Exploring Immortality Cultivation

After persuading Chen Feng, the research on the "New Divine Tao" commenced smoothly. The items Wang Qi ordered online were quickly delivered. Each of the eight boys then had three probes implanted in their bodies: one punctured an artery, one was buried in a nerve-dense area, and another was located inside the chest cavity. Thanks to the reliable technology of the Immortal Alliance, these needles were fine enough to cause no harm to the human body.

The eight young men also put on brainwave monitors, which looked like headbands, as instructed by Wang Qi, and kept the soul monitors hidden on their persons within jade pendants.

However, what disappointed Wang Qi was that even after half a month, Du Bin had not once visited the courtyard, to Wang Qi's regret.

"Is the Immortal Alliance that terrifying? It's just about practicing the Divine Tao," Wang Qi wondered, puzzled.

Zhen Chan huffed, "You know you are working within the rules, and as long as you don't go too far, the Immortal Alliance won't kill you. But he understands that if the Immortal Alliance finds out he is associated with the Divine Tao, they will show no mercy. The risk is entirely different for the two of you."

Wang Qi gazed at the courtyard and shook his head slightly, "I was rather looking forward to that information on the Banished Immortals."

"Rest assured, he will come," Zhen Chan said.

"Why?"

"He hasn't turned against us, nor has he recalled those few people. A chance for a Nascent Soul position, the hope for longevity, hee hee, even the slightest thought is enough to drive one mad," Zhen Chan explained, "Speaking of which, you yourself are a Banished Immortal, aren't you?"

"No need to pry; I will state what you already very well know."

"You have such a deep understanding of Modern Cultivation; I'm not aware of that—or, among the Banished Immortals, is there one who specializes in heterodox practices?"

Zhen Chan's guess made Wang Qi's heart flutter. Compared to the Immortal Alliance's forty-nine paths, science is the ultimate heterodox. To call him, a "Banished Immortal of heterodoxy" who is said to have been a scientist in a previous life and retained his memories in this life, wouldn't be wrong. However, he disliked this title, perhaps indicating that he would inevitably have to face the insurmountable Primordial Spirit Heavenly Barrier.

Wang Qi lightly scratched his head, cutting off this stray thought, "In the future, I will foster good relations with Du Bin, striving to study his transcended ancestors. For now, it's time to get to work."

He walked into the courtyard, first checking himself. Twenty red mechanical birds monitored the yard from various angles, which was just the tip of the iceberg. Underground, ten biomimetic mechanical rats patrolled ceaselessly. The house itself was also filled with listening devices. Everything was under the surveillance of Jarvis.

Wang Qi approached the main house. Inside was a not-so-advanced calculator, of Talismanic Level. Of course, this was only an appearance. Its true purpose was serving as Jarvis's terminal, specifically in charge of the courtyard's monitoring and data recording. If others were to use it, they would find this calculator to be outdated and cumbersome, with slow processing. Wang Qi tapped lightly twice, calling up the records.

"The average Spiritual Energy Value around here has increased by one percent compared to before the experiment began, but this falls within the normal fluctuation range of nature's spiritual energy."

"In the specific region where the Circle of Reason is, the Spiritual Energy Value is slightly lower than in the area where Silver Dawn is. The difference is very low, about one in a thousand, but this value has been consistent for three days, so it's considered statistically significant. Continuous observation is warranted."

"The restriction implants following the Memory Body haven't detected the emergence of new powers within them… The nature of their fatigue hasn't shown any significant change…"

"The intrinsic changes in the surrounding spiritual energy are still random and chaotic, showing no regularity. Even if gods exist, they're definitely not here."

After checking the data and making a record, Wang Qi walked back into the courtyard and then took out a booklet, flipping through it, "Today's task is to emphasize the doctrine of the Circle of Reason and the Silver Dawn, and to announce the revised edition of Circle of Reason, version 23, and Dawn Holy Light, version 25, updating the 'preface' here."

