Chapter 227
Whether it’s the old methods or the new ones proposed by the Tianhe Zunzhang, neither has managed to avoid this issue.
In fact, Zheng Fa has begun to suspect that the decline of the old methods and spiritual energy might be two sides of the same coin.
Long ago, Senior Sister Zhang had mentioned the need to forge a new path.
But after uncovering the secrets of the transformation into divinity, the new methods have become even more perilous and urgent.
He was somewhat worried that Senior Sister Zhang might hesitate.
However, it seems that she has not been intimidated.
As if sensing his thoughts, Senior Sister Zhang chuckled softly, “Junior Brother, you’re not underestimating me, are you?”
“Senior Sister Zhang…”
She shook her head, raising her palm in front of him.
Zheng Fa paused, suddenly understanding her intent, and raised his hand to gently clap hers.
They exchanged smiles.
“I want in too! I want in too!”
On the side, Senior Sister Yuan chimed in, her hand raised high.
…
“About what you just said,” Senior Sister Zhang pondered, “I’m afraid even Uncle Pang wouldn’t be willing, and there would be considerable debate within the sect.”
Zheng Fa nodded.
Uncle Pang was not one to stir up trouble; his opposition to Senior Sister Zhang stemmed from a fear of damaging the vitality of the Jiushan Sect, making it difficult to face the impending calamity in the Xuanwei Realm.
Moreover, Zheng Fa’s ideas were indeed rather unconventional for the Xuanwei Realm.
“So, the Qingyang Dao Body cannot be abandoned; in fact, you must become increasingly talented,” Senior Sister Zhang concluded. “If you can demonstrate a talent that rivals that of the Tianhe Zunzhang, Uncle Pang and the others would be willing to let you take the position of sect leader directly.”
“If your talent can surpass that of the Tianhe Zunzhang, Uncle Pang and the others would pave a path for you within the Jiushan Sect.”
Zheng Fa understood Senior Sister Zhang’s meaning.
Merely having slogans wouldn’t suffice.
In the Xuanwei Realm, strength is paramount, followed closely by talent, which translates to future potential.
At present, his strength was indeed lacking.
He certainly couldn’t afford to give up on talent.
“You mentioned earlier that the Fusang tree grows extremely slowly, probably because this divine tree is too extraordinary, and the spiritual materials are insufficient,” Senior Sister Zhang inquired.
“Yes, I think so too. The Fusang tree is indeed excellent,” Zheng Fa frowned. “But if it hinders my cultivation, that would truly be a setback.”
“Do you have any ideas?”
Zheng Fa thought for a moment and simply said three words: “Tianbei Realm.”
Senior Sister Zhang was taken aback, understanding his meaning, but her brow furrowed: “That requires quite a bit of heavenly merit.”
Zheng Fa smiled, saying nothing.
Seeing his expression, Senior Sister Zhang realized he seemed to have some confidence and didn’t press further. Instead, she removed a jade bracelet from her wrist and handed it to Zheng Fa.
“Senior Sister?”
“Since there are some flaws in the path after the transformation into divinity, it’s not wise for me to cultivate further right now. Take these resources for now, so they don’t go to waste.” Senior Sister Zhang lowered her eyes, her lashes casting shadows over her gaze.
Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned, speechless.
On the side, Senior Sister Yuan raised her hand again: “I want in too! I want in too!”
“…” Senior Sister Zhang turned to look at Senior Sister Yuan, remaining silent.
Senior Sister Yuan withdrew her arm, mumbling, “But I clapped too!”
…
Zheng Fa glanced at the jade bracelet in Senior Sister Zhang’s hand.
In the Xuanwei Realm, spatial artifacts are quite rare; most cultivators use storage bags.
Storage bags have very limited space; the smaller ones are only about the size of a cardboard box, while the larger ones are no bigger than a room.
But Senior Sister Zhang’s jade bracelet was different; it had a space as large as a small courtyard, far more valuable than an ordinary storage bag.
It likely contained a significant portion of Senior Sister Zhang’s wealth.
He shook his head.
Senior Sister Zhang’s expression turned a bit cold, as if she were upset that he had rejected her offer.
“Senior Sister, I have another request, something even more important.”
“Hmm?”
Senior Sister Zhang’s expression softened slightly.
“Could you take another look at this Mountain River True Form Talisman?” Zheng Fa pointed to the talisman above their heads.
Senior Sister Zhang looked up at the cliff top, her expression puzzled.
“What’s wrong?”
“The wisdom of our ancestor was born from this Mountain River True Form Talisman, right?”
“Yes.”
“Then… how can the Mountain River True Form Talisman give rise to wisdom?”
