I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Vol 2 Chapter 75: Report

Amidst the sky filled with thunder, Zheng Fa and the other two stood facing each other.

Chen Ting’s treasured mirror trembled slightly under the impact of the seal, humming as it returned to his arms. The light on its surface dimmed considerably—just like the look in his eyes.

He gazed at Pang Shishu, who stood beside Zheng Fa, his lips moving as if hesitating on how to address him.

Pang Shishu also looked at him, his gaze complicated.

Zheng Fa stood quietly on the side, even holding his breath a little—this master-disciple reunion, leading into a love-hate showdown...

It felt like he should be hiding under a carriage.

After a brief silence—

Chen Ting suddenly raised both hands.

Zheng Fa suddenly felt that the way Chen Ting looked at him was a bit piercing—

Like someone who just got NTR’d, staring at the blond guy...

Chen Ting clasped his hands together and bowed toward Pang Shishu. “Master, do you really distrust me so much now?”

Realizing his mistake, Pang Shishu’s facial muscles stiffened slightly, but his tone remained cold. “I trusted you once.”

“……”

“You said you had never killed anyone from Jiushan Sect, and I believed you.” Pang Shishu’s eyes remained fixed on Chen Ting. “So I let you leave. And now?”

Zheng Fa glanced at the treasured mirror in Chen Ting’s hands.

He wasn’t sure how powerful it was, but he was certain it wasn’t meant as a friendly greeting.

Chen Ting pressed his lips together, falling silent.

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—

Pang Shishu was the one among Jiushan Sect’s three Nascent Souls who cared the most about his disciples.

Chen Ting had once been highly valued by him.

Hiding on the side earlier, Pang Shishu was probably observing Chen Ting’s situation as well.

But…

“Master Pang, the world doesn’t always allow people to choose.” Chen Ting changed his form of address, now calling him “Zhenren Pang.” “Ever since I left Jiushan Sect, I no longer had the luxury of mercy.”

“……”

Pang Shishu said nothing, but the seal above his head glowed faintly in the void, as if it were his response.

“Zhenren Pang, are you going to make a move against me?” Chen Ting chuckled softly.

Pang Shishu remained silent.

“Zhenren, you should think carefully. Though you are a Nascent Soul cultivator, in this Thunder Pool, you aren’t much stronger than I am.” Chen Ting’s tone carried a veiled threat. “Moreover, you have to protect Zheng Shidi and the other Jiushan Sect disciples… hmm?”

He turned his head—only to realize that while he and Pang Shishu had been locked in their standoff, Zheng Fa had somehow already boarded the Du’e Boat and was furiously leading a group of Jiushan Sect disciples in a mad dash for the exit.

Sensing his gaze, Zheng Fa even turned around, cupped his hands in farewell, his face full of thoughtfulness—

As if he didn’t want to interrupt the master-disciple reunion.

“Zhenren Pang… this Zheng Fa…” Chen Ting recalled that both times he had seen Zheng Fa, the man had been running for his life. His expression grew complicated. “Can he really be the next Sect Master? Aren’t you afraid he’ll corrupt Jiushan Sect?”

Pang Shishu also looked at the disappearing Du’e Boat without a word.

Although they had planned this escape in advance, Zheng Fa’s efficiency still left him feeling vaguely embarrassed...

Seriously, you’re part of the Nine Nether Demonic Sect now. You’re completely on the other side.

Why the hell are you worried about Jiushan Sect?

And why does your concern feel so spot on?!

In the marketplace, upon seeing Pang Shishu return, Zheng Fa asked directly, “Shishu, what about Chen Ting?”

“He escaped.”

Zheng Fa froze for a moment.

This guy’s survival skills were really something.

In a situation like his, any ordinary person would have already been making arrangements for their next life.

“He possesses the strengths of three major factions; he’s not to be underestimated.” Pang Shishu explained, “Besides, I had to be cautious in the Thunder Pool.”

Zheng Fa thought for a moment. That made sense—

Pang Shishu was the type of master willing to teach his disciples.

Chen Ting had even had an old grandmaster-like figure guiding him in the past.

Later, after sacrificing that old master, he gained the favor of the Nine Nether Demonic Ancestor.

“Then why didn’t the Nine Nether Demonic Sect send anyone to help him?”

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but wonder.

Jiushan Sect was after Chen Ting primarily for information on Senior Sister Zhang’s whereabouts.

But the Grand Freedom Demonic Sect was after him for revenge.

Given how dire his circumstances were, wouldn’t he have reached out to Nine Nether Demonic Sect for help?

“If the demonic sects were about unity and mutual aid, they wouldn’t be called ‘demonic sects,’” Pang Shishu snorted. “If you encounter Chen Ting again, do not underestimate him.”

“Yes.”

Zheng Fa understood what Pang Shishu meant—

When Chen Ting had first left Jiushan Sect, he might have still held some attachment to it.

But now, that seemed unlikely.

