I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times
Book 2: Chapter 184: Teaching Syllabus, Golden Core Project

Vol 2 Chapter 184: Teaching Syllabus, Golden Core Project

A few days later.

After analyzing the eight Golden Core process diagrams, Zheng Fa and his team had more or less confirmed their earlier theory—the purpose of the Golden Core was to produce new particles.

“The analysis on Yin-Yang Fusion is ready too.”

Cheng Yun—the young man brought by Team Leader Yang—walked over and said to Zheng Fa.

Analyzing Yin-Yang Fusion wasn’t simple.

Cheng Yun and his team had brought over special equipment and personnel to set up a lab.

He opened the laptop in his hands.

It displayed all kinds of data.

“This line shows the energy fluctuation curve.”

“This one is the particle generation diagram.”

“And this, the changes in electromagnetic field intensity.”

“...”

Zheng Fa looked over the graphs and nodded lightly. He turned to Cheng Yun and asked:

“Any conclusions?”

“It is indeed a fusion process—a controllable one.”

At that, Cheng Yun looked a little dazed. He gave a wry smile and said, “The professors we consulted are all about to go crazy...”

“Huh?”

Cheng Yun shrugged, as if not knowing how to explain.

Brother Wu—the middle-aged man who had come with him—chuckled and said, “Director Zheng, you probably can’t imagine... what it means to wake up and find your dream’s come true...”

Team Leader Yang couldn’t help but speak up at this point:

“Director Zheng...”

She gave him a look, and the two stepped into the room. Only then did she pull out a stack of documents and hand them to Zheng Fa.

“Proposal for Controlled Nuclear Fusion Development.”

Zheng Fa glanced over the content and immediately understood what Team Leader Yang was getting at—

If the spiritual plants and Zheng Fa’s personal power at the nursing home had once made the state wary and respectful...

Then this time, what Yin-Yang Fusion demonstrated was on a whole other level.

“Director Zheng... I believe you understand the significance of controlled nuclear fusion better than I do.” Team Leader Yang seemed to have figured out his temperament by now and spoke frankly. “I remember you once said that expanding spiritual energy is extremely difficult.”

Zheng Fa nodded.

At present, modern spiritual energy still came solely from himself.

Naturally, its range was extremely limited.

It didn’t even cover the base of the mountain.

“But controlled nuclear fusion is different... we have plenty of ways to transmit that energy outward.”

Zheng Fa nodded thoughtfully. “So you’re thinking of building a fusion power plant in Hongshan?”

Team Leader Yang nodded eagerly, watching him expectantly.

Zheng Fa frowned slightly.

Seeing that, she looked a bit disappointed but didn’t dare say much. She even seemed more cautious than before.

After all, they used to fear Zheng Fa might assassinate someone.

Now...

They were worried he might blow something up...

Ever since Yin-Yang Fusion was verified, Zheng Fa and the nursing home’s value—and their deterrence—had jumped several levels.

“Team Leader Yang, you know I’ve never been against cooperation, but...”

To her surprise, Zheng Fa continued.

“Right now I can only achieve controlled nuclear fusion with Yin-Yang Fusion. What, you want me to sit in the nursing home all day and boil water for you?”

“...”

“Even if I form a Golden Core, I’m not going to live out my days as some human generator.”

Team Leader Yang nodded awkwardly, sensing his discontent.

Zheng Fa flipped through the proposal again, then suddenly chuckled. “Now this guy’s got some clever ideas.”

She glanced over and saw the name “Cheng Yun” on the document.

In the plan, Cheng Yun had suggested a concept: using the function of a magic tool to replicate the structure of a Golden Core—to build a cultivation-style nuclear fusion device.

“You mean... a magic tool?”

Zheng Fa nodded. “If we ever figure out how to produce Spiritual Materials, this could be a solid direction.”

Cheng Yun didn’t understand magic tools, so in the proposal, the idea was just briefly mentioned without elaboration.

But Zheng Fa found it quite compelling—

In the modern world, this was a difficult idea. Without spiritual materials, crafting a magic tool was hard.

But in the Jiushan Realm—or more broadly, the Xuanyi Realm—while spiritual materials were expensive, they at least existed.

If you could make something like this in the Jiushan Realm—actually, you might not even need a magic tool, just a formation...

The Jiushan Realm could leap into the modern age overnight.

...

On their way down the mountain, Team Leader Yang kept glancing back at Cheng Yun, eyes filled with contemplation.

“Director Yang?”

“I think Director Zheng seems to like you a bit...”

Cheng Yun curled his lip and muttered, “It’s not like he wants to take me in as a disciple or anything...”

