Chapter 14 - 9: The Spirit of Youthful Enthusiasm and the Stirrings of Mischievous Mischief

"Essence of Spirit Energy... the exponent of energy... tsk tsk, thank goodness there is no such setting here as 'solidification of a broken cognitive world', otherwise it would be one misstep leading to another. How reckless, how reckless." On the rooftop of the Wang Family's old house, Wang Qi set down a book, his face displaying a measure of relief—of course, there was also a bit of self-satisfaction. Looking at his expression, where was there even a hint of regret? That night, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. A crescent moon hung askew in the sky, frosting heaven and earth alike. Normally at this time, most of the villagers in Dabai Village would be asleep. But today, the little village still had some lights dimly visible. Near the central ancestral hall, some villagers could vaguely be seen celebrating together. Our village is going to have an Immortal! The villagers, simple and honest, felt this might be the greatest celebration in the village, treated like a festival. The Old Scholar, who taught children in the village, nearly wanted to erect a monument to commemorate it. Wang Qi did not join the village's celebration. Having lived two lives, his past life was devoted to academics, treating his laboratory as a sanctuary, while this life had been idly spent in a fog for years, considered a fool by others, he truly was not accustomed to the bustle of so many people gathering. However, though he couldn't join them, watching from a distance, he could also share in the joy. Holding this thought, Wang Qi hugged a jar of homemade rice wine from the village and sat alone on the rooftop of the Wang Family's old house. The young man muttered "reckless," yet showed no sign of fear, instead continuously pouring and drinking by himself. His demeanor was not without reason. That morning, by integrating knowledge from his past life, he quickly achieved a Breakthrough to the Heavenly Communication Realm, truly scaring both Li Ziye and Xiang Qi. However, he soon encountered a huge problem. In this world, there was Spirit Energy. And "Spirit Energy," this physical quantity, did not exist in his previous world! Modern Cultivation is based on understanding the essential laws of the world—the "Dao" as described by Modern techniques. If one's understanding of the Dao is flawed, practicing Superior Cultivation Methods could be counterproductive, and might even lead to Deviation, resulting in death and the destruction of one's Dao. However, luckily it was all but needless worry. In reality, he had misunderstood Li Ziye's words during the day, and also misunderstood the Modern interpretation of the Heavenly Communication Realm. Entering the Heavenly Communication Realm was not about achieving a Breakthrough through scholarship, but more importantly, it was about comprehending the Heart Intent of the ancients in their Seeking Dao through scholarship. If put in Earth's terms, then this "Seeking Dao intent" is not what Wang Qi previously thought to be a "high school diploma," but rather the "spirit of Science"! Seek knowledge, seek truth. Heaven and Earth are infinite, the Great Dao is elusive, but our generation can rely on ourselves, step by step, to unravel the ultimate truths of the world. In his previous life, where science and technology flourished, except for the occasional delirious individual, this heart intent was fundamentally ingrained and subtly influenced every person. Because of the Transmigration, Wang Qi began to fundamentally doubt "science," which led to his brilliance being clouded. It was through the study of logic and mathematical reasoning by the eminent figures of this world that he realized the problem lay in his own Heart Intent. His accumulated knowledge had long surpassed the requirements for a Breakthrough. For the average Cultivator to achieve Breakthrough, they must ponder over the Qi Cultivation Techniques, resorting to tricks to inhale and exhale the breathing of Heaven and Earth. Wang Qi's Breakthrough was a clear realization in his heart directly reflecting on his mana, naturally overflowing like water that reaches its brim. This was the Perfect Breakthrough that countless geniuses desperately sought but could not achieve! Thinking this, Wang Qi couldn't help but sip another cup of wine, clicking his tongue, "It was indeed reckless, but, thanks to you, old man, having this accident turned out to be useful!" Wang Qi's mention of "recklessness" referred to another matter. That morning, in verifying the mathematical reasoning and logic of his previous life, he had written several equations on a piece of scratch paper. And he used the mathematical symbols he was most familiar with from Earth. You must understand, the mathematical symbols of Shenzhou Land are unique, lacking the letters commonly seen in Earth's equations, not to mention Arab numerals. His Breakthrough that morning had come too quickly, truly alarming Li Ziye and Xiang Qi. However, after the initial shock, the two displayed the quality of Immortal Alliance enforcers. It is indeed unlikely to Breakthrough suddenly, but what if he already possessed the conditions necessary to Breakthrough? Perhaps—a Carefree Practitioner who resides near his home and who has violated the prohibitions? Wang Qi was startled after realizing that they harbored such suspicions. Given that the Daoist of Uncertainty was generally considered fair game by everyone. If he were seen as being associated with him, he'd probably get more than a few cold stares just walking down the street, let alone expecting any benefits from the Magic Immortal Dao! Then, Xiang Qi, with a sharp eye, spotted Wang Qi's draft. Although Li Ziye couldn't understand those formulas, he astutely sensed that these cryptic signs were nothing but sophisticated methods of mathematical reasoning! Just as Li Ziye and the other began to doubt even more, Zhen Chan spoke up and covered the lie, "This is ancient mathematics I taught him. Heh, I truly never thought that the path of mathematics could lead to Cultivation." The foundation of the Wanfa Sect stemmed from the Ancient Inheritances of Primordial Heavenly Monarch and the Geometric Demon Lord, before evolving into a situation where "one method leads to myriad," and "one method breaks myriad." Thus, Li Ziye was