“There are few in this world who can truly hold onto their principles,” Pang Shishu murmured, his tone carrying both regret and caution. “Especially my disciple… After defecting, he must have gone through a lot.”

Chen Ting’s situation had little to do with Zheng Fa.

If it weren’t for the mention of Senior Sister Zhang, Zheng Fa wouldn’t have sought him out in the first place.

Now, the real priority was finding Senior Sister Zhang.

“It’s going to be tricky.”

Pang Shishu frowned.

“Yes, Senior Sister Zhang is now too close to the demonic sect’s secret realm.”

This time, the emergence of the spirit cavern not only unearthed the Thunder Pool but also revealed a demonic sect’s secret realm.

And the Thunder Pool happened to be blocking the secret realm’s exit—which was precisely why the Grand Freedom Demonic Sect hadn’t been able to seal it off completely.

Senior Sister Zhang had been ambushed by members of the Grand Freedom Demonic Sect and had fled into the Thunder Pool.

Although they couldn’t take her down outright, they had managed to corner her near the exit of the secret realm.

That location was where the Grand Freedom Demonic Sect had the most reinforcements readily available.

If they managed to force her into their secret realm, she would be at their mercy.

For Jiushan Sect, the mission to rescue Senior Sister Zhang would inevitably lead to a confrontation with the demonic sect.

“It’s not just that…” Pang Shishu shook his head. “The self-sealing method she used, I’m familiar with it—it’s tied to a certain treasure of Huang.”

“Huang’s treasure?”

Zheng Fa frowned.

“Huang had a deep vendetta in her early years, but back then, her cultivation wasn’t strong enough to exact revenge. Yet whenever she trained, she couldn’t help but want to go out and seek vengeance—she simply couldn’t restrain herself.”

“So…”

Amidst the endless thunder, Zheng Fa and the other two stood facing each other.

Chen Ting’s treasured mirror trembled slightly from the impact of the seal, buzzing softly as it returned to his embrace. The light on its surface dimmed considerably—just like the light in Chen Ting’s eyes.

He looked at Master Pang, who stood beside Zheng Fa, his lips moving slightly as if hesitating over how to address him.

Master Pang also looked at him, his gaze complicated.

Zheng Fa, standing quietly to the side, even held his breath—this kind of dramatic master-disciple reunion, filled with love, hatred, and intense emotions…

Should he just quietly disappear from the scene?

After a brief silence—

Chen Ting raised both hands.

His sudden movement startled Master Pang, who instinctively stepped in front of Zheng Fa, clearly guarding against a sneak attack.

Zheng Fa suddenly felt that Chen Ting’s gaze toward him was… rather piercing.

It was the kind of look someone would give when they got NTR’d right in front of them—the way someone looks at a smug blonde homewrecker...

Chen Ting pressed his hands together and bowed toward Master Pang, his voice calm.

“Master, do you truly not trust me anymore?”

Master Pang immediately realized his mistake. His facial muscles stiffened for a moment, but his tone remained as cold as ever.

“I once did.”

“……”

“You said you never killed a single disciple of Jiushan Sect. I believed you,” Master Pang said as he stared at Chen Ting. “So I let you go. But now?”

Zheng Fa glanced at the treasured mirror in Chen Ting’s hands.

He didn’t know its exact power, but one thing was certain—it wasn’t meant for exchanging friendly greetings.

Chen Ting pursed his lips and fell silent.

Zheng Fa couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—

Master Pang was the one who cared most about his disciples among Jiushan Sect’s three Nascent Soul cultivators.

Chen Ting had been highly valued in the past.

Hiding in the shadows earlier, Master Pang might have just wanted to see how Chen Ting was doing these days.

But now…

“Master Pang, fate often leaves us with no choice.” Chen Ting changed the way he addressed him, now calling him “Master Pang” instead of “Master.” “From the moment I left Jiushan Sect, I no longer had the luxury of mercy.”

“……”

Master Pang said nothing, but the seal hovering above his head glowed faintly in the air, as if answering on his behalf.

“Master Pang, are you really going to make a move against me?” Chen Ting smiled slightly as he watched him.

Still, Master Pang remained silent.

“You should think carefully,” Chen Ting continued. “You may be a Nascent Soul cultivator, but in this Thunder Pool, you don’t have much of an advantage over me.” His tone carried an implicit threat. “Not to mention, you still have to protect Zheng Shidi and the other Jiushan Sect disciples… hmm?”

As he turned his head, he finally noticed—while he and Master Pang had been locked in a tense standoff, Zheng Fa had somehow already boarded the Du’e Boat, bringing a group of Jiushan Sect disciples along with him as they frantically fled.

Sensing Chen Ting’s gaze, Zheng Fa even turned around, cupped his hands in farewell, and smiled considerately—

As if he didn’t want to interrupt this heartfelt master-disciple reunion.

“Master Pang… this Zheng Fa…” Chen Ting recalled the two times he had encountered Zheng Fa—both times, the man was running away. His expression turned complicated. “Is he really fit to be the next Sect Master? Aren’t you afraid he’ll ruin Jiushan Sect?”