“Why?” Zheng Fa’s penchant for asking “why” left Senior Sister Zhang a bit bewildered. “Is it an alternative path to enlightenment, absorbing spiritual energy, and then generating wisdom?” Her words were a summary of the Xuanwei Realm’s understanding of this phenomenon, a somewhat superficial conclusion.
But Zheng Fa had other thoughts.
At least in his eyes, every phenomenon must have its material basis, and the emergence of wisdom is no exception.
He gazed at the four composite talismans, recalling some basic knowledge of artificial intelligence he had learned from Tang Lingwu.
From Zheng Fa’s perspective, human intelligence and so-called artificial intelligence are merely three stages:
The first is input, whether through human senses or data input into a computer.
The second step involves data storage, computation, and judgment, or information processing—humans do this through their nervous systems, while artificial intelligence uses various algorithmic structures, like neural networks.
Finally, output goes unmentioned.
Previously, his master had given him a jade tube containing insights about talisman formations, and Zheng Fa discovered something quite interesting—
If spiritual energy is likened to electric current, then in his master’s talisman formations, the spiritual energy actually traversed several circuits, each composed of different spiritual symbols, producing various effects.
It was somewhat reminiscent of a circuit board.
Considering the similarities between the two worlds, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but question the principle behind the Mountain River True Form Talisman generating wisdom:
If it were viewed as a form of spiritual energy life,
Then could these composite talismans be seen as various circuits, perhaps even naturally forming certain algorithmic structures?
And the notion of absorbing spiritual energy for hundreds of years to generate wisdom—could it essentially be viewed as a prolonged input?
If so, could he attempt to create a spiritual energy computer?
With this thought, his eyes lit up as he turned to Senior Sister Zhang: “Senior Sister, what I’m asking of you is to borrow your body for a bit!”
Senior Sister Zhang was taken aback, while Senior Sister Yuan raised her hand: “I’m still here!”
…
“You mean to use my Yuanling Dao Body to experiment with various composite talismans?” Senior Sister Zhang understood Zheng Fa’s intent. “To see which composite talismans can help us compute and deduce, even generate wisdom?”
“Yes, Senior Sister, your Yuanling Dao Body can generate various spiritual symbols within, making it the most suitable for this task.”
Senior Sister Zhang thought for a moment and said, “That’s not difficult, but will it be useful?”
Zheng Fa pondered and replied, “Senior Sister, I can say this—if this works, the new method will be half complete.”
Senior Sister Zhang slowly nodded, though her expression seemed to lack understanding.
If it weren’t for having witnessed the rapid development of computers in modern society, Zheng Fa guessed he wouldn’t understand either…
But to be honest, Zheng Fa truly believed that if Senior Sister Zhang could help him create a spiritual energy computer:
Then there would be no other candidate for the mother of the new method!
…
After hastily returning to the Jiushan Sect from the Thunder Pool, Zheng Fa arrived once more beneath the Tianbei.
There were quite a few cultivators near the Tianbei, and upon seeing Zheng Fa, many greeted him warmly—thanks to the good reputation of Xiao Yuying.
As soon as he thought of Xiao Yuying, she appeared.
Xiao Yuying walked over, her gaze seemingly fixed solely on Zheng Fa, as if she saw no one else, and stood beside him.
The two stood side by side, and suddenly, Xiao Yuying turned to Zheng Fa, opening her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but then fell silent.
“Xiao Fairy?”
Xiao Yuying shook her head, saying, “I know the location of a spiritual treasure.”
“…”
Zheng Fa was somewhat speechless.
The way she said it was so similar to saying she had eaten three bowls of rice today.
He could clearly sense the expressions of the other cultivators nearby, their faces contorted in disbelief.
“Are you interested?”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, looking at Xiao Yuying, unsure why she was being so generous.
“That place where the spiritual treasure is located is extremely dangerous; I can’t enter,” Xiao Yuying said, looking at Zheng Fa. “It requires someone with superior thunder techniques.”
Zheng Fa finally understood why Xiao Yuying was being so kind to him.
It seemed she was seeking his help.
“Dangerous…” Zheng Fa frowned, thought for a moment, and shook his head. “Xiao Fairy, I’m only at the Foundation Establishment stage; if you think it’s dangerous, how could I dare to go?”
“I’ll ensure your safety.”
It was clear that Xiao Yuying placed great importance on that spiritual treasure.
Zheng Fa shook his head even more firmly.
“Sorry.”
What a joke.
What ancient treasures, secret realms, and the like—aren’t they the most dangerous?
Wouldn’t it be better for me to accumulate heavenly merit in the Tianbei Realm?
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