by <unknown>
(My novel, Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, contains a lot of new content on the official Wechat platform~ There’s also a 100% lottery with big prizes for everyone! Open Wechat and hit the upper right ‘+ Friend’ button. Search for public ID ‘qdread’ and follow! Speed is of the essence!)
Chapter 44: A Collision of Essence Particles! |
When compared to Sky Fantasy Academy’s booth, it was quite obvious that there weren’t as many students congregated here. The sign written on their booth read the words “Star Nebula University”. A white ashen, bearded old man stood next to an enormous model artifact. In high spirits, he faced several dozen students to explain as his spittle flew all over:
“Each and every student here is an elite youth of the Federation, people who are determined to become cultivators! What is most important you may ask? In the eyes of a cultivator? And that is, of course, to absorb and refine the spiritual energy from the heaven and earth! Whether everyone knows or not, the spiritual energy we speak of, what is it? Fundamentally? I’ll tell everybody. The fundamental nature of spiritual energy is that it's an elementary particle called a ‘spiritual energy particle’. We, Star Nebula University, are the sole and only university who are doing research on the spiritual energy particle, the strongest in the Federation! Each and every student, please watch this demonstration!”
The white-bearded old man pointed towards the model which had quite a strange and bizarre shape. Its core was a large tube in the shape of a ring, sealed from beginning to end; it looked like a metal tire.
After a short period of time, a glowing ball of light came into being at different times from the opposite sides of the ring. They headed to the center at the speed of a flint’s spark. They collided violently together with a “Bang”. Thousands of flaming stars set off like fireworks; it was dazzling to the extreme.
The white-bearded old man was extremely proud as he spoke:
“This is the ‘Spiritual Energy Particle Collider’ crafted by our Star Nebula University. The spiritual energy generators on both ends, in theory, can simulate the strikes of two Yuanying stage cultivators using all their strength. The two colossal energies collide directly with each, creating a large explosion, making it highly probably for a few discrete Spiritual Energy Particles to leap forth for capture in the end. Soon, we will be able to unlock the mysteries of spiritual energy! What do you all think, students? If you want to crack open the final mystery of spiritual energy, then apply for our Star Nebula University!”
“So it was like this all along! All this time, spiritual energy is fundamentally a type of elementary particle!”
“A spiritual energy particle collider! It really is amazing! I want to apply for Star Nebula University!”
All the students were in awe of the lecture given by the bearded old man, and so they discussed amongst themselves heatedly.
Even Li Yao had a ripple of emotion stir in his mind. He felt that choosing Star Nebula University would not be a bad choice.
Right at this moment, an ear-splitting voice came ringing ferociously from behind him. “Each and every student, do not be fooled by all means by the words of this old geezer. They’re all completely false!”
A tall silhouette parted the crowd, walking on stage.
This person was eight feet tall. His skin was tanned and dark. His hair was grizzled. And on his sternum, he wore the crest of the “Federation’s First Military College”.
Immediately, the face of the white-bearded old man went scarlet with rage. “Zhao Tiange, why aren’t you staying at your school’s booth like a good boy!? What the hell did you come to our Star Nebula University for!?”
Zhao Tiange snickered and his tiger gaze swept over the many students. He said, “Zhong Boya, I could not stand to watch you use these preposterous fanatical and absurd words and demonstrations to lead these people astray. What do you mean that the fundamental nature of spiritual energy is the spiritual energy particle? Simply ridiculous! All students! You all must not be misled by his words. There still hasn’t been an authoritative accepted theory for the fundamental nature of spiritual energy in the circle of academia! However, I can tell everyone here with absolute certainty that spiritual energy is not a particle, but an inseparable wave! Spiritual energy particles do not exist! It’s spiritual energy waves that do exist!”
“How absurd! How laughable! You’re simply the biggest laughingstock under the heavens! Zhao Tiange. If you want to spew out rubbish, go fart in your own booth. Don’t fart at my place!” the white-bearded old man Zhong Boya seemed to have a violent temperament as he had howled back in rage.
Contrary to his military background, Zhao Tiange was not indignant and did not rise to anger. He said composed, “In rational debates of logic, there is no need to insult the other person. Professor Zhong Boya, you spoke so heatedly just a moment ago. Why don’t you show these students just how many discrete spiritual energy particles were captured by your Star Nebula University’s Spiritual Energy Particle Collider?
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhong Boya’s expression was like that of a chicken whose neck was stuffed and choked; he was immediately struck speechless. The wrinkled old face turned deathly pale. He hemmed and hawed for a period of time before saying, “At present, we have not captured any discrete spiritual energy particles, but according to our analysis, this is because our Spiritual Energy Particle Collider is not at a high enough level; the Yuanying stage strikes it emulates does not create a sufficiently powerful explosion. As soon as we can simulate the strikes of two Spirit Transformation Stage experts giving their all, the resulting collision will produce the discrete spiritual energy particle with absolute certainty!”
“THAT’S ENOUGH!”
