I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 344Book 2: : Secretly Altering the Formation, the Elder Changes Her Face

Book 2: Chapter 344: Secretly Altering the Formation, the Elder Changes Her Face

Vol 2 Chapter 344: Secretly Altering the Formation, the Elder Changes Her Face

“Haori Mountain, Soul Formation technique?”

Upon receiving news from Xie Qingxue, Zheng Fa raised an eyebrow. Not only was he not disappointed—he actually seemed a bit pleased.

Though he didn’t hold any particular fondness for the Five Sects, and Sect Master Yan had even attacked him before, diplomacy was always better when there was room for negotiation.

Especially since it looked like Sect Master Yan was going for broke, and might even be aiming at Haori Mountain.

As long as Sect Master Yan was determined to go all-out against Haori Mountain, Zheng Fa was happy to acknowledge a united front—and forgive him with a broad and generous heart.

“Haori Mountain’s true inheritance technique?” said Senior Sister Zhang, walking beside Zheng Fa with a frown. “I recall Elder Han’s intelligence mentioned that Haori Mountain has three lines of true inheritance?”

Zheng Fa nodded. “Yes. Xie Qingxue also said that Sect Master Yan told her Haori Mountain should have three Dao Fruit-level Patriarchs. Besides the one we met surnamed Luo, the others are surnamed Lu and Yun—collectively known as the Three Saints.”

“Only disciples of these Three Saints can be considered true inheritors.”

Since Jiushan Sect was already locked in a life-or-death conflict with Haori Mountain, they’d been actively gathering intelligence.

Through the Wushuang Society’s network, Elder Han had uncovered quite a bit.

Senior Sister Zhang and her group had also captured two Nascent Soul cultivators from Haori Mountain who had caused trouble, and had pried some useful information from them.

But the most critical intel came from Xie Qingxue—after all, the existence and details of Dao Fruit cultivators were far beyond what anyone at the Five Sects level could typically access.

Now Zheng Fa had a rough grasp of the situation:

Haori Mountain had three Dao Fruit cultivators. Compared to Jiushan Sect, which had to go all out just to deal with one, they were vastly more powerful.

If it weren’t for the Six-Sect Pact, Jiushan Sect might have been wiped out long ago.

“Getting hold of a true inheritance technique from them won’t be easy.”

Senior Sister Zhang furrowed her brows.

“Then maybe…” Zheng Fa chuckled, “I think that Shi Nandang is pretty generous.”

After all, he knew his so-called ‘Master’—Elder Nine—had a copy of Haori Mountain’s Soul Formation true inheritance!

Seeing his confident look, Senior Sister Zhang didn’t press further. She looked ahead at University Island.

University Island was the largest of the Heavenly Palace’s nine islands.

This place had probably once been the residence of a Heavenly Venerate. The original palaces and towers were laid out like stars, centered around a grand main hall—absolutely magnificent.

When Zheng Fa arrived, the place was already in ruins, its former glory long gone.

But Zheng Fa had a miserly streak and a taste for austerity. When he led the disciples in repairing the island, they used every bit of rubble they could.

Most of the several hundred classrooms on University Island were built atop the foundations of those old palaces. Many bricks and stones were recycled from fallen walls and debris.

Only the site of the main hall had been left untouched—it was now a vacant lot.

That vacant lot had now changed.

Three hundred sixty spiritual stones were embedded into the ground in concentric circles of various sizes.

Spiritual energy slowly gathered toward the center. Countless talisman symbols floated in the air.

This was the newly completed Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation.

Zheng Fa noticed that Senior Sister Zhang actually looked a bit… nervous.

“Senior Sister?”

She snapped back to herself and exhaled lightly before flashing him a brilliant smile. Her toes tapped the ground, and she drifted into the center of the formation. ṙ𝘢ΝȏꞖЕs̩

Holding the Flying Immortal Brush, she drew a few talisman diagrams in the air. The three hundred sixty spiritual stones embedded in the ground simultaneously burst with golden light, converging on her body, making her appear even more ethereal and otherworldly.

Next, a curtain of water materialized from thin air, like a giant mirror standing on University Island. Words and numbers appeared within it—data previously collected by Uncle Pang and Senior Sister Zhang, including trade records from Han Qi’s dealings with other sects.

Seeing the characters in the water screen, Zheng Fa relaxed a little. At least it could boot up.

If all those spiritual stones had been used in vain, Jiushan Sect would’ve been crying in pain.

On the flip side, as long as it worked, the cost of the stones didn’t matter!

Though the Nine-Chapter Formation wasn’t fully equipped with artificial intelligence yet, as long as Senior Sister Zhang acted as the administrator and operated it like a computer, there was no problem.

