Chapter 7 The Immortals No Longer Exist
Regarding the new star, it seems mysterious phenomena and supernatural powers have emerged, but Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng have limited knowledge.
Mainly, it's a matter of information asymmetry; they live on the old land and find it hard to access cutting-edge secrets.
As for the immortals, they appear even more elusive.
Wang Xuan believes that long ago, there was a group of people who either practiced energy cultivation or focused on meditation, harmonizing body and spirit to gain powers far beyond the ordinary.
His speculation can be corroborated by some ancient texts.
Wang Xuan recalls similar records in the "Huangdi Neijing": ancient people mastered yin and yang and practiced techniques, achieving unity of form and spirit.
In ancient times, if an extraordinary individual appeared in the mountains or marshes who could subdue a tiger with one arm, they would likely be revered by early humans.
However, as time passes, the stories may have "deformed," gradually becoming myths.
Of course, it's possible that some extremely powerful individuals among the ancients reached the highest levels of meditation and internal cultivation, thus acquiring incredible power.
For instance, a few cases recorded in ancient texts mention practitioners whose vitality was so overwhelming that they could throw an elephant with one hand.
Wang Xuan thinks that if one could master the old techniques to such an extent, it might be achievable.
When individual power reaches this level, it signifies myth in ancient times.
Wang Xuan believes there have never been gods or buddhas, just a few powerful individuals who once existed.
Therefore, in the realm of old techniques, he is not superstitious; he continuously explores, seeking to verify this path through personal experience.
After expressing his guess, Wang Xuan adds some clarification.
"Whether those who were deified could continue to enhance their power to an incomprehensible level remains unknown, especially since the old techniques have already declined."
Perhaps, the immortals are merely those legendary individuals or practitioners who have further evolved?
Wang Xuan considers them to be exceptionally rare individuals among humanity.
With the passage of time, both myths and immortals have long since vanished.
Professor Lin smiles at Wang Xuan and says, "According to your speculation, gods and buddhas are also humans; thus, the immortals and all buddhas have dissipated."
Wang Xuan nods, "As long as they are human, their fate is inevitable—they have all perished."
Qin Cheng listens intently, intrigued, but then feels it's quite unfortunate. He wonders, "If those extraordinarily powerful individuals from ancient humanity could live to this era, harnessing high technology, could they access the supernatural forces present in the new star, perhaps even achieving longevity as the tycoons desire?"
"Throughout history, whether tycoons or those in power, once they reach a certain height, their relentless pursuit of longevity has never changed," Professor Lin reflects, having personally encountered some individuals currently driving this research and investing substantial funds.
"You want to study old techniques; I won't stop you. I have some materials I can give you." Professor Lin stands up and retrieves some papers from the bookshelf.
He is serious as he hands them to Wang Xuan, instructing him to keep them safe.
Qin Cheng leans in curiously to see.
Professor Lin glances at him and says, "If you wish to learn, I won't stop you. However, practicing this requires an extremely solid foundation; you must put in effort, or you may encounter severe issues that could jeopardize your life."
Professor Lin clearly states that without mastering energy cultivation, one cannot nurture oneself and must avoid these practices.
Hearing this, Qin Cheng's expression falls.
Wang Xuan instantly realizes that these are likely some powerful foundational techniques.
Internal cultivation, energy gathering, and meditation can fundamentally alter a person's physique and spirit, referred to as the essence of the old techniques.
Although physical techniques are spectacular and crucial in combat, they rely on foundational practices.
"The contents recorded on the photos of those bamboo slips have been deciphered and compiled in these papers," Professor Lin reveals the origins of the foundational techniques.
Wang Xuan is astonished; this is truly an ancient practice from a long-lost era.
Such materials, especially bamboo slips, are incredibly hard to preserve.
Before ancient tombs from that period were opened, the slips would often have already deteriorated.
Even if they hadn't rotted, upon opening, due to drastic environmental changes, most slips would be destroyed, let alone preserving the writings.
Professor Lin explains, "Nowadays, with advancing technology, good items left by the ancients can be quickly processed and preserved upon excavation."
Qin Cheng thinks for a moment and asks, "After two or three thousand years, are these records still useful, or have they become outdated?"
Professor Lin nods, "You make a good point; times are constantly evolving, but the records on these bamboo slips are highly valuable, especially since some exceptionally powerful practitioners existed during that era; the foundational techniques from the same period are unlikely to be poor."
Moreover, Professor Lin explicitly states that this technique has been validated; it is a good thing, even considered remarkable.
After hearing this, Wang Xuan carefully puts it away.
Professor Lin continues, "After the dissolution of the old technique experimental class, you face two problems: one is the lack of rare ingredients for medicinal cuisine, and the other is the absence of more profound old technique scriptures."
Regarding the first issue, Chu Feng had already realized it was a problem, but concerning the latter—old techniques—he had learned quite a bit, and all were significant, such as unique collections from museums and tycoon's rare collections. Could there be anything more astonishing than these?
Professor Lin tells him that the textbooks from the experimental class are indeed excellent and have an extraordinary origin, but they are merely part of the respective rare secret texts; what he learned is not complete.
In fact, Professor Lin hasn't even had the opportunity to see those subsequent chapters.
"Because those items are very precious, they only provided the earlier portion of the foundational techniques to you. If someone truly manages to master them all, naturally, they will receive further teachings."
