Chapter 302
On one hand, this new spirit plant was indeed useful. He had just felt the thunderous power contained within it, and cultivating the first layer of the "Five Thunder Body Technique" would be no problem at all. In fact, he was even considering whether he could continue to cultivate this spirit plant to see if he could enhance its thunderous power, aiming for a variety that would be suitable for higher levels of the "Five Thunder Body Technique."
On the other hand, this was the first successful attempt of modern science in the Jiushan Realm—an initiative that had been spontaneously undertaken by Master Qian.
The significance of this was what truly delighted Zheng Fa.
"I get to name it?"
Master Qian was taken aback.
"Of course..."
"Then... then..." After a moment of hesitation, Master Qian suddenly seemed to have an idea. "Let’s call it Qianhe Valley... The Qianhe Sect has already perished; I hope this name can carry on."
Everyone was momentarily stunned, a hint of respect appearing on their faces.
Only the disciple behind Master Qian wore a somewhat strange expression, as if he had thought of something...
...
After further examination of Qianhe Valley, they discovered that the thunderous power within it changed little after cooking.
This spirit valley wasn’t without its drawbacks—its spiritual energy was not abundant, and compared to the mature spirit valleys in the Xuanwei Realm, its contribution to cultivation was not as significant.
Perhaps that was why Master Qian had looked so anxious earlier.
"As long as this method proves effective, there will always be room for improvement in the future," Zheng Fa reassured. "And even as it stands now, it is extremely useful for our Jiushan Sect—once Senior Sister Zhang perfects the administrative system in a few days, there will be rewards within the sect."
Hearing this, Master Qian couldn’t help but show a hint of joy. "No..."
Zheng Fa paid no mind to his modesty and continued, "Qianhe Valley has two cultivation directions: one is to reduce the thunderous power and increase the spiritual energy—essentially cultivating it as an ordinary spirit plant."
"The other is to further enhance the thunderous power..."
"You should know the approach, right?"
This made Master Qian fall silent, nodding repeatedly. "You wrote the method in your book, I know."
Zheng Fa was even more pleased upon hearing this. He suddenly looked at Master Qian and said, "Thank you, Master Qian..."
"Huh?"
"Thank you!" Zheng Fa said earnestly.
Master Qian was taken aback; all those past experiences of greeting and sending off guests suddenly left him at a loss for words.
After Zheng Fa finished speaking, Senior Sister Zhang smiled and nodded at Master Qian.
Uncle Pang even cheerfully patted his shoulder, saying, "Well done."
After Zheng Fa and the others took their leave, Master Qian remained standing in place, his expression inscrutable, as if he were in a daze.
"Master..." His disciples exchanged glances, unsure of what he was thinking. "Aren't you happy?"
"Happy?" Master Qian turned to them and said, "I am happy!"
"Then why did you..."
"I was thinking... in the past, I was so subservient, bending over backward, smiling through gritted teeth..." Master Qian's expression seemed almost otherworldly. "I never had a Yuanying master pat my shoulder and say 'well done'..."
"Now I stand tall, no longer risking my life... yet I have received all this..."
"..."
With that, Master Qian turned and walked toward the fields, humming a tune.
His disciples looked at each other, reflecting on their master's words, and then turned to run toward the fields.
The once tedious farm work now seemed filled with hope.
...
The Baibao Hall on Tiangong Island in the Jiushan Realm had officially become the Administrative Hall.
Currently, Zheng Fa had not yet opened up secular business on a large scale—most of the mundane affairs were still managed by Uncle Huang and Senior Sister Yuan.
However, there were tasks in the Administrative Hall, and the most pressing one was the construction of the Nine Islands of Tiangong. The pace of construction was not very fast, as many talismans and spells could not be used in the Jiushan Realm.
Zhou Ganyuan followed his senior brother Sun Daoyu to the Administrative Hall, preparing to take on more tasks and exchange for some spiritual materials.
Sun Daoyu said, "The Jiushan Realm is most suitable for thunder techniques. My brothers and I should collaborate, take on more tasks, and focus on cultivating the body technique first."
Zhou Ganyuan nodded, just as a sudden exclamation came from the nearby Fengshen Hall: "Is this even possible?"
The two exchanged glances and walked toward the Fengshen Hall.
Upon entering, they found a glowing screen standing there, covered in dense text.
"What’s going on?" Sun Daoyu asked curiously.
"Zheng Shidi has created an educational outline, saying he plans to select students based on it to teach them immortal techniques."