And thanks to the sheer number of spiritual stones, this "computer" far exceeded Senior Sister Zhang’s own processing power—

In fact, this was exactly what Zheng Fa had dreamed of: Jiushan’s Supercomputing Platform!

Senior Sister Zhang focused her mind. The tip of the Flying Immortal Brush released a continuous stream of talisman diagrams into the formation.

Zheng Fa focused on the water screen. With his Nascent Soul-level eyesight, he could see clearly that Senior Sister Zhang was calculating the raw material distribution and production quotas for magical tools, pills, and herbs for the next half-month.

Planned economies had their flaws—and one of them was computing power.

To better develop Jiushan Sect, Zheng Fa had studied related subjects from the modern world—or, to be more precise, he had learned about a rather laughable tragedy:

Historically, the planned economy of Big Brother up north could arguably be said to have collapsed due to inadequate computing power.

Forget the complexity of economic models and mathematical theory. Just this simple fact:

Planning the production of 1,000 products required 500,000 elasticity parameters.

And at that time, the total global computing power was probably less than what a single smartphone could manage today.

The result was predictable: Big Brother left behind a massive economic wasteland—and a generation of freakishly powerful mathematicians. In fact, many of the reference books Senior Sister Zhang studied came from that country.

But Jiushan Sect didn’t have that problem! 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Though the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation wasn’t perfected, its computing power was already more than enough to handle the Jiushan Realm’s current demands.

Just this one function had already saved them far more than 360 spiritual stones’ worth of resources.

Now Zheng Fa could confidently say: The First Fifty-Year Plan—success rate: 99%!

He watched as Senior Sister Zhang occasionally tapped the water screen, and beams of light flew off the island.

Some headed toward the medicinal gardens, some toward the market, and others to the Industrial Development Island.

Zheng Fa knew—Senior Sister Zhang had completed her calculations and was now issuing orders to various departments within Jiushan Sect.

With the Nine-Chapter Calculation Formation, the entire economic system of Jiushan Sect finally had a brain.

Within just one incense stick’s time, Senior Sister Zhang set down the brush, her eyes sparkling as she turned to Zheng Fa with a smile.

“This much work used to take me half a month.”

Zheng Fa grinned. If someone like Senior Sister Zhang needed half a month, anyone else would’ve needed half a year, minimum.

After finalizing the resource allocation for the near future, Senior Sister Zhang didn’t seem done yet. With a flick of her brush, the water screen shifted again—this time revealing rows upon rows of densely packed talisman symbols.

Zheng Fa immediately recognized them—symbols from the Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation.

He couldn't help but focus.

The Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation was tied to his very survival—of course he took it seriously.

Even better, if he could insert a backdoor into the formation, it would give him a lot more room to maneuver. Getting Haori Mountain’s true inheritance would then become a real possibility.

“A backdoor in the Heaven-Earth Godfiend Formation… the design is brilliant. The only issue is: how do we inscribe it into spiritual stones without getting caught?”

Watching Senior Sister Zhang frown in deep thought, Zheng Fa also shook his head.

Shi Nandang wasn’t an idiot. At the very least, he didn’t fully trust Zheng Fa or even the three Nascent Soul cultivators from Zhongxuan Sect.

He would inspect every spiritual stone they engraved.

If the runes inside were different, he’d notice.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded slightly. She tapped away at the water screen with her Flying Immortal Brush, her brows knitting ever tighter.

Then suddenly, her eyes lit up. She pointed at the water screen and said, “Junior Brother, look at this!”

“Hmm?”

Zheng Fa looked toward the water screen.

There, he saw a complicated but familiar talisman structure.

After watching for a moment, he burst out laughing. “Senior Sister, you’re... just bullying people now!”

The diagram shown looked 99.9% identical to the original one Zheng Fa had planned to etch into the spiritual stones.

But upon closer inspection, it actually included many additional structural elements.

Of course, Shi Nandang probably wouldn’t be able to tell.

Originally, Zheng Fa and the others had used topological theory to simplify their diagrams—minimizing spiritual energy consumption.

But Senior Sister Zhang had taken the opposite approach. She used topological transformations to twist and complicate the diagrams—turning simplicity into complexity—making them look exactly the same as before but fundamentally different in topological properties.

Such differences…

Maybe a well-trained student of Jiushan Sect’s topology course could spot them.

But Shi Nandang? He’d never studied the stuff!

In short:

They were just bullying Shi Nandang for being uneducated!

“Senior Sister, I think we can try this with the other formations too…”

Zheng Fa was already getting greedy. At first, he only wanted to sneak in one backdoor to protect himself.