But unfortunately, the experimental class has been disbanded, and the project for old technique research has been abandoned, meaning there are no subsequent foundational techniques.
Qin Cheng laughs, "This bamboo slip recording the foundational techniques seems to solve one of the problems Wang Xuan faces; if one day he becomes a powerful practitioner in modern times, that would be interesting and worth looking forward to."
"If he really penetrates and masters it, perhaps it will also resolve another issue—no longer needing rare ingredients and medicinal cuisine to practice techniques."
Professor Lin's words astonish Wang Xuan.
What does this imply? The foundational techniques recorded on the bamboo slips are incredibly mysterious and astounding!
"Is it really that impressive?" Qin Cheng asks in surprise.
"Of course, the items left by those practitioners are not simple; the old techniques from that era were exceptionally brilliant, and the pursuit of longevity pills is also related to those practitioners."
Professor Lin reveals that during a certain period, tycoons in the new star spent substantial human resources and finances to search the old land for ancient tombs, aiming to unearth items related to those practitioners.
Nowadays, the numerous tombs beneath the old land have been thoroughly explored, with very few hidden treasures remaining.
"So, even if you wish to pursue the path of old techniques, you need to go to the new star, because many precious texts, secret techniques, and rare scriptures throughout the ages are no longer in the old land."
Qin Cheng grumbles in dissatisfaction, "Do some people in the tycoon class have some sort of special collecting obsession? What do they need so many old techniques for?"
"Naturally, they have their uses. After verification, old techniques have been analyzed by some life research organizations and applied, leading to targeted developments of modern outcomes in the biological field that can slow down the aging of some elderly individuals."
Professor Lin shares many secrets.
In fact, many good items have been unearthed from ancient tombs, such as someone who once dug up golden bamboo slips—made from a special bamboo that remains uncorrupted through the ages, as hard as iron to this day.
However, this type of plant had long been extinct in the old land; they had no prior knowledge of its existence before excavation.
It's easy to imagine that the items recorded on such bamboo slips are far from ordinary; they must be extraordinarily remarkable.
Unfortunately, these items have been kept secret by those organizations, research institutions, and tycoons, making it difficult for outsiders to see them again.
During a certain period, those tycoons and various organizations expended massive efforts, searching for these types of items in the old land for many years.
Professor Lin opens his coat, revealing old scars on his body, near his heart, with two fist-sized wounds.
It seems he was pierced by some external force back then, and that area still looks quite frightening today.
"Back then, I sustained fatal injuries in pursuit of the bamboo slips in the photo—one was punctured by someone's fist, and the other was shot through with a modern weapon."
Because of this, Professor Lin, once a master of old techniques, can no longer engage in combat; surviving afterwards is already considered a miracle.
It is evident how fierce the competition was among various organizations and tycoons for these items back then.
Seeing Wang Xuan now, Professor Lin feels as if he is looking at a younger version of himself, filled with a strong exploratory spirit towards the old techniques, but alas, his own path has long been severed.
Wang Xuan reassures him that perhaps new medications will emerge in the future that could resolve Professor Lin's bodily issues.
"At my age, I've already let go of what needs to be let go," Professor Lin shakes his head.
Qin Cheng adds, "So, even if Wang Xuan wishes to pursue the path of old techniques, he needs to go to the new star; all the good stuff has been plundered by those people over there."
Professor Lin is serious: "It's not just that; the key is that the discoveries over there may have far-reaching implications and could even trigger certain changes in the future."
"What I'm saying is purely my speculation and not information from research institutions or any organizations, so there's no need for confidentiality."
The mysterious phenomena and supernatural powers reported from the new star are related to certain objects.
Moreover, rumors and news about these have been surfacing for decades, but only in recent years have some verifiable details gradually leaked.
There seem to have been breakthrough developments regarding those secrets.
Otherwise, the project for old techniques here wouldn't have been abandoned.
"So, this is a rare opportunity; since it seems the new star has found another path, the rare bamboo slips and various foundational techniques held by the tycoons may no longer be emphasized, making them easier to obtain than before!"
Wang Xuan feels a surge of excitement; he truly wants to go to the new star even more than before.
Until now, Qin Cheng is still dissatisfied, "What kind of path has the new star found that would make them discard the old techniques and abandon us so mercilessly?"
"It's probably not just a simple path," Professor Lin shares his thoughts.
In recent decades, some precious new species have appeared on the new star, such as a small tree called "Anshen," which is completely white and has fragrant leaves that can soothe the mind; consuming a few leaves daily has anti-aging effects.
It is said that this pricey little tree was discovered during the large-scale development of the new star, emerging from the wilderness.
Similar plants, herbs, and unique small creatures have also been found.
Professor Lin was once a master of old techniques, having traveled extensively across the new star in his youth, yet he never discovered these species.
"I suspect they have discovered more than just one path; it's possible they have found a living planet, perhaps involving the extraordinary."
This is undoubtedly astonishing—the new star seemingly has had such discoveries for a long time, but they've concealed them from the general public for many years.
Professor Lin adds, "In the past years, they likely faced difficulties, and only in recent years have they made progress; however, I believe that regardless of what they discovered, immediately gaining supernatural powers is still quite unrealistic."
One point Professor Lin emphasizes is that if a new world is indeed found, the herbs, resources, and extraordinary items there would be of great help to the old techniques.
He lowers his head, gazing at the woman in the album, hesitating over whether to meet this old friend to secure a chance for Wang Xuan.