The article "Exploring the Mystery of the Decline of the Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi " is not long.
Zheng Fa quickly finished reading it once. He looked up, glanced at Senior Sister Zhang, and surprisingly said nothing. Instead, he picked up the Creation Jade Disc again and began to read it once more.
Seeing this, Senior Sister Zhang became even more curious.
"I didn't expect this disciple to actually give me a pleasant surprise."
After reading the paper again, Zheng Fa remained silent for a few moments before sighing.
His eyes were somewhat vacant as he spoke, his mind still replaying the contents of his thesis.
This paper was written by a Foundation Establishment disciple, but it can't really be considered a paper because it doesn't even contain a proper conclusion.
In essence, this paper, though ostensibly an exploration, is actually just an observation report.
What is valuable is what he observes:
Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi.
This is a type of Heavenly Dipper Qi, which is actually quite common, but what makes it special is that it doesn't exist in the Nine Mountains Realm.
Not only does it not exist, but the Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi cannot even exist within the Nine Mountains Realm:
This is the disciple's most valuable discovery.
The discovery process was quite simple. This disciple somehow obtained the Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi, but had never used it. After staying in the Nine Mountains Realm for several years, he discovered that the Spiritual Qi within it had completely dissipated.
It eventually turned into a purplish-red solid powder, which could spontaneously combust at slightly higher temperatures.
He didn't seem to be sure what it was, but Zheng Fa understood it at a glance:
Isn't this red phosphorus?
Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi is actually quite common, red phosphorus is even more common, but this variation is rare.
What interested Zheng Fa even more was the reason for this change.
"Senior, reading this paper has given me a thought."
"Um?"
Senior Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa's profile, but found that Zheng Fa wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was staring blankly into the void, speaking a little faster than usual.
She knew that her junior brother didn't seem to be talking to her.
Instead, it's as if something came to mind, and you unconsciously ask and answer questions to yourself, organizing your thoughts.
" Spiritual Qi is so changeable, so why is this world so stable?"
Senior Sister Zhang looked at Zheng Fa, her heart filled with doubt.
What does it mean to have global stability?
Zheng Fa continued speaking to himself:
"After reading this paper, I understand a little better."
"Understand what?"
"Substances devoid of Spiritual Qi are the foundation of this world, hence the difference..."
Senior Sister Zhang felt increasingly confused and asked, "The same? What's the same?"
Of course, the Modern World and the Xuanwei Realm are highly similar.
In Zheng Fa's view, this was really unreasonable:
If we understand Spiritual Qi as the rules of the world, then the rules of the Xuanwei Realm are actually quite complex.
Zheng Fa said that the Xuanwei Realm was too stable for this reason: there were so many rules, some of which were contradictory, that it should have been blown up long ago.
The Xuanwei Realm has not only existed for several eras, but also shares countless similarities with the Modern World.
Without the variable of Spiritual Qi, the two worlds would be almost indistinguishable.
This suggests that the existence of Spiritual Qi does not seem to affect the underlying laws of the Xuanwei Realm.
Most matter still operates according to modern physical laws.
This is actually not simple: this phenomenon represents the physical laws of the Modern World, which are more fundamental than Spiritual Qi.
To put it simply, this is like Spiritual Qi being a virtual machine, while the Modern World is the underlying operating system.
Zheng Fa had some doubts before, but after reading this paper today, he truly understood:
The reason for the changes in the Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi is actually quite easy to guess—even with the Pure Tranquility Bamboo, the composition of Spiritual Qi in the Nine Mountains Realm is incomplete.
Because it lacks the corresponding Spiritual Qi, the Red Feather Heavenly Astral Qi cannot last.
This leads to a conclusion that might surprise Zheng Fa:
Without Spiritual Qi energy, all spiritual materials might degenerate into substances commonly found in the Modern World.
In other words, the Material Particles will return to a steady state.
This steady state is the matter of the Modern World.
Therefore, the human body structures on both sides are exactly the same, and most of the substances are also similar.
Seeing this, Senior Sister Zhang couldn't help but ask again:
"Junior brother?"
