Chapter 133
On the stone table in the small pavilion, a feast was laid out—vibrant spiritual fruits that seemed to glisten with dew, chewy meat jerky, steaming flatbreads, and small white ceramic jars filled with candied fruits.
The two of them were eating while whispering and laughing, creating an atmosphere akin to a casual gathering of close friends, relaxed and carefree.
He had seen this side of Senior Sister Yuan before.
But this side of Senior Sister Zhang… exceeded Zheng Fa's imagination.
Something felt off. “Senior Sister Zhang… what’s going on with you?”
Upon seeing Zheng Fa walk in, the two senior sisters were not surprised; Senior Sister Yuan even waved at him.
As soon as Zheng Fa stepped into the pavilion, Senior Sister Yuan stuffed a spiritual fruit into his hand.
“Is it good?”
Watching Zheng Fa swallow the fruit, Senior Sister Yuan asked with a smile.
“Delicious.” Zheng Fa nodded sincerely. Not only was the fruit tasty, but he could also feel that the essence of the fruit transformed into pure spiritual energy as it went down, enriching the spiritual power in his dantian.
“That bite costs five spirit stones,” Senior Sister Zhang suddenly interjected. “Remember to pay me back.”
“…” Zheng Fa held the spiritual fruit, opening his mouth as if he wanted to spit out the fruit.
Looking back at Senior Sister Zhang, he noticed the smile on her face; her previous comment was clearly a joke.
But…
Is this the life of a Golden Core cultivator?
He recalled how Li Nuo had nearly begged him for five spirit stones each month.
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a bit complicated.
“What are you thinking about?”
Zheng Fa didn’t hide it; he had come to discuss Li Nuo’s situation with Senior Sister Zhang.
His idea was that funding Li Nuo’s research was a minor issue.
However, there needed to be some rules established—how to encourage disciples of Jiushan Sect to conduct research, who would provide the funding, and how the profits would be distributed in the end.
There should be a clear guideline.
To his surprise, Senior Sister Zhang directly rejected him.
“Li Nuo isn’t suitable.”
“Ah?” Zheng Fa was taken aback and asked, “What about him and you…”
“No, his father was also from our lineage, and there’s no old grudge. But the talisman printing isn’t feasible.”
Zheng Fa fell silent. He looked at Senior Sister Zhang, knowing she wouldn’t refuse him without reason.
“I know about talisman printing; it requires the blood of spiritual beasts.” Senior Sister Zhang didn’t beat around the bush. “But now, the blood of spiritual beasts is getting more expensive… it’s cheaper to hire ten Qi Refining disciples.”
Goodness!
The blood of spiritual beasts is expensive, but the sweat and blood of Jiushan Sect disciples aren’t worth much…
What a low-cost advantage that makes humans inferior to beasts.
But Zheng Fa also knew that Senior Sister Zhang wasn’t wrong.
“This junior brother has thought about it too. If the efficiency of talisman printing remains the same, then of course it won’t work.” Zheng Fa pondered. “But technology always progresses. I thought this investment isn’t too big; it might lower costs and improve efficiency in the future.”
Zheng Fa had a good mindset.
He wanted to fund the research on talisman printing mainly because such a mindset for increasing productivity was rare in the Xuanwei Realm—whether he could guarantee that it would succeed, he wasn’t sure.
But research, who can guarantee a hundred percent success?
“If it’s really as you say, that’s even worse.” Unexpectedly, Senior Sister Zhang shook her head. “Li Nuo has a poor reputation in the market; do you know why?”
“I don’t.”
“Once talisman printing comes out, those talisman masters will have no work left.”
“…”
Zheng Fa finally understood why Senior Sister Zhang was so opposed to Li Nuo’s name.
Every time a new technology emerges, it causes a group of people to suffer losses.
The ones most affected by talisman printing would be the talisman masters of Jiushan Sect.
Especially since at least half of the Qi Refining disciples in the sect rely on drawing talismans for their livelihood…
The materials for making spiritual talismans are limited, and the demand in the Xuanwei Realm isn’t infinite—this would likely lead to talisman masters losing their jobs after the introduction of talisman printing.
“If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have any objections to your funding proposal,” Senior Sister Zhang said. “But if it’s Li Nuo… at least the Bureau of Affairs won’t provide any funding.”
Zheng Fa silently nodded.
The Bureau of Affairs has a close relationship with the talisman masters and would certainly consider their feelings.
In the end, cultivators in the Xuanwei Realm are, after all, farmers or artisans.
Thus, it’s inevitable that they have a mindset of cherishing their own interests.
For some new technologies, they don’t share Zheng Fa’s enthusiasm.
Especially when… this group of people not only has the mindset to protect their own interests but also the means to do so.
Even Senior Sister Zhang, who has walked through the ranks without fear of anyone, would advise Zheng Fa to think carefully.
