Chapter 113
This includes many award-winning or popular works from abroad.
When it came time to choose the first play for the Jiushan Sect, Sister Zhang immediately set her sights on what would later be known as "The Script for Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian."
According to Sister Zhang, this script embodies the spirit of our Jiushan Sect, united in heart and soul, willing to go to any lengths to save the lower-tier disciples!
But from Zheng Fa's perspective, Sister Zhang probably thought—
Even though our Jiushan Sect suffers from discrimination based on spiritual roots, wealth disparity, and internal strife, with everyone throwing talismans at each other, it still looks like we’re not united.
But we should still promote the beautiful dream of Jiushan.
"This title is so good, so simple and easy to understand!"
Clearly, the Sect Leader was quite pleased with the script as well.
"Then can you change the main character's name?" Zheng Fa pleaded.
If this thing really takes off, how embarrassing would that be?
"…Fine, I hate naming things the most." Perhaps seeing his reluctance, the Sect Leader frowned and pointed at the name Zheng Fa on the cover of the script, which slowly transformed into Pang Qian.
"Pang… Qian?"
Zheng Fa suddenly thought of someone.
But… that shouldn’t be right?
"It’s your Uncle Pang. When he was young, they said he should use a female name to suppress his luck… Later, he changed his name and didn’t want to use this one anymore."
The Sect Leader confirmed Zheng Fa's guess; it was indeed that unfortunate fellow!
So you’re just going to drag the people around you into this, huh?
"Then Uncle Pang probably… wouldn’t be too happy about you using his name, would he?"
"I’m not using his name! He doesn’t want it anymore, so why not use it for a bit?"
"…Wise words, Master!"
Zheng Fa followed the Sect Leader and stared at "The Script for Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian," frowning more and more.
After all, this was a pioneering work, and the Sect Leader hadn’t grasped any of the narrative techniques used in films. There was no perspective, no shot composition, no montage… It looked more like a documentary with a bunch of psychological monologues.
Of course, Zheng Fa didn’t understand any of that.
But he had seen the original film and had a decent memory.
"Master, this needs some adjustments."
Zheng Fa said after a moment of silence.
"Where should we start?" It was clear that the Sect Leader was someone who could adapt.
"From the beginning."
"…From the beginning?" The Sect Leader said with a sigh: "Are you saying that what I created—can’t be watched?"
"…Yeah."
Suddenly, the Sect Leader stood up and called out, "You two, come here!"
Soon, Zheng Fa saw Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan coming up the mountain together.
"Take a look at my play!"
The Sect Leader played "The Script for Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian" for the two of them again.
"How is it?"
"…It’s really good!" Sister Yuan said with bright eyes, "It’s quite interesting, and I found it really moving!"
Sister Zhang nodded in agreement.
"He says it can’t be watched! It needs major revisions!"
Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan turned their gazes to Zheng Fa, their eyes filled with a look of disapproval for his lack of appreciation.
Zheng Fa felt a bit puzzled.
Could it be that his taste didn’t align with the mainstream aesthetic of the Xuanwei realm?
"Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance!" The Sect Leader snorted, "Now tell me how to revise it, and I’ll do exactly as you say!"
…As expected of a Yuanying, so efficient in revising a play.
Zheng Fa had no choice but to rely on his memory, recounting the original film shot by shot.
These things, Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan didn’t quite understand, but the Sect Leader seemed very familiar with them—after all, he had been immersed in the world of talismans for so many years.
In less than two hours, the Sect Leader clapped his hands and said, "Alright!"
"Now, you two take another look!"
Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan were a bit curious, sitting on the cushions as they watched Zheng Fa’s version of "The Script for Saving Little Cultivator Pang Qian."
After watching, the two fell silent.
"Well? Which version is better?" the Sect Leader asked.
"Yours, Master!" Sister Yuan was the first to respond.
Sister Zhang nodded, "I think yours is better, Master."
Zheng Fa was left in a state of complete self-doubt.
Wait, is the taste of people in the Xuanwei realm really that peculiar?
Are they all documentary enthusiasts?
"Look at that!" The Sect Leader smiled proudly at Zheng Fa and said to Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan, "Then I’ll play my version for you again!"
