Chapter 544
"Such a pity... I was really looking forward to traveling to the Xuanwei Realm, but now I can't dare to."
"I can't take you there now, nor do I have the means to," Zheng Fa shook his head, glancing at the frowning Tang Lingwu with a smile. "But the disciples of Jiushan Sect definitely know about you."
"They know us?"
Zheng Fa chuckled and pulled out two books:
"This 'Fudian' has you, Teacher Bai, as the first author."
The 'Fudian' of Jiushan Sect is distinct from other talismanic texts in the Xuanwei Realm, as it is primarily based on topology, deriving unique methods such as the Three Child Talisman Law and the Five Elements Child Talisman and Composite Talisman techniques.
It’s both systematic and unique.
The foundation still lies in what Old Man Bai had given Zheng Fa back in the day.
Old Man Bai picked up the 'Fudian' and, seeing his name at the top of the author list, couldn't help but cherish it, laughing, "And look, Lingwu's name is here too!"
Tang Lingwu had made significant contributions to Jiushan's talismanic arts, with the Five Elements Child Talisman and the Divine Name Child Talisman both related to her work.
However...
"This 'Jiushan Nongdian' has Lingwu as the chief editor."
The 'Jiushan Nongdian' has also been updated, incorporating many of Master Qian's research findings and methods.
But the first edition was actually a little surprise from Tang Lingwu to Zheng Fa—years ago, she had asked Old Man Hou to collaborate with talents from Jiushan Grain Company to edit the first version of the 'Nongdian.'
Thus, she held the title of chief editor.
Zheng Fa brought these two books to the modern world as teaching materials for the nursing home, and now, Jiushan Sect can also give back to the present.
Tang Lingwu glanced at the 'Jiushan Nongdian,' her expression calming considerably.
Old Man Bai was a bit taken aback: "With my cultivation level, they still want to learn from what I've written?"
He was currently at the eighth level of Qi training, feeling like a small fry.
"Teacher Bai, let's put it this way: in Jiushan Sect, your lower limit is the Nascent Soul stage, and there's no ceiling above that!"
Old Man Bai's mouth dropped open—so I’m actually a hidden master?
Zheng Fa ran off to discuss with the professors in front of the nursing home how to utilize the external elixirs—after all, the industrial center of Jiushan Sect still revolves around external elixirs.
Moreover, transplanting modern technology into the Jiushan Realm makes the development of external elixirs quite important.
Watching his disappearing figure, Tang Muda clicked her tongue, whispering, "Turns out he really is an alien..."
The same universe is still the same universe, but the Xuanwei Realm sounds much farther away than an alien planet.
"What alien?" Old Man Bai scoffed, "You're the alien!"
"…"
"Do you understand what Zheng Fa is doing?"
"What?"
Old Man Bai tilted his head, adjusting his demeanor, and said with a tone:
"Let a portion of the scientists get rich first~"
The latest gossip is published in the Six Nine Book!
"…"
Tang Muda was left speechless.
"Let a portion of the scientists cultivate first~"
"…I don't know about getting rich, but you, old man, might be a bit delusional."
"…You see, you, a half-baked foreigner, don’t get it, do you?" Old Man Bai looked at him with disdain, "In terms of ideas, Zheng Fa is much more authentic than you."
Tang Lingwu couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing her smile, Old Man Bai felt quite pleased with himself, as if he had a knack for making people happy.
Unexpectedly, after a moment, Tang Lingwu's smile faded, and without a moment's pause, she headed toward her room.
"Lingwu, where are you going?"
"To cultivate!"
"…"
Old Man Bai tilted his head, puzzled, but after a moment, a thought struck him:
"Aren't you thinking of cultivating hard to reach the Xuanwei Realm and help Zheng Fa?"
Tang Lingwu seemed a bit shy, not daring to look back, but she gently nodded.
Watching her enter her room, Old Man Bai stroked his chin and sighed, "No wonder young people are so daring, they dream big and act on it!"
With that, he turned and walked toward a small room on the side of the nursing home.
Tang Muda knew this room was a power exchange station used for practicing the 'Five Thunder Body Technique.'
