I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 498Book 2: : Balancing Accounts Through Time, Nuwa Creates Humans

Book 2: Chapter 498: Balancing Accounts Through Time, Nuwa Creates Humans

Vol 2 Chapter 498: Balancing Accounts Through Time, Nuwa Creates Humans

"Second Brother, weren't you extremely particular about origins?" Tongtian Daoist teased. "How come he meets your standards too?"

Yuanshi Daoist glanced at him and spoke calmly: "I don't value origins, but rather carrying heaven's mandate. Those blessed with celestial fortune naturally have good origins—this is following natural principles."

"What about this young man..."

Yuanshi's gaze fell upon Zheng Fa: "Those who understand heavenly dao naturally possess fortune."

Zheng Fa was completely bewildered by Yuanshi's stare, unable to comprehend why this primordial sage held him in such high regard.

Yuanshi then pointed at the light screen behind Zheng Fa and smiled: "Moreover, the race created by our junior sister is fundamentally favored by celestial fortune."

Zheng Fa pondered silently. Although modern legends portrayed Yuanshi Daoist as having exceptionally high standards, many disciples of the Chan Sect—especially second-generation and later disciples—were actually human.

Simply put, labeling Yuanshi as racist would be underestimating him, but he was clearly an elitist.

"I actually think he shares my views!" Tongtian snorted. "According to his theory, we need education without discrimination and open recruitment to cultivate more humans, helping them understand their true nature and increase wisdom. Only then can dao techniques advance, not to mention that dao techniques require... iteration, which demands breaking with the old and establishing the new."

Yuanshi glanced at him coldly: "Break with the old and establish the new? Without distinguishing right from wrong, wouldn't that mean abandoning good and promoting evil? Which of your disciples has the temperament to shoulder such responsibility?"

"Second Brother, if disciples were carbon copies of us, what use would they be?"

"..."

Zheng Fa was utterly confused. These two initially seemed to be arguing about him, but now they were quarreling with each other.

As he listened, he gradually understood. The fundamental disagreement between Yuanshi and Tongtian lay in their educational philosophies:

Yuanshi believed heavenly dao should be controlled by the most excellent individuals; otherwise, order would collapse and chaos would reign.

Tongtian was different—his perspective was broader, relatively more dynamic, and more willing to give opportunities to less outstanding races. He believed this was the only way to create innovative dao techniques.

From this perspective, Zheng Fa leaned more toward Tongtian's view. In Jiushan Sect, what he had devoted most effort to promoting was essentially four words: educational equity.

However, Tongtian's thinking approached... pluralism.

He believed allowing disciples to develop their strengths was necessary for them to surpass their masters. This wasn't wrong, but what Zheng Fa disagreed with was his near-laissez-faire approach during disciple training.

Yuanshi and Tongtian's philosophies were completely opposed, making communication difficult. They were on the verge of heated argument, only restraining themselves because guests were present.

Yet Yuanshi's expression remained stern, while Tongtian fumed angrily. They refused to look at each other, presenting only the backs of their heads. Tongtian's peripheral vision caught Zheng Fa, and he suddenly demanded: "You tell us, which of us is right!"

"......"

Zheng Fa felt as helpless as a child. When he was young, meddlesome villagers would ask similarly pointless questions—like whether he preferred his father or mother, exactly like this situation.

Why drag me into your argument?

He looked toward Nüwa, mentally pleading: Goddess, save me!

Unexpectedly, Nüwa seemed equally interested, watching with an amused smile.

Taishang and others also watched him, apparently awaiting an answer.

Since any response would offend someone, he might as well speak his true thoughts:

"I believe widespread disciple recruitment isn't problematic," Zheng Fa said slowly. "Without this, how can humanity claim any advantage?"

On universal education, Zheng Fa might be even more determined and radical than Tongtian.

Tongtian grinned widely, laughing.

"But on the other hand, I believe establishing certain educational principles is necessary, especially during early disciple training—excessive permissiveness shouldn't be allowed."

Tongtian's smile vanished as he looked at Zheng Fa and snorted: "Quite the slippery answer."

"This is my genuine opinion," Zheng Fa replied. "In fact, this is also my actual practice."

Seeing his sincerity, Tongtian and others grew curious again: "Actual practice?"

"This is also how I answer the goddess's third question." Zheng Fa looked toward Nüwa.