"Senior sister, do you think this is what happens after Spiritual Qi declines?"
"... It is somewhat similar. Without specific Spiritual Qi, spiritual materials not only cannot take shape, but they cannot even exist?" Senior Sister Zhang pondered. "Then, if all Spiritual Qi were to disappear..."
Zheng Fa added:
The Xuanwei Realm will be exactly the same as the modern world.
Seeing him smiling so happily, Senior Sister Zhang frowned and asked, "But is this really something to make you so happy?"
"Senior sister, I have an idea for the next step in the < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation >."
"..."
Senior Sister Zhang took out her Comprehensive Mirror, found the paper, read it over and over, and frowned:
Have I become stupid?
What do you want from me?
Nine Mountains Patriarch stood in Zheng Fa's room, his expression indifferent, without taking a seat.
" Founder, are you still angry?"
"Angry? Why should I be angry? What is there to be angry about?" Nine Mountains Patriarch shouted. "I'm just a dignified Founder, and I haven't even managed to become Taishang Elder. I've lost all face. What's there to be angry about?"
The Little Golden Crow followed behind him, shouting, "That's right! Why isn't the Founder the Taishang?"
Senior Sister Yuan nodded vigorously beside her.
Seeing their enthusiastic support, Nine Mountains Patriarch's momentum grew even stronger. "Look, this is what it means to have the support of the people!"
The Nine Mountains Patriarch now holds the same position as Madam Xuanhua and the others, serving as an elder.
But the Taishang Elder...
Zheng Fa wasn't worried about his character, but rather about the Founder's intelligence.
This Founder seems rather unreliable; entrusting the Nine Mountains Realm to him might really lead to his downfall.
He was initially hesitant, wondering whether to give the Founder a chance to prove himself.
The result was a lively scene of the three brilliant talents, all gathered together, sharing similar interests.
He and Senior Sister Zhang exchanged a glance, realizing that their previous caution had been remarkably prescient.
" Founder, I summoned you here to ask you to enhance the Spiritual Qi of Myriad Immortals Island."
"No way!" Nine Mountains Patriarch declared resolutely. "I've dedicated so many years of my life to the Nine Mountains Sect, and what have I received in return? I refuse!"
"..."
Zheng Fa looked at the Nine Mountains Patriarch, who seemed ready to strike, and felt a headache coming on.
" Founder..."
"I won't do it!"
"In that case, Founder, how about we make a deal?"
"Agreement?"
"I asked the Founder to enhance the Spiritual Qi because I'm going to test a cultivation method later."
"Cultivation method? What cultivation method?"
"This is a method derived from the < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation >, but it consumes a lot of Spiritual Qi to cultivate, which is why we need your help, Founder."
"I won't do it!"
"Therefore, I promised you, Founder, that if you could help me cultivate for a month, I would recommend you as Taishang Elder!"
Nine Mountains Patriarch exclaimed joyfully, "Really?"
" Senior Sister Zhang is my witness!"
Senior Sister Zhang stood to the side, pursing her lips and nodding.
The Nine Mountains Patriarch looked at Zheng Fa and asked doubtfully, "Only one month?"
"A month?"
"That simple?"
"Of course, I have one more condition: if the Founder gives up in the middle of the month, then he must help me continue my cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Nine Mountains Patriarch immediately became alert and looked Zheng Fa up and down.
Zheng Fa turned to look at Senior Sister Zhang, somewhat helplessly. This Founder wasn't really stupid!
Nine Mountains Patriarch frowned, took two steps back, then turned around and waved to Senior Sister Yuan and Little Golden Crow.
The three heads huddled together and began to discuss.
What do you two think?
"I think my senior sister is secretly laughing!"
"Senior Sister Yuan said in a low voice."
"There's a conspiracy? Then I won't allow it?"
"Yes!" the Little Golden Crow shouted, "How can I not agree?"
"... Founder, think about it. If you persist for a month, you'll become Taishang! At that time, you can do whatever you don't want to do!"
"That's true..."