“You don’t get it.” Team Leader Yang sighed. “He’s extremely principled. He doesn’t let personal feelings guide his actions. Like in the nursing home, he’s closest to Professor Bai and Tang Lingwu, but when it comes to teaching Immortal Techniques, he sticks strictly to the current contribution-point system.”

“He respects Elder Hou deeply, but never plays favorites.”

“You’re saying...”

“Once this project is done, you’ll probably earn enough points to exchange for some Immortal Techniques.”

Cheng Yun’s eyes lit up.

“And...” Team Leader Yang suddenly added, “When you get back, prepare for a promotion.”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean ‘huh’? Even if Director Zheng doesn’t act on personal feelings—we do!”

“...”

...

Jiushan Realm.

Zheng Fa gathered Senior Sister Zhang, Senior Sister Yuan, and three Nascent Soul elders.

He first shared the findings from modern Golden Core research with them.

“New particles?” The group looked puzzled. “What are particles?”

“They’re...” Zheng Fa began to explain, “It’s a long story. I have a few books on the topic. If you read them later, you’ll probably understand a bit.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded.

“So you’re saying the Golden Core... creates something new?”

Zheng Fa confirmed, “It’s still just a theory. I haven’t reached the Golden Core stage myself, so everything’s just conjecture.”

That was exactly why he wanted to discuss Golden Core secrets with these people—

If he got this wrong, he could very well screw himself over.

After thinking for a bit, he said:

“I’ve always seen cultivation as a path of life’s evolution.”

“Senior Sister Zhang once said that the Golden Core often represents completeness—in other words, true self-sufficiency.”

“I didn’t get it before, but now I think... it’s because the Golden Core produces matter and energy, that it can be truly self-sufficient.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded.

“Yes, after forming the Golden Core, the body is said to become flawless—no need to eat or drink, the ability to fast... your theory actually aligns with that.”

At those words, the others were stunned.

They had never considered why the Golden Core had such miraculous abilities, but now, hearing this explanation, it suddenly made a lot of sense.

Zheng Fa continued:

“Because of that, I believe that in cultivation, from Qi Refining to Golden Core is one large phase.”

“Qi Refining is storing spiritual energy within the body. Foundation Establishment is turning that energy into a tangible entity. The Golden Core is using that entity to create new matter...”

Here, Zheng Fa’s tone was firm.

Then, with a note of speculation: “The Nascent Soul might be formed from that new matter. As for Soul Formation, all we know is the theory of spiritual energy circuits...”

“The Nascent Soul... definitely feels like another me.”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded. “What you’re saying... I can’t find any holes in it.”

Martial Aunt Huang scratched her head. Somehow, this whole scene felt oddly familiar.

She glanced at Martial Uncle Pang and the Sect Master.

Both were staring at Zheng Fa in stunned silence.

And then it hit her—I’m still me, but I’m no longer alone!

Her expression immediately calmed.

Martial Uncle Pang nudged her sleeve and whispered, “Zheng Fa is really only at Foundation Establishment?”

“...”

“Because I feel like back when I was at Foundation Establishment... I was still goofing off and eating snacks?”

“Feel like? Drop the ‘feel like.’”

“...”

...

It wasn’t that they couldn’t understand Zheng Fa and Senior Sister Zhang’s discussion—on the contrary, as Nascent Soul cultivators, they fully understood what was being said.

In fact, they even felt...

Zheng Fa was absolutely right!

“I can’t find any flaws either.” The Sect Master pondered for a moment, then shook his head. “You... you haven’t even formed a Golden Core, and yet you’ve already seen through its essence...”

The look he gave Zheng Fa was complex.

Pride, excitement.

But also worry and expectation.

“In a little while, I’ll pass the position of Jiushan Sect Master on to you.”

He suddenly said.

“Master?”

Zheng Fa was stunned.

The Sect Master continued, “My lifespan is nearly up. I need to gamble everything on reaching Soul Formation. There’s no point in me holding on to the position.”

“I’ve been meaning to give it to you. I only waited because I wanted you to form a core first... so I held off.”

“Now that you’ve grasped this level of insight into the Golden Core, I don’t think it’ll be difficult for you anymore.”

Hearing that, Zheng Fa looked toward his two Martial Uncles.

Neither seemed surprised.

Clearly, they’d known of their Master’s plan all along.

“What are you looking at?” Martial Uncle Pang laughed. “If he doesn’t give you that seat, would Jiushan Realm even be called ‘Zheng’s’ anymore?”

With that, Zheng Fa had no words left to say.

But still—it wasn’t the same.

With his Master officially passing down the Sect Master position, Zheng Fa could now rightfully steer Jiushan Sect according to his reform plans.

