Exploring Immortality Cultivation
Chapter 457 - 210 We Are Comrades Now [Sorry, only 2 updates today]

Shenzhou Cosmic, the physical laws are greatly different from those in the Earth Cosmic. Here, the inclusion of Spiritual Energy as a physical quantity makes the entire physics system profoundly mysterious. Spiritual Energy is naturally inclined towards order, which allows it to be directly controlled by consciousness. This makes opening a Technology Black Box incredibly easy here. On Earth, a theory must go through numerous hardships before it can be transformed into technology. But in Shenzhou, the distance between theory and technology is infinitely shortened. Under these circumstances, seeking patterns becomes not so necessary.

One could say that, for scientists, the research environment in this universe is much worse than on Earth.

However, there are some factors here that are conducive to scientific research. For example, longer lifespans, nimbler thinking, stronger memory... These factors enable Modern Cultivators to learn faster and start research earlier. Completing all the science courses from junior high to the first year of university in one year at the Immortal Institute is unthinkable on Earth. And geniuses like Xiang Chenfeng, who leads laboratories at sixteen or seventeen, or Chen Youjia, who starts independent mathematics research at just fourteen or fifteen—while not nonexistent on Earth, each one is a national treasure-level genius, the kind that might not appear even once in a hundred years. It is definitely not as common as in Shenzhou.

Another advantage here is that researchers have more opportunities to prove themselves.

On Earth, a scientific research personnel needs to master theory first, then work on smaller projects step by step, and it takes five to ten years to prove oneself and obtain continuous research funding. But in Shenzhou, understanding of theory and cultivation are linked for Modern Cultivators. One can judge whether a Cultivator is worthy of substantial resources to support their research based on cultivation or speed of cultivation.

If one must have at least a collegiate level to break through the Qi Cultivation Stage, then a Foundation Establishment Cultivator essentially has the capability to conduct research.

That is to say, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator can participate in decision-making and apply for independent funding in the Empirical Department.

When Chen Feng mentioned modifying the contract, Wang Qi wasn't surprised in the least.

"Tsks, let me see... There's not much difference from before!" Wang Qi was puzzled: "Does this revision make any sense?"

"That's because I gave you too good a treatment, you know?" Chen Feng's finger tapped the new contract: "Not to mention the Qi Cultivation Stage, even those at the Golden Core Stage may not have the right to sign papers independently."

"... Would Golden Core Cultivators join your Empirical Department?"

For Immortal Alliance Cultivators, papers and income are directly linked. If the paper is associated with the name of the Empirical Department or the head of the Empirical Department, a portion of the income from paper exchanges and citations must be given to the Empirical Department as a return for using its funds. And this portion of the returns is different from the funding allocated by the Immortal Alliance; the head of the Empirical Department can dispose of it at will, whether keeping it for themselves or using it as rewards. For an Empirical Department member, the right to sign independently is not easy to come by.

Wang Qi argued loudly: "I am an Arithmetician! What resources does an Arithmetician need to study Mathematics?"

Chen Feng scratched his face: "I heard Youjia say that finding a practical problem is more directional. To organize a problem, you need to know the data, know what others want to know..."

"She is an Arithmetician with an applied focus." Wang Qi said emotionlessly: "You should have read her father's biography, the widely circulated version in the Immortal Alliance."

Chen Feng continued to look sheepish: "Because I got to know her well as soon as I stepped into the Immortal Institute, I never felt that Sect Master Chen was very lofty..."

"There's nothing interesting to see." Chen Youjia had difficulty putting down her bowl of noodles and muttered.

Wang Qi said, "Although I still don't like Chen Jingyun, I have to mention that his determination in seeking dao is indeed formidable. In addition, he has proven one thing: if an arithmetician is wholeheartedly devoted to seeking dao, the Four Treasures of the Study can satisfy him."

"Cough cough, it seems I have not shown you the ruthless side of the Empirical Department, so you're treating my treatment as something as cheap as cabbage," Chen Feng sighed. "Forget it, you'll know in the future that my treatment is something you can't find even if you search with a lantern. The key is this clause, here..."

"'Party B has the right to know all of Party A's research plans'... 'In the domain involved in the collaborative research, both parties share all research materials'..."

An ordinary researcher doesn't need to know all the plans of the laboratory. At this stage in the Immortal Alliance, academia has formed a mature system, no longer the pioneering era where you establish a law and I establish a law to build the temple of physics; research has begun to be team-oriented. Within the team, each member at the base only needs to do their own job well, and their experimental results will be written up by the group leader and submitted to the chief responsible person. The entire team functions like a well-oiled machine.

In this process, the chief responsible person knows all the plans, undertaking grand projects and writing major papers. And if a group leader discovers that the data under their responsibility shows phenomena that cannot be explained by current theories, they can start a small group dedicated to studying this phenomenon—provided that it does not affect the overall plan. As for the experimenters, they have it tough; they can only repeatedly familiarize themselves with the experimental operations to deepen their understanding of the theory in practice.

Before Foundation Establishment, Wang Qi's position was akin to a group leader—though as a theoretical physicist inheriting the "hand cancer" tradition of predecessors like Mr. Pauli, Mr. Pauli, Mr. Pauli, he couldn't be responsible for experiments. This contract, however, elevated Wang Qi to the status of Chen Feng's deputy.

Chen Feng clapped his hands and then spread his arms around: "Now, brother, welcome to officially join my Empirical Department."

Wang Qi silently extended his hand: "We are comrades now."

Chen Feng didn't understand the handshake ritual or the meaning of the word "comrade," but he still read from Wang Qi's mind that this was a ceremonial gesture. He extended his hand and asked, "What does 'comrade' mean?"

"Shared virtues lead to shared hearts, and shared hearts lead to comrades."

Chen Feng laughed, "The word 'comrade' is well chosen—how about we make this phrase our ritual for recruiting true partners into the Empirical Department from now on? Those who walk the same path shall indeed be comrades!"

Wang Qi nearly crushed Chen Feng's hand bones with his grip: "...Damn, Boss, as long as you're happy."

Chen Feng grimaced with pain, trying to pull his hand back. However, Wang Qi, as if enchanted, refused to let go. His face contorted with agony: "Which barbarian customs from Shenzhou are these... be gentle, be gentle..."

Wang Qi let go of Chen Feng and then took out a Mathematical Ring from his storage bag, tossing it in front of Chen Feng: "I just figured it out, 'In the domain involved in the cooperative research, both parties share all research materials'... You signed this contract for this old man, right?"

"Cough cough..." Chen Feng looked away: "You know, according to the current laws of the Immortal Alliance, he belongs to you, and naturally, so does his knowledge..."

Zhen Chan protested, "Wait a minute, wait a minute! How come I feel like I've been sold by you little devils without even realizing it?"

"As everyone knows, the cultivation techniques of Luofu Xuanqing Palace accommodate change and embrace the myriad aspects of chaos, and the Divine Tao Cultivation Method it has referenced surely cannot be omitted. This old man is like a living Ancient Method Encyclopedia... Ah, my apologies, not living, but with a search engine," Wang Qi said as he sat down in a chair. "But never mind, I've been somewhat interested in Divine Tao lately, and studying it could be beneficial. Boss, could you please explain the principles of Divine Tao?" (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com) and to cast your monthly vote there. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)