"Besides, Founder, you are only at the Spirit Transformation stage and attained enlightenment through Spirit Vein, so you have abundant Spiritual Qi. Zheng Fa is only at the Nascent Soul. What are you afraid of?"
The Nine Mountains Patriarch listened and nodded repeatedly.
"And even if we lose, it's no big deal! It's just helping Zheng Fa cultivate, what's the harm? We won't lose out!"
The Little Golden Crow patted the shoulder of the Nine Mountains Patriarch Nine Mountains Patriarch its wings, appearing to have great confidence in him.
"That makes sense!"
The Nine Mountains Patriarch suddenly turned around and shouted to Zheng Fa, "I agree!"
What he didn't see was that behind his head, the Little Golden Crow was looking at Zheng Fa, flapping its wings with a bright, unwavering loyalty.
With these two advisors, the Nine Mountains Patriarch was finally settled.
Zheng Fa sat in the pavilion in the small courtyard, with Senior Sister Zhang standing beside him as his protector.
At this moment, the Nine Mountains Patriarch transformed into the Mountain-River True-Form Talisman, standing in the center of the courtyard.
The Spiritual Qi on the entire Myriad Immortals Island is five or six times denser than before.
After Zheng Fa closed his eyes and regulated his breathing for several incense sticks, rainbow light slowly began to shimmer around his body.
When the light faded, Zheng Fa had completely disappeared.
"Where's Junior Brother?" Senior Sister Yuan shook her head, looking left and right, searching everywhere for Zheng Fa, her expression confused. "Didn't you say you were going to cultivate?"
He is practicing cultivation.
"Ah?"
Senior Sister Zhang pointed to the sky, a hint of amazement in her eyes. "He's here."
Senior Sister Yuan followed Senior Sister Zhang's finger and looked for a long time, but saw nothing.
She rubbed her eyes, then opened them again, opened her mouth wide, and looked up at the sky.
The Great Sun True Fire blazed fiercely in the sky, turning the entire sky above Myriad Immortals Island into a vast, golden sea of fire.
Zheng Fa's Nascent Soul sat cross-legged amidst clusters of golden flames, resembling a celestial child descending to earth.
The Spiritual Qi of the entire University Island flew towards Zheng Fa's Nascent Soul, like a swarm of moths flying wildly.
The abundant Spiritual Qi that was visible to the naked eye just moments ago was completely consumed by the Great Sun True Fire in an instant.
"So fast?"
From within the Mountain-River True-Form Talisman came the panicked shouts of the Nine Mountains Patriarch, and streams of Spiritual Qi surged forth from it, replenishing the island's depleted Spiritual Qi energy.
That's not enough!
That's far from enough!
Every wisp of Spiritual Qi that appeared was instantly swallowed up by the Great Sun True Fire.
"Slow down! Slow down!"
The voice of the Nine Mountains Patriarch grew increasingly broken, sounding almost like he was about to cry.
Senior Sister Yuan counted on her fingers. "It's only been half an hour, right?"
Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently.
"Will the Founder live for another month?"
Senior Sister Yuan looked at the Mountain-River True-Form Talisman and Mountain-River True-Form Talisman, there was no sound, only a despairing silence.
Zheng Fa's nascent Nascent Soul was devouring Spiritual Qi within the true fire, and it was growing visibly.
Gradually, his Nascent Soul grew from a young child into a boy of eleven or twelve years old.
" Nascent Soul Middle Stage?"
The Nine Mountains Patriarch within the Mountain-River True-Form Talisman couldn't help but shout again.
"Junior Brother was already close to the peak of the early Nascent Soul, so that's normal."
"What's normal about this?" Nine Mountains Patriarch retorted while vigorously channeling Spiritual Qi, "This is more than a hundred times faster than ordinary people! What kind of cultivation method is this?"
"Junior Brother is called Heaven-and-Earth Furnace."
" The Heaven-and-Earth Furnace?"
The idea of Heaven-Earth Furnace didn't originate from that paper, but rather was something Zheng Fa had long harbored.
