Chapter Sixty-Seven: Cultivation Must Also Embrace Science

Baling County, the seat of Baling Prefecture in Xiangzhou, lies in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. To the north, it leans against the great river; to the south, it gathers the waters of the Three Xiangs and Four Rivers, embracing the vast Yunmeng Marsh. Here, rivers and lakes converge, and scenic wonders abound.

Within the eight-hundred-li expanse of Yunmeng Marsh lies a small island known as Xiangshan Island. This island, exquisite and compact, covers less than a square kilometer. Surrounded by water on all sides, its peaks entwine and ravines wind through lush groves of bamboo and trees—a scene of pure beauty, like a painting.

Once, this was a national 5A-level scenic area, but now it has become a forbidden zone, inaccessible to ordinary people. Patrol boats circle the island’s waters, military personnel garrison the land, and masters of Zixiao stand watch.

The reason is simple: the Southwest Region’s Academy for Cultivators within the Daxia Public Security System has been established here. There was no alternative, for Xiangshan Island holds the densest spiritual energy for hundreds of kilometers around. Comprised of seventy-two peaks, the island’s unique terrain forms a natural array that gathers the surrounding energy, drawing it in as if by design.

That dense spiritual energy forms a misty haze, enveloping Xiangshan Island and lending it an aura of mystery and transcendence.

Across the Daxia Public Security System, there are more than two million personnel, but those with the aptitude for cultivation number fewer than five hundred. Yet, aside from students and soldiers, this ratio is already quite high among the various sectors of society. After all, these are all working adults; that so many possess the aptitude for cultivation is already remarkable.

Among them, the Southwest Region accounts for eighty-one qualified individuals, all of whom have gathered at the academy on Xiangshan Island to practice. Their numbers are small enough that the little island can accommodate them.

The original Yunmeng Villa on the island has been converted into the dormitory, and lessons are held in various scenic spots across the island. The eighty-one are divided into nine classes, each guided by an instructor.

Cultivation at the academy is divided into two phases, the first being the Foundation Establishment period. In this phase, everyone practices a foundational technique developed by the Zixiao Arcane Group, suitable for both martial and spiritual cultivation. Regardless of the path—martial or spiritual—the first step is always to learn to draw energy into the body, then temper the flesh, and strengthen meridians and bones.

Once the foundation is established, students are divided according to their specific aptitudes, and their techniques diverge based on individual strengths. With countless traditions in Daxia’s martial and spiritual heritage, no matter what your talent, you’ll find a method to suit you.

One of the chief functions of the Zixiao Arcane Group’s experts is to translate those abstruse, archaic cultivation methods—so baffling to modern readers without a grasp of classical language—into plain, clear vernacular. Gone are the pretentious, cryptic phrases; now, you’re told directly what you must do. “Only intuitive understanding, not to be spoken of”? That no longer exists.

Cultivation in this new era is utterly different from ancient times. Science is the true path, and cultivation, too, can be approached scientifically. The boundary between science and the arcane is blurred; metaphysics is but another form of science. Both start with a hypothesis. In science, one boldly hypothesizes and then carefully tests. When the arcane is proven, understood, and mastered, is it not also science?

The greatest difference between modern and ancient cultivation is that there are no secretive masters keeping knowledge to themselves. Times have changed. The fate of the nation now depends directly on the number and strength of cultivators. How could the nation allow the hoarding of knowledge? If you have the aptitude and ability, the state will give you the best resources and cultivate you with all its might.

Zhang Ziying had been on Xiangshan Island for two days. Yesterday, the instructor did not immediately impart any cultivation methods. The morning was spent settling in and familiarizing everyone with the academy’s rules. In the afternoon, the instructor had everyone sign a confidentiality agreement, pledging not to share anything learned at the academy.

They were all adults from the public security system. Compared to students or the general public, they could be trusted to uphold such agreements. For students and civilians with less sense of confidentiality, Zixiao has its own solutions.

After the agreements, the instructor explained more details about the resurgence of spiritual energy and its effects on Earth’s life forms, followed by theoretical knowledge about the cultivation system.

Today, on the second day, the instructor officially began teaching the students the cultivation method.

This was not done through written or spoken secret formulas. Instead, each student received a small rectangular piece of white jade to press to their brow. The instructor then touched each jade with a finger, and the foundational cultivation technique was instantly imprinted in the students’ minds.

There were no mysterious chants or cryptic codes, only clear and direct instructions in the simplest terms, telling each exactly what to do. This was clearly the most efficient way to impart knowledge. The Foundation Establishment technique was simply for tempering the body, strengthening and broadening the meridians, and maximizing one’s innate potential—nothing more.

As the saying goes, to do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools. The same is true for cultivation.

Zhang Ziying’s class had chosen to hold their lessons in a pavilion called "The Pavilion of Transmission." There were thirty-six pavilions on Xiangshan Island, and each class had chosen one as their classroom, each undisturbed by the others.

According to the instructor, those with different aptitudes would progress at different speeds. Whoever finished the Foundation Establishment phase first would move directly to the next stage—specialization and advanced techniques—without waiting for the rest.

Those with top-grade Class A aptitude would finish foundation training in about a week; mid- and low-grade Class A in about two weeks, with only a few days’ difference between them. Class B would take two to three weeks, Class C about a month, and Class D between six and eight weeks.

After completing the foundation, students could specialize, choose their cultivation method, and also receive resource grants in the form of spirit stones—a bit like a scholarship. As one’s level advanced, the monthly spirit stone grant would increase accordingly. Thus, spirit stones became not only a vital resource but also the hard currency of the cultivation world.

In the Southwest public security system, there were seven with Class A aptitude: one top-grade, two mid-grade, and four low-grade. Without question, Zhang Ziying was the sole top-grade Class A, making her the center of everyone’s attention.

Once cultivation began, each class assembled every morning to address any issues or questions, which the instructor would answer. If there were none, everyone would disperse to continue training in their dorms.

That afternoon, after a day’s cultivation and just as Zhang Ziying was preparing to go to the cafeteria for a meal, her instructor approached and told her to go to the communications office to take a call.