Someone explained.
"Then... why are they so excited?"
Sun Daoyu pointed to a senior brother in front, who was frantically scrolling on the glowing screen, his fingers trembling.
Not just him; the other brothers and sisters were whispering among themselves, seemingly discussing something.
"There are too many immortal techniques on there..."
"Huh?"
"There's the 'Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique...'"
"Ah?"
Zhou Ganyuan and Sun Daoyu exchanged glances, suddenly realizing the excitement of their fellow disciples made perfect sense.
The reputation of the "Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique" had grown alongside Zheng Fa's increasing strength—especially after Senior Sister Zhang broke through to Yuanying, many believed it to be the best foundation establishment technique in the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
But this was Senior Sister Zhang's unique secret method, and others dared not covet it.
Now, however, it was included in this so-called "educational outline." How could they not be thrilled?
"And there's the sect leader's talisman array technique..."
"Master Pang's continuous talisman technique..."
"..."
"I even heard there’s a secret method for forming a dan..."
Zhou Ganyuan and Sun Daoyu were left speechless...
They exchanged glances, squeezed into the crowd, and pored over the outline for a long time before asking:
"What does the subject requirement mean?"
It was Senior Brother Yang who spoke up: "I know; Senior Sister Zhang said Zheng Shidi intends to hold a major exam... to see if we meet the requirements based on our scores."
"..."
"I wonder how this will be tested..."
"How hard can it be? Is it harder than us risking our lives? We’re not afraid of dying; are we afraid of an exam?"
"That’s true!"
---
Chapter 280: Preliminary Exam, Microscopic Array
"Disciple, the questions you set..." Uncle Pang looked at the exam paper created by Zheng Fa, his face twisting slightly. "Isn't it a bit too difficult?"
"Difficult?" Zheng Fa was taken aback, glancing at Senior Sister Zhang beside him.
This math exam was co-created by him and Senior Sister Zhang, and he hadn’t intentionally made it harder.
Senior Sister Zhang shook her head and said to Uncle Pang, "I had made it even harder before... Zheng Shidi simplified some of the complex questions; even his sister can solve them."
Uncle Pang twitched his lips, falling silent for a moment before speaking. "For me... it’s not that hard."
"But not all disciples of the Jiushan Sect are as good at math as I am, right..."
He looked around, first at Zheng Fa, then at Senior Sister Zhang, finally pointing at Senior Sister Yuan. "Take for example, Senior Sister Yuan..."
Senior Sister Yuan: "???"
Zheng Fa glanced at Senior Sister Yuan and said softly, "Uncle, Senior Sister Yuan isn’t participating in this exam for the Jiushan Sect disciples..."
"Huh? Isn’t she a Jiushan Sect disciple?"
Uncle Pang looked puzzled, only to hear Zheng Fa, slightly exasperated, say, "Aren't we planning to hold a major exam for the mortals in the Tiangong as well? Just simple math and language skills."
"So..."
Uncle Pang pointed at Senior Sister Yuan, and Zheng Fa replied, "Senior Sister Yuan requested it herself."
"I remember your sister is also taking this exam?"
Uncle Pang seemed to recall something and asked.
"Yes."
"Are they... taking it together?"
Zheng Fa nodded slightly.
Looking at the self-satisfied, shameless Senior Sister Yuan, Uncle Pang held back his words, finally choosing not to speak.
...
Once the exam papers were finalized, the exam day arrived quickly.
For Tiangong's Nine Islands, this was a nationwide examination—
Not to mention the disciples of the Jiushan Sect; the secret methods listed in the educational outline were already enough to draw them in.
For the three hundred thousand mortals on Le Tu Island, this exam held significant meaning.
Zheng Fa had many thoughts regarding the examination of mortals.
The first was, of course, to identify promising candidates.
But for these mortals, the most important thing was another matter: Zheng Fa aimed to establish a corresponding management system in the Jiushan Realm through this exam.
In simple terms, it was akin to a civil service exam, or a reformed imperial examination—he believed that a certain level of mathematical ability and literacy were essential qualities for grassroots management personnel.
Of course, this didn’t mean that good grades would guarantee a position; Zheng Fa still intended to conduct interviews.
Selecting some quick-witted individuals who aligned with Zheng Fa's vision for management would help smooth out the various systems in the Jiushan Realm.
...
Sun Daoyu and Zhou Ganyuan walked toward the main hall on University Island.
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