The cultivation of the Nascent Soul Realm is actually about absorbing Spiritual Qi and building Material Particles within the body to allow the Nascent Soul to grow.
The reason he previously placed such importance on the Material Transformation of the < Heavenly Dipper and Earthly Fiend Transformation > was this:
To be honest, being able to transform into spiritual materials isn't very useful.
After all, he couldn't possibly refine himself.
If spiritual materials can be transformed, then corresponding Material Particles can naturally be transformed—this is the essence of the Nascent Soul. Zheng Fa's emphasis on the Material Transformation is actually for the purpose of exploring cultivation more deeply.
However, spiritual materials are too abundant and diverse.
Because of the existence of Spiritual Qi, the variety of spiritual materials in the Xuanwei Realm is dozens of times greater than that of materials without Spiritual Qi. According to the information collected by Zheng Fa, there are many types of spiritual materials, but the total amount is small, and each type of spiritual material is even rarer.
The sheer number of types makes it difficult to summarize Material Transformation.
There was never a clear direction for this idea.
The Heaven-Earth Furnace was different. At this moment, he transformed into Clearwind, carrying the Great Sun True Fire, and frantically devoured and refined the Spiritual Qi contributed by the Nine Mountains Patriarch, turning it into nourishment for his Nascent Soul.
The inspiration he received from that paper can be summed up in just eight words:
Heaven and earth are the furnace, Creation is the craftsman.
Or to put it more bluntly:
Zheng Fa is no longer simply inhaling Spiritual Qi; at this very moment, this entire world is his Dantian!
Previously, he would select Spiritual Qi that was suitable for his Nascent Soul soul.
Now he's all-inclusive, indiscriminate in his consumption of both meat and vegetables, and he'll swallow anything, regardless of whether it's suitable or not.
Then, the properties of the Great Sun True Fire are used to remove impurities from the spiritual materials.
Simply put, most cultivators' cultivation is like searching for treasure at the bottom of the sea.
Zheng Fa were different... He drained the sea dry.
The surge of Spiritual Qi was truly terrifying. A streak of light came from the Rainbow Bridge and landed beside Senior Sister Zhang.
Uncle-Master Pang's figure emerged from the light. His expression was initially worried, but upon seeing Zheng Fa's Nascent Soul in the sky, his face immediately froze. After a long while, he stiffly turned to Senior Sister Zhang and asked:
"Is this the method Zheng Fa wants to test?"
Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently.
"... How did Zheng Fa's Nascent Soul grow so big all of a sudden?"
Before Senior Sister Zhang could speak, he added, "My Nascent Soul is about the same size as his!"
Senior Sister Zhang opened her mouth, about to say something, when she heard Uncle-Master Pang's extremely sorrowful tone:
"... She's younger than him now."
Senior Sister Zhang shut her mouth again.
At this moment, no amount of comfort could alleviate Uncle-Master Pang's grief.
Apart from...
" Founder, how come you've suddenly grown so... small?"
Looking at the gaunt, emaciated Nine Mountains Patriarch, Uncle-Master Pang stared wide-eyed, barely recognizing him.
The Nine Mountains Patriarch looked up at Zheng Fa's increasingly robust Nascent Soul in mid-air, then looked down at his own body, which had shrunk considerably in just half a month. Sorrow flowed silently across his face; his expression could be summed up in two words:
Huge loss!
Uncle-Master Pang understood:
Not a single piece of Zheng Fa Nascent Soul's flesh came for free.
Senior Sister Zhang looked at Uncle-Master Pang with a puzzled expression.
Why did she feel that Uncle-Master Pang was much happier after seeing the Founder?
What's going on at Myriad Immortals Island?
The changes on Myriad Immortals Island were too drastic; even through the mist, one could faintly sense the surging Spiritual Qi and boiling true fire.
" Zheng Fa said he wants to try a cultivation method."
Xie Qingxue said.
She, Yan Wushuang, and Old Han were strolling around the Marketplace at the moment.
Why is it so noisy?