Nüwa smiled: "I asked him whether creating humanity was ultimately right or wrong."

"This question..." Tongtian said surprised, "That's quite difficult to answer."

Nüwa didn't refute, just watched Zheng Fa with expectation in her eyes: "But you already have an answer."

Zheng Fa gently shook his head: "Not an answer, and I cannot give the goddess an answer."

Frankly speaking.

Among Nüwa's three questions, the one requiring deep research was the second—why humanity.

But the most difficult to answer was actually this third question.

The right or wrong of creating humanity was highly subjective—fundamentally, this question depended entirely on values.

For Zheng Fa, he certainly believed creating humanity was good.

But for Nüwa, the matter wasn't so simple—most importantly, Zheng Fa simply didn't know why the First Era was lost to history:

Nüwa created humanity for dao technique advancement, yet ultimately, even the Primordial Chaos world ceased to exist.

He looked toward Nüwa, mentally pleading: Goddess, save me!

"You're having me answer my own question?" Nüwa frowned slightly, seeming displeased.

Unexpectedly, Nüwa seemed equally interested, watching with an amused smile.

Nüwa paused momentarily, but Zheng Fa didn't elaborate further. He simply tapped the light screen.

The screen's imagery shifted, suddenly showing blue skies with white clouds. The camera panned down to reveal a split screen:

One side showed steel forests, skyscraper silhouettes against the horizon, city neon lights blazing brilliantly.

The other side displayed Three Enclosures and Four Symbols, deities moving between immortal and mortal realms, cultivators shuttling through clouds.

"This is..."

The five Saints grew curious, with quick-tongued Tongtian directly asking.

"These are my two worlds," Zheng Fa smiled. "Goddess, my answer lies within them."

The five Saints' gazes fixed on the light screen.

This was essentially a documentary.

On one hand, Zheng Fa knew he wasn't particularly eloquent and couldn't perform advanced rhetorical techniques like weaving floral speech.

On the other hand, he knew even better that none of these six individuals could be swayed by mere words.

But he had to try.

Participating in a major project like creating humanity would bring immeasurable benefits.

Hence he prepared another documentary—simply put, letting these six see directly.

Tang Lingwu appeared first on screen, facing the camera with slight nervousness: "Since the Immortal Dao Federation's establishment, the Federation Research Institute has recruited thirty thousand researchers. This is the main campus of the Federation Research Institute."

Her words were somewhat incomprehensible to Nüwa and others, but Zheng Fa thoughtfully added subtitles, making viewing relatively unobstructed for those in the hall.

"Immortal Dao Federation?" Tongtian looked curiously at Zheng Fa. "This is your organization?"

Zheng Fa nodded gently, adding: "The Immortal Dao Federation was established less than a century ago."

Nüwa and others grew increasingly curious. They certainly understood Zheng Fa's intention, but a century?

In the footage, Tang Lingwu led the camera to classrooms within Rainbow Mountain.

Classrooms were packed full. Old Man Bai stood on the podium, spraying saliva and spiritual talismans with passionate intensity, seemingly unconcerned about Tang Lingwu's arrival.

"Students, no need for textbooks, just listen to my lecture," Old Man Bai said with a smirk. "These books are newly compiled and may contain errors. If they differ from what I say, follow my version."

Tongtian laughed heartily: "...This person is quite confident."

Tang Lingwu's timid voice came through, seemingly rushing to remedy: "Not every teacher at our research institute is like this."

The six Saints didn't mind, attentively listening to Old Man Bai's lecture. Given their cultivation levels, they naturally understood everything.

Yuanshi Daoist nodded slightly: "Yet within a century, he's developed such insights. This person has remarkable talent."

Tongtian also nodded gently: "His explanations are quite novel. He's promising material."

Although Old Man Bai lacked cultivation talent, his understanding of the Talisman Path was top-tier. Most importantly, many of his insights were based on modern topological theory extensions. While not profoundly enlightening to Yuanshi and others, they found them somewhat interesting.

Tang Lingwu walked through the research institute, recording many teaching and research processes.

The modern research institute still focused primarily on research—it hadn't admitted undergraduate students yet, instead recruiting outstanding students from various universities.

Thus most students already possessed relatively complete scientific literacy before entering the research institute.

Even the usually quiet Taishang asked: "Are these all your newly accepted disciples?"

