Exploring Immortality Cultivation

"Would you be willing to join my Empirical Department?" Wang Qi faced the sudden invitation without much surprise. If Chen Feng had only intended him to handle data, there would have been no need to bring him into the laboratory. Allowing an outsider to tour a lab was a form of public outreach, while letting a fellow professional in suggested a somewhat deeper implication. Years ago, when Einstein spoke publicly in Göttingen about his recent work and the problems he encountered, the mathematical genius Hilbert went home and derived the theorem that Einstein had failed to complete. It was fortunate that Hilbert was benevolent; had he published a paper the next day, Einstein would have had nowhere to cry.

"The facilities here are impressive," Wang Qi nodded thoughtfully, "but I refuse."

"Why?" Chen Feng asked. "Can you tell me why? That was quite definitive; my pride is quite bruised."

Pointing at equipment like the centrifuge, microscope, and dehydrator, Wang Qi explained, "Clearly, this is an Empirical Department dedicated to the Path of Life Beings," and then, pointing at himself, he continued, "whereas my expertise lies in the Path of Mathematical Reasoning, and should I make any progress, it would be towards the Mysterious Path."

Theoretical physics is a playground for mathematicians, and thus, many highly skilled or nearly-maxed-out mathematicians sought to dip their feet in it. The establishment and development of the Mysterious Path and the Shape Comparison Technique couldn't be separated from the involvement of Feng Luoyi and Xi Baiche, two Great Powers of the Wanfa Sect. Wang Qi's explanation was reasonable and logical.

However, Chen Feng caught on to something crucial, "It seems like you intend to develop in the application of mathematical reasoning? So what kind of application isn't an application?"

"It's just that I'm not particularly interested in the Path of Life Beings," Wang Qi said with a helpless smile.

Chen Feng didn't look discouraged at all. "Beifeng mentioned that you possess the lower divine skill of the Life Flame, so your cultivation in the Tianling Ridge mental method isn't trivial."

Wang Qi shook his head. "It's trivial to nothing. It was catalyzed by a coincidence of the Heavenly Calculation Atlas and the Heavenly Entropy Technique, and I grasped it through the thought process of Heavenly Material Circulation."

"Understanding life beings through the perspective of either Heavenly Material Circulation or property changes is also our pursuit," Chen Feng continued.

Wang Qi grew impatient. "I intend to rely on mathematical reasoning to simulate the path of evolution in the future."

Chen Feng instantly brightened. "Then we have no conflict of direction whatsoever!"

Puzzled, Wang Qi said, "You're from Yangshen Pavilion, right? Evolution studies should be the domain of Ancient Spirit Cliff and Spirit Beast Mountain."

"The research scope of Yangshen Pavilion also includes behavioral genetics, which specifically investigates how life being behaviors are expressed through bloodlines and their significance in evolution," Chen Feng explained. "It's perfectly normal for me to be involved in this area."

Wang Qi still shook his head. "Joining your Empirical Department would inevitably require dealing with the Path of Life Beings. I don't plan to invest much effort in that direction."

"That's not necessarily the case," Chen Feng pointed at himself. "I will handle the experiments, provide you with the data, set the direction, and come up with the ideas. You would only need to process the work, following my thought process to establish a self-consistent system in mathematics."

"You're treating me as a calculator; no way, I refuse," Wang Qi continued to shake his head. "Besides, doing this won't benefit my own cultivation."

Merely processing data and performing calculations would speed up the practice of the Yao Ding Calculating Scripture, resulting in increasingly refined mana, but this was merely an accumulation of quantity. Cultivation must ultimately seek the sublimation of essence.

"It would be even better if you want to participate in research work."

Wang Qi still shook his head. "I told you, the Path of Life Beings is too far from my own path."

Chen Feng fetched two chairs, sat down on one, and said to Wang Qi, "Let's sit down and discuss my path; perhaps you'll change your mind after we talk."

Wang Qi also sat down. "You're probably going to be disappointed."

"Let me make it clear first. You've said you want to enter the Mysterious Path, so you should understand that 'will' plays an unavoidable role there. I study will here as well."

Wang Qi was somewhat moved but still shook his head. "It's not quite the same. You regard will as a physiological phenomenon, but in the Mysterious Path, will holds a special status."

"I'm working on two projects here," Chen Feng continued. "One is to study the relationship between 'Soul Origin' and consciousness. My mental method is the sect's cultivation method 'Synaptic Void Chain Soul Skill', primarily focused on the divine skill 'Heavenly Song Soul Probe.' This project is my foundation, which I will always continue. The other project involves studying human hearts."

Wang Qi was now somewhat interested. The division of disciplines in Shenzhou was different from that on Earth; psychology, neuroscience, and the study of souls not found on Earth were seen as one field by Modern Cultivators. Studying consciousness itself could potentially benefit quantum physics.

Only Shenzhou Cultivators would start an ambitious project personally related to their cultivation method, along with another breakthrough project of personal interest. Cultivation ensured the promise of Dao; what's more, after cultivating, one's lifespan would be prolonged, allowing exploration of more fields, and making it easier to apply for funding in an environment like the Modern Immortal Path. Earth researchers seldom had such luxury.

Seeing Wang Qi's change of attitude, Chen Feng continued, "Moreover, analyzing human hearts using mathematics doesn't seem to conflict with your path, like what you said in the martial arts exam during the standardized tests."

Wang Qi pondered for a while before recalling that Chen Feng was referring to the time he hoodwinked Bao Xiaoya. Honestly, only a family like the Bo with innate passion for math would be so easily swayed by him; another person might not be captivated by his rhetoric. Wang Qi waved his hand and said, "If you're talking about fuzzy mathematical reasoning, this system hasn't been fully established yet, and its practical value remains unknown."

Chen Feng smiled. "But that at least shows that you have a talent for mathematics. Do you know how others view you now? As someone who might pioneer a significant path!"

Wang Qi nodded knowingly. Chen Feng's words made sense. The development of mathematics had always relied on mathematical problems; with such problems, math could progress, and human consciousness was naturally an excellent topic.

From recent conversations, Bao Xiaoya had indeed fallen in love with this field. It seemed unjust for him, having duped the headstrong girl, not to redirect her to someone else.

Finally, Chen Feng added, "Yangshen Pavilion was also involved in refining the Ten Thousand Immortals True Mirror and constructing the Ten Thousand Immortals Illusion Realm. I don't have much research on calculators, but I'm not entirely clueless. From me, you might gain inspiration. The creation of Acquired Will is also related to my field."

The last straw that breaks the camel's back.

Wang Qi needed to study calculators for his Foundation Establishment. The inspiration from others could be used to polish one's skills.

Wang Qi lowered his head, deep in thought for a moment, then said, "Two questions."

Chen Feng smiled.

Having questions was a good sign. In academic fields, having questions indicated science could still advance; in this case, Wang Qi having questions showed that he was genuinely interested.

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