So...

“You want to give the whole sect an entrance exam?”

The Sect Master raised an eyebrow, already starting to regret this.

Zheng Fa nodded firmly.

“What’s on the exam?”

“First subject: Arithmetic. Second subject: Talisman Techniques,” Zheng Fa said. “I believe these are the fundamentals of Immortal Techniques.”

Having spent so long in the Xuanyi Realm, Zheng Fa had already made an observation—Talisman Diagrams are everywhere!

He figured his earlier classes hadn’t gone all that well, so he’d done some serious reflection.

Was something wrong with him?

Who was he?—The lord of the Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang’s trusted comrade-in-arms, and someone about to take over as Jiushan Sect Master while still in Foundation Establishment.

How could there be anything wrong with him?

Was something wrong with what he taught?

Even more impossible—Hertz, Faraday, Maxwell—put them in the Xuanyi Realm and they’d basically be Demonic Ancestors!

What was there to criticize about a Demonic Ancestor’s legacy?

In the end, he remembered something his high school homeroom teacher once said—“You’re the worst class I’ve ever taught!”

So the conclusion of his reflection—the students were the problem!

Time to crank up the intensity.

“How do you plan to test them?”

“I’ll co-write the Arithmetic exam with Senior Sister Zhang.”

“For the Talisman Techniques exam, Martial Uncle Pang can help.”

Zheng Fa already had a plan in mind.

“Only through exams can we actually teach according to aptitude...”

The Sect Master and others exchanged glances, all looking a little guilty.

Honestly, they’d all taught at the Talisman Hall before—and back then, they didn’t care whether people understood or not.

They just taught whatever they felt like.

That was kind of how lectures worked in the Xuanyi Realm...

In Zheng Fa’s view, this was more like a college lecture. Not useless, but definitely not suitable for students with weak foundations.

With that thought—

Zheng Fa pulled out several educational syllabi from his storage bag and handed them out to the others.

Senior Sister Zhang flipped through one and glanced at Zheng Fa with a peculiar look.

Martial Uncle Pang read softly:

“Basic Yuan Talisman (Required)

Subject Requirements:

Topology—Above Average or Better”

...

“Thunder Techniques (Elective)

Subject Requirements:

Basic Yuan Talisman—Above Average

Electromagnetism—Excellent

Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Stage or above”

...

“Topology (Required)

Subject Requirements:

Advanced Math—Above Average or Better”

Martial Uncle Pang flipped further and saw that Zheng Fa had categorized almost all Immortal Techniques, and written these kinds of lines.

“You’re trying to... teach step by step?”

“Yes.” Zheng Fa explained, “After the exams, I’ll sort them into classes based on their grades and teach them according to this syllabus.”

Basically, this was a full training plan.

The essence of teaching according to aptitude was understanding your students—so he wanted to start with a big exam.

As he explained, he got a little self-conscious.

“This is just my preliminary idea. Some of the subject requirements are my personal estimates... Please, Master, Martial Uncles, do correct me if anything’s off.”

“Correct you?”

To his surprise, Martial Uncle Pang suddenly laughed and said, “Then I’ve got plenty to say.”

“Yes, sir!”

“You’ve got all these ideas, and you still haven’t overthrown your master and taken the Sect Leader’s seat?”

“...”

“Do you really think he can lead a sect? Not a chance!”

“He’s holding us back!”

Zheng Fa flushed. “Martial Uncle... I’ve just been taking things one step at a time.”

Truth be told, he didn’t have much teaching experience. He’d just seen more of the world than these Xuanyi Realm cultivators, so he had more ideas.

At least in terms of universal education, these cultivators couldn’t even begin to compete with him.

He looked over at his own Master and saw the old man nodding along—he actually agreed with Martial Uncle Pang.

After his rant, Martial Uncle Pang pointed to a section on the syllabus, where a new line had appeared:

“Linked Talisman Technique:

Subject Requirements:

Talisman Techniques—Excellent or above

Cultivation Level—Golden Core or above”

“Martial Uncle?”

Zheng Fa was a bit surprised. The Linked Talisman Technique was basically Martial Uncle Pang’s signature skill.

Martial Uncle Pang muttered, “This technique... might actually be something worth passing down.”

“...”

Zheng Fa looked at the Sect Master, who said, “I’ve already passed the Formation Talisman Method to you. Teach it however you like.”

Martial Aunt Huang didn’t seem to care much either.

She shook her head and said, “I don’t want to teach. Not good at it. And Fleeting Radiance Technique isn’t really meant for everyone.”

Zheng Fa agreed with that.

