Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World
Chapter 86 Family

Chapter 86: Chapter 86 Family

An enclosed cabin on a ship.

A group of naive new disciples in the world of cultivation.

Three not-so-friendly senior brothers.

Zheng Fa was very skeptical of the intentions of these three men.

It wasn’t just him; the expressions of the other new disciples looking at these three senior brothers were all somewhat doubtful.

They weren’t foolish either; these three had not behaved this way before.

The chubby senior brother didn’t get angry at their expressions; he simply waved his hand and a stack of books flew to the front of Zheng Fa and the others.

"There’s no proof in just words, but since you’ve all joined the Jiushan Sect, most of you should have learned some talismanic magic, and I trust you have some discernment," he said quite confidently: "After reading the books, you’ll know that what I say is true."

Seeing him so sure of himself, Zheng Fa actually became a bit interested in Master Zhang’s Discussion on Talismans.

He picked up the book that landed on his knees and began to flip through it.

As he read, he actually became a bit surprised, and began to understand why this senior brother seemed so confident—the quality of the book was far beyond his expectations.

Master Zhang’s Discussion on Talismans was indeed written for novices of the talismanic Dao.

The book is roughly divided into two parts: Primordial Talisman Chapter and talisman-making section.

There’s not much to say about the Primordial Talisman Chapter; While Zheng Fa felt that the content was not of much benefit to himself, it was quite precise, and at least he couldn’t find any faults with it.

The talisman-making section was more novel to him and of greater value.

The content of the talisman-making section was extensive, ranging from how to select good talisman brushes and paper, to posture and mental adjustments before painting talismans, and how to summarize and improve after painting—all written in meticulous detail and quite complete.

It was simple yet practical, and that was not an easy feat.

In Zheng Fa’s view, the simpler it was, the deeper the expertise required sometimes.

The person who wrote this book had significant achievements in talismanic magic.

After skimming through the book, Zheng Fa even felt a little guilty—had he misunderstood these three senior brothers? Did they really treat us as family?

Could you not sell this book for a good price?

Although within the Immortal Sect this book would definitely be considered basic knowledge, it was genuinely authentic.

Thinking about the Spiritual Crane Body that had wasted Mr. Xu’s twenty years and then looking at Master Zhang’s Discussion on Talismans in front of him.

The price of ten taels of gold was really not high for this book.

It even seemed a bit too cheap.

He looked up and realized something was amiss; after receiving the books, the new disciples actually turned their heads to look at him.

Zheng Fa was a bit bewildered, why are they looking at me?

The chubby senior brother was even more puzzled—I asked you to examine the goods, you’re supposed to read, not to sell him!

He also noticed that these new disciples seemed to be waiting for this person’s opinion.

It seemed that compared to their words, these junior brothers and sisters trusted this unknown junior brother a little more.

"This junior brother, what do you think of this book?" The chubby senior brother directly asked Zheng Fa, his smile bearing a profound meaning, and it seemed somewhat threatening.

Zheng Fa put down the book, thought for a moment, and although he did not have a good impression of these three senior brothers, he still objectively said: "I do not know the prices in the Immortal Sect, but in my opinion, this book is worth the price."

"I’ll take one!"

Zhou Qianyuan spoke up first, and to everyone’s surprise, the rest of the new disciples followed suit, and most of them generously opened their purses.

The chubby senior brother was even more puzzled.

You didn’t even read the book!

You bought it just on his single word?

Watching his prepared books sell out, the chubby senior brother looked at Zheng Fa and seemed conflicted, as if hesitating whether to have a conscience and give this junior brother a commission.

...

Zheng Fa also bought a copy. Clutching the book, he headed back, ready to thoroughly study the talisman-making section.

The chubby senior brother watched Zheng Fa’s retreating figure, frowning as he pulled Zhou Qian Yuan aside.

"Junior Zhou, I saw everyone looking at that junior just now. For what reason?"

"You don’t know, senior brother?" Zhou Qian Yuan was surprised.

"Know what?"

"In this Immortal Item Conference, Mr. Zheng reached Jiushan and is acclaimed as the once-in-ten-thousand-years talent in talismanic magic. All of us new disciples have seen it, and we are all convinced of his talent in talismanic magic—he says a book is good, then it certainly is good,"

Zhou Qian Yuan explained.

"..." The chubby senior brother finally understood the reason, his cheeks twitching, quite frustrated: "How could we, these unimportant figures, get the news from the Immortal Item Conference so quickly? The once-in-ten-thousand-years talent in talismanic magic? No wonder you all listen to him."

His expression didn’t really show concern about this so-called talent.

He even joked with Zhou Qian Yuan, smiling: "I heard from Sun that you have astonishing talent, I thought you were going to be the top newcomer at the Immortal Item Conference... They say the quality of new disciples this year is very high, and indeed there is an outburst of talents, no wonder some senior brothers and junior brothers are not too happy."

While saying this, he seemed a bit displeased, but more of it was a casual enjoyment of the situation.

This made Zhou Qian Yuan couldn’t help but ask: "Then, senior brother, you..."

"Me? Of course, I’m not too happy about Jiushan Sect having more new disciples like you." The chubby senior brother was candid: "With more people, what I can get naturally becomes less. If I didn’t want to sell books, I wouldn’t even bother with you. But I’m not too worried."

It seemed that no matter how talented the new disciples were, he had his own confidence.

He pointed to the book in Zhou Qian Yuan’s hand, saying with a bit of pride: "You don’t seriously think that the three words ’Master Zhang’ on this book are fake, do you?"

"..." Zhou Qian Yuan, looking at the book in his hand, had an epiphany.

"We are disciples of Zhang! No matter how impressive you are, you can’t step over us." The chubby senior brother puffed out his chest: "Those junior brothers, including the Zheng you mentioned, thinking about surpassing Zhang within the Sect, will have to wait until the year of the monkey and the month of the horse!"

Zhou Qian Yuan frowned, puzzled, "But why would Mr. Zheng want to overpower his own senior sister?"

"?"

"He’s a genius in talismanic Dao personally trained by Master Zhang."

The chubby senior brother stared at him blankly, the pride on his face gradually solidifying, his lips trembling lightly.

...

Zheng Fa was nestled in his room studying "Master Zhang’s Discussion on Talismans," when the door was knocked on again.

He thought it was Zhou Qian Yuan, but upon opening the door, he found the three senior brothers who were not very polite to him earlier on.

However, these three were smiling brilliantly now, their faces folded into chrysanthemums—so ingratiating that Zheng Fa found it almost unrecognizable.

"Junior brother!" The chubby senior brother grabbed Zheng Fa’s arm, saying enthusiastically, "What a flood that washes over the Dragon King Temple! We’re really one family after all!"

"...Senior brothers, what’s the meaning of this?"

Zheng Fa was stunned too; how could these people change their faces so swiftly?

"We heard junior brother was personally taken in by Zhang, and isn’t that a coincidence? We too are disciples of Zhang!"

Hearing this, Zheng Fa looked at them with suspicion.

He thought Zhang’s discernment would have been higher.

The chubby senior brother’s tone gradually faded: "Under her guidance..."

"..."

So this is where your arrogance stems from?

Zheng Fa set aside the book in his hand and quietly observed the three senior brothers in front of him.

"How about... we turn the ship around and bid a proper farewell to the lady?" The chubby senior brother asked with a downcast face.

It seemed as if the lady’s crying had traveled thousands of miles, finally touching the faint strings of compassion in his heart.