I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 343Book 2: : My Dao Is Complete, Tianhe’s Dark Current

Book 2: Chapter 343: My Dao Is Complete, Tianhe’s Dark Current

Vol 2 Chapter 343: My Dao Is Complete, Tianhe’s Dark Current

Radiant clouds burst forth from Senior Sister Zhang, lighting up all nine islands of the Celestial Palace. Even Uncle Huang could hear the exclamations coming from distant Letu Island.

“What’s going on?”

A voice filled with urgency approached from afar. Uncle Pang landed in front of everyone, clearly drawn here by this heavenly anomaly.

“Wuyi…” Uncle Huang raised a hand to quiet him, and whispered, “Wuyi... has entered enlightenment.”

Uncle Pang froze for a moment, eyes fixed on Senior Sister Zhang, fingers trembling slightly. “Enlightenment?”

“Yes, Zheng Fa gave her a formation. She fell into a state of enlightenment right after.”

Hearing this, a bright smile suddenly bloomed on Uncle Pang’s face. He looked like he wanted to laugh out loud, but instead lowered his voice. “Good… good!”

Uncle Huang naturally understood what he was so excited about.

For a cultivator, entering enlightenment was a monumental fortune. During such a state, one’s cultivation could soar, sometimes even entering a period of explosive advancement.

This kind of state was rare and unpredictable. She had never experienced it herself, only read about it in idle writings and notes. In the Xuanyi Realm, it was said that anyone who attained enlightenment would at the very least reach the Soul Formation stage in the future!

Now Wuyi was in enlightenment.

For Wuyi, and for Jiushan Sect, it was a monumental blessing!

Thinking this, she glanced again at the jade cylinder in Wuyi’s hand, then looked over at Zheng Fa. She couldn’t help but sigh in her heart:

“This birthday gift from Zheng Fa… turned out to be a Dao-enlightening opportunity. In all the ages of the Xuanyi Realm, there probably hasn’t been one more precious…”

Uncle Pang didn’t leave either. He stayed to protect Senior Sister Zhang alongside Uncle Huang and Zheng Fa.

Senior Sister Zhang sat cross-legged on the chaise lounge. Her long eyelashes brushed her cheeks, and her aura grew colder and calmer by the day. The five-colored clouds above her head lit up her face, making her skin appear even more radiant and translucent. ṙ𝘼₦ОВĘꞨ

Half a month passed in a flash.

Suddenly, Senior Sister Zhang opened her eyes and looked upward. Twin beams of white light shot from her eyes, piercing the sky.

In the next moment, her body transformed into pristine, flawless glazed glass. The Nascent Soul within her dantian leapt out from the crown of her head and sat cross-legged above the colorful clouds.

Spiritual energy in the sky began to boil and churn. All the multicolored clouds surged backward and wrapped around the three-head-high Nascent Soul like a silken cocoon.

For a moment, none of them could see what was happening inside the cloud light. They could only see a rainbow-hued orb in the sky, expanding and contracting—as if breathing.

This orb "breathed" a hundred times before it suddenly exploded, sending blinding light shooting in all directions.

Even the three Nascent Soul cultivators—Uncle Huang included—had to squint. When they focused again, they saw Senior Sister Zhang’s Nascent Soul standing midair—slim and graceful—indistinguishable from her real body.

“Nascent Soul late stage?”

Uncle Huang’s mouth hung open, only to hear Uncle Pang beside her mumble like he was dreaming, his tone filled with disbelief, envy—and a touch of self-pity.

Uncle Huang silently shut her mouth.

Of course she was happy that Wuyi’s cultivation had surged.

But that Wuyi’s cultivation had now surpassed hers in one leap... her feelings were complicated.

“How long has it been?”

Uncle Pang’s muttered question made her mentally calculate. Wuyi had formed her Nascent Soul only five or six years ago, and now she had already become a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator?

This speed was outrageously fast—no worse than Zheng Fa, who had reached Nascent Soul in under ten years!

You have to understand, she and Pang had lingered in the early and mid-Nascent Soul stages for thousands of years…

At that thought, she couldn’t help but glance again at the jade cylinder. In that moment, she didn’t even miss her deceased Dao partner anymore—he’d given her so many birthday gifts, yet never once a jade tube that could lead to enlightenment.

Not worth missing.

Senior Sister Zhang’s Nascent Soul hovered in the air, holding the Flying Immortal Brush. She tapped lightly into the empty air before her, and a formation diagram began to form at the tip of the brush.

Within this diagram seemed to be billions of symbols—layered and complex—yet faintly unified, all connected through an invisible force.

“Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation…” Senior Sister Zhang’s Nascent Soul chanted lightly, voice like jade and metal. “My Dao... is complete!”

