Exploring Immortality Cultivation

"So, have you read the 'Yitian Calculation'?"

Su Junyu's question made Geng Peng pause.

Being a disciple of the Wanfa Sect usually implies a high level of intelligence. Geng Peng wasn't foolish—at least he understood what Su Junyu was trying to point out to him. But still...

"I have not read it, I only heard a few sentences about it from Senior Brother Li when I was at the sect," Geng Peng said. "Senior Brother Su, if you want to use this to make a point, please make it simple."

Many Wanfa disciples deeply understand the notion that "geniuses and ordinary people can't play together".

Su Junyu shook his head, "I'm not trying to preach anything—have you heard of the term 'Zero-Sum Game'?"

Geng Peng nodded, "It's where players within a gameboard gain at the expense of each other, where one's gain necessarily means another's loss, resulting in a sum that always equals zero, with no possibility for cooperation among them."

Su Junyu praised him, "Your basics are solid. Since you know about the Zero-Sum Game, then you must also know about the Non-Zero-Sum Game?"

Geng Peng nodded again, "I do know a bit about that..."

"Since you are aware of these concepts, it makes my explanation easier." Su Junyu organized his thoughts and said, "For a Wanfa disciple, the Zero-Sum Game is the simplest yet the most tedious. Know why?"

Geng Peng thought for a moment before responding, "The rules are clear, the conditions are set from the beginning, and one party's gain always implies the other's loss, with the amount of gain and loss being the same... This kind of competition is merely a pure comparison of the players' mathematical abilities."

Su Junyu nodded in affirmation and continued asking, "So, the Zero-Sum Game is often just a game. In reality, throughout the countless years in Shenzhou, most games are either Positive Sum Games or Negative Sum Games. Do you know what path Senior Brother Li comprehended? Where is his Dao manifest, and how is it expressed?"

Geng Peng shook his head, "How would I know?"

"Think carefully, what is the nature of Senior Brother Li, his aspirations?"

Geng Peng pondered deeply, "His character and his mathematical reasoning..."

Su Junyu held his forehead, with an expression indicating 'you can't make bricks without straw', "Never mind, I'll just tell you directly. Listen well, Senior Brother Li's Dao aims to direct all games in the world towards a Positive Sum."

Geng Peng was a bit baffled, "But what does that mean?"

"A Positive Sum implies either mutual benefit for all parties or taking a small loss to inflict a greater defeat on the enemy. Of course, it also includes one part—taking a small advantage to craft a favorable outcome for others," explained Su Junyu seriously. "If during Wang Qi's moment of crisis, he hadn't weighed his own life in his heart's balance, he would no longer be Li Ziye of the Wanfa Sect."

Geng Peng looked horrified, "For that reason, did he truly stake his life?"

Su Junyu spoke as if it was a matter of course, "Didn't you just mention the example set by our sect's predecessors? 'Having heard the Dao in the morning, one can die content in the evening.' Moreover, prior to doing those acts, Senior Brother Li might not have thought that he was going to die."

"This..."

Su Junyu spoke sternly, "Don't you understand? Senior Brother Li sacrificed himself for his Dao! Doesn't that merit a worthy death?"

Geng Peng struggled with his expression, "I... I..."

Su Junyu placed his hand on his shoulder and continued, "Alright, now comes the question. From the perspective of mathematical reasoning, discuss whether Wang Qi's actions were Positive or Negative Sum."

Before Geng Peng could respond, Su Junyu began calculating, "This is not an easy determination. If Wang Qi is unlucky, what benefit could you possibly gain? Enlightenment of thoughts? Possibly. Then consider this game in the context of the 'Immortal Alliance's grand scheme... Wang Qi is a talent capable of influencing the world; if he were to face misfortune, its impact on the Immortal Alliance..."

Geng Peng's forehead broke out into a cold sweat. Suddenly, he shouted, "Stop! Stop!"

Su Junyu paused as requested, looking at him with a half-smile.

Geng Peng forced a smile, "Senior Brother Su, don't deceive me with your learned words... You're just worried that if I defeat Wang Qi, I'll dull his sharp energy, right?"

Su Junyu didn't answer directly but retorted, "So, what are you wavering on? Isn't that Dao not an acknowledgment that your actions contradict Senior Brother Li's original intents?"

Geng Peng lowered his head, "Yes."

Su Junyu returned to his original position, picked up a book, and said, "You see, you can't calm your mind. This is a major taboo against the laws of Wanfa and the Great Dao of mathematical reasoning. There are many things for which you should simply 'proceed as they should be.'"

Geng Peng hung his head somberly, "I understand. If he comes to challenge me, I will meet him with my typical level."

"No, no," Su Junyu waved his index finger gently, "In this case, you should also 'proceed as they should be.'"

"Ah?" Geng Peng was befuddled by Su Junyu's words.

Su Jinyu looked up, smiling, "Just use the strongest methods you possessed during the early stage of Qi Cultivation. This issue has already commenced and should have a conclusion. After this, though, you really ought to 'proceed as they should be.' You might privately wish he'd die soon, but remember one thing—don't act on it yourself. Rules are there to guide your Dao Heart and lead you towards the Dao. Overstepping these would be of no benefit to your mindfulness."

Geng Peng argued, "I have never breached the laws of the Immortal Alliance."

"The laws of the Immortal Alliance are the baseline, but there are principles above the baseline," Su Junyu said tersely. "Mindfulness is about cultivating mental state, concentrated in one's heart. Reflect on that."

After a moment of expression changes, Geng Peng suddenly bowed to Su Junyu, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance."

Su Junyu continued to bury his head in the book. He chuckled, "I just discussed Senior Brother Li's Dao with you; did I mention my own?"

"I am all ears."

Su Junyu said, "I practice Bai Ze's Algorithm, and thus I regard every element in the world as a mathematical problem. What I strive for is to derive the optimal solution to these problems."

Having said that, Su Junyu looked at Geng Peng, "We may not be close, but at least you are still considered my junior brother. I offer you advice for the benefit of us all."

Geng Peng exhaled deeply and clenched his fist, "It seems, this time, it's the last openly fair chance to handle that kid. As long as he dares to come today..."

"Who handles whom is yet to be determined."

Geng Peng laughed, "Impossible. He couldn't best you the day before yesterday, hence he didn't seek you out for practice. Even if I'm not as good as you, I am still in the Qi Cultivation stage."

Su Junyu glanced at Geng Peng, "Shall we two practice?"

Geng Peng shook his head vigorously, "No, no."

"You also understand that although we are both at the Foundation Establishment Stage, there is an essential difference between us," Su Junyu said. "His level in mathematics far exceeds his martial arts; it's just that he hasn't aligned the two yet. Now, even if he has figured out advanced formulas of the Sword Dao, he can't apply them. He realized this and started from basic swordsmanship, gradually accumulating experience. This step has been taken by you, by me, by every disciple of the Wanfa Sect. The difference is, after taking this step, he can quickly move to the next. You should be able to appreciate Wang Qi's talent, right?"

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Usual thanks time!

Thank you dingbang2000 for the reward!