Now he was wondering whether to tear down the whole courtyard.

…

Zhongxuan Sect, Divine Fire Mountain.

“Come to my cave.”

A voice transmitted from halfway up the mountain. Zheng Fa didn’t hesitate and flew toward the cave of his cheap Master, Elder Nine.

Inside, it was still just Elder Nine alone.

She sat on a cold jade bed, with a storage pouch placed beside her knee, seemingly examining it.

Zheng Fa’s gaze fell on the pouch as well, and he had a pretty good guess as to why she had summoned him.

“This is a delivery from my people…”

Sure enough, Elder Nine’s words confirmed his suspicion.

This pouch contained the goods traded between Taishang Dao and Jiushan Sect.

Currently, trade between the two sects was carried out through Elder Nine’s channel. Zheng Fa would pass materials to her, and she would deliver them to the Taishang Dao border—bringing back their goods in return.

As for what to trade and at what prices—Zheng Fa and Zhenren Tongming would negotiate via Message Talisman.

In fact, the volume of goods wasn’t that large.

Honestly, it wasn’t even close to what Haori Mountain had contributed to Jiushan Sect’s economy.

After all, Elder Nine didn’t dare go too far—it was essentially smuggling.

Still, the trade was incredibly important for Jiushan Sect:

On the Eastern Continent, Taishang Dao occupied the most territory, with the richest resources—and many spiritual materials that the Hundred Immortals Alliance didn’t have.

Some materials could only be obtained through expensive conversions—far more costly than trading with Taishang Dao.

So yes, Elder Nine was doing a big favor for the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Zheng Fa also took out a storage pouch and handed it to her.

“This is your payment.”

Zheng Fa had always respected working folks—and that included delivery people like Elder Nine. This was what they’d agreed to beforehand:

She’d deliver the goods, and he’d pay her with spiritual stones and supplies.

But to his surprise, Elder Nine shook her head—seemingly about to refuse.

“Elder?”

“…The one trading with your sect—is it someone with high status in Taishang Dao?”

Zheng Fa wasn’t surprised that Elder Nine figured it out.

He had only told her to go to the Taishang Dao border to pick up goods. But the spiritual materials inside that storage pouch were both rich and rare.

Many of them were exclusive to Taishang Dao.

Without considerable standing within that sect, there was no way someone could obtain so much.

Zhenren Tongming was backed by Head Seat Mingde—a cultivator rumored to have reached the Corpse Liberation stage, just one step shy of Dao Fruit. A true core figure within Taishang Dao.

Zheng Fa nodded toward Elder Nine.

Her face lit up. She looked at him and said, “Alliance Leader Zheng… I don’t want this reward anymore.”

“Hm?”

To his surprise, Elder Nine rose from her cold jade bed, gave him a deep bow, and said, “Alliance Leader Zheng, since your ascent to the mountain, though I haven’t accomplished much for the Hundred Immortals Alliance, I’ve certainly given it my best effort.”

Zheng Fa nodded again.

That much was true. Whatever her motives were, she had objectively done a lot to help him.

“Then I’d like to ask the Alliance Leader to grant me a favor.”

“Speak.”

“If you have the connections, could you introduce me and my disciples to join the ranks of Taishang Dao?”

Zheng Fa’s expression instantly changed as he looked at his cheap master.

Tch!

Two-faced woman!

She had been so passionate and firm before, swearing loyalty to the Hundred Immortals Alliance and singing praises of Jiushan Realm.

And now? The moment she saw Taishang Dao, she was switching sides?

Zheng Fa got it. From Elder Nine’s perspective, Taishang Dao was a much better long-term prospect than Jiushan Sect.

And really, this wasn’t a hard ask for Zheng Fa.

After all, Elder Nine and her couple dozen disciples were no big deal for Jiushan Sect—let alone Taishang Dao.

She might not be able to get a true inheritance technique, but getting the Tianhe Sect to offer them a bite to eat? Not a problem.

Still… women really are fickle!

Perhaps sensing the change in Zheng Fa’s gaze, Elder Nine gave an embarrassed smile.

“I only want to ensure the survival of my line. Perhaps you don’t know, Alliance Leader, but many of those disciples are my kin and in-laws. If the Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation is ever activated… I might be fine, but my relatives likely won’t be so lucky.”

“Relatives?”

“My surname is Ye.”

Oh, like Junior Sister Ye.

Apparently, even Li Hao didn’t know this. Hard to say if Elder Nine had hidden it too well, or if Li Hao was just clueless.

“So that’s why you didn’t send Junior Sister Ye to Haori Mountain… ah, right. You were planning your escape.”

It finally clicked for Zheng Fa.