Master Pang also watched the rapidly departing Du’e Boat in silence.

Though this had all been planned in advance, Zheng Fa’s execution was just a little too efficient… and somehow, that felt a bit embarrassing.

Wait a minute.

You’re a member of the Nine Nether Demonic Sect now—your allegiances are completely shifted.

Why the hell are you worrying about Jiushan Sect?

And why does it sound like you’re actually concerned?!

When Zheng Fa saw Master Pang return, he immediately asked, “Shishu, what happened to Chen Ting?”

“He ran.”

Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned. Damn, Chen Ting’s survival skills were next level.

Anyone else in his situation would already be preparing for reincarnation.

“This kid has inherited the strengths of three different factions—he’s not to be underestimated,” Master Pang explained. “And in the Thunder Pool, I also had to be cautious.”

Zheng Fa thought about it and realized it made sense—

Master Pang was the type to actually teach his disciples.

Chen Ting even used to have an old master guiding him.

Later, he sacrificed that old master and gained the favor of the Nine Nether Demonic Ancestor.

“But why didn’t anyone from the Nine Nether Demonic Sect come to help him?”

Zheng Fa was puzzled.

Jiushan Sect was after Chen Ting mainly to find out about Senior Sister Zhang’s whereabouts.

But the Great Freedom Demonic Sect? They wanted him dead for revenge.

With Chen Ting in such a dire situation, wouldn’t he try to seek their aid?

“If demonic cultivators actually practiced unity and mutual aid, would they still be called a Demonic Sect?” Master Pang snorted. “If you ever run into Chen Ting again, don’t underestimate him.”

“Yes, Shishu.”

Zheng Fa understood Master Pang’s point—

When Chen Ting had first left Jiushan Sect, he might have still held some attachment to it.

But now? That attachment was likely long gone.

“There are few in this world who can stay true to themselves,” Master Pang said, his tone a mix of regret and wariness. “And after his betrayal… I fear he’s suffered quite a bit.”

Today was the day Zheng Fa and Tang Lingwu registered at Jingcheng University.

Tang Lingwu had been picked up by her mother a few days earlier, and rumor had it that her father had also come to the capital to personally send her off to college.

Zheng Fa, on the other hand, didn’t ask Old Bai to drive him.

He took a taxi alone to the university entrance.

The place was bustling with students and parents.

Compared to his high school classmates, the new students at Jingcheng University felt both similar and different—

Similar in that they were all the same age. In this internet era, fashion and hairstyles were pretty much uniform across the country.

Different in a way that was hard to pin down—

Even though their outfits weren’t too distinct, these young people radiated an unmistakable confidence.

Another observation, though unconfirmed—many of them seemed to come from wealthy backgrounds.

After observing for a bit, Zheng Fa followed the crowd to the gymnasium, where registration was taking place. Afterward, there would be an opening ceremony.

At the entrance, multiple tents were set up with department names displayed on top. Behind long tables sat several older students—probably counselors or upperclassmen.

Zheng Fa took out his acceptance letter and found the tent for the Physics Department.

Inside were three guys and two girls.

When Zheng Fa approached, the three guys remained seated. But both girls stood up at the same time.

They exchanged glances.

One of them, a girl with glasses, seemed a bit shy—after hesitating for a moment, she slowly sat back down.

The other girl, however, greeted Zheng Fa.

She had delicate features, a slender waist, and a friendly smile.

Of course, with Zheng Fa’s keen eyes, he could tell that at least twenty percent of her beauty was thanks to expert makeup skills.

But judging by the hostile stares from the three senior guys behind her—

The remaining eighty percent was more than enough to stand out in the Physics Department.

Which was kind of tragic, if you thought about it.

“Junior, did you come alone?”

“Yeah.”

“Give me your acceptance letter.” She took a look. “Zheng Fa? Physics Department. Here, take these.”

She efficiently handed him several folders.

“This contains the freshman handbook, a campus map—the Second Cafeteria has the best food.”

“This one’s a letter for your parents. Not important.”

“This small bag is the most important—it has your student ID, dorm key, and room number. Don’t lose it.”

Zheng Fa pinched the small bag and nodded. “Thanks, Senior.”

“Here, add me on WeChat.”

“……”

Zheng Fa was momentarily stunned. He glanced at the senior, who looked completely serious.

“The department requires it,” she said. “If you have any questions, just ask me.”

After a brief pause, Zheng Fa took out his phone and scanned her QR code.

As he walked away, he faintly overheard her conversation with the next freshman.

“This is your stuff. Take it. Don’t lose it.”

After a moment—

“Do you need anything else?”

The new student, a guy, hesitated. “Didn’t you say we had to add you on WeChat?”

“I don’t recall hearing about that rule.”

“……But what if I have questions?”

“That’s why I gave you the freshman handbook.”

Zheng Fa took out his phone and checked her profile picture.

She looked pure and friendly in the photo.

Certainly didn’t seem like someone so… full of tricks.