It was clear he was quite proud of his work.
"Actually, I’d like to see… Zheng Shidi’s version," Sister Yuan suddenly said softly.
"?"
The Sect Leader was taken aback, slowly looking at Sister Zhang.
Sister Zhang gently nodded and explained to the Sect Leader, "It’s mainly to see what shortcomings are in Shidi’s play, so we can better appreciate the excellence of your version, Master!"
…What high-emotional-intelligence judges are these?
Zheng Fa glanced at the Sect Leader, who also wore a puzzled expression.
Clearly, this old man had caught on to their true opinions.
But he seemed to genuinely believe that his version was better.
"I’ve spent over a thousand years in this world of talismans…"
Zheng Fa immediately understood—
In trendy terms, this was what they called a "knowledge barrier."
After a millennium, this old man had formed his own system and aesthetic.
The problem was, this aesthetic had never been tested in the market.
There was a chasm-like gap between it and the tastes of ordinary people.
It’s like someone who has been writing in isolation for a lifetime, wanting to create a masterpiece, but never publishing or reading others’ works, and receiving no feedback—he might be a genius, but there’s a ninety-nine percent chance he’s just rambling.
Moreover, the Sect Leader’s first version was already quite brilliant for Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan; it was a pioneering work in this world.
It just happened to run into Zheng Fa, who had experienced the explosion of modern entertainment.
"You two, tell me honestly, which version is better?" the Sect Leader asked Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan.
"…"
Neither of them spoke.
And silence often speaks volumes.
The Sect Leader looked at them and suddenly said to Zheng Fa, "What do you think? Teach me."
"Ah?"
Zheng Fa looked at the Sect Leader, surprised that this old man had given in so quickly.
It was clear that this old man truly loved the world of talismans—or rather, the play—and had even set aside his own obsessions to humbly learn from his disciple.
Seeing the old man’s eager eyes, Zheng Fa cleared his throat, "With your current understanding of plays, it’s hard for me to teach you!"
The Sect Leader paused, feeling that this sounded a bit familiar.
Hadn’t he said something similar before?
"Suddenly, I feel that there are some things I can teach you about your current cultivation…" After a long silence, the Sect Leader’s face broke into a smile, eager to impart knowledge.
(End of this chapter)
**Chapter 124: Looking at the Mountain**
Hearing the Sect Leader’s words, Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan exchanged knowing glances, wanting to take their leave.
But the Sect Leader waved his hand, signaling them not to be so formal.
"There’s nothing to hide; I really don’t have much to teach him." Sitting upright on the cushion, he addressed the three of them, "The Xuanwei realm during my Qi Refining period is already different from now."
Zheng Fa was taken aback, beginning to understand the Sect Leader’s meaning.
"I also practiced the Five Thunder Body Technique back then, but there were so many Xuanlei Stones!" The Sect Leader reminisced, "Unlike now, when this thing is as expensive as gold; the Five Thunder Body Technique is almost lost."
"Not just Xuanlei Stones, but spiritual herbs, elixirs, and talismans were all cheaper back then…" The Sect Leader’s tone was filled with nostalgia, "When I was in the Qi Refining stage, who cared about ten or eight spirit stones?"
His words left the three of them in silence.
"If you ask me how I cultivated to Yuanying, I have no idea; I just practiced casually!"
Looking at the Sect Leader’s innocent expression, Zheng Fa pondered his words and finally understood his master’s point—those good times are gone!
Now he understood why the Sect Leader felt he couldn’t teach him.
The changes in the environment meant that the Sect Leader’s successful experiences from his Qi Refining period were no longer applicable to Zheng Fa.
"If we’re talking about guiding your cultivation, you’re practicing the Chixiao Technique. This technique has been practiced by countless people; it’s hard to go astray." The Sect Leader added, his tone a bit helpless, "I really don’t have much to teach you."
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
The Sect Leader seemed to realize he hadn’t taught anything, and after thinking for a moment, suddenly raised his brow and said, "Forget it, today I’ll tell you about my insights on talisman arrays."
"Talisman arrays?"
The Sect Leader smiled proudly, "I, your Uncle Pang, and Sister Huang, who is the master of Sister Zhang, all have our own insights into talisman techniques."
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