Chapter 254
**Chapter 238: The Lord's Grace**
Sister Zhang listened to Zheng Fa's words, her face still clouded with confusion, but she slowly nodded in agreement.
The idea of the Tianhe Zunzhang (Heavenly River Master) crossing the river was indeed a compelling reason.
At first, Zheng Fa had no such thoughts about the Tianbei Realm—he had merely treated it as a game.
Now, his desire to promote education in the Tianbei Realm stemmed mainly from the lessons learned from the Tianhe Zunzhang's past.
In fact, the population of the Tianbei Realm was quite sparse compared to its vast area.
Currently, the population within Zheng Fa's sealed land was just under two million.
Based on his estimates of the Tianbei Realm's size, if the population density were similar, the entire realm might not even have ten million inhabitants.
On the other hand, as long as productivity increased and food production was sufficient, population growth had never been an issue...
Given Sister Zhang's lifespan of ten thousand years, she could certainly afford to wait for this population explosion.
“How do you plan to educate them?” Sister Zhang asked.
“I think it’s best to start with basic literacy and numeracy,” Zheng Fa replied, having formed some vague ideas he was eager to discuss with Sister Zhang. “We should teach them to read and do math while subtly fostering their recognition of the Jiushan Sect and the new methods.”
“Once they have a certain foundation of knowledge and emotional connection, we can then impart knowledge related to cultivation.”
“Just like you said, Sister, we don’t need to look for geniuses in the Tianbei Realm; there are more in the Xuanwei Realm... What we need are geniuses who can help us.”
Sister Zhang nodded, her eyes shining with approval. “I was worried that no one in the Xuanwei Realm had ever pushed for this, but it seems you’ve thought it through quite thoroughly.”
“However, there’s one point I think you could improve.”
“What is it?”
“Your intentions are good, but I fear the people of the Tianbei Realm may not understand the importance of literacy and mathematics.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback but couldn’t help but nod.
He had always been passionate about learning.
In modern society, knowledge was highly respected.
But the Tianbei Realm... was a place where people struggled to fill their stomachs.
...
Meanwhile, Sister Yuan, who was somewhat confused but curious about the Tianbei Realm, suddenly asked, “Is that little temple keeper you mentioned named Xiao Qing?”
Zheng Fa nodded at Sister Yuan. “Yes, are you interested in her?”
“I just feel a bit of a connection; I’m Qing Luan, and she’s Xiao Qing...” Sister Yuan asked, “So, does Xiao Qing sound quite impressive when she talks about you?”
“Impressive? I suppose so; the people of Banshan City respect her a lot.”
Now, Xiao Qing was considered a figure of authority in Banshan City, second only to the divine.
Hearing this, Sister Yuan’s expression turned a bit envious.
As they approached the Thunder Pool, Zheng Fa took out the bronze seal and looked at Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan.
Sister Zhang nodded slightly, and Zheng Fa gently infused spiritual energy into the bronze seal. A grayish portal appeared in the air, enveloping both Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan.
...
In the Tianbei Realm, within the Heavenly Palace.
“Brother Yan, Fairy Xiao.”
As soon as Zheng Fa entered the Tianbei, he saw Yan Wushuang with Chu Tianque, engaged in conversation with Xiao Yuying.
The atmosphere between them had improved significantly; it seemed the secret realm journey had fostered some camaraderie.
Upon seeing Zheng Fa, Xiao Yuying waved at him.
“Zheng Fa, I was just talking about you with Yan Wushuang.”
“Really?”
“We agreed that there’s no need to compete; Yan Wushuang’s organization sounds pretty good,” Xiao Yuying smiled. “I have quite a few magical artifacts and spiritual materials I brought back from the secret realm that I won’t be using, so I might as well sell them through him.”
This sounded quite enviable.
He glanced at Xiao Yuying and then at Yan Wushuang, realizing that the foundation of their collaboration was likely a shared understanding of the new methods—at least Xiao Yuying had probably leaned towards them after recognizing the issues with the old methods.
“So, Fairy Xiao, you’re joining Brother Yan’s organization?”
“Just collaborating, that’s all,” Xiao Yuying waved her hands frantically. “I don’t want to offend the Tianhe Sect.”
“…”
“So, Brother Zheng, what are your thoughts?” Yan Wushuang asked eagerly.
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment before responding, “Although I’m only at the Foundation Establishment stage now, I’d like to follow Fairy Xiao’s lead. Besides, Brother Yan, haven’t we already established a collaboration?”