She looked down at Zheng Fa, eyes shimmering like ripples across water. Then she dove, reentering her physical body.

Seeing Senior Sister Zhang open her eyes, seemingly done with her enlightenment, everyone approached her.

“Senior Sister!”

Senior Sister Yuan flung herself in front of her, eyes full of envy. “You’re at Nascent Soul late stage now?”

Senior Sister Zhang smiled and nodded. “Mm. Master, I’m now ready to prepare for Soul Formation.”

Hearing that, Uncle Huang felt even more gratified. “In two cycles, you’ll be able to charge into Soul Formation… I never expected to have such an outstanding disciple!”

“Isn’t it more like you have such an outstanding son-in-law?”

Senior Sister Yuan blinked and asked back, sounding a bit miffed on Zheng Fa’s behalf.

Uncle Huang gave Zheng Fa a glance, her tone unusually teasing. “If I can find a son-in-law like this, doesn’t that mean my disciple is the outstanding one?”

“……”

Senior Sister Yuan looked completely bewildered, like that made perfect sense and she had no comeback. Her eyes darted, and then she looked shyly at Senior Sister Zhang and stammered:

“That jade tube…”

“Hmm?”

“Can I take a look?” Senior Sister Yuan looked cautious, then swore with great solemnity, “I’ll give you all my snacks for next year!”

She winced as she said it—it clearly pained her—but the way she looked at the jade tube was filled with longing.

Senior Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa. Seeing him nod, she turned to Yuan and asked, “Want to learn?”

“Yeah! I wanna reach enlightenment too!”

Senior Sister Zhang handed her the jade tube. “No need to give up your snacks. Master, you should take a look too. This formation will be very useful in the future.”

Upon hearing that, Senior Sister Yuan broke into a grin, snatched the jade tube, and began to examine it.

But within just two or three breaths, her hand slackened, and the jade tube slipped from her grasp.

Uncle Huang waved a hand, catching the tube before it could hit the ground. Her face was a little pale. “Why’d you throw it?”

“I… my head hurts.”

Senior Sister Yuan clutched her forehead like she was really in pain.

“Headache? I think it’s more like you just never study!”

Uncle Huang sent her divine sense into the jade tube. A moment later, she opened her eyes expressionlessly and handed the jade tube to Uncle Pang, who was itching to see it.

Uncle Pang remained silent after inspecting it. After a while, he said:

“The formation is excellent… Uh, the Jiushan Military Academy has some business I delayed for half a month. I should go check on that.”

Uncle Huang followed suit and instructed Senior Sister Zhang, “I’ll go too. You just had a breakthrough—you need to consolidate your cultivation for a few days.”

With that, the two of them nodded to Zheng Fa and the others and vanished from the courtyard.

The senior brother and sister walked together in silence to Struggle-for-Dao Island. Then they looked at each other—and at the same time clutched their heads and grimaced.

…

In the small courtyard, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang watched the two elders walk away. After holding it in for a while, they finally shook their heads and laughed.

As far as Zheng Fa was concerned, there were probably only two people in the entire Xuanyi Realm who could understand the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation: himself and Senior Sister Zhang—

For one, the formation was incredibly complex. It used talisman diagrams as the base language, constructing an entire operating system with a staggering amount of code.

Without some level of professional knowledge, trying to study it would practically fry your brain.

On the other hand, the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation was unprecedented in the Xuanyi Realm.

Among all the powerful formations Zheng Fa knew of, none had ever been created for the purpose of deduction and modeling.

Let alone one founded on mathematical and symbolic logic…

To Zheng Fa, there was immense room for progress among Xuanyi cultivators in this area.

“Those two uncles probably didn’t understand a thing.” Zheng Fa shook his head and sighed softly. “They think you just had a sudden epiphany, not realizing it was actually the result of long-term accumulation.”

Senior Sister Zhang had gained so much from the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation because of years of preparation.

The uniqueness of her Yuanling Dao Body.

Her own talent and passion for mathematics.

Her experience in wielding the Jiushan Seal.

And, most importantly, the theoretical computer science books Zheng Fa had given her.

Many Xuanyi cultivators couldn’t understand those books—but Senior Sister Zhang had read most of them carefully.

Being able to independently create a rough version of the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation... was proof of her mastery.

Thinking this, Zheng Fa said again, “From now on, Jiushan Sect disciples will need to take another course—formation studies.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently. “Yes. The Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation’s power in deduction is incredibly useful.”

“Senior Sister, I plan to install the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation on University Island. I hope you’ll oversee it.”

Though the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation hadn’t yet evolved to include artificial intelligence—well, the theory wasn’t hard, but the implementation was.