Elder Nine was deeply tied to a powerful family—rooted and far-reaching. That’s why she’d always been a staunch “localist,” and why she harbored subtle resentment toward Haori Mountain. She might have wanted out from the start.

Which explained her indifferent attitude when choosing disciples to send to Haori Mountain. At the time, Zheng Fa thought she was just favoring the more talented ones.

Later, some of his own actions must’ve convinced her that he presented a real opportunity. So she began clearing the path for him.

In hindsight, she had originally picked the Hundred Immortals Alliance because Haori Mountain treated people like dirt.

But once she met the real high-class, rich, and proper suitor that was Taishang Dao, she naturally started leaning in that direction.

“I’m fine with that.”

Though technically dumped, Zheng Fa wasn’t particularly upset.

Elder Nine and her group of disciples weren’t a huge deal. For today’s Jiushan Sect, a few more or less didn’t matter.

Besides, a forced relationship never ends well. A wife with someone else in her heart was bound to leave you standing alone in a field.

Zheng Fa wasn’t interested in that outcome.

“I’ll ask Taishang Dao. If they’re willing, I’ll make the introduction.”

For Zheng Fa, having Elder Nine make a request was actually more reassuring than her asking for nothing.

Upon hearing this, Elder Nine was overjoyed. She gave him a deep bow. “Thank you, Alliance Leader!”

Zheng Fa lifted a hand, motioning for her to rise.

She straightened up but looked a little sheepish, saying,

“Alliance Leader, your divine powers are unparalleled. Even in danger, you remain calm. Unlike me—here on Divine Fire Mountain, I feel like I’m walking on needles. I can’t sleep soundly a single night.”

“That immortal sword at the summit is so fierce. If it ever went wild, perhaps you could escape unharmed… but I’d definitely die.”

“The Hundred Immortals Alliance and Haori Mountain’s conflict… I have no strength to intervene. I only wish to survive.”

Zheng Fa knew she was explaining her change of heart. And he had to admit—his cheap master was quite clear-headed.

Haori Mountain didn’t care about the lives of her kin. Of course she’d be resentful.

But at the same time, Jiushan Sect didn’t appear strong enough to give her true security.

And if the two sides went to war, Divine Fire Mountain would be caught right in the crossfire.

From her perspective, defecting to Taishang Dao actually made the most sense.

Zheng Fa thought for a moment, then voiced a hidden idea. “Elder, how about we make another deal?”

“What kind of deal?”

“I want Haori Mountain’s Soul Formation technique.”

Elder Nine looked puzzled.

Zheng Fa clarified, “The very one that Shi Nandang passed to you. The true inheritance technique of Haori Mountain.”

Elder Nine went quiet in thought. After a moment, she asked, “What’s the deal?”

“You give me that Soul Formation technique, and I’ll give you my word—”

“Even if Taishang Dao refuses to take you in, you’ll still be perfectly safe here on Divine Fire Mountain.”

Elder Nine’s eyes widened. She didn’t seem to believe it.

Zheng Fa gave her a faint smile, then raised a finger and pointed at the sky.

Suddenly, Elder Nine felt an extremely familiar killing intent pouring down from the mountaintop.

“T-The Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation?”

Her voice trembled. Even her teeth chattered. She realized that her life and death had just been balanced on the tip of Zheng Fa’s finger.

What terrified her even more was that she could feel the formation had changed—but Divine Fire Mountain was still utterly calm. No one had noticed anything. Everything was eerily peaceful.

“Well?” Zheng Fa smiled. “As long as you give me that true inheritance technique, I can guarantee you sleep soundly every night atop this mountain.”

Hearing that, Elder Nine silently nodded, seemingly convinced.

She finally understood what Zheng Fa meant.

That feeling just now proved Zheng Fa’s control over the Heaven-Earth Godfiend Grand Formation surpassed even its original creator—Haori Mountain.

And as for the Trapping Immortal Sword… it probably wasn’t a problem for him anymore either.

In fact… if Alliance Leader Zheng didn’t approve, this grand formation might not even be usable at all!

The conflict between Haori Mountain and Jiushan Sect… the outcome was already decided!

She looked toward the summit, her gaze uncertain—

She could sleep well now, sure. But what about the others up there—those from Shi Nandang’s crew? How were they still sleeping?

“Alliance Leader…”

“Forget sending a message to Taishang Dao.”

“……”

Elder Nine straightened her back, her expression solemn, her tone brimming with loyalty: “Zhongxuan Sect is part of the Hundred Immortals Alliance. I am part of the Alliance!”

“Where the Alliance Leader goes, I go!”

Zheng Fa blinked.

Hey—wasn’t that… exactly what I said back then?