Chapter 546
"That's a whole universe!"
Tang Mu Dao slapped his thigh.
The old man Bai was momentarily taken aback, scratching his curly head. "So, what you're saying is, Zheng Fa is probably still a person?"
"…"
The logic was sound, but the wording was terrible.
"The Jiu Shan Sect isn't exactly safe in the Xuan Wei Realm." Zheng Fa hesitated, knowing he couldn't explain everything. "In fact, the Xuan Wei Realm itself isn't very safe."
"Modern times might involve a forbidden figure."
"That's why I don't want you to be known to them."
Zheng Fa was cautious about revealing too much, but the old man Bai and Tang Lingwu exchanged glances and nodded in understanding.
They grasped Zheng Fa's meaning—on some level, they were sheltered under his wings.
This was indeed the truth: if the Yin Yang fish jade pendant in Zheng Fa's sea of consciousness were to be exposed, it would be bad for him, but the consequences for the modern world would likely be even worse.
The atmosphere grew serious. Tang Lingwu looked at Zheng Fa, pouting, her eyes suddenly glistening with unshed tears, as if feeling a pang of heartache.
They had long noticed that Zheng Fa often seemed anxious and burdened.
Now they understood where that pressure came from.
If he was worried about their safety, then he must be even less secure himself.
He must be bearing a lot on his own.
The old man Bai chuckled awkwardly and joked, "What a pity... I was hoping to travel to the Xuan Wei Realm, but now I can't dare to."
"I can't take you there now, nor do I want to," Zheng Fa shook his head, glancing at the frowning Tang Lingwu with a smile. "But the disciples of the Jiu Shan Sect know about you."
"They know us?"
Zheng Fa grinned and pulled out two books.
"The first author of this 'Talisman Compendium' is you, Bai Laoshi."
The 'Talisman Compendium' of the Jiu Shan Sect was distinct from other talismanic texts in the Xuan Wei Realm, as it was based on topology, deriving unique methods like the Three Child Talisman Law and the Five Elements Child Talisman.
It was both systematic and unique.
Its foundation was still the material Bai Laoshi had given Zheng Fa back in the day.
Bai Laoshi picked up the 'Talisman Compendium' and saw his name at the top of the author list. He couldn't help but cherish it, laughing, "And look, Lingwu's name is here too!"
Tang Lingwu had made significant contributions to the Jiu Shan Talisman Path, with the Five Elements Child Talisman and the Divine Name Child Talisman both linked to her.
However...
"This 'Jiu Shan Agricultural Compendium' was edited by Lingwu herself."
The 'Jiu Shan Agricultural Compendium' had been updated, incorporating many of Qian Zhenren's research findings and methods.
But the first edition was actually a little surprise from Tang Lingwu to Zheng Fa—she had asked Old Hou to collaborate with talents from the Jiu Shan Grain Company to edit the first version of the 'Agricultural Compendium.'
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 the Jiu Shan Sect could also give back to the modern era.
Tang Lingwu glanced at the 'Jiu Shan Agricultural Compendium,' her expression calming considerably.
Bai Laoshi was a bit dumbfounded. "With my cultivation level, they want to learn from what I've written?"
He was currently at the eighth level of Qi training, feeling like a small fry.
"Bai Laoshi, let's put it this way: in the Jiu Shan Sect, your lower limit is the Nascent Soul, and there's no ceiling above that!"
Bai Laoshi's mouth dropped open—so I'm actually a hidden master?
Zheng Fa went off to discuss how to utilize the Shenxiao External Elixir with the professors in front of the nursing home—after all, the center of the Jiu Shan Sect's industry was still the External Elixir.
Moreover, transplanting modern technology to the Jiu Shan Realm made the development of External Elixirs quite important.
Watching his disappearing figure, Tang Mu Dao clicked his tongue and murmured, "Turns out he's really an alien..."