What Zheng Fa had done in the modern world was essentially simplifying Senior Sister Zhang’s original version—doing subtraction.

But AI algorithms were additive. You had to consider the nature of spiritual stones, talisman selection, and that made it far more complicated.

That didn’t mean they couldn’t use the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation, though.

“What do you want to simulate? The Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation? Soul Formation techniques?”

“The Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation is definitely on the list,” Zheng Fa nodded. “But the most important task is actually optimizing Jiushan Realm’s resource distribution.”

“Resource distribution?”

“Don’t you think there’s a huge amount of waste in Jiushan Realm right now?”

Zheng Fa asked.

“I know, of course… but there’s no way around it…”

There really wasn’t.

In a way, the entire economic system of the Jiushan Realm was run according to the whims of Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang.

Of course, neither of them had any intention of doing harm to the Jiushan Realm. But just because you intend to do good… doesn’t mean it won’t lead to bad outcomes.

“Jiushan… no, the entire economy of the Xuanyi Realm is riddled with flaws,” Zheng Fa said. “Spiritual stones themselves are an irrational form of currency. They can’t meet the demand of large-scale trade.”

“And beyond that, trade is full of barriers—like between Haori Mountain and our Jiushan Sect.”

Zheng Fa wasn’t born omniscient. After taking charge of the Jiushan Realm, he had turned to countless books from the modern world for reference.

In his eyes, the Jiushan Sect had no real foundation for a market economy—hell, the Xuanyi Realm hadn’t even completed a division of labor yet.

Let alone the fact that the Jiushan Realm hadn’t existed long enough to develop properly.

That was why he created the First Fifty-Year Plan.

But that didn’t mean there weren’t problems. On the contrary, the problems were enormous!

Such an economic plan required a staggering data processing capability...

Just within Jiushan Sect, the number of spiritual materials needed by cultivators numbered in the tens of thousands.

How much of each needed to be produced, how much would be consumed, and how to allocate the resources—all of this had to be planned and ordered by Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang.

A simple example: even deciding what spiritual herbs the medicinal gardens should grow to meet the needs of Jiushan Sect disciples required an astronomical amount of calculation.

And that was with Senior Sister Zhang still being human. If she were an actual computer… even then, she might’ve fried.

Before, Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang had no choice but to focus on the big picture—allocating manpower and resources only to the most critical projects.

It wasn’t a bad approach, but the amount of waste in both time and resources was staggering.

“Senior Sister, I want to use the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation to manage the realm’s resources and maximize resource utilization.” Zheng Fa explained his idea to Senior Sister Zhang.

“Perfect timing—Uncle Pang compiled some data for us. We can input that into the formation.”

“In my view, this is the fastest way to develop the Jiushan Realm. Of course, simulating formations and techniques is also necessary—just not the top priority.”

Zheng Fa’s point could be summed up in one line: Idiot, the problem is the economy!

Even if the Xuanyi Realm was vastly different from the modern world, human nature wasn’t. It still followed roughly the same economic principles.

Formations, techniques—they might enhance the military power of the Jiushan Sect, but they couldn’t fundamentally strengthen its foundation.

Some knowledge might seem harmless, but it could still be a dragon-slaying sword.

Senior Sister Yuan, listening in a daze, stared blankly. Her mind was a total fog, and she instinctively turned to look at Senior Sister Zhang.

Seeing the look on her face, Senior Sister Yuan nodded—whatever Junior Brother said was definitely right!

After all, Senior Sister’s eyes were practically glued to him!

“Senior Sister, also… if we’re going to simulate cultivation techniques, I think we should prioritize your Soul Formation technique.”

Zheng Fa added.

Senior Sister Zhang’s gaze grew even gentler, but she still shook her head. “When I entered enlightenment, I actually tried simulating the path to Soul Formation—but I was still missing something.”

“Hmm?”

“The technique of the Great Freedom Demon Ancestor… it doesn’t align with my Dao.”

Zheng Fa frowned. The Great Freedom Demon Ancestor’s method, when it came down to it, was a demonic path flesh refinement technique.

If that wouldn’t work…

Then what about Haori Mountain’s?

Oh, right—there was also the Tianhe Sect!

He wondered if Fairy Xie could get her hands on the Soul Formation technique from the Trapping Immortal Sword lineage.

…

Xie Qingxue had already been back at Tianhe Sect for some time.

But she hadn’t rashly tried to seek out the Trapping Immortal Sword lineage’s cultivation method for Zheng Fa—after all, this was the Tianhe Sect’s Soul Formation inheritance. Even she, the current personal disciple and head senior sister, wasn’t qualified to learn it.

There was no way she could hand it over to Zheng Fa so easily.

