How about... I go find Tongming Master for a drink?"

"?"

"Cry a little?"

"..."

"I'm familiar with shameless acts!"

...

"Master Zhang, Mingde Master says that most of the pills from our Supreme Dao are willing to be sold to the Jiushan Sect, and spiritual materials are also negotiable."

Zhang was mentally elated, only to hear Tongming Master speak again:

"But the trade route between Supreme Dao and your sect is blocked by Chongxuan Sect; it's very difficult for Nascent Soul and below cultivators to come through. Therefore, it's hard for Supreme Dao's pills to reach Jiushan Sect."

Of course, the Chongxuan Sect cannot block all cultivators, but the problem is that using Divinity Transformation cultivators to transport goods is too costly.

This matter truly is a significant headache.

"If your sect could assist on the border of our Supreme Dao, it would be best."

Zhang frowned, this matter was not easy.

Currently, in the area of the Chongxuan Sect, besides their disciples, there are many Loose Cultivators from Haori Mountain, mingled with good and bad, engaging in misdeeds.

Seemingly seeing Zhang's difficulty, Tongming Master continued: "Of course, given the current situation of the Jiushan Sect... Xuande Chief can understand, and in the future, every half a year, I will come to the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and at that time, I'll bring some pills and spiritual materials to trade with the Jiushan Sect."

"The spiritual farming technology of Jiushan Sect is famed in our Supreme Dao."

Upon hearing this, Zhang immediately broke into a smile.

"That would be best."

Zhang naturally understood that Supreme Dao itself was not on good terms with Haori Mountain, and now cooperating with Jiushan Sect was not purely out of good intentions; in their transactions, it's not about either side gaining an advantage.

But as the junior brother said — as long as the Supreme Dao shows some goodwill, Jiushan Sect is willing to negotiate.

"Another matter is that our Supreme Dao and Jiushan Sect should best exchange information frequently in the future."

Zhang was even more delighted upon hearing this: "If we could share some intelligence, it would be wonderful, but may I ask, what would Supreme Dao require Jiushan Sect to do?"