Exploring Immortality Cultivation

The more Wang Qi studied, the more he realized that the scientific development on Earth and in Shenzhou was not the same.

Even though Brother Tiandao forcibly related the physical development of the two worlds, this divergence genuinely existed.

Take mathematics, for instance, ever since the Essence of Spirit Energy was proposed a thousand years ago, Shenzhou's cultivators found that System Theory and Number Theory played a role in Internal Cultivation Methods. The former could more comprehensively understand the essence of cultivation and analyze mental methods, whereas the latter could help cultivators establish their unique Mana Intrinsic Form. In these two branches of mathematics, Shenzhou was far more advanced than the Earth. Wang Qi himself found it very challenging to study some of this content.

Conversely, the progress on Probability Theory in Shenzhou was surprisingly slow, trailing by more than a hundred years. After reviewing the history of Shenzhou Immortal Dao marked by the "Death of Sommerfeld," Wang Qi discovered the historical divergence of the two worlds.

And, Zi Xiaopeng made Wang Qi realize that Shenzhou's Modern Immortal Dao—or "Science" also had areas that were unexplored.

Tianling Ridge was founded on two fundamental theories: Heavenly Calculation Theory and Spirit Foundation Theory. The Heavenly Calculation Atlas was key to Tianling Ridge's entry into the top sects. However, it seemed that Tianling Ridge had not singularly categorized "humans" to develop the study of anthropology. Within the two research directions of anthropology, human evolution was a subject that some studied, but no one looked into analyzing the Human Clan from social and cultural aspects.

The reason boiled down to the absence of social sciences in Shenzhou.

The most crucial branches of social science, except for individual economics which was considered an extension of Yitian Calculation, and linguistics seen as part of cryptography, were almost in their primitive state.

Seeing Wang Qi deep in thought, Xiang Qi patted his arm, "What are you thinking about?"

Wang Qi was suddenly startled. He shook his head self-deprecatingly; in his previous life, he mainly studied physics and mathematics. Even if he identified the weaknesses in Shenzhou's development, he could hardly exploit these weaknesses as shortcuts. He honestly told Xiang Qi, "I found what Senior Brother Zi said intriguing and was considering whether similar analyses could be extended to the entire Human Clan, and what benefits these theories might have for the mind."

Upon hearing the first half of Wang Qi's statement, the expressions of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators became incredibly subtle. Xiang Qi glared fiercely at Zi Xiaopeng, who immediately put on an innocent face. Su Junyu coughed twice and said, "That topic is too vast for you to ponder right now. For now, you should focus on your practice and prepare for the entry trial."

Zi Xiaopeng also chimed in, "Senior Brother Su is right, you shouldn't concern yourself with that matter. Just focus on studying... well, since you aim to be a True Inheritor, studying might not be of much use."

The Immortal Alliance had very little demand for warriors. Fundamental roles within the Modern Immortal Dao weren't suited for cultivators who only knew combat. For the main Sects of the Immortal Alliance, research-oriented talents were the most crucial. In this world where "knowledge is power," research-oriented talents had an easier time advancing and could more effectively drive the development of the Immortal Alliance. Therefore, in the unified entry trial, the written test carried a weight of 65%.

Unfortunately, for academically gifted individuals, it was hard to differentiate themselves in the written test.

Because of this, Wang Qi was diligently practicing his sword technique, and Zi Xiaopeng felt that he needn't spend too much time studying.

Then, their talk turned back to cultivation. Su Junyu pointed out problems reflected by Wang Qi's formulas. Just as Wang Qi was ready to take his leave, Zi Xiaopeng stopped him, "Junior Brother Wang, stay a moment. You just mentioned mental sustainability. I might as well tell you about it now to prevent you from losing sleep over it."

Wang Qi eagerly straightened up. Zi Xiaopeng explained, "We still have to start from the 'Roots of Thoughts'. Desires stem from it. This part is suppressed at the bottom of the heart, not floating on the top of the spirit, yet its inner strength is incredibly powerful. Every thought in your heart originates from within. This is the 'Roots of Thoughts'. This root thought may come from innate conditioning or from ancestral bloodlines, hence called 'Primordial.' Seeing the true self, returning to the True Heart, is the 'Primordial' cultivation...."

"'Primordial' is the original thought. In this aspect, humans are not much different from other life beings. But beyond Primordial, there is 'Dao Morality'. 'Dao Morality,' since ancient times, had the meaning of 'Order,' and can also mean self-restraint. In terms of mental sustainability, it is about controlling the spirit...."

"'Primordial' and 'Dao Morality' combined, form the 'I' that we can be conscious of and hold onto, known as 'Spiritual Treasure.' Ancient texts had the Spirit Treasure Scripture, Scripture says: Heaven mixes indistinctly, heavenly spirits converge within one, goodness forms a natural person. Setting aside the original meaning of the Ancient Method, but incorporating the Modern Law teaching..."

Every scholar speaks in a similar fashion about their field of study and research. For an hour, Zi Xiaopeng spoke eloquently on various aspects of mental cultivation, and Wang Qi felt immensely enlightened.

When Zi Xiaopeng finished speaking, Wang Qi once again bid farewell. He had not gone far when Su Junyu suddenly caught up to him, saying, "Come with me to the Book Tower. I just remembered a few math problems that I must discuss with you."

Without waiting for Wang Qi's response, Su Junyu forcefully grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the Book Tower. After walking a distance, Su Junyu finally let go of Wang Qi and said, "Junior Brother, I must advise you, just use what you just heard for mental cultivation, and absolutely do not use it as a basis for your cultivation practices. Understand?"

Wang Qi was puzzled, "Why? It seems quite logical to me, especially the part about 'exploring Primordial through Dao Morality'…"

Su Junyu shook his head, "That logic is only applicable to mental cultivation. Just use it for mental cultivation. This theory wasn't established through the right path."

Wang Qi was confused. Su Junyu explained, "Objectifying, seeking the Dao, calculating, understanding principles. Only those who have gone through this path belong to the Modern Law. The path of exploring the mind also requires treating the 'mind' as an 'object' for objectification. The second brother's theory wasn't developed through this path, so naturally, it doesn't count as the Righteous Path."

Wang Qi thought for a moment and then understood. Freud's psychoanalysis was not seen as natural science, and thus in the eyes of Shenzhou cultivators, naturally did not count as the Righteous Path. As for its use in mental cultivation... In 21st-century Earth, the biggest application of psychoanalysis was in clinical psychology!