Senior Sister Zhang, who’d been silent all this time, was still frowning as she studied the syllabus.

“Wuyi?”

She suddenly looked up and asked Zheng Fa,

“What’s this ‘Golden Core Project’ you wrote here supposed to mean?”

Everyone was stunned and turned toward the syllabus in her hands.

There it was:

“Golden Core Project

Subject Requirements:

Cultivation Level—Foundation Establishment Completion

Talisman Techniques—Excellent or above

Thunder Techniques—Excellent or above”

“Golden... Core... Project...” Martial Uncle Pang muttered, “What’s with the word ‘Project’?”

“‘Project’ means the practical application of math and various disciplines. Through this application, we aim to produce the best results using the least resources and time.”

Zheng Fa explained helpfully.

“...Can you say that in a way we’ll actually understand?”

“Optimizing the core formation process. Mass-producing high-quality Golden Core cultivators.” Zheng Fa replied.

Seeing their stunned expressions, he asked, “Still not getting it?”

“We get it,” Martial Uncle Pang said slowly. “But it’s like not getting it at all...”

“Optimizing the core formation process is already pushing it...”

“Mass-producing high-quality Golden Core cultivators?”

He stared at Zheng Fa, like trying to figure out if this nephew was joking.

Zheng Fa smiled calmly.

This was the biggest takeaway from his trip to the modern world—

Understanding the essence of the Golden Core didn’t mean much in itself, but from it, you could develop a new discipline: Golden Core Engineering.

Forget all the mystical stuff—at the end of the day, the Golden Core was just a machine that used spiritual energy and various techniques to produce unique materials.

The so-called impurities in a Golden Core weren’t, as Zheng Fa once thought, radioactive waste from fission—

They were simply particles that didn’t match the technique’s requirements.

In essence, forming a high-quality core was just like improving a production process and purifying the product.

That’s why he asked Team Leader Yang to find nuclear engineers—this had been his idea all along. And there were already results.

They just had to be tested in the Jiushan Realm.

...

“Junior Brother Zheng, are you using this Golden Core Project class... to get the disciples excited about learning?”

Senior Sister Zhang suddenly asked.

Zheng Fa smiled—she really got him.

Golden Core Engineering sounded simple, but core formation was actually a complex affair—

It consumed a huge amount of spiritual energy and required tremendous control over that energy, meaning it demanded a strong Divine Soul.

On top of that, optimizing the process required sharp scientific thinking.

So if anyone wanted to learn this, they’d basically have to study all of Zheng Fa’s foundational courses.

The thing was... they wouldn’t be able to say no.

Who didn’t want to form a high-grade Golden Core?

Seeing his smile, the others understood—Zheng Fa was seriously dedicated to education.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded. Then suddenly, she reached out and added a new line to the syllabus:

“Talisman Foundation Establishment Technique:

Subject Requirements:

Qi Refining Stage

Basic Yuan Talisman—Excellent or above”

Martial Uncle Pang looked at the updated syllabus and suddenly sighed, “After all these eras in the Xuanyi Realm, I don’t think any sect’s been as generous as ours...”

Senior Sister Zhang spoke up:

“Junior Brother, you’ll need to keep an eye on Spiritual Material consumption.”

Zheng Fa nodded. He understood what she meant.

In cultivation, knowledge alone wasn’t enough.

In reality, Spiritual Materials were even more critical.

Thinking of this, he suddenly turned to Senior Sister Zhang and asked:

“Senior Sister, do you think it’s possible to replicate the function of a Golden Core with a magic tool?”

“Hm?”

Zheng Fa had originally only thought of setting up a fusion reactor in the Jiushan Realm.

But now, after hearing what Senior Sister Zhang said, a new idea hit him—could this thing be used to produce Spiritual Materials?

Hearing this, her face froze. The three elders nearby looked downright horrified.

“How could you produce Spiritual Materials?”

“This is just a theory...” Zheng Fa said, uncertain. “The real question is, what exactly makes Spiritual Materials different from regular ones?”

In his view, the Xuanyi Realm and the modern world shared similar material structures.

So Spiritual Materials should fundamentally be just matter made of particles—the key was how those particles reacted with spiritual energy.

That’s why Zheng Fa had this thought—if a Golden Core could produce particles, could it also produce Spiritual Materials?

If this worked, it could even benefit the modern world—which was even more lacking in Spiritual Materials than the Xuanyi Realm.

After he explained, Martial Uncle Pang suddenly said, “...This so-called Golden Core Project—you can sign me up!”

“Martial Uncle...” Zheng Fa froze, and said a little awkwardly, “Your Talisman Techniques... might be a bit lacking.”

“...”

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