I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 85: Discussing the Dao

The ship arrived on the third day.

The flowing feast hosted for Zheng Fa didn’t yield a huge fortune.

While many influential figures in Jingzhou City showed up, Zheng Fa politely declined gifts that were overly generous.

On the other hand, he ensured that the costs of the feast were paid in full to Steward Wu. Seventh Young Master scolded him for being too formal, but the Madam accepted the payment with ease.

Both Zheng Fa and the Madam understood that maintaining some distance was often key to a long-lasting relationship.

Leaving some funds behind for his mother and sister in case of emergencies, Zheng Fa converted the rest into gold—around fifty taels.

In Jingzhou City, this would have made him a middle-class citizen.

But considering that a single "ticket" to Jiushan Sect cost ten taels of gold, the reality of the sect’s economy hit Zheng Fa hard.

The token, cold and unresponsive since he received it, suddenly displayed a drastic change of attitude when he placed ten taels of gold in its compartment.

The token literally split into two halves, revealing a small pocket-like space. Zheng Fa placed the gold inside, and it snapped shut, leaving no seams—emphasizing a strict no-refunds policy.

Immediately, the once icy token glowed faintly and emitted warmth, radiating a newfound enthusiasm.

This must be the waypoint that Senior Sister Zhang had mentioned.

Three hours after the token lit up, a massive shadow blocked the sun. Zheng Fa looked up to see an enormous flying ship, as large as a small mountain, hovering over his courtyard.

“Bearer of the Jiushan Sect token, board the ship immediately!”

A man’s impatient voice echoed from above.

Carrying his bag and holding the token, Zheng Fa stepped out of the courtyard. Before he could properly say goodbye to his mother and sister, a massive golden hand of light extended from the ship, grabbed him and his token, and hoisted them into the air with little ceremony.

By the time Zheng Fa came to his senses, he was already on the ship’s deck.

Three men dressed in yellow Daoist robes stood there, their robes embroidered with a small Jiushan emblem. It was clear these were Jiushan disciples sent to escort him.

The token that had been in Zheng Fa’s hand was now in the possession of the slightly chubby disciple in the middle, who hadn’t even asked Zheng Fa for permission.

Looking back, Zheng Fa saw his sister Zheng Shan sobbing in their mother’s arms. When she realized her brother had disappeared, her cries grew louder, her wails filled with a desperate sense of loss that tugged at Zheng Fa’s heart.

The three disciples, however, seemed utterly indifferent to her cries. The chubby disciple tapped a waist token, and the ship vibrated slightly before breaking through the clouds and beginning its journey.

Leaning over the side of the deck, Zheng Fa waved goodbye to his family.

As the Zheng family courtyard disappeared over the horizon, he turned back to find the three disciples gone. It seemed their sole purpose had been to claim the token.

To his surprise, a familiar face greeted him instead—Zhou Qianyuan.

Seeing Zheng Fa’s puzzled expression, Zhou Qianyuan smiled and said, “Those senior brothers aren’t very friendly to us newcomers. I was worried you might get lost.”

Zheng Fa cupped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you for your help, Brother Zhou.”

“Those senior brothers aren’t warm to anyone,” Zhou Qianyuan added in a low voice. “Senior Brother Sun warned me that we new disciples aren’t well-liked by the older ones.” ɽαℕՕBÊȿ

Zheng Fa recalled something Senior Sister Zhang had mentioned earlier. The strictness of this year’s Immortal Talent Conference stemmed largely from dissatisfaction among the lower-ranking disciples of the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

Leading the way, Zhou Qianyuan explained, “This ship has three levels. The first floor is a hall for meals and Dao discussions. The second floor has our living quarters. The third floor is reserved for the senior brothers.”

Following Zhou Qianyuan up the wooden stairs, Zheng Fa reached the second floor. There were about thirty rooms, half of which were already occupied. Zheng Fa chose a room in a quiet corner, put down his belongings, and turned back to Zhou Qianyuan.

“Thank you again for your guidance,” he said sincerely.

Zhou Qianyuan waved it off with a smile but couldn’t hide his happiness. “If you need anything, just let me know. I have a bit of face with those senior brothers and can help.”

Zheng Fa looked puzzled. After all, the senior brothers had been dismissive of him.

“Senior Brother Sun spoke to them when he sent me onto the ship,” Zhou Qianyuan explained.

...Does your Senior Brother Sun need more junior brothers? Senior Sister Zhang, you could learn a thing or two from him!

Thinking of Senior Sister Zhang, who had vanished after her exams, Zheng Fa couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

---

The ship wasn’t just for Zheng Fa. It took three days to gather all the new disciples of Jiushan Sect.

During that time, Zheng Fa kept to himself, focusing on cultivating his Linghe Shen technique and avoiding interaction.

On the third day, his room’s door was suddenly knocked. Opening it, Zheng Fa found Zhou Qianyuan standing there.

“Brother Zheng, the senior brothers have invited us for a Dao discussion.”

“A Dao discussion?” Zheng Fa blinked in confusion. “But I haven’t learned anything yet.”

“I don’t know either, but everyone’s attending,” Zhou Qianyuan replied.

Following Zhou Qianyuan downstairs, Zheng Fa entered the first-floor hall. It was arranged with dozens of cushions, already occupied by men and women wearing uncertain expressions.

The three senior brothers sat at the head of the room, now wearing smiles far more welcoming than their earlier attitudes.

When Zhou Qianyuan led Zheng Fa in, the senior brothers even nodded warmly at Zhou Qianyuan. The chubby one pointed to a cushion at the very front, clearly assigning Zhou Qianyuan a place of honor.

Zhou Qianyuan sat where directed, while Zheng Fa quietly chose a cushion further back.

“Fellow junior brothers and sisters,” the chubby senior brother began, “it is fate that we are here together. You are now entering Jiushan Sect, and we are family.”

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but recall how “family” had been treated on the deck earlier.

“When I see you, I’m reminded of myself when I first joined—confused and directionless. I stumbled for ten years without becoming even a Yellow-rank talisman master. Life was hard without guidance from a senior,” the chubby brother lamented, his companions nodding in agreement.

“But now, you are fortunate!” he declared, pulling out a stack of books from behind him. “The talisman prodigy of Jiushan Sect, Zhenren Zhang, has written Zhenren Zhang’s Treatise on Talismans. This book is the best resource for beginners learning the talisman arts!”

...Who?

“Originally priced at twenty taels of gold, today we’re offering it to you for just ten taels! Ten taels for the heart and soul of a talisman prodigy! Miss this chance, and you’ll never get it again!”

“Yes, never again!” one senior echoed.

“Perhaps twenty taels would be fairer. We’re not exactly well off ourselves,” the other added earnestly.

Zheng Fa finally understood why this felt so familiar.

You’re the legendary tourist scammers, aren’t you?

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