Yan Wushuang frowned slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
The group looked ahead and saw a new shop with a long queue in front of it, so long that it stretched all the way to the side of Yan Wushuang and his companions and even around a street corner.
The noise was coming from inside the shop.
A disciple from the Nine Mountains stepped out of the shop and shouted loudly to the group:
"Don't Comprehensive Mirror lining up! We're out of copies of the Complete Collection! Come back tomorrow!"
"Out of stock again? I've been waiting for seven days!"
"Exactly! I didn't leave last night! I meditated here all night, how come I still couldn't get anything?"
The crowd was filled with complaints and simmering anger, their fury even greater than the Great Sun True Fire on Myriad Immortals Island.
"I can't help it! The Heavenly Crafts Pavilion can make this many in a day!" The disciple seemed used to this kind of complaint and explained loudly, "Let's not even talk about you guys, some disciples of our Nine Mountains Sect still haven't received theirs!"
"Not to mention the orders from the sects of the Hundred Immortals Alliance; I heard that if you order now, you won't be able to pick it up for another six months!"
Seven days is really not a long time!
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at the dock.
As soon as the Divine Firmament Warship landed, a group of disciples rushed aboard.
Han Qi called out to the captain, "Is the cargo checked? Is anything missing?"
"No!"
"Do you have any extra Comprehensive Mirror? I'm in a hurry!"
"Senior brother, just kill me!"
Han Qi looked somewhat disappointed, but as if he didn't have time to say anything more, he didn't even step off the deck and directly led the fleet out of the Nine Mountains Realm.
Seeing this scene, the cultivators blocking the shop entrance looked at each other, realizing that the production of the Comprehensive Mirror was indeed insufficient, and they dispersed.
Yan Wushuang asked curiously, "Are these all cultivators from the Hundred Immortals Alliance?"
" Rogue Cultivator." Xie Qingxue, now an elder of the Nine Mountains Sect, was well-informed. She explained, "The production capacity of the Comprehensive Mirror is insufficient; we are currently prioritizing the disciples within the sect."
"And them?"
"They gave too much."
Xie Qingxue looked at the reluctant Rogue Cultivator as they left, her expression showing admiration. "Give the sect's Comprehensive Mirror; it has many functions, but it's only at cost price."
"But their... not only are the functions simple, but they also mark up the price tenfold."
"The sects within the Hundred Immortals Alliance are even more outrageous. Some have declared that they're willing to buy 50% more pills and Law Artifact, provided the Comprehensive Mirror is sufficient!"
Yan Wushuang exclaimed in surprise, "You can do that?"
"I heard Zheng Fa call this some kind of 'quota allocation'..." Xie Qingxue shook her head, "I don't understand either, but later Zheng Fa decided to limit the daily supply to the Marketplace and the Hundred Immortals Alliance."
"The quantity is extremely limited, yet it's becoming increasingly popular; the queues are getting longer every day—it's like crazy."
Old Han suddenly laughed, "These people didn't lose out."
Yan Wushuang looked at Old Han with curiosity.
"Some of these people genuinely want it, while others... do you know, they buy the Comprehensive Mirror, resell it, and make ten or eight times the profit!"
Even Xie Qingxue was surprised.
"Real?"
"Of course, if I didn't have intelligence, I wouldn't dare say that."
Old Han's expression was resolute, but his words were truly unbelievable.
"These are already expensive, how can they possibly sell them for ten or eight times more? Are the buyers stupid?"
Old Han gave him a deep look, seemingly thinking he was short-sighted, "Some people are neither members of the Hundred Immortals Alliance nor dare to enter the Nine Mountains Realm."
Yan Wushuang suddenly realized. " From the Profound Mystery Sect?"
"Some are from the Profound Mystery Sect, and some Nascent Soul from Vast Sun Mountain are also secretly buying these. There are also some whose origins I don't know."
Yan Wushuang became anxious upon hearing this. "They bought it? Does Zheng Fa know about it?"
Old Han's face also showed confusion. "Of course I know, I told him immediately..."
"Then are you still selling them?"
"He was laughing so hard."
(End of this chapter)