Exploring Immortality Cultivation

Banished Immortals who retained all their memories, as appeared in transmigration novels, were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns throughout all of Shenzhou. In modern times, the only ones with this possibility were of the Demon Emperor of the Xi Clan and the Holy Emperor Venerable, Master of the Heaven Splitting Dao. For ordinary cultivators, even a Banished Immortal who retained some memories was a terrifying existence, let alone one with complete memories.

Most Banished Immortals did not have any memories of their past lives, possessing only a vague intuition that told them how to utilize Spiritual Energy— and this intuition often stemmed more from firsthand experience than from the deeper theories upon which the Modern Cultivation Method was based. They didn't even know if they continued the "personality" from their past lives; if we go by empiricism's "memory equals self" stance, they could be considered as having been reborn entirely.

This was information Wang Qi had learned from a Banished Immortal in the Divine Capital.

In other words, a "Banished Immortal" like me, with both a complete personality and memories of a past life, is actually quite rare...

Banished Immortal reincarnation, does it represent a resurgence of "calculator-like" thought processes, or the flow of "memory" information?

Furthermore, Wang Qi had learned something else. It wasn't that they didn't want to practice the Modern Cultivation Method, but an invisible barrier stood in their way. Others, upon reaching Golden Core Perfection, would feel a clear bottleneck, yet these individuals couldn't even find that bottleneck; the path ahead might as well have not existed for them. The Primordial Spirit Cultivation Methods usable by normal people were meaningless gibberish to them, offering no hope of gaining the strength to Break the Heaven Barrier.

Why is this? Is it really a Knowledge Barrier? But even Knowledge Barriers can be broken; even fanatics, with proper psychological guidance, could change their worldview, and if it comes to the worst, through brainwashing, any belief can be destroyed.

These shouldn't be the reasons why Banished Immortals struggle to break the Heaven Barrier.

Then, could it be that an infant's soul, when crammed with a large amount of information from elsewhere, undergoes a qualitative change, similar to epilepsy—a damage to the thinking organ that leads to organic disorders, resulting in an inability to manifest a Primordial Spirit?

That doesn't seem scientific either. The Demon Clan can achieve Primordial Spirit evolution through the Modern Cultivation Method. No matter how a human soul might be aberrant, it cannot be more different from a standard human soul than a soul from the Demon Clan. Moreover, Chen Feng has said that while his soul is indeed a bit different, like an "Innate Right Heart" or "six fingers on the left hand," it's just a normal, low-probability variation.

It's truly incomprehensible...

While listening to these few individuals exchanging information, Zhen Chan confided to Wang Qi another astonishing fact.

These individuals might have an odd understanding of cultivation, but as long as they find the right Ancient Cultivation Method, advancing to Nascent Soul Cultivation would not be too difficult.

On one hand, Primordial Spirit is difficult to attain, yet on the other, Nascent Soul lies within easy reach...

"These fellows... are indeed dangerous."

After hearing Zhen Chan's assessment, Wang Qi shifted his posture discreetly and subconsciously tried to distance himself from the group. Achieving a Nascent Soul meant one was firmly set on practicing Ancient Methods, and according to the Immortal Alliance Law, they were targets for everyone to eliminate.

Wang Qi lingered a while longer, at least until the Banished Immortals had finished their conference. Once it officially ended, he headed straight home, paying no further attention to everyone else.

Watching Wang Qi's retreating figure, Lu Wan asked Zhao Qingfeng in a low voice, "Boss Zhao, what do you think of this kid? I feel like he's not really with us." Did he seem in any way uncouth?

All appearances of neglect and openness were merely his disguise. To those familiar with him, gloominess and the madness he deeply concealed were his true self.

Zhao Qingfeng smiled enigmatically and seemed unconcerned, "I am also a disciple of one of the great five sects; I can understand to some extent. The Dao Artifact Award, hmm, someone like this Genius probably looks down on us. But surely, after struggling for ten years before Primordial Spirit, he will come asking for our help, won't he?"