Seeing that Zheng Fa understood, Senior Sister Zhang comforted him, “It’s good that you have this idea, but this matter…”
“I still want to give it a try.”
Zheng Fa suddenly said.
“Hmm?”
“Senior Sister Zhang, just like Uncle Pang said… the Xuanwei Realm is about to get chaotic.”
Zheng Fa explained.
Senior Sister Zhang’s gaze deepened.
“If it were before, it wouldn’t matter whether this technology existed or not, but if a real conflict breaks out…” Zheng Fa elaborated, “A technology that can quickly produce spiritual talismans could change the tide of battle.”
“Just this? It can only draw yellow-grade talismans right now…”
Senior Sister Yuan muttered.
“Maybe it can’t, but as you said, Senior Sister Zhang, the paths of our predecessors have all been exhausted. We have to find a new way… it’s worth a try.”
Senior Sister Zhang remained silent for a moment before shaking her head.
Zheng Fa felt a bit disappointed; he understood her refusal.
Indeed… the issue with talisman printing isn’t just about cost; it would offend nearly all the talisman masters in Jiushan Sect and might not yield any good results.
“Don’t get involved; I will handle it.”
“Ah?”
“Your cultivation level is still too low; offending these disciples isn’t a good thing.” Senior Sister Zhang said softly. “I’ll provide the spirit stones; they’ll have to hold their tongues.”
Senior Sister Yuan looked at Zheng Fa, then at Senior Sister Zhang, her mouth agape.
Suddenly, she had a bright idea and said, “Senior Sister, I also have an idea, but I need some spirit stones…”
Senior Sister Zhang just looked at her, saying nothing.
“…” Senior Sister Yuan picked up a piece of candied fruit and silently stuffed it into her mouth.
Zheng Fa looked at Senior Sister Zhang, feeling that if this continued, he would have to offer himself up in tears.
(End of this chapter)
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**Chapter 140: Entrustment**
Seeing the touched expression on Zheng Fa’s face, Senior Sister Zhang smiled and suddenly said, “I’ll take care of this matter soon. I’ll be leaving the sect for a while in a few days.”
“Leaving the sect?”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, not understanding why Senior Sister Zhang suddenly brought this up.
He had a bit of an understanding of Senior Sister Zhang’s personality; she wasn’t someone who liked to go out—if Zheng Fa hadn’t sought her out, she would usually be at home cultivating when not handling sect affairs.
A bit of a homebody, really.
Or rather, cultivators in the Xuanwei Realm tend to be a bit reclusive since they spend most of their time in cultivation.
Senior Sister Zhang explained, “I mentioned before that there’s a spiritual vein emerging in Taiyang County, and the Changchun Sect has been repeatedly asking for help.”
Zheng Fa remembered that Senior Sister Zhang had mentioned wanting to transfer Senior Sister Yuan because of this.
But now… why was it Senior Sister Zhang herself going?
“I initially thought of sending Senior Sister Yuan because I was worried you might encounter difficulties managing the market, and I didn’t feel at ease.”
Senior Sister Zhang seemed to understand what Zheng Fa was thinking and spoke up.
Zheng Fa understood; Senior Sister Zhang meant that he had performed too well.
If Senior Sister Zhang stayed, Zheng Fa’s burden would be much lighter—he could just consult her whenever he faced a difficult decision.
But Senior Sister Yuan…
Well, considering how nice Senior Sister Yuan had been to him.
Zheng Fa politely chose not to dwell on it.
“Senior Sister, what exactly is this spiritual vein?”
Senior Sister Zhang’s explanation didn’t fully ease Zheng Fa’s worries—whether in wisdom or cultivation, Senior Sister Zhang was like a stabilizing force for Jiushan Sect.
Looking at the three Yuanying cultivators in the sect, none seemed particularly reliable; instead, it was Senior Sister Zhang who seemed to have the most concerns.
The matter that could make her leave the sect was certainly not as simple as she made it sound.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.
“Spiritual veins…” Seeing his curiosity, Senior Sister Zhang smiled, as if she understood his concern, her voice softening considerably. “Spiritual veins and spiritual holes are essentially the same thing.”
“Spiritual veins?”
Zheng Fa was startled; this was no small matter.
He had read the “Treatise on Spiritual Veins” written by the sect leader and knew that in the Xuanwei Realm, spiritual veins could be said to be the foundation for a sect’s survival.
Especially now, as spiritual energy is dwindling, a rich spiritual vein is even more crucial.
“Spiritual veins are often found on the surface of the earth, capable of gathering spiritual energy for a long time to support cultivators in their practice,” Senior Sister Zhang explained to both Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Yuan. “However, spiritual holes are different; while they also gather spiritual energy, they are often buried deep underground and remain unknown to most.”
“…So, a spiritual hole is emerging?”
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