She walked out of the scripture pavilion, brows furrowed, looking troubled.

There were very few records in the pavilion about the four true inheritances—some she wasn’t even allowed to read.

If it was so tightly kept even from her, then giving it to Zheng Fa was even more out of the question.

She thought for a while, then realized that the only breakthrough might be through her master—if Zheng Fa’s guess about her master was true.

But… was it?

Thinking back on all the people and events she’d encountered since returning to the sect, Xie Qingxue’s brows creased tighter. She couldn’t come to a decision.

After a moment of hesitation, she turned and flew toward the Sect Master’s Hall.

The hall was still cold and empty. Sect Master Yan sat cross-legged on a cushion, eyes lowered in meditation.

Xie Qingxue stood in front of her master, hands clasped, waiting quietly, trying to figure out how to begin.

“Qingxue?”

“Greetings, Master.”

“You came for something?”

Xie Qingxue bit her lip and asked,

“Master, it seems great upheaval is coming to the Xuanyi Realm… what should Junior Brother and I do?”

Sect Master Yan looked up at her disciple.

“Jiushan Sect.”

“Jiushan Sect is still new and lacks solid roots. Why don’t we come back?”

Sect Master Yan’s gaze turned clear with understanding. “The sect is in danger. I won’t have time to protect the two of you.”

“Then why not take refuge in one of the Four Sects?”

“…Do you think they’ll accept you just because you want to go?”

Xie Qingxue nodded silently, then suddenly gripped the Qingping Sword tighter and said softly:

“I was thinking… Junior Brother has been improving rapidly in cultivation since leaving.”

Sect Master Yan nodded lightly and said nothing, simply watching Xie Qingxue with a look that was hard to read.

Xie Qingxue continued,

“But he’s with the Hundred Immortals Alliance now. If he wants to receive instruction from our sect in the future, it’ll be difficult,” she said softly, head bowed. “And if… something really does happen to the sect, he’ll have no future path at all.”

The hall fell silent.

“So what are you trying to say?”

“I was thinking… if Master could pass me the sect’s true secret techniques, I could give them to Junior Brother later. Wouldn’t that be more convenient?”

The silence in the hall deepened.

“True secret techniques? Which one does he want to learn?”

“Junior Brother said he recently obtained a formation that refines the Trapping Immortal Sword. He thinks he might have an affinity with it.”

Sect Master Yan’s eyes twitched. She stared hard at Xie Qingxue. “A formation to refine the Trapping Immortal Sword?”

“Yes.”

“He’s certainly lucky.”

It was a long time before Sect Master Yan slowly exhaled.

“Unfortunately, it’s not enough.”

“Not enough?”

“This fortune… it’s not enough for him to qualify for our sect’s secret inheritance…”

“Master…”

“But…” Sect Master Yan looked at her, a faint smirk forming at the corner of her lips, “If he has his own Soul Formation technique that works with refining the Trapping Immortal Sword… then that might just be enough.”

Hearing that, Xie Qingxue looked at Sect Master Yan and saw no amusement in her eyes.

She was silent for a while before finally bowing and quietly leaving the hall.

…

Watching her silhouette disappear into the sky, Sect Master Yan slowly closed her eyes once more.

“That disciple of yours…” A voice tinged with laughter echoed from the shadows of the hall, “She’s not even afraid of you lashing out.”

Another person appeared in the hall, but Sect Master Yan remained still, not even flinching—clearly, she’d known he was there all along.

The Demon Ancestor of the Nine Nether Sect stood behind her, utterly at ease, as if this sect filled with danger for demons was his own home.

“She’s a sharp one. After being back for so many days, I’m sure she’s figured out something.”

“Not just sharp,” the Nine Nether Demon Ancestor nodded with approval. “I sensed a very familiar aura from her. Given time, she might even surpass you.”

“Given time…” Sect Master Yan looked up at the sky. “How much time is left?”

The Demon Ancestor shook his head—he had no rebuttal. “So… you’ve decided?”

“The arrow is nocked and must be loosed.”

“Then why are you still holding back the sect’s true techniques?”

Sect Master Yan gave him a strange, almost mocking look, as if the question were foolish. “Zheng Fa wants a Soul Formation technique—what’s that got to do with me? He’s not even really my son. Why should I give it to him?”

The Demon Ancestor was momentarily speechless. Then he asked, “So you’re aiming for Haori Mountain’s techniques instead?”

“I’m not lacking in formations. But if I can get Haori Mountain’s true inheritance, I could learn more about their foundation—and that would give me better odds.”

The Demon Ancestor nodded. After a while, he said, “Sounds like a pipe dream to me.”

“……”

“You’re not even willing to give him a Soul Formation method—why would Haori Mountain? You think they’re idiots?”