Exploring Immortality Cultivation-Chapter 302 - 56 Ancient Method Defense Class

The job Mo Zhenzhen found for Wang Qi was reportedly entrusted by a True Disciple of Tianling Ridge, and it involved data processing. Thus, Mo Zhenzhen didn't take Wang Qi to the workplace but to the Tianling Ridge Divine Capital Bing Residence, located across two streets from the Wanfa Sect's station—by the way, the Alpha Residence was akin to the Capital People's Hospital, while the Beta Residence was situated in an outside-of-town natural reserve.

The ones who actually guided Wang Qi to the place were Tianling Ridge disciples Ai Zhenwu and Hou Benli. These two were among the few Wang Qi had encountered on his first day in Divine Capital. Upon seeing Wang Qi, Ai Zhenwu took the initiative to greet him, "Senior Brother Wang." Hou Benli had been engrossed in a book, his expression intense as if lost in thought. It took a tap from Ai Zhenwu to bring him back to the present, "Senior Brother Ai, what are you... Senior Brother Wang!"

Over the past month, although Wang Qi had mostly kept a low profile, he occasionally sparred with his fellow sect members. While he didn't have any particularly astonishing battle achievements, everyone could tell the kid fought with an air of ease and enjoyment. These Outer Disciples had quite a fondness for a Daoist Fellow whose strength was slightly superior to their own.

Looking at the Tianling Ridge Bing Residence—with its older, or perhaps more rundown, appearance than the Wanfa Sect station—Wang Qi couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie through their common hardships, musing that it wasn't easy for anyone to come out and practice cultivation. After bringing Wang Qi to the place, Mo Zhenzhen headed eastward into the city. He still had other matters to tend to. Meanwhile, Ai Zhenwu and Hou Benli both had to go outside the city to observe biological samples and also to collect specimens, which conveniently meant they could accompany Wang Qi part of the way.

Heading to the northern part of the city required them to detour around the Imperial Palace. For low-level Modern Cultivators like them, Da Lian Palace was strictly off-limits. That place was private royal property, and entry without permission was prohibited. Any transgression could lead to death at the hands of the Imperial Family—this agreement had been established a thousand years ago by surrendered Ancient Method Practitioners and ancestors of Modern Cultivators, with the Immortal Alliance having no grounds for complaint.

While circumventing the Imperial Palace, Wang Qi said to Ai Zhenwu with a smile, "I'm a bit strapped for cash lately, you guys are helping me out with such a big favor, I don't know how to thank you properly."

Ai Zhenwu responded with a bitter smile, "No, no, no, Senior Brother Wang, just don't blame us for selling you out later on."

Wang Qi sensed something off in his tone, "It's not that some Senior Sister got lonely and decided to use such an advanced method... to 'look for ducks,' is it?"

"Hahaha, Senior Brother Wang, you're really humorous," Ai Zhenwu laughed. "Junior Brother Chen has been quite on edge recently due to his project not going well, so he becomes a bit too harsh when it comes to empirical evidence... nobody likes to take his private jobs. Moreover, recently he can't even afford the fee to post a task. When you mentioned your request yesterday, we actually felt overjoyed."

Wang Qi covered his face, "The day I arrived, there was a Senior Sister who cried about accidentally killing a True Inheritor Senior Brother's mice... just how precious were the lab mice you girls killed to make an entire laboratory's finances unmanageable?"

"It's not really that. For some reason, a lot of the funding has been cut recently."

Financial issues again... looks like even the entire Immortal Alliance is having a tough time...

"At any rate," Ai Zhenwu glanced at Wang Qi and continued, "I really envy your Wanfa Sect. Even if you're restricted by the funding, at worst you'll just hire fewer people to help with the calculations, but you can still do what needs to be done."

Mathematical research doesn't demand much in terms of funding or environment—an environment where scholars can discuss with and inspire each other is considered the best. The dramatic turnaround of "Obscurity for ten years, and overnight fame known all over the world" could only happen to mathematicians.

However, upon hearing this, Wang Qi could only smile wryly. The papers he could remember were the most influential ones in the history of academia, none of which quite suited for an initial publication...

A high school-aged teenager coming up with world-class research through self-study isn't impossible, but an ordinary high school student suddenly presenting a world-class result would only invite suspicion.

"What is Junior Brother Hou reading?" After walking for a while, Wang Qi looked back and asked, somewhat curious. Although they hadn't met many times, he remembered that this guy was quite the chatterbox and couldn't keep anything to himself. Yet, he had been following quietly behind for so long, not saying a word? Very suspicious indeed!

Ai Zhenwu's face showed surprise, "Senior Brother Wang, you don't know?"

Wang Qi scratched his head, "Should I know?"

"Monkey!" Ai Zhenwu suddenly bellowed, "Take out the extra booklets and give one to Senior Brother Wang!"

"Ah? What... Oh, right! These booklets." Hou Benli hurriedly pulled out basic pamphlets from his Storage Bag and handed one to Wang Qi, "Senior Brother Wang, every Magic Cultivator in Divine Capital should have a copy of this. We were delivering them door to door just a few days ago."

Wang Qi took one and glanced over the titles, all of which were quite alarming. The first was titled "Ancient Method Countermeasures Guide," followed by "Demon Beast Hunting Guide," "Sorcery Countermeasures Guide," "Ancient Method FAQ"... A total of about ten booklets, all about how to deal with Ancient Method Practitioners and demon beasts.

Wang Qi was startled and wondered, "What are these booklets for?"

Before Ai Zhenwu could reply, Hou Benli spoke up first, "Nowadays, the world is not at peace!"

His voice was full of vigor, and he was just short of a gavel to bang for emphasis, which startled Wang Qi and made him wonder: Could it be that Shenzhou had encountered some major event during the month he had been deeply engrossed in his research, causing the world to teeter on the brink?

"There's a cult in Jingxiang, and Divine Capital has a serial killer," Hou Benli said. "What does this mean? Isn't this a sign that the order of the world is deteriorating? Although the Immortal Alliance has sealed off the news and only the Law Enforcement Officers of Divine Capital know the truth, everyone in Divine Capital is on edge because nobody knows exactly who has died or what the killer's cultivation level is. All we know is..."

"Stop, stop, stop, your words are all over the place," Wang Qi hurriedly interrupted, "What on earth is this 'killer'?"

Ai Zhenwu was a bit more reliable than Hou Benli and explained, "The so-called killer is but a legend. Starting three months ago, murders happen every now and then in Divine Capital, and the methods are brutal. The Immortal Alliance has imposed restrictions, so we don't even know how many have died or who they were."

"I see," Wang Qi nodded. "What does this have to do with the Ancient Method?"

"Whoever needs to kill for cultivation is definitely following the Demon Path of the Ancient Method!" Hou Benli stated confidently, "That's why we need to promote defensive techniques and countermeasures against the Ancient Method. I've already thought it through. Once I've mastered this book, I'll open a tutorial class in Divine Capital, specifically to teach Ancient Method defense, charging only a basic tuition. I want everyone to no longer fear those Ancient Method Practitioners."

"Starting an Ancient Method Defense Class, huh? That takes determination," Wang Qi gave a thumbs-up, "Such a position sounds like it's been cursed by the Banished Immortal of the Heaven Splitting Dao, with nobody able to last a full year."

However, Ai Zhenwu interpreted Wang Qi's words from another angle. He replied with a wry smile, "Indeed, nobody can last a year... Monkey, do you even know your way around Divine Capital?"

Just then, a sinister voice rose, "This Daoist Fellow here seems to be quite knowledgeable about countering the Ancient Method, no? I wonder if the junior can verify the quality before offering up my tuition?"