Chapter 3 Life-Sustaining Project

Those elders were eager. Time was running out, and they had no time to waste. They urgently needed to produce results.

Thus, the experimental classes for the Old Arts were designed to recruit university students, rather than children, as the former were older and more insightful.

All scattered arts originated in the Old Lands, and those organizations and research institutions believed that restoring Old Arts research from its source might be the best option.

Most importantly, since all myths and legends originated in the Old Lands, perhaps there was some "mysterious element" there.

However, such a belief contradicted the brilliant technological civilization of deep space and could not be put on paper.

However, some elders with impressive backgrounds seemed to have a particular faith in these mystical teachings in their later years.

What did they seek? A longer lifespan, the hope of digging through myths and following in the footsteps of their predecessors to find the path to immortality.

Though even in moments of calm, they knew this was mostly a pipe dream, but with limited time and vast resources at their disposal, why not give it a try?

Thus, the Old Lands began to attract attention, and numerous "research" projects were launched there, with substantial investment. Human nature has been universal since ancient times, and from the time of the Qin Emperor to the present day, many people are no exception.

Over the years, some senior members of the chaebol have been pushing for a "rebirth" and have funded numerous research institutions.

Of course, traditional art research is only one of their areas of focus. Those with the strength to drive "life transformation" cannot pin their hopes on just one research project.

Over the years, major chaebols have funded various genetic teams and life research institutes, some of which have made astonishing progress.

For example, several anti-aging drugs have shown initial success.

Research in traditional art is just one of the dozens of "life-extending projects" they have invested in.

In fact, these "life-extending projects" do overlap, and sometimes collaborate, especially with the intervention of investors.

For example, the food Wang Xuan and his colleagues consume daily nourishes blood and qi, nourishes the spirit, and has some anti-aging properties. The ingredients and proportions are related to a pharmaceutical research institute.

Those in the traditional art experimental class often exert excessive mental and physical exertion, but no matter how exhausted they are, they can quickly recover through dietary supplements and other methods. This was good news for those who daily studied and practiced the old arts. After a while, their physical fitness improved significantly.

In addition, some bio-genetic teams also approached us, hoping to collaborate and offer genetic assistance to help the experimental class improve their physical fitness.

One genetics team focused on mitochondrial research, and by altering telomere length, they could theoretically increase lifespan.

At the time, everyone was resistant. Although they were called the experimental class for the old arts, they were not guinea pigs and would never agree to such an approach.

After hearing the news, Wang Xuan nearly quit; he would never accept it.

He honed his physical training, pondered meditation techniques, and studied Qi-gathering techniques, all in a gradual process of physical improvement.

He believed that this kind of drastic genetic engineering, a crude alteration of the status quo, could leave irreparable risks, contradicting his ideals and not what he desired.

In fact, the collaboration was quickly rejected by higher-ups, with influential figures declaring the technology insufficiently mature.

Afterwards, rumors circulated that some of the students from Xinxing were prominent figures, and their families would not allow them to take such a risk. At the same time, a classmate with connections accidentally revealed that something was happening at Xinxing, that someone had achieved remarkable mastery in the Old Arts, which was why they had rushed to the source of the Old Arts, willing to delve deeper into their understanding.

However, he later denied it, saying it was all drunken talk.

Wang Xuan thought he might have let it slip.

But Qin Cheng believed it was just drunken talk, as he had been the one who had gotten the classmate drunk that day.

Wang Xuan suspected Xinxing might have discovered something, which was why the descendants of certain chaebols had joined the experimental class and begun studying the Old Arts.

The moon was high in the sky, a chill in the late autumn air.

Qin Cheng answered a phone call, nodding repeatedly. Then, turning to Wang Xuan, he sighed, "Zhou Kun wasn't just talking nonsense back then; he did let it slip."

On the phone, he received the latest news: the recent rumors at Xinxing had begun to have a vague connection, seemingly connected to several mysterious phenomena.

As early as three years ago, Zhou Kun, the classmate from Xinxing, had given them a hint! Although he was drunk, it wasn't his intention to tell.

"You must secure a spot on the Nova Star!" Qin Cheng said, then said goodbye and turned to leave.

As students in the Old Arts Research Class, their dormitories were relatively quiet, as they were required to meditate and practice physical techniques daily, and could not be disturbed.

