I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times-Chapter 281Book 2: : Dao Fruit Evolution, Immortals Among Us!
Vol 2 Chapter 281: Dao Fruit Evolution, Immortals Among Us!
Tang Lingwu’s words nearly shattered Zheng Fa’s skull—Dao Fruit, this thing… objectively speaking, even Xie Qingxue probably didn’t truly understand it.
Xie Qingxue was a genius from one of the Five Sects, a Soul Formation Zhenren, and even she was like that.
Tang Lingwu—a Foundation Establishment cultivator—actually dared to say she understood what a Dao Fruit was…
It truly shocked Zheng Fa.
Perhaps noticing his expression, Tang Lingwu’s voice softened, cheeks puffed up, “Maybe… maybe…”
Zheng Fa saw the girl had lost confidence and quickly said, “I don’t doubt you, I’m just shocked.”
Right or wrong aside, having a new idea on something like this was already impressive.
He looked at her face again. Even though Little Lingwu was just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, her skin was still rosy despite the fatigue—those baby-soft cheeks were like milk pudding, bouncy and tender.
But the weariness that lingered in her eyes made Zheng Fa feel the girl’s stubbornness and effort.
“Thank you…”
Tang Lingwu wrinkled her nose slightly, seeming a bit annoyed.
“I didn’t want you to thank me!”
…
But he truly should thank her!
Not only thank—Zheng Fa almost wanted to light incense for her with full reverence.
She had really discovered something incredible!
The group stood before the computer screen, watching the diagrams as Tang Lingwu explained:
“I’ve been using the Spirit Eye Technique to record the talisman diagrams in the spiritual energy around Hongshan.”
Zheng Fa was aware of this. The Three-Sub-Talisman Theory had hit a bottleneck, but related research never stopped.
Especially since talisman diagrams were deeply tied to spell techniques.
Tang Lingwu recorded new diagrams she observed almost daily and stored them on the computer.
“These past few days, I found some new diagrams—there were so many of them and they were new, so I dug deeper.”
Zheng Fa and Old Bai exchanged glances, both realizing the hidden message—these new talisman diagrams must have appeared because of the Fusang Tree.
Tang Lingwu continued, “So I figured, I’d study these new diagrams a bit.”
That was understandable—if she couldn’t figure out what Dao Fruit was, she might as well start from these newly emerged diagrams to see if anything useful came of it. 𝐑áΝô𝔟Ë𝘚
Up to this point, Zheng Fa just thought her idea was interesting.
But the next second, he was stunned.
Not just him—Old Bai and the others also stared blankly at the screen.
Just a moment ago, Tang Lingwu had clicked on the computer and rapidly assembled the newly collected diagrams into something very familiar to them—
“It looks kind of like that structure inside the spiritual energy cell nucleus!”
It really did!
Due to technical limitations, they couldn’t clearly observe the internals of the spiritual energy cell nuclei inside Zheng Fa’s body, but they could still grasp the general structure.
Zheng Fa had always suspected that the internal spiritual energy structure was equivalent to DNA in biological systems, but the intricate patterns were incredibly hard to decipher.
Naturally, Tang Lingwu couldn’t see that either.
But once she arranged the newly discovered talisman diagrams together, everyone could tell—they looked very similar.
Not that the internal structures were identical,
but that when you shrank the stacked talismans down, their overall shape strikingly resembled that within the spiritual energy cell nuclei.
“So I think it’s possible…” Tang Lingwu said softly, “I was thinking—maybe these talisman diagrams actually originate from that spiritual energy cell nucleus.”
Teacher Tian froze, as if he suddenly understood what she was saying:
“You mean… talisman diagrams are like… biological macromolecules within the spiritual energy nucleus? Or… genes?”
Tang Lingwu nodded.
Zheng Fa felt a wave of deep shock.
He glanced at the screen again. Honestly, the evidence was insufficient.
Tang Lingwu’s method of arranging the diagrams did feel a bit contrived—it could very well have been shaped by her memory of the nucleus.
And yet… it really did look alike!
On the other hand, her idea was extremely thought-provoking.
“So you’re saying, spell techniques… are a kind of trait expression?” Tang Mudao had caught on too. He organized his thoughts and said slowly, “Going further—if we consider spell techniques as altering physical laws…”
“Then this stuff… could be viewed as a kind of cosmic genetic code?”
The phrasing was a little roundabout, but Zheng Fa immediately got it:
Biological genes determine how organs develop and how systems function.
