Chapter 332
It was nothing more than merging the crops of the Jiushan Realm with the spiritual plants and even vegetable seeds from the outside world, to see if any new varieties could adapt to the Jiushan Realm.
With the advancement of technology, results were merely a matter of time.
This technology didn’t hold much significance for Senior Sister Zhang and the other high-level cultivators.
But for the lower tiers of the Jiushan Realm, it was of immense importance.
"Yes, your mother must have some vegetable seeds by now..."
Senior Sister Zhang chuckled, her smile genuine despite the fact that this matter held little benefit for her.
Zheng Fa blinked in surprise, then suddenly said, "Senior Sister..."
"Yes?"
"Thank you..."
Zheng Fa suddenly realized that while he had been focused on hosting Xiao Yuying, Senior Sister Zhang had quietly done so much for him.
She had taken on nearly all the trivial tasks.
Like the technique of Spirit Wood Transformation and the Golden Core Project.
The benefits to her were minimal, yet behind it all lay Senior Sister Zhang's hard work.
As he gradually took control of the Jiushan Sect, much of that was due to her contributions.
It was worth noting that Senior Sister Zhang's injuries had yet to heal.
But this kind of support felt too natural and habitual to Zheng Fa...
So much so that he had inexplicably overlooked it.
Senior Sister Zhang looked at him, her smile fading, her expression turning somewhat cold—just like when she was in front of other disciples.
"Senior Sister?"
"You can thank Xiao Yuying..."
"Uh?"
"I don’t need your thanks."
"…"
"I won’t allow you to thank me."
……
Xiao Yuying felt a stir in her heart, sensing someone was watching her from behind.
"What are you thinking about?"
Madam Xuanhua, sitting beside her, asked.
Xiao Yuying shook her head, looking at Madam Xuanhua.
They were currently outside the Jiushan Realm, in Madam Xuanhua's small courtyard.
"What is your relationship with the Jiushan Sect now?"
Madam Xuanhua inquired.
Xiao Yuying's gaze grew increasingly peculiar as she looked at her, remaining silent. "I tried the external alchemy method from that jade tube..."
Madam Xuanhua's face flushed, and she spoke softly.
"Did it work?"
"There were a few minor issues, but... it saved a lot of materials and spiritual energy."
Madam Xuanhua replied honestly.
Xiao Yuying nodded, understanding why Madam Xuanhua had been somewhat reserved at first.
She felt the same way.
She was considered a genius in lightning techniques, and only through that did she grasp the profundities of "Electromagnetism."
Madam Xuanhua had considerable skill in artifact refinement.
An external alchemy method was nothing significant for her.
But the implications behind it were enough to stir her heart.
It could be said that the more talented one was, the more one understood the wonders of the knowledge within the Jiushan Realm.
Yet, there was the barrier of the Jiushan Realm...
"I would say my relationship with the Jiushan Realm is one of mutual cooperation," Xiao Yuying explained. "Zheng Fa hasn’t restricted my freedom; in fact, he’s quite generous."
This was also why Xiao Yuying had invited Madam Xuanhua to assist the Jiushan Realm.
She felt that what she had learned in "Archaeology" paled in comparison to what she had studied in the Jiushan Realm.
Thus, she was willing to leverage her connections.
"So... you asked me for help because of that?"
Madam Xuanhua understood, nodding lightly, her expression relaxing considerably.
"Then could you ask him if I could do the same as you?"
Xiao Yuying wasn’t surprised; she nodded gently and replied, "I’ll ask Zheng Fa."
A smile appeared on Madam Xuanhua's face.
Xiao Yuying added, "But I should warn you, if the Jiushan Realm hasn’t wronged you, and you betray Zheng Fa... I won’t stand by."
"…"
Madam Xuanhua was taken aback, her face turning red as she stammered, "We’ve been collaborating for a thousand years; there’s no romantic involvement, and even being in cahoots feels a bit scandalous... Are you threatening me?"
"Yes!"
"Are you really falling for Zheng Fa?"
Madam Xuanhua's eyes widened, her tone incredulous.
Clearly, she had been joking before, but now... she seemed to believe it.
Xiao Yuying looked up, pondering for a moment, then said, "No matter what, I don’t want to share with anyone."
"Uh?"
Madam Xuanhua didn’t quite understand, but she could tell that Xiao Yuying and Zheng Fa were probably not that kind of relationship.
"What about you and him?"
"... Just a meal's worth of friendship."
"Were you possessed?" Madam Xuanhua was even more shocked, pursing her lips. "Otherwise, don’t ask; I’m a bit scared..."