"…You also want to cultivate quietly and then amaze the entire Xuanwei Realm?"
"What can I do?" Old Man Bai replied, looking down at the 'Fudian' in his hands, his expression a mix of contentment and sadness.
"If one day someone from the Xuanwei Realm really comes and finds that I, Bai Yuanying, have such little cultivation…"
"…"
"Wouldn't that be a disaster?"
……
In Shan Nan Province, a statue suddenly appeared in the Mining Machinery Research Institute.
"Is that... Zheng Fa?"
A young man looked at the half-man-high statue standing at the entrance, puzzled.
"What’s this for?"
An older Mediterranean man replied matter-of-factly, "To worship!"
"…"
"I bought it! It wasn't available online, so I drove to find a sculptor and cut in line to get it."
"What’s the point? Is it even appropriate to put it here?"
"The director will reimburse it!"
"…"
"Don't you think our research institute has had some bad luck these past few years?" the Mediterranean man whispered, "I heard... some people are leaving again."
The young man pursed his lips, remaining silent.
Their research institute used to belong to a state-owned mining group, responsible for technological research and development.
Years ago, things were going quite well.
Shan Nan Province is a major mining province, and the group was the strongest in the province, thriving on the local resources. They were quite prosperous back then, and the research institute was also flourishing.
But he missed that good time.
By the time he arrived, the group's profits were already declining.
Now the research institute had to be self-sufficient, still under the group, but funding was getting less and less.
The problem is... in such an organization, without anyone to support them, it felt like being an orphaned child—miserable.
"What did the director say?"
"What did he say? Go overseas... there aren't many opportunities domestically."
"Is that feasible?" the young man muttered, noting that going overseas was quite competitive, and they couldn't compete with those state-owned enterprises, not to mention foreign counterparts.
Several projects had ended in failure.
"So people are leaving... it's not a secure job anymore, and the salary isn't high."
The young man fell silent again.
"Wait, looking at your expression... are you thinking of leaving too? Our research institute has treated you well, getting everything for you..."
The young man forced a smile, "I'm considering it... actually, there's an opportunity abroad..."
"Big shot, huh..."
"If they can offer that much, they must be a godsend client for us."
The Mediterranean man stared at him for a while, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his chest, handing him one while lighting one for himself. "Have you decided?"
The young man lowered his head, took a puff of the cigarette, and coughed a couple of times, "My girlfriend is pushing me to get married..."
"Getting married means buying a house."
"Still in the provincial capital."
The Mediterranean man smoked, listening.
The young man coughed again and said, "Given the current situation, don’t even mention quitting to go overseas to make money."
"If going overseas can make money, I’d have to think about it..."
After that, no one spoke.
The two silently finished a pack of cigarettes, and the Mediterranean man finally said, "Say goodbye to the director; you were personally recruited by him, so he’s treated you well."
"Yeah, aren’t you leaving?"
"Don’t want to stir things up; it’s quite comfortable here."
The young man felt a bit ashamed.
"You don’t have a wife; I do... didn’t you know?"
"Know what?"
"My wife’s family was demolished a few years ago."
"…What about the director?"
The young man looked up, glancing into the office, feeling anxious... this broken unit, he couldn't stay for another moment.
The research institute was a two-story old building, already aging faster than the institute itself.
"The director went to the group for a budget meeting, but he should be back soon..." the Mediterranean man clicked his tongue, "He’s probably arguing with someone again; our institute has broken several tables already. Next time, we should get a stainless steel one to save some money, though it’s a bit labor-intensive."
The young man chuckled, realizing he couldn’t laugh anymore.
An old car screeched to a halt at the entrance.
"Great, looks like they lost the argument."
Before the car even stopped, the director jumped out of the driver's seat, rushing toward them with a smile on his face.
"Director!"
The young man called out, wanting to ask about the situation. If the director was in a good mood, it would be the perfect time to bring up his resignation.
"Is everyone here?"
But the director just glanced at him and hurriedly asked.
"Yes..."
"Clean up your desks and tidy up!" the director shouted, "Get yourselves presentable!"
The Mediterranean man was startled: "In this broken place, there’s still a leader willing to come?"
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