Cosmic genetic information, as Tang Mudao described, would govern how particles behave, how planets rotate, or essentially—how universal constants are defined.
Tang Mudao was treating the universe itself as a living organism?
Old Bai suddenly had a flash of realization:
“So that’s why Dao Fruits can only be possessed by living beings—cultivators or Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots? Only they have spiritual energy nuclei.”
“That’s why talisman diagrams are so complex—molecular structures are inherently complex.”
Following that logic, many things suddenly became clearer to Zheng Fa:
“So that’s why Dao Fruit cultivators must spread their Dao—because every time someone uses their spell, it’s like gene replication?”
“No wonder Dao Fruit can’t die…”
Tang Lingwu wasn’t done yet: “It’s more than that.”
“I used to think talisman techniques were like computer software, calling on different substances.”
“But if we view them as genes… then whenever a cultivator uses a talisman technique, it’s like gene replication. And when these cultivators create new techniques based on the originals—I think that could be seen as a kind of gene mutation.”
Her words stirred turbulent waves in Zheng Fa’s heart.
He’d always wondered—why did Dao Fruit cultivators, even immortals, need to spread the Dao, ascend to godhood, leave descendants, or even create their own race?
For an immortal being, those seemed like illogical behaviors.
But if Tang Lingwu’s idea was correct:
Dao Law and Dao Fruit cultivators… were essentially the same thing.
As long as the Dao Law remained, the Dao Fruit cultivator did not perish.
Anyone who practiced their method could be considered their descendant.
And if we now interpret those derivative techniques as genetic mutations, then the creations and progress of those cultivators would feed back to strengthen the Dao Fruit cultivator.
Spreading one’s Dao Law was then not only preserving existence—it was evolution.
Completely aligned with biological instinct.
He slowly nodded and said:
“So in summary, if we consider talisman techniques as the genes themselves, and Dao Fruits as… the cell nucleus? Then many things make sense.”
Like why the Xuanyi Realm had sects and major powers.
Or why cultivators can’t betray their inherited lineages.
To a degree—if you cultivate a Dao Law, it exists within your body…
How do you even fight that?
And why low-level cultivators can’t possibly defeat a Dao Fruit cultivator—because they are the Law itself!
Looking again at the diagram on the computer screen, Zheng Fa couldn’t hide the waves of emotion in his heart.
He turned to Tang Lingwu, eyes full of admiration, and said, “This theory can’t be proven yet—but that’s not your fault. It’s a limitation of our current abilities.”
Ironically, it was now their cultivation level holding them back. Whether this theory was correct or not would only be clear when someone in Jiushan Realm finally attained a Dao Fruit.
There were still many unanswered questions. Tang Lingwu’s theory didn’t address them—
Like why incense power could also strengthen a Dao Fruit.
Or the concept of Dao Fruit uniqueness, which Zheng Fa still couldn’t understand.
He now suspected—those two might be connected.
The ritual itself was a Divine Dao act.
But even so, Tang Lingwu’s ideas had given Zheng Fa tremendous inspiration.
Sensing his gaze, Tang Lingwu wrinkled her nose again—this time in pride.
“Girl!” Old Bai had always doted on Tang Lingwu, and now that she’d produced such results, his face beamed with joy. “Is there anything you want? I’ll reward you!”
Not that Old Bai was rich—everyone knew the nursing home’s most profitable venture was the grain company, which was run by Tang Lingwu.
She saw the most money in the entire place.
Old Bai’s words were just an expression of pride.
But… after thinking a moment, Tang Lingwu’s eyes suddenly lit up, and she chirped, “I want to go shopping!”
“That’s easy. Let’s go to—”
“Not us…”
Tang Lingwu’s voice suddenly quieted.
Old Bai’s mouth opened, then he turned to Zheng Fa—and suddenly understood.
What Tang Lingwu really wanted… was for him to go with her~
…
On a street in the capital, Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu walked side by side.
They didn’t go to a mall or anything, just wandered a quiet street, stepping on fallen leaves.
Aimless. Just strolling.
But Tang Lingwu didn’t seem bored at all.
Hopping with every step, her short skirt flaring beside Zheng Fa’s hand.
Seemingly struck by a thought, Tang Lingwu slowed her pace, her posture suddenly ladylike—yet her little hand became restless.
Her pinky finger gently, gently hooked his—and then her whole hand slipped into his.
Zheng Fa looked at her.
And heard Tang Lingwu assert confidently, “I came up with something so amazing, Grandpa Bai even said I should get a reward.”