Zhao Tiange glared with his eyeballs. The complete iron blooded aura of a military personnel burst forth as he shouted, “For the sole sake of crafting this Spiritual Energy Particle Collider to be able to emulate the strikes of Yuanying stage experts, just how much funding did your school ask and receive from the Federation? To cause our few military colleges to live on scraps for several of years! And now, you even say that your Spiritual Energy Particle Collider needs to emulate the strikes of Spirit Transformation Stage experts at their full strength? Then I’m afraid that even 10 years of the Federation’s budget won’t be enough for you! This much money is enough to craft the military several main battleship forces, or to craft several tens of thousands of crystal tanks and arm several battle platoons to flatten the Fiend Beast Wasteland! The Federation gave you this much money, and you can’t even capture a single fart particle. Yet, you still dare to beg for more money? Indeed, the money would have been better off going to feed our military Spirit Beasts. At least they can look after and protect our yards!”
The shame and humiliation caused the white-bearded old man’s face to be flushed red. With his loss of face, his anger was at its peak. And the imposing aura of Zhao Tiange further antagonized him. The white-bearded man suddenly exploded. Veins leapt up and beat wildly all over his body. His entire body expanded, in a flash, by a fold. With violent palpitations, he said, “Zhao Tiange! Any further words are pointless! It would be better for us to go outside to settle this!”
Zhao Tiange retreated a step, staying away from the burning imposing aura of Zhong Boya. With a sneer, he said, “Zhong Boya, aren’t you a professor of Star Nebula University? Do you think you’re a barbarian of the Ancient Cultivator Civilization of 40,000 years ago? Academic disagreements, debates, and arguments are a truth that will always exist throughout eternity. What’s the point of destroying my fleshly body? Even if you crush and grind my bones to ash and shatter my soul so that I will be unable to reincarnate for eternity… Spiritual energy… will always be a wave! Never will it turn into some bullshit particle!”
These words were like a bolt of lightning that struck Zhong Boya motionless in a flash. Only after much time passed did his entire body crumble and shrink down, like leaking ball of air. With a wave of his hand, he sai
d, “Fellow Daoist Zhao, what you said is absolutely correct. Arguments about the truth have nothing to do with the physical strengths of both parties. It was my fault. I nearly fell into madness! My loss of self-control just now was due to my lack of self-cultivation and maturity. It has nothing to do with the path I persist in. Spiritual energy is a type of elementary particle for certain. In the end, we of Star Nebula University will prove it! Each and every student, if you approve of my theory, then you can stay behind and we can discuss it some more. If you feel that Fellow Daoist Zhao’s words are correct, then you can go walk along with him. Walk to the booth of the First Military College and listen to his lecture.”
“I have no sort of lecture. The Federation’s First Military College emphasizes practical application. We don’t have excess resources to go research the mysteries of the Spiritual Energy Wave. All we can do is slay Demon Beasts and defend our nation! Each and every student, if you’re willing to come stand side to side with me on the battlefield to slay Demon Beasts, then you might as well come with and join our cause for defending the nation! We need hot-blooded men!”
Chapter 45: Debating on the Grand Dao |
Finishing his words, Zhao Tiange faced Zhong Boya with a nod and turned around to leave.
The vast majority of youths followed Zhao Tiange. Only a small portion of students was enraptured by the Spiritual Energy Particle Collider. They stayed behind to ask Zhong Boya more deeply.
“That was close! I even thought that these two might start a fight!” This contention was largely outside of Li Yao’s realm of expectation. His face was covered in a cold sweat. Fear still lingered in his heart when he had spoken.
These two university professors were at least at the Building Foundation stage. They broke out with all their strength to produce an imposing air that was absolutely frightening. This was not something that Li Yao could bear.
“Who said this wouldn’t happen! 修真者, Cultivators, Daoists. The character 真 has the meaning of Truth. Every Cultivator pursues their own Truth. If truths are different, to the extent of being completely opposite, then of course there will be a collision of truths with sparks flying everywhere. There is an absolute need to demolish the opposing party! Fortunately there’s a lot of people here today; both sides were able to control themselves. If this was a different situation with no one around in all directions, the two parties will really go and have a bout. This is trivially common!” Zheng Dongming said with utter sorrow.
“They would be this extreme? They would go so far just for a theory?” Li Yao smacked his tongue.
“Of course they would go this far. Cultivators, or ‘修真’, means to Cultivate ‘修’ in the Truth ‘真理.’ To explain in terms from the Ancient Cultivation World, this ‘Truth’ is our Dao-Heart. Our heart’s path. When our Truth becomes refuted by others, when doubts arise in our hearts, then our hearts become swayed and becomes an ‘Unguarded Dao-heart,’ making it easy to fall to madness. The cultivation of the self is then halted. In serious cases, their world collapses, their cultivation falls wildly, and they become cripples! Legends say that there once was a strong Monad cultivator who debated with others on the Dao. His opponent brought out an irrefutable fact, thoroughly demolishing the Truth he persevered in. The Monad exploded! And his heart became unguarded! An external demonic influence took advantage of the opening and entered his heart, transforming him on the spot into a demonic cultivator! And this demonic cultivator quite nearly caused a great calamity! And so, when cultivators debate over the Truth, it’s more like they’re debating over the greater Truth, the Great Dao. Only the brave can forge ahead and press forward. They cannot shrink back by even half a step!” said Zheng Dongming with utter graveness.
