I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 81: Choosing Treasures

The two crimson doors ahead appeared to be made from some unknown, sturdy wood, towering three or four zhang high. Standing before them, Zheng Fa couldn't help but feel a bit insignificant.

He stepped closer, and the doors swung open silently, without the slightest breeze. Inside was no artificially decorated hall but a natural limestone cave. Stalactites and stalagmites crisscrossed, giving the impression of a fantastical rainforest.

Dozens of towering stalagmites rose from the ground, their tips glowing with a variety of shimmering lights—clearly treasures left behind by the Jiushan Ancestor. However, compared to the exaggerated size of the doors, the treasures seemed a bit underwhelming.

The Jiushan Ancestor followed Zheng Fa into the cave. Gazing at the glowing lights, he sighed, "These old relics left by that old man... I haven't seen them in ages."

Zheng Fa, puzzled, asked, "You can’t enter here yourself?"

"Me?" The Jiushan Ancestor pointed to himself. "I’m not him. I am the spiritual vein—I am Jiushan, but not him. All I have are his memories..."

It suddenly dawned on Zheng Fa. He had always found this ancestor a bit odd. Despite being the founding master of the sect, his demeanor was childlike.

"If I had to describe who I am," the Jiushan Ancestor said with a peculiar smile, "I’m merely a substitute bound to Jiushan Sect, no different from a magical artifact he created."

"He wanted to merge with the True Form Talisman but couldn’t bear to part with Jiushan Sect. So, he created me..." The ancestor’s expression grew complex as he spoke of the original founder. "Sometimes, I don’t know whether to see him as my creator or the one who chained me with a leash."

"Enough about that." Shaking off his melancholy, the ancestor addressed Zheng Fa, "With your talent, as per the old man’s instructions, you can take two treasures from here."

"How?" Zheng Fa tried to discern the treasures hidden within the shimmering lights, but the radiance obscured their forms.

"By fate!"

"Huh?" Zheng Fa was stunned. That sounded rather haphazard.

"Or luck." The Jiushan Ancestor rolled his eyes. "The old man wasn’t some omniscient seer. How could he know who would come here or what they’d need? His treasures might not even suit you. But each treasure has its own spirit and will resonate with you if there’s a match. Walk around and see if anything gives you a special feeling."

Taking this advice, Zheng Fa ventured into the cave, searching for the so-called special feeling. Most treasures, however, remained aloof. Approaching the glowing lights, all he felt was their blinding glare.

After exploring most of the cave without any reaction, Zheng Fa began doubting the ancestor’s words. Was this just a setup?

Finally, he arrived at a treasure emanating an azure-gold glow. Suddenly, the qi from his "Linghe Shen" technique surged within him, racing through his meridians as though expressing an instinctive longing.

A phantom of a spirit crane appeared behind him, spreading its wings as if yearning to dive into the azure-gold light.

“Oh?” The Jiushan Ancestor immediately understood. “You’ve practiced the 'Linghe Shen' technique?”

"Yes."

"Wood and fire dual spiritual roots, paired with the Linghe Shen… No wonder this Qingyang Qi resonates with you." With a flick of his finger, the azure-gold light dissipated, revealing a stream of azure energy tinged with golden flames that floated before Zheng Fa.

"Qingyang Qi?"

"Indeed. When that old man fused with Jiushan, the vitality of the mountain’s forests mingled with the great sun’s spiritual energy, creating this Qingyang Qi, which he carefully collected as a treasure." The ancestor explained, "It seems it’s well-suited for you."

"Suited?"

"With wood and fire dual roots, Qingyang Qi, born of the sun and forest, aligns perfectly with your attributes. Plus, you’ve cultivated the Linghe Shen technique."

Zheng Fa understood why the Qingyang Qi matched his spiritual roots, but he was puzzled about its connection to the Linghe Shen technique. He looked to the Jiushan Ancestor for clarification.

"All things correspond to the spiritual workings of heaven and earth. Cranes, pure white and utterly yang, are considered by some cultivators as ‘yang birds’ and symbols of longevity. The Linghe Shen technique was created based on the Pure Yang Dao Body."

With another flick, the Jiushan Ancestor sent the Qingyang Qi toward Zheng Fa. "This Qingyang Qi is extremely rare. That old man wouldn’t have kept it until his death otherwise. If you cultivate a pure yang body refinement technique before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and merge with this Qingyang Qi, you might acquire a Qingyang Dao Body. The benefits to your future cultivation would be immense."

Zheng Fa extended his hand, and the Qingyang Qi, like a homing swallow, flew into his palm. It coursed through his meridians and settled in his dantian.

The Qingyang Qi was domineering. Once in his dantian, it claimed the space as its own, squeezing the Linghe Shen qi to the edges. Yet, Zheng Fa sensed his existing qi being subtly altered, growing livelier under the Qingyang Qi’s influence.

...

After obtaining the Qingyang Qi, Zheng Fa's luck seemed to run dry. None of the remaining treasures reacted to him, leaving a mutual sense of indifference between him and the glowing lights.

"Hmm..." The Jiushan Ancestor frowned. "These treasures aren’t fated to you. Your only option is to look at the old man’s techniques."

With a wave of his hand, a pile of jade slips appeared before Zheng Fa.

"Choose."

"?"

Zheng Fa blinked, finding this even more baffling than relying on feelings. How was he supposed to choose from this?

"Frankly, compared to treasures, these techniques will be of less help to you. That old man was an anomaly who achieved the Dao through unconventional means. Most of his techniques aren’t suitable for anyone. That’s why I had you choose treasures first." The Jiushan Ancestor explained.

Zheng Fa nodded. Treasures could often be used directly, but techniques were selective. Given the ancestor’s unusual background, his cultivation methods likely differed vastly from the norm.

"However, there are some formations or talisman techniques here that might suit you," the Jiushan Ancestor said, pointing to the jade slips. "That last female disciple was quite clever. She chose an incomplete Foundation Establishment technique, which might actually work better for her."

"Incomplete?" Zheng Fa’s interest was piqued. He realized Senior Sister Zhang's thinking: if none of the techniques were usable, modifying a half-finished one might be the way to go.

He contemplated emulating her approach.

"Don’t bother," the Jiushan Ancestor said, shaking his head. "That old man wasn’t one to waste time. That Foundation Establishment technique was something he created while comprehending the True Form Talisman. I was created during that same time."

"?"

"The old man also created a technique called the ‘Ling Mountain Method.’ As a spiritual vein who achieved the Dao, he later reversed his cultivation process to devise this method. Its core philosophy is that the Dao Body is the Ling Mountain, and the meridians are its spiritual veins, allowing a human body to emulate heaven and earth, sustaining Jiushan Sect’s cultivation. That’s how I came into being."

"The Ling Mountain Method is useless to you. It’s entirely for the benefit of others—"

"That’s the one I’ll take," Zheng Fa interrupted.

The Jiushan Ancestor looked at him with a complicated expression. "I’ve misjudged you."

"?"

Zheng Fa was baffled by the remark.

"I thought you were scheming and devious. Jiushan Sect’s atmosphere is already restless, and if you joined, our sect’s future—"

…You’re insulting a lot of people here.

"But I was wrong. That old man once said this technique would only be chosen by a selfless person of great virtue, perhaps no one in this world. Yet, here you are, making me think Jiushan Sect isn’t worthy of you!"

Zheng Fa felt there was a delightful misunderstanding here.

For him, the reason for choosing the Ling Mountain Method was simple:

It solved a big problem—how to safely and controllably generate spiritual energy in the modern world.

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