“Don’t you think I deserve one?”
Zheng Fa glanced around—several passersby were eyeing him with envy.
Then he looked at their interlocked hands.
A reward was in order—but who was rewarding whom?
Tang Lingwu’s steps grew slower and slower, and as dusk fell and the street emptied, she still looked reluctantly at Zheng Fa.
Zheng Fa understood what she wanted.
Tang Lingwu, at her age, having always stayed up in the mountains, really must’ve been a bit bored.
Though she appeared aloof, her personality was actually quite lively.
Thinking of that, Zheng Fa simply said to her, “If you want, we can go out more often. It’s not far anyway—other cities are just a short while away.”
The Rainbow Flight technique couldn’t carry the whole Jiushan Realm, but a soft little girl like Tang Lingwu, barely a few dozen pounds, was no problem at all.
They could visit a different place every day.
Sure enough, the moment Tang Lingwu heard that, her eyes lit up, but she still said, “Won’t it get in your way…”
Zheng Fa felt even softer inside. He patted her head gently and said warmly, “If after cultivating immortality, I’m so busy I can’t even spare that little time, then what’s the point of cultivating?”
…
Half a month later, Zheng Fa was preparing to take Tang Lingwu out for a promised stroll.
Team Leader Yang’s call suddenly came through.
“Dean Zheng, about the solar anomaly a few days ago…”
Team Leader Yang’s tone was a bit hesitant, but Zheng Fa directly admitted, “That was me.”
“……”
Team Leader Yang paused for a long moment, then gave a bitter laugh, “Dean Zheng, the world has changed.” 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
“Hmm?”
“You haven’t been online lately, have you?”
“No.”
“These past few days, people have been posting that they’ve cultivated inner strength… and it’s true.”
Zheng Fa was stunned at first, then quickly understood: “Broadcast gymnastics?”
“Yes! We’ve looked into it—most of those people are students, and they’ve all done broadcast gymnastics.”
Zheng Fa felt something click and activated his Void-Seeking Spirit Eyes to look beyond Rainbow Mountain.
Spiritual energy!
The concentration was extremely low—not even a thousandth of Rainbow Mountain’s level.
But it was real!
The higher he looked, the denser the spiritual energy. When he looked toward the sky, sure enough, the densest point was… the sun!
The Fusang Tree’s impact on the modern world was greater than Zheng Fa had imagined.
Though it hadn’t fully matured, somehow, this planet was now generating spiritual energy!
Zheng Fa checked internally and found that his spiritual power consumption hadn’t increased. In other words, this spiritual energy wasn’t coming from him.
Could it be, just as the Tranquility Bamboo made Jiushan Realm flourish,
the Fusang Tree could also cause the modern world to produce spiritual energy?
And the energy didn’t even originate from himself…
In that case, it made sense that some people had developed inner strength.
If there were no spiritual energy, he wouldn’t mind calling it broadcast gymnastics.
But now that there was spiritual energy…
You had to call it a proper martial arts manual.
After Zheng Fa’s explanation, Team Leader Yang on the other end was silent for a moment, then finally said, “This matter… it’s huge.”
Zheng Fa nodded silently.
The recovery of spiritual energy clearly had the power to reshape the world’s order.
On the other end of the line, Director Yang seemed to be speaking to someone else. After a while, she returned to Zheng Fa: “Dean Zheng, are you free?”
“Hmm?”
Team Leader Yang explained that a very important figure wanted to visit Zheng Fa to discuss next steps.
It was clearly urgent.
Zheng Fa hesitated slightly, and saw Tang Lingwu standing sweetly in the doorway, eyes full of anticipation.
“Uh… I’m a bit busy.”
“Then you go ahead, of course…”
Clearly, Team Leader Yang’s tone became even more respectful, making Zheng Fa feel even more awkward.
She had always been polite, and Zheng Fa naturally had some respect for her too.
“I’ll take Tang Lingwu shopping… and then come visit you guys?”
He offered it up himself, not putting on airs or demanding they come to the mountain.
Team Leader Yang uncharacteristically fell silent for a long time before finally, with difficulty, saying, “Alright…”
After she hung up, one of the staff nearby muttered, “Just for some girl…”
Team Leader Yang’s expression turned dangerous. She glanced at the person and said coldly, “You’ll be transferring to another department.”
“Team Leader Yang…”
Team Leader Yang watched the dejected and disgruntled person leave and scoffed inwardly. These days, the position of liaison with Zheng Fa had become a prized post, and many well-connected people had been shoved in. She didn’t mind—it’s how she got there herself.