Lu Wan also chuckled quietly, "Modern methods... heh heh, walking the wrong path of the Heterodox and still unaware of it."

Shu Rongrong also said, "Only after the Golden Core Stage does one awaken from the dream, and after being trapped beyond the Golden Core for a long time and attempting the forty-nine Innate Dao Paths, does one realize the vastness of the Immortal Dao."

The seven people huddled together, emitting a low, sinister laugh that gathered in one place, as if it were the mournful cry of some ominous bird.

"We are the ones who are on the most correct path!"

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"Indeed, there's a problem." Hundreds of yards away, Wang Qi retracted his hand from the Seeking Dao Jade.

These people were the legendary Banished Immortals, and among them were also those who practiced the Modern Cultivation Method. Their sensitivity to Spiritual Sense might be even higher than Chen Feng's, so Wang Qi hadn't had Zhen Chan, the half-crippled Mahayana, attempt it. During the exchange moments ago, a grain of sand had fallen from the sole of his shoe. This grain of sand was the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion's newest surveillance device, with its only function being to steal vibrations and then use a special algorithm within the calculator to reconstruct the sounds. The function of the device was very singular, with spiritual power fluctuations reduced to the minimum, and the mechanical movements' vibrations were negligible compared to the actual dust being blown by the wind. The only defect was probably that it could only steal vibrations and was useless against Spiritual Sense Transmission or sound condensation.

Unfortunately, this group of Banished Immortals was too self-assured and did not use encrypted sound transmission.

After leaving behind an insect-sized Mechanical Beast, he set it to retrieve the eavesdropping device half a day later; Wang Qi plunged into another round of thought.

"After the Golden Core Stage, will new Innate Wisdom awaken?"

Could the strengthening of the soul bring about such side effects? Or is the Innate Wisdom of the Banished Immortals actually like a compressed file that automatically decompresses once certain conditions are met?

Wang Qi grew more confused. Although the memories of his previous life were blurred in detail, they were still clear overall, with very clear causes and effects, and not many gaps.

"Could it be that I actually have memories of another lifetime?" Wang Qi tapped his head but didn't feel the impulse to exclaim, "I remember now!" and there was no good fortune in awakening past memories to gain a harem.

Returning to the courtyard, Wang Qi discussed the matter with Chen Feng. He had initially wanted to inquire about the Yangshen Pavilion's research on the Banished Immortals when, unexpectedly, Chen Feng grabbed his shoulder excitedly, saying, "The day has finally come!"

Wang Qi asked, puzzled, "What? What's going on?"

"Sooner or later, the Banished Immortals of the Divine Capital will contact you. I know it," Chen Feng released Wang Qi, pacing back and forth in the study room, seemingly very pleased. "The circle of Banished Immortals is very exclusive and has an implicit enmity toward Modern Cultivators. However, their Knowledge Barriers on the Cultivation Road, and the unique reasons behind the formation of their 'Upper Pure Spirit Treasure,' are very valuable for research."

Wang Qi stared at Chen Feng, "You anticipated this?"

"It's a new plan that was made after you joined the Empirical Department," Chen Feng patted Wang Qi's shoulder.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll forgo everything and truly start practicing the Ancient Method?"

"What are you talking about? Can someone who appreciates the glories of the Modern Method also revert to the Ancient Method? I trust you completely on this."

"Why are you telling me only now? Be careful, or I might just throw in the towel and walk away!"

Chen Feng assumed an 'I'm not worried you won't help' stance, "From a long-term perspective, you might find the research results useful!"

The two further discussed the research plans. Then, Chen Feng took out a letter of appointment, smiling at Wang Qi, "Here, the job for the meowing young lady you've been looking forward to—starting on the sixteenth of the first lunar month, working every three days for a morning with generous compensation—definitely a great position!" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it at Qidian (qidian.com) with recommendation tickets, monthly tickets, and your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)