……
"Is Madam Xuanhua coming?"
Zheng Fa wasn’t surprised; he had shown the jade tube to Madam Xuanhua, naturally harboring this little thought...
Such alluring knowledge, who wouldn’t be captivated?
He pondered for a moment and asked Xiao Yuying, "Xiao Xianzi... what do you think?"
After all, he only had a passing acquaintance with Madam Xuanhua.
The rumors about her in the Xuanwei Realm were hardly complete.
The one who understood her best was, in fact, Xiao Yuying.
"... If you expect her to keep the secrets of the Jiushan Realm to herself, even if it costs her life... that probably won’t work."
Xiao Yuying said softly, showing no intention of defending Madam Xuanhua.
"But if you can provide her with enough benefits, it would be hard for her to betray you."
Zheng Fa understood.
Xiao Yuying wasn’t vouching for Madam Xuanhua’s character, but she recognized the woman’s rationality.
In simple terms, Madam Xuanhua’s loyalty stemmed from weighing the pros and cons.
After thinking for a while, he said, "Actually, the Jiushan Realm has already started to classify various legacies and knowledge..."
Xiao Yuying nodded.
"If outsiders want to study in my Jiushan, they must make corresponding contributions to the Jiushan."
Zheng Fa glanced at Senior Sister Zhang as he spoke about the rules they had previously discussed, "This contribution is also measured by merit, but the requirements will be much higher than for those within the Jiushan."
"What that means is, if Madam Xuanhua wants to learn 'Electromagnetism,' it won’t be like how you, Xianzi, can just learn... but she’ll have to exchange learning opportunities through various contributions."
"…"
Xiao Yuying furrowed her brows, taking a while to comprehend.
This was essentially a study abroad system; the current education in the Jiushan Realm was closer to compulsory education.
But this was meant for the citizens within the Jiushan Realm—after all, Zheng Fa had a high degree of control over those inside.
But Madam Xuanhua was different.
She had no contributions to the Jiushan Realm and no loyalty to speak of.
So, paying a hefty tuition fee... wasn’t unreasonable, was it?
"What kind of contributions are we talking about?"
"Like you, Xianzi, teaching could work; I’d pay her for the class hours."
"Or she could bring various resources to the Jiushan Realm, that would be fine too."
"Oh, if she intends to join my Jiushan Sect, then everything is negotiable."
Zheng Fa explained in detail.
Xiao Yuying understood; these requirements were actually much stricter than before.
For instance, with 'Electromagnetism,' although she was also teaching, there hadn’t been a strict delineation of contribution points—almost as if she wanted to learn, Zheng Fa was willing to teach.
But Madam Xuanhua didn’t have that privilege; it had already started to be clearly priced.
"What about me?"
Xiao Yuying suddenly asked.
"You, Xiao Xianzi, are naturally different."
The Jiushan Sect and Xiao Yuying had been through thick and thin together...
Xiao Yuying pursed her lips and suddenly glanced at Senior Sister Zhang.
Senior Sister Zhang: "?"
……
"What a loss!"
In the Jiushan Realm, Madam Xuanhua followed Xiao Yuying, muttering to herself.
"Looking at something like the 'Golden Core Project'... all the spirit stones I earned over the past ten years went to the Jiushan Sect!"
As she spoke, her face was filled with heartache, as if her heart had been ripped out.
"Didn’t Zheng Fa say? If you exchange a legacy, it’s much cheaper."
Madam Xuanhua pursed her lips and scoffed, "Do you think I’m foolish?"
"Isn’t this a top-secret legacy for the Jiushan Sect? What’s wrong with charging you a few spirit stones to see it?"
"How was I to know... if this thing would even work..."
Xiao Yuying glanced at the insincere Madam Xuanhua; she had chosen the 'Golden Core Project' precisely because Zheng Fa had mentioned that the project was related to the external alchemy method.
"If it doesn’t work, just give more feedback..."
Recalling Zheng Fa’s other requirement, Xiao Yuying added.
"You really are defending Zheng Fa..."
"Do you know how many spirit stones I need to observe the Golden Core Project?"
"How many?"
"None."
"…"
Madam Xuanhua stared at her.
"You tell me, should I defend him?"
Madam Xuanhua’s face twitched; she didn’t want to engage with her.
……
The two walked to a corner of the University Island, where the place had transformed completely, a sharply defined, square courtyard now stood there.
This courtyard looked entirely different from most buildings in the Xuanwei Realm.
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