I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 67: Similar to Me

Peace through annihilation or true peace? Zheng Fa could still tell the difference.

No matter how much the Hundred Immortals Alliance advocated for harmony, without the power to dominate the world, they could only become a part of someone else’s peace.

Senior Sister Zhang seemed to sense his thoughts and, as if defending the Hundred Immortals Alliance, said, “Our alliance might not compare to the Five Great Immortal Sects, but we don’t fear anyone. Being considered the Sixth Great Power of the Xuanyi Realm isn’t an exaggeration.”

It sounded impressive.

But Zheng Fa had a question. “Senior Zhang, may I ask… how many groups in the Xuanyi Realm claim to be the sixth great power?”

“…”

Understood.

“…Let’s not talk about that. What you need to know is that while the Hundred Immortals Alliance doesn’t have the history of the Five Great Sects, it has grown rapidly through mutual support and exchange between its member factions. Currently, it includes nine Nascent Soul sects and even has a Soul Formation ancestor. It is undeniably a major power among the Immortal Sects.”

Zheng Fa acknowledged her confidence. The alliance wasn’t as weak as he had initially thought. And a federation model was certainly effective for expansion.

“Besides,” she added, “it’s not just our alliance—there hasn’t been a conflict above the Nascent Soul level between major forces for over a thousand years.”

Zheng Fa was stunned. Could the Immortal Sects truly love peace that much?

“Now that you hold an Immortal Token, there’s no reason to hide things from you. Over the millennia, spiritual energy has grown increasingly scarce, and spiritual materials are harder to come by. Cultivating a Nascent Soul is becoming more difficult.”

“Too costly to fight, then,” Zheng Fa remarked with sudden clarity.

“Exactly. For major powers, losing even a single Nascent Soul or Golden Core cultivator is a significant and growing burden.”

Zheng Fa felt a bit reassured. Whatever the reason, the peace of the cultivation world was beneficial to him.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Senior Sister Zhang warned. “I don’t think this peace will last. All the major forces are focusing their resources on nurturing talents, likely preparing for future conflicts.”

Zheng Fa understood her implication. Resources would eventually run out, and when that day came, peace would dissolve.

It resembled an arms race. For Immortal Sects, the vast disparity in strength between cultivators of different realms made investing in prodigies far more efficient than maintaining a larger base of average disciples.

“I’m telling you this to emphasize: time is of the essence. And…” She repeated, “Don’t hold back.”

“Thank you for your advice, Senior Zhang.”

After hesitating for a moment, Zheng Fa asked, “Senior Zhang, do you know how to test for spiritual roots?”

This question had always been a source of unease for him. Madam Zhao assumed he was under the guidance of a powerful figure and never suspected he might not even have spiritual roots.

But he couldn’t ask her directly to check his aptitude.

Senior Sister Zhang, however, was different.

As expected, she merely glanced at him before pointing her finger in the air. A golden talisman shot toward Zheng Fa, and a soft glow of intertwined green and red appeared on his chest.

“Fire and Wood dual spiritual roots,” she said, pausing briefly. “…Not bad.”

“Thank you, Senior Zhang.” Zheng Fa felt a wave of gratitude. Those two words—not bad—likely contained all of her limited emotional intelligence.

He was satisfied. He had already prepared himself for the possibility that, if his spiritual roots were worse than the Seventh Young Master’s, he’d return the Immortal Token and spend his years living freely as a mortal with the benefits of the Linghe Shen.

“…”

An awkward silence fell. Senior Sister Zhang glanced at the problem set in her hands, then at Zheng Fa. Her expression plainly said:

Do you have anything else to say?

She seemed eager to dive into the "game" of solving problems.

Without a word, Zheng Fa bowed and excused himself.

“This year’s Immortal Talent Conference…”

“Hm?” Zheng Fa turned back to her.

“There might be some unexpected changes,” she said uncertainly. “The families rushing to hold the conference for personal gain won’t sit well with the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Something might happen.”

Zheng Fa was curious, but Senior Sister Zhang only made the one remark before falling silent again.

…

After carefully storing the Immortal Token, Zheng Fa headed to the Seventh Young Master’s study.

At the courtyard gate, he ran into the Eldest Young Lady, who was just leaving.

She glanced at Zheng Fa but said nothing, only giving him a slight nod.

Zheng Fa returned the gesture and stepped aside, letting her pass. As he watched her walk away, he couldn’t help feeling puzzled.

Her gaze seemed… unusual.

Entering the study, he found the Seventh Young Master and Gao Yuan huddled together, deep in conversation. The Seventh Young Master wore a broad smile, while Gao Yuan’s expression looked forced.

“What’s going on?” Zheng Fa asked.

“Zheng Fa, you’re here!” The Seventh Young Master strode over with an unusually familiar air, clapping Zheng Fa on the back. “Let me tell you—we’re going to be family soon!”

“Uh, what?”

“My sister just told me that Mother intends to have you marry into the family and pair you with one of my half-sisters.”

“…”

Zheng Fa froze. The Seventh Young Master didn’t look like he was joking.

He turned to Gao Yuan, whose awkward smile and slight gesture of congratulations confirmed the truth. Yet there was a faint trace of envy in Gao Yuan’s eyes, which made Zheng Fa even more certain this wasn’t a prank.

The Seventh Young Master kept chattering excitedly.

“I mean, none of my sisters are that amazing. It’s honestly a bit of a downgrade for you. But don’t worry—I’ll treat you like my own brother!”

Gao Yuan finally couldn’t hold back. “How is that a downgrade? He was a study attendant before and is now becoming a master in the estate.”

The Seventh Young Master faltered, muttering, “The people in the front courtyard aren’t on the same side as me and Mother…”

Zheng Fa could guess the context. To the Seventh Young Master, his real family likely consisted only of his mother and sister. Even his father seemed questionable.

Gao Yuan clicked his tongue. “If it’s such a downgrade, why not let me take his place?”

The Seventh Young Master gave Gao Yuan a disdainful look. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not happy about this? Is that petty streak of yours acting up again?”

Gao Yuan mumbled, “How could I be happy? There are three of us in this study, and now two are masters while I’m still just a servant. More masters than servants—who wouldn’t feel bitter?”

Zheng Fa patted Gao Yuan’s shoulder reassuringly. “I won’t act like your master.”

Gao Yuan smiled. “I knew you wouldn’t change!”

“No, I’ve changed.”

“Huh?”

“Senior Zhang gave me an Immortal Token.”

The Seventh Young Master’s eyes widened. “Wait… who gave you what?”

“Senior Zhang. An Immortal Token,” Zheng Fa repeated, his tone calm but his words enough to silence the Seventh Young Master.

“What’s an Immortal Token?” Gao Yuan asked, still confused.

“It’s a slot to participate in the Immortal Talent Conference,” the Seventh Young Master explained, his voice tinged with bitterness. “Ten years ago, my great-grandfather gave away our family’s token because there were too many grandchildren. I missed my chance to join an Immortal Sect and wasted ten years.”

“…”

“And now Senior Zhang just… gave you one?”

“Maybe it’s because she’s unmarried and has no children?” Zheng Fa ventured.

The Seventh Young Master’s expression twisted into something indescribable. Gao Yuan, meanwhile, produced a bronze mirror and held it up to him.

“What are you doing?”

“You should look at yourself, Young Master. Tell me, doesn’t the person in the mirror look a lot like me?”

“…”

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