not overly suspicious of Zhen Chan's statement. This explanation also alleviated their doubts about Wang Qi's Talent—apparently, the boy had previous foundations in mathematical reasoning, which made them think: his Talent was barely within the range of human bearability. "Looks like I'll have to develop the habit of destroying drafts immediately." Wang Qi squinted his eyes, staring at the distant lights, as if muttering to himself. At this moment, the moon neared its zenith, but the people gathered around the ancestral hall still showed no sign of dispersing, their voices faintly reaching Wang Qi's ears. "This world, indeed has some interest." Wang Qi said so, taking a sip of wine. Then, he took another sip. After a long moment, he sipped once more. After seven or eight cups of wine, Wang Qi's somewhat embarrassed voice came from the roof, "Old man, shouldn't you chime in here? It's really awkward talking to myself!" Zhen Chan replied with a muffled voice, "Oh?" "I've said so much just waiting for you to join the conversation, at least when I say 'thank you' you should at least grunt in acknowledgement, right?" "Oh." Hearing such a nonchalant response from the ring, Wang Qi was startled, "My gosh, senior, who are you? There were two souls in this ring from the very beginning, weren't there? Do you know the old man who passed the 'Da Luo Chaos Heaven Scripture' to me? The one who looks aloof but actually talks a lot..." Zhen Chan discontentedly said, "What do you mean 'looks aloof but actually talks a lot'?" Wang Qi answered seriously, "Don't you like to talk a lot? Especially when I say 'this thing is kind of interesting,' you would definitely ask 'what's interesting' and then try to twist my world and value views." Zhen Chan wanted to retort, but eventually just sighed, "I've grown old." Wang Qi snorted disdainfully, "You've been undying for ten thousand years and you just realized that today?" Zhen Chan unusually didn't reprimand this disrespectful youngster. "Only now I realize. Although I call myself 'old man,' it was just out of a sense of status. In the past, I thought my remarkable talent coupled with the ancient inheritance meant being trapped in this ring was just like a dragon dwelling in shallow waters, and that with a mere opportunity, I would once again shake the world." "But today, I realized how terrifying ten thousand years can be. Ancient inheritance? I once valued it as my life, but now others discard it like worn-out shoes! Talent? I always thought that heaven and earth would eventually wither due to generation after generation of cultivators gathering Qi, and the path of immortality would inevitably decline with each generation. But in reality? The later generations have already boldly carved out a great path to heavenly communication! I don't even have the courage to create my own law!" Zhen Chan grew more agitated, his words tinged with resignation, "Even if I could rebuild my physical body and return to the world, what would be the point?" Wang Qi almost snorted through his nose in contempt, "That's what I'm saying, old man, your previous life had no real meaning." Zhen Chan angrily said, "Then tell me, what is meaningful?" Wang Qi lay back on the roof, his right hand wearing the ring held high, facing the night sky. Looking at the ring, he asked, "First off, did you used to be fixated on a single idea? Like, dead set on believing you were right?" "If one isn't absolutely confident in their own Dao, how can they achieve Dao!" Wang Qi laughed, "Then after seeing things that shattered your beliefs over the past few days, losing your Dao heart serves you right!" Zhen Chan had no comeback and could only huff in his spiritual sense. Wang Qi said, "What makes the world interesting is that it's so vast there's always something new to explore! To concoct a vague, infinite concept in your head, then deceive yourself into believing that's the Dao, and actually end up believing it—that would be truly irrational!" Zhen Chan, infuriated to the point of laughter, "You speak as if you really understand." Wang Qi looked up at the sky, chuckled a few times, and said nothing. Too bad I can't use that experience to teach you a lesson, old man. Some things, Wang Qi decided, had to remain buried in his heart forever. Even Zhen Chan, who was now tied to him, must never know. When he transmigrated, Wang Qi's first reaction was—@#%#@. Cough, in other words, a curse word. In his view, transmigration was just a malicious arrangement by fate. Sure, in that world, I was a talent unrecognized, frustrated. But that was my world! Mine! It had my friends, my family, my ambitions, my ideals, the value of my existence! And then to have it all wiped out overnight? Damn that! And what about the twenty years I spent learning? What did it all mean in the grand scheme of things? It's all fake? Fake! I don't know anything! If there's no sense in the world... what's the point? In this transmigration ordeal, the only thing Wang Qi felt fortunate about was having a family that truly cared for him, pulling him back from the edge of collapse; he had over a decade to calm down. And then yesterday, he was able to understand the world anew using the research of the sages of this world. But this destruction and reconstruction made Wang Qi's spirit incredibly strong! "I really don't understand what the Dao is, old man. But since those great powers that established modern cultivation have defined the path of seeking Dao, then I, Wang Qi, will surely, little by little, seek that Supreme Heavenly Dao!" The youth's declaration resonated clearly. Zhen Chan was silent for a while. The boy's confidence reminded him of his own self, over ten thousand years ago, when he first glimpsed the path of immortality. Back then, he too was full of confidence, sure that he could make that final step, right? Is ten thousand years truly so terrifying, not just turning his long-coveted final step into a joke but also grinding down the little bit of pride in his heart? If he were his younger self, even waking up to a whole new world, he'd likely feel his spirit soaring. "Hehehe, I must really be old..." Wang Qi laughed, "That's more like it! Old man, you should learn more from me, learn what it means to be interesting!" "How so?" "Right now, this very moment, my mind is brimming with interesting stuff that can't wait to burst forth!"