I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 75: The Immortal Talent Conference

The Immortal Talent Conference crept up both slowly and suddenly. The days leading up to it were torturous, each one dragging on endlessly. Yet, when the day finally arrived, Zheng Fa felt completely unprepared, as if he’d overlooked something critical.

At dawn, as the sunlight streamed through the window, a faint vibration jolted Zheng Fa awake.

Opening his eyes, he saw the Immortal Token in his hands trembling restlessly, as if urging him to get up.

Before he could figure out what was going on, the token flashed twice and crumbled into dust.

From the dust, a golden talisman emerged, splitting into two streams of light that flowed toward his legs.

Suddenly, a gentle gust of wind formed beneath his feet, lifting him into the air. Before he even had time to wash his face, he was soaring out of the room and into the sky.

His mother, who had been up early cleaning, dropped her cloth and ran to the courtyard gate, trying to keep up with his ascending figure. But no matter how far she stretched her neck, she could only watch as he disappeared.

A street away, two more people from the Zhao family’s estate were also lifted into the air: the Seventh Young Master and a woman unfamiliar to Zheng Fa.

In Madam Zhao’s small building, a figure leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance at them, as if they’d been waiting for this moment for a long time.

From other large estates nearby, several more figures took flight.

As Zheng Fa ascended higher, Jingzhou City shrank below him. Looking up, he noticed an endless expanse of colorful clouds overhead.

His head pierced through one of the clouds, and when his whole body emerged, he found himself standing on a vast plaza. The sea of clouds beneath him, though resembling undulating waves, felt solid underfoot.

At the center of the plaza stood a grand hall, with five distinctive buildings behind it.

“My sister told me this is the Immortal Ascension Platform,” the Seventh Young Master whispered excitedly to Zheng Fa. “Just flying here was worth it!”

...As if I didn’t see how pale you got from your fear of heights earlier, Zheng Fa thought.

Not far away, a boy who looked younger than Zheng Fa turned at the sound of the Seventh Young Master calling him by name. The boy seemed vaguely familiar, likely one of the others who had ascended from Jingzhou City.

---

Meanwhile, at Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard in the Zhao Estate, Zheng Fa’s mother clutched Zheng Shan’s hand tightly, looking uneasy as she faced the people in the hall.

Aside from Senior Sister Zhang, Madam Zhao, and the Eldest Young Lady, there was no one else present.

“Mrs. Zheng, there’s no need to worry,” Madam Zhao reassured her. “Zheng Fa is attending the Immortal Talent Conference, just like my son. Senior Sister Zhang was concerned you might feel anxious, so she invited you here to put your mind at ease.”

Though Senior Sister Zhang had invited her, she remained distant, merely nodding slightly in greeting.

Taking a deep breath, Zheng Fa’s mother straightened her posture and bowed respectfully to Senior Sister Zhang.

“Thank you, Senior Zhang.”

Senior Sister Zhang’s expression softened slightly. She didn’t think highly of Zheng Fa’s mother’s timid demeanor, but her composure now—despite her clear nervousness—earned a trace of respect. It showed she didn’t want to embarrass her son in front of others.

Softly, Senior Sister Zhang explained, “The colorful clouds are a magical artifact created by the Hundred Immortals Alliance ten thousand years ago for selecting Immortal talent. As long as one holds an Immortal Token, they will be carried to the Immortal Ascension Platform. It’s nothing to fear.”

Zheng Fa’s mother nodded gratefully.

Senior Sister Zhang pointed, and a golden talisman appeared in midair. The space before them rippled like water, revealing a translucent, wall-sized screen. The screen displayed a live image of Zheng Fa and the others on the platform.

“Big Brother!” Zheng Shan cheered excitedly.

Only when Zheng Fa’s mother saw her son safe and sound did she release Zheng Shan’s hand.

---

“Senior Sister Zhang!” A man’s voice called from outside.

Senior Sister Zhang looked up to see Sun Daoyu, who had come days earlier to request an Immortal Token.