Li Yao looked pensive as he nodded his head.
Indeed, today his world has been broadened. He received so much knowledge on the world of cultivators, but there was a bit that he still did not understand.
“Oh, that’s right. At the end, Zhong Boya addressed Zhao Tiange as Fellow Daoist Zhao. What does that mean? After Zhao Tiange heard this, I saw his attitude become gentler. He even sent his regards to Zhong Boya with a nod before he left. It seemed that he wasn’t that hostile anymore.”
Zheng Dongming explained, “Fellow Daoist is an honorific used in the world of cultivators. The meaning is, ‘I may not agree with your concept, but I recognize that you and I are the same. We both pursue the truth and advance forward on the Great Dao. Our truths may be different, but we both have the same kind of heart — the kind that pursues the truth. Therefore, we are friends, though ones who walk alone on our respective Great Daos’. And that is the ‘Fellow Daoist’. It is a very formal address! When Zhong Boya addressed his opponent as a Fellow Daoist, he gave goodwill on his own accord. Zhao Tiange also did not want to escalate the matter, so he naturally went with the flow and walked off the stage.”
Zheng Dongming, upon seeing Li Yao muttering to himself and not speaking up, laughed and asked, “What is it? Are you interested in Star Nebula University?”
Li Yao thought seriously to himself. He shook his head while saying, “It looks like Star Nebula University’s expertise lies more in the underlying theory in their academic subjects. I have never received a proper education, so my fundamentals are on the weaker side. Also, I am not interested in theory. Is there a university that focuses more on practical applications?”
“Focuses more on practical applications? Of course there is. Let’s go have a look at Empyrean Capital School of Medicine!”
The two walked to the next booth — to the Empyrean Capital School of Medicine!
All who appeared here were doctors wearing white gowns and surgical masks. The air was also filled with a faint acidic smell of disinfectant.
A large glass chamber was placed in the middle of the booth. Confined within was a tiger shaped Demon Beast. It was unknown what sort of secret technique bound it down, but the Demon Beast continued to maintain a frozen state; it could not wag its tail even by a tiny bit.
Its eyeballs whirled and turned chaotically, flickering occasionally with a glow that contained both great panic and savage brutality. This was the only thing that showed that the Demon Beast was a living creature.
A few nervous white-gowned doctors were bustling in front of the console. After a short time later…
A white-gowned doctor lifted his head. With a bright voice, he said, “All students, please watch!”
Thousands upon thousands of traces of dazzling sword flashes flickered in an instant within the glass chamber. Everyone was incited to the point of tears. Quite a few people were even forced to take small steps back.
When everyone was able to see the glass chamber again, they discovered that the savage aura within the tiger-shaped Demon Beast’s eyes had already been frozen.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
From head to tail, several dozens! Over a hundred! Over a thousand! Thin red lines appeared on the Demon Beast’s body. It was crazy! Incorporeal blades of air had cut the Demon Beast into several thousand pieces!
A white-gowned doctor spoke unenthusiastically, “What is currently going on is our Empyrean Capital School of Medicine’s ‘Demon Beast Slicing Research Project’. We take a Demon Beast and slice it into 0.01 millimeter thick sections. We then use telepathy to scan each section. From this, we are able to clearly determine the composition of the Demon Beast’s body. Taking this data and uploading it to a crystal processor, we are then able to create a complete simulation of a virtual Demon Beast.”
“By going through this process, we are able to know the Demon Beast’s habits, characteristics, and battle strength like knowing the back of one’s hand. And, we are also able to conduct all the various test we could ever want in the Great Illusionary Land without fear of being injured or killed by the Demon Beast.”
“At present, we already have 98 major classes, consisting of 1352 different types, of Demon Beasts in this Demon Beast Slicing Research Project. All
students, if you’re interested, then you can apply for our Empyrean Capital School of Medicine… Our mission isn’t simply to help the dying and heal the sick — it’s primarily to exterminate demons and Demon Beasts!”
Zheng Dongming met Li Yao with a wink. “What do you think of this one? But first, I want to remind you. The minimum required score for the Empyrean Capital School of Medicine is very high. It’s pretty much the highest required of the Nine Elites. Even I have no guarantee to test in.”
Li Yao scratched his head, having some hesitation.
There were so many universities, each with their own world shocking miraculous marvels and exterminating techniques. But when compared to the university of his dreams, it seemed that there was still just that small difference in feeling.
“Within our Federation, is there a university that focuses heavily on creating Artifacts? I’m not talking about Artifacts such as the Spiritual Energy Particle Collider, but rather for military use. For example, flying shuttles, flying swords, crystal rail cannons, crystal-powered mobile armors … These sorts of War Artifacts.”
“Of course, there is. Just ahead is the Deep Sea University. In the Federation, they are the strongest in the field of crafting and refining. That place is known as the ‘Refiner’ Holy Land!’ Zheng Dongming pointed to a booth not too far away.