Yan Wushuang’s expression fell slightly, but he nodded in understanding.
Xiao Yuying, on the other hand, looked even happier. She patted Zheng Fa on the shoulder and said, “Then it’s settled! From now on, you’ll follow me! No demon clans or evil sects can harm a hair on your head.”
“...Fairy Xiao, I’m a member of the Jiushan Sect.”
Zheng Fa reminded her, feeling a bit speechless.
“I know! I’m not asking you to betray the Jiushan Sect; it’s just that... good birds choose the right tree to perch on, right?”
Yan Wushuang, listening nearby, wore a somewhat speechless expression. How should he put it? It sounded like Xiao Yuying was cursing the Jiushan Sect.
Indeed, it seemed he wasn’t the only one mishearing things...
“Our Jiushan Sect will only get better and better!”
As Zheng Fa’s bronze seal flashed, the figures of Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan appeared before everyone, with Sister Yuan still looking quite miffed.
Xiao Yuying: “…”
Even she, who was usually so outspoken, felt awkward at this moment.
“Brother Zheng... this...”
Yan Wushuang’s eyes widened as he pointed at Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan.
“My divine sealing register has advanced further; I can now bring people in.”
Zheng Fa explained softly.
“Ahem, I’ll take my leave now!”
Xiao Yuying turned and ran, while Sister Zhang squinted at her retreating figure.
“Sister Zhang, I told you, men and women outside are all thinking about our Junior Brother Zheng!”
Yan Wushuang blinked, feeling he should leave too, but he still asked with a hint of envy, “Brother Zheng, how can your divine sealing register bring people in?”
It was clear he envied the new function of this bronze seal...
It made sense; he had a rich network of connections.
Plus, he had a Remnant Sun Sword Immortal as a bodyguard...
When it came to gathering people, Yan Wushuang probably had no rivals. “It’s quite simple.”
“Please enlighten me, Brother Zheng.”
“You just need to earn ten thousand Tian功 (Heavenly Merit), and the Heavenly Palace will automatically upgrade you,” Zheng Fa said earnestly. “No need for us to worry about it.”
Yan Wushuang’s expression crumbled, and after a long silence, he finally spoke:
“Brother Zheng... I don’t have ten thousand Tian功. Is it because I don’t like it?”
“…”
“Farewell!”
...
In the Tianbei Realm.
Xiao Qing was tidying up the offerings in the temple, calculating how to distribute them to the elderly in the city.
Although Banshan City didn’t have a large population, there were still a few hundred elderly who met the criteria...
This was something she couldn’t easily ask the elderly about, as it concerned their personal interests.
Suddenly, the temple began to shake gently.
Xiao Qing looked around in panic, seeing the statue before her trembling as if an earthquake had struck.
“Lord Thunder God?”
The statue did not respond.
Xiao Qing called out a few more times, but the temple remained silent except for her tearful cries.
Watching the statue shake uncontrollably, she threw herself at its feet, seemingly trying to stabilize the massive figure with her frail body.
Just as she was in a state of panic, two ethereal figures appeared beside her. The figures gradually solidified, revealing two shorter statues of women, devoid of faces, standing before Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing stared blankly, unsure of what was happening, when a girl’s voice echoed in the temple.
“Is this Banshan City?”
In the temple, Sister Yuan’s voice rang out, filled with compassion. “The people here look so thin.”
“Lord Thunder God?”
“I’m here,” Zheng Fa replied. “These are my two companions…”
He was still contemplating how to introduce Sister Zhang and Sister Yuan.
“Divine servants.”
Sister Zhang’s voice came through.
Zheng Fa was taken aback, realizing Sister Zhang’s intention—there should ideally be only one voice in this sealed land, at least for now.
“Divine servants?” Xiao Qing’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Lord Thunder God, you’re getting more powerful!”
It seemed Xiao Qing’s standard for judgment was simply the number of people...
Zheng Fa couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly; she was right in a way.
Xiao Qing continued, “With two goddesses, Lord, can you find two more temple keepers?”
“Hmm?”
Xiao Qing explained, “There are more and more matters in the city, and... I’m not as clever as those grandfathers…”
“When there are conflicts among the uncles and brothers in the city, I don’t know how to mediate.”
“When it comes to distributing the offerings, I always have to calculate for a long time…”
“I’m not good with words; they listen to me only because of you, Lord Thunder God…”
From her expression, it was clear that Xiao Qing felt a lot of pressure...
“Why don’t you replace me, Lord Thunder God…”
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