Sun Daoyu noticed the image created by Senior Sister Zhang’s talisman and marveled,

“Senior Sister Zhang, your Shadow Tracking Talisman rivals the Nascent Soul-level Illusory Moon Technique. No wonder you’re called the best in talisman techniques below the Nascent Soul stage.”

“It’s not that impressive. The Immortal Ascension Platform is nearby,” she replied indifferently. “What brings you here, Junior Brother?”

Sun Daoyu smiled awkwardly. “The Immortal Talent Conference is a grand event for the Hundred Immortals Alliance. I thought I’d join Senior Sister Zhang to observe.”

Senior Sister Zhang’s expression clearly read: I don’t believe you.

“Ahem... Actually, my master suggested that since you claimed Zheng Fa’s talent surpasses my junior brother’s, why not use their performances at the conference to settle a wager?”

“A wager?” Senior Sister Zhang’s brows furrowed. “What do you want?”

“My master would like your talisman-based Foundation Establishment technique.”

“So Real Person Pang truly values this junior brother of yours,” Senior Sister Zhang said, understanding the situation. “He’s already planning his Foundation Establishment before he’s even entered the sect.”

Sun Daoyu’s embarrassed expression confirmed her guess.

“Senior Sister Zhang’s technique set the record for the fastest Foundation Establishment in the Hundred Immortals Alliance. Since my junior brother has such exceptional talent, my master wishes to secure the most suitable method for him,” he explained.

Senior Sister Zhang understood. The rivalry between their masters, both Nascent Soul cultivators, was well-known. Though neither could overpower the other, she had consistently outperformed Real Person Pang’s disciples, monopolizing valuable resources.

Real Person Pang likely saw this prodigy as his chance to redress the balance, even going so far as to request her technique through a wager.

Sun Daoyu seemed nervous, fearing she would refuse.

“Fine,” Senior Sister Zhang said unexpectedly. “But I want Real Person Pang’s Void-Seeking Spirit Eyes in return.”

Sun Daoyu was stunned, clearly not expecting such an immediate agreement.

“Senior Sister has that much confidence in your junior brother?”

Senior Sister Zhang smiled faintly, her gaze fixed on the screen.

On it, Zheng Fa and the others were approaching the grand hall.

---

As they reached the entrance, the boy who had been watching Zheng Fa suddenly stepped closer to him and the Seventh Young Master.

“What do you want?” the Seventh Young Master asked, noticing the boy’s unfriendly demeanor.

Ignoring him, the boy looked directly at Zheng Fa and said,

“I’m Zhou Qianyuan.”

He said nothing more, walking past them and into the hall.

“What’s his problem?” the Seventh Young Master muttered.

“Single spiritual root, Gengjin Dao Body, and a talent in talismans valued by a Nascent Soul cultivator. Wouldn’t you be arrogant?” Zheng Fa replied with a chuckle.

He understood Zhou Qianyuan’s behavior. With his extraordinary aptitude and smooth-sailing life, being denied the Immortal Token must have been a first. He likely blamed Zheng Fa for taking what he believed was rightfully his.

“He’s targeting you?” The Seventh Young Master looked worried.

“Targeting me? I doubt he even sees me as a threat,” Zheng Fa said, shaking his head. “He probably thinks I took his Immortal Token. This is just a show of intimidation.”

“...Someone more unreasonable than me?” The Seventh Young Master looked incredulous.

Zheng Fa ignored Zhou Qianyuan, instead following the crowd into the hall. At its center stood a half-height mirror, facing them.

“That’s the Immortal Mirror,” the Seventh Young Master whispered, sharing what he’d heard from his sister. “It determines your initial rank based on your spiritual root and Dao Body.”

Zheng Fa watched as each person passed the mirror. A beam of light shot out, forming a glowing circle beneath their feet.

The circles came in three colors: white, green, and purple. White was the most common, green was rarer, and purple was exceptionally rare.

These must be the initial ranks.

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