Chapter 702
"I have never regretted it, and I will not regret it in the future."
...
The support for Zheng Fa's reform did not come solely from Sister Zhang.
He concealed his figure and landed outside a secluded courtyard on University Island.
He watched as Mu Qingyan pushed open the courtyard door and stood at the entrance, as if she had anticipated his arrival, asking, "Senior Brother, you’re still awake?"
In the courtyard, Gu Chang lowered his head and murmured in response, his gaze still fixed on a spirit mouse in a cage.
"How's it going?"
Gu Chang stood up, brushing off the dust from his clothes, his expression slightly dim: "Not great. The nerve growth completion is at ninety percent, but the nervous system is extremely delicate... A hair's breadth can mean a thousand miles apart."
"Moreover, if it were to be applied to a human body, the results would likely be even worse."
Mu Qingyan nodded, seemingly accustomed to this, and said, "Senior Brother, don’t be foolish. Your body has already suffered significant damage. The Master has instructed that if you’re not sure, you cannot use yourself as a test subject."
Gu Chang smiled faintly and glanced toward Zheng Fa's courtyard: "Don’t worry, I’m just a bit anxious."
He looked at Mu Qingyan and sighed, "The Master has been wholeheartedly supporting this project, yet we... have yet to produce any results."
Mu Qingyan walked into the courtyard.
The small courtyard had three rows of houses. The left wing stored various medicinal materials sent from the herb garden, while the right wing resembled a small spirit beast sanctuary, housing various spirit beasts cultivated by Jiao Wuji or purchased from the outside.
The main house was a mix of styles:
Three interconnected rooms resembled a modern chemistry lab, filled with transparent bottles of various sizes, connected to various metal observation instruments.
In one corner of the main room stood an alchemy furnace.
This courtyard was allocated by Zheng Fa for the spirit root transformation project team. Naturally, the team consisted of more than just the two of them, but these two were core figures, always arriving the earliest.
Gu Chang sighed again: "We have access to all the spirit medicines we need. Whatever spirit beasts we require, regardless of the price, the Bureau of Affairs will procure them. Moreover, the elders in the sect will spare time to assist us. Not to mention the Master occasionally providing guidance."
"I am already a waste of a body, favored by the Master. If the experiment fails, it’s just my fate, but to let down the Master’s trust..."
He paused, speaking in a low voice: "Last night, I actually went back to rest, but in my dream... the experiment succeeded. I hurriedly threw on my clothes and rushed over, only to find it was just a beautiful dream."
Mu Qingyan listened, her expression downcast: "Didn’t the Master say that the experiments are becoming more successful? Senior Brother, your theory is correct. It’s just that I’m too slow in developing the corresponding spirit medicines, dragging down the project’s progress..."
As they spoke, they organized the results of yesterday's experiment. Though they felt disheartened, they did not mention giving up.
Zheng Fa did not make an appearance but quietly left.
The biggest issue in suppressing the cultivation families lay with the spirit roots.
Spirit roots are a physical attribute, largely determined by genetics. This means that cultivators with high-quality spirit roots are more likely to produce offspring with better talents.
This is also why, to varying degrees, the sects in the Xuanwei Realm are somewhat familial: it’s the easiest way to obtain quality cultivation seeds.
Zheng Fa understood that spirit root transformation was a powerful weapon to solve the family issue.
If it weren’t for Gu Chang’s theory being nearly confirmed as correct, and the technical realization being merely a matter of time, Zheng Fa wouldn’t have made this decision.
Not to mention, spirit root transformation would increase the talent pool available to Jiushan Sect by tenfold or even a hundredfold.
The Hundred Immortals Alliance has limited territory and a relatively small population. If they relied on traditional methods to select talents, they would never catch up to the Four Sects.
As Gu Chang said, Zheng Fa had high hopes for this and invested significantly.
However, research is fraught with challenges, and they were currently stuck at the final hurdle, unable to make progress.
He glanced at his two busy disciples in the courtyard, knowing that if he showed himself, it would only increase their anxiety, so he chose to leave silently.
...
What Zheng Fa did not expect was that while he was anxious, someone else was even more so.
In a modern nursing home, Old Bai sought out Zheng Fa, asking, "How’s the spirit root transformation research going on your end?"
Several key figures in the nursing home were aware that Zheng Fa had another faction, and they had heard whispers about the research being conducted there.
"We’ve hit a snag; it’s unlikely we’ll have any results in the short term." Zheng Fa shook his head and looked at Old Bai, "Are you anxious?"
Old Bai’s spirit root was relatively poor, and his cultivation was slowing down.