"Exactly."

Taishang nodded slightly, face showing approval as he praised: "All quite good."

Yuanshi also echoed: "Quick minds, unique insights, high comprehension..."

He paused, then added: "...Better than Tongtian's miscellaneous disciples."

"Second Brother!" Tongtian glared, seemingly ready to refute.

"What? You disagree?"

Tongtian glanced several more times at the students enthusiastically discussing on screen, then fell silent.

Zheng Fa chuckled lightly: "It's not that these disciples are more outstanding than Daoist Tongtian's disciples, but that they've undergone corresponding education."

Hearing this, Yuanshi shot another glare at Tongtian, seemingly frustrated at his lack of progress.

Zheng Fa also found this novel. Honestly, he hadn't expected these Saints to be so genuine and emotional, but thinking about it, he understood—these individuals stood at the food chain's apex, so why wouldn't they behave as they wished?

He looked at Nüwa and said: "The right or wrong of creating humanity shouldn't be judged by me, but by the goddess yourself."

In the footage, Tang Lingwu continued introducing: "With the Federation Research Institute's assistance, world average grain production and per capita electricity generation have far exceeded survival requirements."

"Now the Federation's education system is completely free, covering over ninety-seven percent of the global population."

Although the Immortal Dao Federation hadn't existed long, it developed rapidly. Under Zheng Fa's absolute martial suppression, it encountered virtually no obstacles.

Coupled with Jiushan series and spirit wheat series staple food development, plus external pill energy promotion, progress could almost be described as daily renewal and monthly change.

The greatest transformation actually occurred in the modern world's education system. Universities became part of basic education, while Immortal Dao research institutes constituted higher education.

"For education without discrimination," Zheng Fa explained. "This world implements a compulsory education system where age-appropriate individuals can enroll without any conditions, even receiving living subsidies."

This wasn't Zheng Fa's deliberate design but resulted from various Federation nations' self-interest promotion—under Federation suppression, war had disappeared, but Federation nations weren't unified and still competed—competing for Federation Research Institute admission rates, Immortal Dao talent quantities, and education system efficiency.

Initially, choosing the Federation form was mainly because Zheng Fa disliked handling mundane affairs, thus allowing most powers to remain with individual nations.

But now, this nation-preserving model gave him a small surprise—nations retained competitive awareness and became crazy about education and talent.

Even Federation immigration simplicity caused nations to compete intensely in various welfare benefits—simply put, constantly poaching people.

This led to Federation Research Institute student quality rapidly improving over fifty years, even reaching levels satisfying Yuanshi.

She flew toward an island with the camera, explaining: "We're heading to Wenqu Island in Taiwei Yuan."

"Wenqu Island?" Yuanshi seemed interested. "What does this signify?"

Zheng Fa smiled without answering. Yuanshi glanced at him but didn't press, though his expression showed some displeasure.

"Wenqu Island hosts the 'Heavenly Dao' editorial department, Jiushan University textbook publishing house, technique compilation office, and major guild journal editorial departments."

Fortunately, Mu Qingyan in the footage answered his question.

Tongtian suddenly understood.

"This is where dao technique achievements are organized."

Zheng Fa explained.

Proving humanity's creation value essentially meant demonstrating humanity's contribution to dao technique iteration.

The modern footage showcased Zheng Fa's educational philosophy and cultivated talents—emphasizing that these talents were human, very young, and even low-cultivation humans.

"Since Wenqu Island's establishment," Mu Qingyan continued introducing, "Jiushan Sect has created over two thousand new techniques, including three pointing directly to Great Ascension and seventeen cultivatable to Nascent Soul..."

"Designed and manufactured over four hundred new-style artifacts."

"Developed or improved over eighty pill formulas."

"Designed thirteen types of formations."

Hearing this, Tongtian suddenly laughed and asked Yuanshi: "Second Brother, you have high standards and excel at artifact forging. Surely your sect's disciples have exceptional talent and methods."

Yuanshi's face darkened, seemingly anticipating what came next.

"Yet all these years, I haven't heard about how many new artifacts your sect has designed..."

"Your disciples have any?"

Tongtian also choked up.

The hall fell terrifyingly silent.

Those Taoist cultivators sitting below looked at the light screen, then at Zheng Fa, their heads full of question marks—wasn't this supposed to be testing him?