Cultivation: I Have Studied Abroad in the Modern World

Seventh Young Master Zhao Jingfan has been very happy these days.

He has just returned to the former site of the Qingmu Sect with his fellow disciples and master.

Although it's a place he has been familiar with for years, upon returning, his mood was entirely different.

Walking on the path to the Medicine Garden, the bluestones at the roadside, the plants growing in the distance, and even every tile on the eaves made him lose himself for a moment.

It's not just him; every Qingmu Sect disciple who survived the calamity and returned to the sect feels the same way.

On the way, he encountered many Qingmu Sect disciples, many of whom were not inferior to him in cultivation.

Yet even the disciples at the Golden Core Stage would quicken their pace upon seeing him, smile at him; their attitude not overly respectful, but quite friendly.

Zhao Jingfan knew this was because of Zheng Fa.

Now that the Qingmu Sect has aligned with the Jiushan Sect, this means Zheng Fa's words could cause a shake in the entire Qingmu Sect.

And his relationship with Zheng Fa is no secret within the Hundred Immortals Alliance.

This is not because he deliberately spread it, but because, during their stay at Tongming Mountain, when Zheng Fa wasn't busy, he would invite Jing Fan to his home in the Jiushan Realm for a meal, though they would just chat, those observant would always notice.

Now, with the Jiushan Sect becoming the leader of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, his status in the Qingmu Sect is naturally different.

At home, Zhao Jingfan often acts recklessly, thinking he's above the sky and the earth.

But in this instance, he became modest, greeting elders and senior brothers meticulously, not losing etiquette due to their attitudes.

He appeared even more cautious and mindful of etiquette than in recent days.

Watching this enthusiastic senior brother depart, Zhao Jingfan shook his head, recalling his mother's words to him on this matter:

"You need to change your temperament."

"What's wrong with it?"

"With Zheng Fa as your backing, if you work harder and improve your relations within the sect, maybe one day you could become the Sect Leader of Qingmu... The Zhao Family has never produced... "

"Not interested!"

"...If you don't present yourself properly within the sect, you might bring shame to Zheng Fa."

"Seems like... that's true, huh?"

Zhao Jingfan still remembers his mother's expression back then, and thinking about it now makes him want to laugh.

Essentially, he just had one simple thought:

He could no longer keep up with Zheng Fa's pace, but at least he shouldn't hold Zheng Fa back.

Zhao Jingfan dismissed his thoughts and stepped into the Medicine Garden.

These days, most Qingmu Sect disciples have been working in the Medicine Garden—though the Qingmu Sect's Spirit Vein still exists, the Medicine Garden had been ravaged by the Demon Sect disciples, with many rare herbs dug out, causing the Sect Leader great distress.

The sect is renowned for its Alchemy Dao, and the Medicine Garden is also an important place.

Recently, they have been replanting various spiritual medicines, hoping to restore its former appearance.

After many days of organizing, the Medicine Garden is beginning to take shape.

The disciples' faces are relatively peaceful and happy—at least, the Great Freedom Demon Emperor has gone to cause trouble in the sea and won't harm them for now, right?

And that's good enough!

Zhao Jingfan carefully placed the seed in his hand into the hole, covered it with soil, and couldn't help but smile.

"Look!"

A disciple who stood up to rest suddenly shouted, pointing to the distant sky.

Look at what?

Zhao Jingfan abruptly looked up, following the point of his finger.

The smile on his face suddenly disappeared!

The distant skyline had turned into a vast ocean.

The endless sea water spread over mountains, fields, cities, rushing towards them.

On the sea surface and in the sky, there were even more members of the Demon Race!

Beneath the waves were men, women, young and old, fleeing in panic.

The Great Freedom Demon Emperor stood among the myriad demons, coldly watching the mortals dying in vain, without a trace of emotion in his eyes.

The Sect Leader's voice came from the mountaintop, filled with panic and pain: "All Qingmu Sect disciples, retreat with me!"

Zhao Jingfan, along with his fellow brothers, flew out of the mountain gate, and before leaving, he glanced at the just-organized Medicine Garden and mountain gate, his heart no longer peaceful, filled with reluctance and grief.

Not just him, the Sect Leader, elders, senior brothers, everyone had the same expression.

They fled desperately, watching helplessly as the Medicine Garden, mountains, and the former site of Qingmu Sect were ravaged by the seawater, but there was no time to mourn.

Because the Demon Race behind them and the seawater underfoot were getting closer!

A Qingmu Sect elder suddenly shouted to the Sect Leader: "Send a signal to the Jiushan Sect! We have a mutual aid agreement!"

The Sect Leader sent out a Communication Talisman, but obviously, distant water couldn't quench the immediate fire, and the Great Freedom Demon Emperor's face behind them became clearer.

"Stop, Demon Emperor!"

A strange, old voice suddenly appeared on the right side of everyone.

Zhao Jingfan looked towards the voice and saw two figures slowly appear, one of whom he recognized as Shi Nandang, the Divinity Transformation cultivator from Haori Mountain.

The other was a bit old, with a strange complexion, but it was clear that Shi Nandang was very respectful to this person.

Not only him, but the Great Freedom Demon Emperor, who had remained expressionless, also reacted. He raised his eyes, stopped the surging waves, and looked at the elder, with some apprehension in his eyes: "Haori Mountain... Dao Fruit?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Jingfan felt overwhelming joy, and not just him, even the Qingmu Sect Sect Leader breathed a sigh of relief.

They dared not linger, only taking this opportunity to flee further, while their ears and eyes stayed focused on these two Dao Fruit cultivators.

The Haori Mountain Dao Fruit looked angry and shouted: "Why did the Demon Emperor break the agreement?"

The Great Freedom Demon Emperor remained silent.

But everyone else was puzzled.