His current level was even weaker than Tang Muda’s.
"Anxious... yes, a bit anxious." Old Bai rubbed his curly hair, a frown on his face, and added, "It’s mainly about Xiao Tian."
"Teacher Tian?"
Zheng Fa was taken aback; what did this have to do with Teacher Tian?
"She... she looks down on me because of my low spirit root!"
"…"
Zheng Fa thought back on the interactions between the two old folks and couldn’t see how Teacher Tian could possibly look down on Old Bai.
"Just look at the past six months; she runs to the newly established spirit plant experimental field every day!" Old Bai seemed to sense Zheng Fa’s disbelief and gestured dramatically, "Sometimes I don’t see her for an entire day!"
"Wait a minute..." Zheng Fa interrupted Old Bai’s complaints, frowning, "I remember Teacher Tian is also busy with the spirit root transformation experiment?"
Spirit root transformation is more useful for the modern world.
Thus, both realms were researching together, even relying on Zheng Fa for mutual communication.
The issues here were quite similar to those in the Jiushan Realm: they couldn’t find suitable spirit medicines.
Therefore, a new experimental field was established in Hongshan, right behind Hongshan.
Many transplanted plants were grown there—mainly rare seeds, most of which were sourced from various seed banks.
Some were even based on the genetic makeup of spirit medicines from the Jiushan Realm, looking for possible related species.
Old Bai nodded vigorously: "Exactly!"
"Then isn’t Teacher Tian doing this for you?"
Teacher Tian had a good spirit root and even possessed dual spirit roots. If she were eager to cultivate herself, why would she spend every day focused on spirit medicines?
It was clear for whom she was doing this.
"It’s for me... but she still looks down on my low spirit root!"
Seeing Old Bai’s adamant expression, Zheng Fa rubbed his forehead.
He realized that this old man had come to show off his affection.
Old Bai, noticing that Zheng Fa had seen through his thoughts, raised his head, looking as if he might fly into the sky, and pretended to say, "My mind is now calm and detached; I no longer care about cultivation. The quality of spirit roots is like floating clouds to me... but seeing Xiao Tian so focused on this, it pains my heart, doesn’t it?"
Zheng Fa’s consciousness passed through Hongshan and found Teacher Tian.
Sure enough, she stood in the field, her brows slightly furrowed in disappointment.
It was clear that the progress in cultivating spirit medicines was minimal.
Zheng Fa looked at the smug expression on Old Bai’s face, fell silent for a moment, and suddenly said, "I’ve achieved the Transformation Stage."
"…"
"With dual spirit roots and a Dao body, it’s fast, right?"
Old Bai lowered his head.
"Of course, with your calm and detached nature, I’m sure you don’t care."
"…"
After saying this, Zheng Fa gently patted Old Bai on the shoulder, a cloud of celebration appearing above his head. He intended to use the Spirit Mountain Technique but suddenly had a spark of inspiration and looked up at the sky.
Old Bai was still sulking when he saw Zheng Fa suddenly step into the air, flying higher and higher.
This was Zheng Fa’s first time in the modern world after achieving the Transformation Stage. As soon as he began to use his spiritual power, he felt something was off—he sensed a pull from deep within his body, and upon further sensing, this pull was coming from... the sun.
Having cultivated the "Huangting Jing" and solidified his Dharma body, he had completely merged with the Fusang tree.
The Fusang tree had a close connection with the sun in the modern world.
Now, he was naturally influenced by the sun, even summoned by it.
Thus, he abandoned Old Bai and soared upward, seeking clarity.
...
Old Bai looked up, watching Zheng Fa grow smaller and smaller until he could barely see him.
On one hand, he was curious; on the other, he felt a bit worried, so he kept his eyes fixed on the sky, searching for Zheng Fa’s figure.
But after searching for a long time, even with his keen eyesight, he couldn’t spot Zheng Fa, which only made him more anxious.
He activated a spell, using the Spirit Eye Technique to get a closer look, but suddenly his fingers froze, and his mouth fell open as he stared at the sky.
He no longer needed the Spirit Eye Technique—anyone with eyes could see Zheng Fa:
Zheng Fa’s figure loomed like a colossal deity, blocking half the sky.
He ascended slowly, reaching out to grasp the setting sun hanging high in the sky, as if... playing with it?
Old Bai swallowed hard.
He saw Zheng Fa suddenly sit cross-legged, his eyes half-closed, as if he were comprehending something.
His hands were cradled in front of his abdomen, the sun spinning back and forth at his fingertips, truly like a toy.
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