The same universe is still the same universe, but the Xuan Wei Realm sounds much farther away than an alien planet.
"What alien?" Bai Laoshi scoffed. "You're the alien!"
"…"
"Do you understand what Zheng Fa is doing?"
"What?"
Bai Laoshi tilted his head, adjusting his demeanor, and said with a tone, "Letting a portion of scientists get rich first~"
"…"
Tang Mu Dao looked utterly speechless.
"Letting a portion of scientists start cultivating first~"
"…I don't know about getting rich, but old man, you might be a bit delusional."
"…You see, you, a half-baked foreigner, don't get it, do you?" Bai Laoshi's expression was one of disdain. "In terms of ideas, Zheng Fa is way more authentic than you."
Tang Lingwu couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing her smile, Bai Laoshi felt proud, as if he had a knack for charming people.
But unexpectedly, after a moment, Tang Lingwu's smile faded, and without a second thought, she headed toward her room.
"Lingwu, where are you going?"
"To cultivate!"
"…"
Bai Laoshi tilted his head, puzzled, but after a moment, a thought struck him.
"Aren't you thinking of cultivating hard to help Zheng Fa in the Xuan Wei Realm?"
Tang Lingwu seemed a bit shy, not daring to look back, but she nodded gently.
Watching her enter her room, Bai Laoshi stroked his chin and sighed, "Young people really dare to dream and act!"
With that, he turned and walked toward a small room on the side of the nursing home.
Tang Mu Dao knew this room was a power exchange station used for practicing the 'Five Thunder Law Body.'
"…You also want to cultivate quietly and then amaze the entire Xuan Wei Realm?"
"What can I do?" Bai Laoshi replied, looking down at the 'Talisman Compendium' in his hands, his expression a mix of contentment and sadness.
"If one day someone from the Xuan Wei Realm really comes and discovers that I, Bai Yuan Ying, have this little cultivation level…"
"…"
"Wouldn't that be a disaster?"
……
In Shan Nan Province, at the Mining Machinery Research Institute, a statue suddenly appeared.
"Is this... Zheng Fa?"
A young man stared at the half-life-sized statue standing at the entrance, puzzled.
An older, balding man replied matter-of-factly, "You bow to it!"
"…"
"I bought it! You can't find it online; I drove to seek out a sculptor and cut in line to get it done."
"What’s the point of this? Is it even appropriate to place it here?"
"The director will reimburse it!"
"…"
"Don't you think our research institute has had some bad luck these past few years?" the balding man whispered. "I heard... some people are leaving again."
The young man pursed his lips, saying nothing.
Their research institute used to belong to a state-owned mining group, responsible for technological development.
Years ago, things were going quite well.
Shan Nan Province was a major mining area, and the group was the strongest in the province, thriving off the land. They were quite prosperous back then, and their research institute was also flourishing.
But he had missed that golden era.
By the time he arrived, the group's profits were already declining.
Now the research institute was self-sustaining, still under the group, but funding was dwindling.
The problem was... without support, they felt like orphans, and it was a grim situation.
"What did the director say?"
"What did he say? Go overseas... there aren't many opportunities domestically anymore."
"Is that feasible?" the young man muttered. Nowadays, 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 pay isn't high."
The young man fell silent again.
"Wait, judging by your expression... are you thinking of leaving too? Our research institute has treated you well, getting you everything you needed..."
The young man forced a smile. "I'm considering it... actually, there's an opportunity abroad..."
"Big bucks, huh..."
"If they can offer that much, they must be a dream client for us."
The balding man stared at him for a while, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his chest pocket, handing him one while lighting his own. "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 balding 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 balding man finally said, "Give the director a heads-up; he personally brought you in, so he's treated you well."
"Yeah, aren't you leaving?"
"Don't want to stir things up; it's pretty comfortable here."
The young man felt a bit ashamed.
"You don't have a wife; I do... don't you know?"
"Know what?"
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