Each student had their own room and was provided with special food delivered from deep space. It could be said that the "Old Arts Research" program was highly valued.

Early in the morning, Wang Xuan rose and practiced a physical technique called Vajra Fist. Then, calming down, he began practicing Qi Gathering in the morning glow.

According to the old professor, Qi Gathering, meditation, and internal cultivation techniques must be mastered in one or two of these. This is the root of the Old Arts, the source of their power.

Physical techniques, such as Xingyi and Vajra, are branches and leaves above the root. Only with a strong root system can the branches flourish.

Wang Xuan naturally attached great importance to this, dabbling in all "root techniques" and later delving into selective ones. This area of the campus is densely populated with large trees, and the lawns are covered in yellow leaves. It's a peaceful moment.

Wang Xuan closed his eyes, basking in the morning glow. He was gathering Qi, incorporating internal nourishment techniques, and visualizing himself as he drew forth wisps of golden light, engulfing him.

Although this was an internal nourishment technique, a mental visualization, his body seemed to be heating up, as if enveloped in golden flames.

Anyone nearby would have noticed something unusual about Wang Xuan. The morning glow on him was "richer" than on others, as if a layer of fiery light was flowing.

Wang Xuan gathered Qi and employed internal nourishment techniques. Although he only imagined drawing forth the golden light in his mind, it seemed to be actually happening in reality.

He felt a surge of heat throughout his body, which eventually turned to a tingling sensation. A surge of energy coursed through him, first causing pain, then a deep sense of comfort.

This unusual sensation had only recently emerged.

Wang Xuan knew that, thanks to years of practicing Qi gathering techniques combined with internal nourishment techniques, he was beginning to reap the rewards. Last night, he pressed down with his right hand, leaving a clear handprint on the thick, hard tree trunk. This was a testament to his gradual success in the "Root Method."

He had made significant progress in the Old Arts.

In the experimental class, Qin Cheng, Zhou Kun, and others were also practicing the Old Arts, but most of them had only improved their physical fitness. Wang Xuan, who was drawing Qi into his body to nourish his body, was the only one.

If Qin Cheng and Zhou Kun faced ordinary people, they could easily take on more than a dozen.

Years of practicing the Old Arts and consuming rare medicinal foods had significantly improved their physical fitness.

Even before drawing Qi, Wang Xuan was already significantly stronger than his classmates.

That's why Qin Cheng had always spoken up for him. If they were to fight solely with the Old Arts, no one could match Wang Xuan.

In fact, with just one hand, he should be able to overpower any student in the Old Arts experimental class. Wang Xuan's body burned, eventually becoming scalding. From his flesh to his bones, it felt as if tiny electric currents were coursing through him.

This was a sign that his Qi-gathering and internal nourishment had reached a certain level of maturity.

Wang Xuan imagined wisps of morning glow entering his body, and then imagined a dark, turbid mist emanating from his body.

In response, his body began to experience abnormalities, his metabolism accelerating, and he exuded a sticky, wet sweat.

He felt as if his flesh and blood were being baptized by the morning glow, his inner and outer being purified. His vital energy and spirit were remarkably abundant, and his entire body was filled with strength.

The morning sun filtered through the trees, tinging the wisps of mist with a pale golden hue. Four young men and women strolled by. The two men spoke only occasionally, but the two women were primarily engaged in conversation.

One of the women was strikingly beautiful, constantly talking and laughing, revealing a lively and energetic personality.

The other woman was delicate, with a scholarly air and a gentle smile. They were also students in the experimental class for the old arts, from Nova Star.

"Look, isn't that Wang Xuan? Why does his body seem to be glowing?" the youthful and energetic woman asked, her beautiful eyes wide, wondering if she had seen correctly.

The more quiet woman exclaimed in surprise, "Could he have mastered the Qi-gathering technique?"

One of the two men was astonished: "In the experimental class... someone actually managed it!"

But he quickly shook his head, knowing that all this was meaningless now.

The other man also spoke: "Unfortunately, the old arts are ultimately outdated and have been officially abandoned. We'll be returning to Nova Star soon, where new discoveries have been made. Seize the opportunity; a new era may be dawning."

The few from Nova Star were all up to date on the latest developments. The old arts were considered outdated and abandoned, and now there were better options!

It felt like a lifetime ago. The rules had changed. During the new book period, you can vote for monthly tickets. Please support me.

There will be chapters in the afternoon and evening.