Choosing that name was indeed a bit brainless; it seemed to turn into a shameful play.

Wang Qi sighed and took out a card made of Soul Steel. It was a Magic Artifact that sealed a Pseudo Personality formed by the Residual Soul of the Demon Clan. This card was the only one that Wang Qi hadn't modified himself. After Chen Feng's modification, however, it was very suitable for use in this situation.

"The Pseudo Personality is set to be meticulous, and once merged with me, it becomes a pile of serious nonsense," Wang Qi brushed the golden card on the key points: "Come forth, Father Wang Qi!"

In just a moment, Wang Qi's pupils dilated and then contracted, and his entire demeanor changed. He ran his hand through his hair, the Electromagnetic Force rearranging the molecules inside his hair, achieving the effect of hair wax. He neatly combed his hair and, holding the booklet, walked into the side of the courtyard where the Circle of Reason was located.

Four young disciples were engrossed in their books. Seeing Wang Qi come in, they all stood up and bent at the waist to salute: "Mr. Wang."

Young Master Du Bin had said their futures and achievements were all in Wang Qi's hands. This made them respect Wang Qi immensely.

Wang Qi gently touched the Circle that was placed in the middle of the room. The High Spirit-sensitive Spirit Prohibition was hidden in his palm, swiftly sliding across the surface of this symbolic object.

"No reaction," Wang Qi wasn't disappointed and turned to the four young disciples, "Recite the Circle of Reason for me."

"Wherever the Circle of Reason is effective, there is Order. By examining with a microscope the tiniest things created by the Circle of Reason, one can see intricate and organized structures. Likewise, by looking through a telescope into the vast cosmos, one can also see intricate and organized structures. Thus, all societies use the Sun, the Moon, and the stars to measure time and guide navigation; their trajectories are invariably circular. The Circle of Reason is a system and pattern displayed in all effects across the entire cosmos!"

The four young disciples' reply was powerful and uniform, yet Wang Qi still frowned slightly, "What's wrong? Continue."

After some awkwardness, the four young disciples added two bizarre syllables: "Hom."

Wang Qi nodded in satisfaction. Like the ambiguous exclamations such as "Amen," "Infinite Blessings of Longevity," or "Excellent," these words had no clear meaning. Similar to commands like "march" or "at ease" in the military, that did little for individual combat strength but were training for obedience and discipline; such meaningless actions could also quickly enhance a group's sense of belonging.

"You have all undergone the pilgrimage of years to arrive at this day. Yet, Fate will also continue to repeat itself endlessly—'overcoming' 'Fate' is the primary step one must take to achieve happiness! The encounters between people are like the force of Gravity! Meeting for the sake of meeting is more like an inescapable Destiny. One must experience everything this world has to offer to reach an ideal world." Under the influence of the Pseudo Personality, an utterly charlatan Wang Qi began to read today's doctrine. "When will people meet or part? When will wars break out, and when will the eras change? Whom will one fall in love with? Whom will one hate? When will one have children? And when will these children grow up? Who will commit crimes? Who will invent or create art? These are all experiences you need to undergo!"

"Life is finite, but knowledge is infinite, so how does one experience all this? These are not to be remembered by the mind or body, but to be experienced by the spirit, to gain cognition afterward! That is the true essence of the Circle of Reason."

Wang Qi had no intention of training these youths into Modern Cultivators. The "denial" and "questioning" required by Modern Cultivators did not necessarily suit the Divine Tao. What he truly wanted to cultivate were religious branches similar to the "Mechanical God Sect."

They wear the guise of Science, worship the power of Science, but do not understand Science itself.

"I respect the first person who ate mushrooms. Did he happen to avoid poisonous ones, or did he learn to differentiate through experience? One thing is certain—he deserves respect."

But Wang Qi didn't think he had duped anyone. The biggest problem with this Pseudo Personality was that it didn't feel guilty about its actions at all. In Chen Feng's words, this was frankly unforgivable.

(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)