But brainless people couldn’t be kept around.
Given how much Zheng Fa cared for Tang Lingwu, anyone meeting her in the future would at the very least have to call her Director Tang…
…
Three days after Zheng Fa’s visit to the capital, Team Leader Yang brought a filming team up Rainbow Mountain.
Old Bai was tidying his curls, clearly excited—
Because this recording marked the nursing home’s first open engagement with the outside world.
Now that spiritual energy had appeared, it was irreversible—and not necessarily a bad thing.
The entire modern world was entering a period of transformation.
For the state, the challenge was how to minimize chaos and maximize benefits during this shift.
For Zheng Fa, he hoped the appearance of spiritual energy in the modern world would bring him more advantages.
In the end, both sides agreed—no more secrecy. They’d make a documentary.
“Dean Zheng, this is our filming plan.”
Zheng Fa glanced at it. The documentary would be three episodes.
The first episode focused on the nursing home’s agricultural progress, including various spiritual plants and high-yield crops.
The second would shift focus to other fields:
Mainly, the devastatingly powerful simplified Golden Core.
The final episode would introduce the nursing home itself.
Team Leader Yang explained further:
“We designed the three episodes like this.”
“The first episode, about agricultural development, is to ease the unrest online.”
Zheng Fa nodded quietly. That really was a solid move.
With such massive change, many people would find it hard to accept, and others might even want chaos.
By presenting agricultural progress and showcasing high-yield crops and spiritual plants, the message was that these changes were producing good results.
“The second episode would be to inform everyone about what may happen going forward…” Team Leader Yang paused, “This way, the messaging has more impact.”
The logic was simple.
Episode one talked about the present—don’t panic.
Episode two talked about the future—good things are coming.
“The third episode…” Team Leader Yang sounded a bit nervous, lowering her voice, “Might need you to appear on camera, Dean Zheng…”
Zheng Fa hadn’t spoken yet, and Team Leader Yang quickly added, “If you’re unwilling, of course that’s fine. But we were thinking… your appearance would show people who made all this happen.”
“And it’s also a deterrent.”
Zheng Fa slowly nodded.
Team Leader Yang’s meaning was clear—after revealing all these incredible things, it was time to flex a little.
Otherwise, some fools might get ideas—especially those claiming to have cultivated inner strength. Some of them were probably already fantasizing about becoming the ruling elite.
Team Leader Yang looked at Zheng Fa, her face tense. She knew he hated trouble, so she wasn’t confident he’d agree.
Unexpectedly, after a brief pause, Zheng Fa nodded.
His thinking was simple—
Since he didn’t want to be a Demon Emperor, he ought to try changing jobs.
Based on the idea that Dao Fruit evolved with faith, Zheng Fa also wanted to see what would happen if he revealed some of his strength and accomplishments in the modern world.
That was also why he was willing to open the nursing home to the public.
…
The ones most affected by the world’s changes were those who had mysteriously developed so-called inner strength.
And since broadcast gymnastics was something taught in schools, this group was mostly young people—not exactly mature.
Zhao Yi was one of them.
“Brother Wushuang dropped out.”
He stared at his phone, watching a group chat named True Martial Artists. It was a group of students who had developed inner strength, and someone was always announcing who had dropped out recently.
Brother Wushuang was an early member—one of the first to awaken inner strength.
“What’s he dropping out for?”
“With skills like this, why wouldn’t I do something better?” Brother Wushuang was in the group chat, chatting away. “I’ve already decided—I’m going live and becoming an influencer!”
And honestly, it sounded like a solid plan.
“Someone else who dropped out earlier already has hundreds of thousands of followers!”
Zhao Yi was tempted, but still hesitant. Brother Wushuang quitting wasn’t surprising—he always claimed he had unrivaled martial talent.
But Zhao Yi knew the guy’s grades… let’s just say, he would never settle for second-to-last if he could grab last place—that was also a kind of unmatched.
Zhao Yi himself had decent grades. More importantly—if he dropped out, then what?
Still, seeing how well others were doing, he felt more and more lost. He closed the group chat and opened a video app to kill time.
“Huh?”
The home screen image had changed.
It now showed a blazing sun, with a strange tree inside it, and in front of the tree, a blurry figure.
Wasn’t that…
His breathing quickened. He tapped the screen, which redirected him to a documentary window.
The title of the documentary was—
“Seeking Immortals.”
