Chapter 624
"Just a couple of days ago, the dean asked me about a research question... and that’s when I realized something even more astonishing: the dean has an incredible understanding of all aspects of biology."
"He can casually discuss many cutting-edge studies."
"It seems he’s even read a lot of obscure books and remembers them quite well."
"It’s not just me; I’ve heard those in physics express the same feeling."
Team Leader Yang was taken aback.
The few students were equally puzzled. "Then why did the dean act like that before…?"
Professor Wu fell silent for a moment before softly saying, "Either the dean has an exceptional learning ability, or perhaps he’s trying to accommodate our level... a sort of downward compatibility."
"…Downward compatibility?"
Upon hearing those words, Professor Wu’s students couldn’t hold back their reactions.
The expressions on their faces were beyond words.
But Team Leader Yang understood all too well:
This kind of heartfelt consideration from a top student was even more damaging to those who struggled academically.
She had thought that this realization would elude Professor Wu and the others for their entire lives, but unexpectedly, the dean had made them see the light in an instant!
When Professor Wu turned to look at Team Leader Yang, there was a hint of shattered sadness in his eyes.
That look made Team Leader Yang even more aware, and she felt a surge of anger:
Is it so pitiful to be stuck with someone as clueless as me?
…
Outside the lecture hall, dusk was settling in.
Zheng Fa suddenly stopped his explanation of the cultivation method and looked at everyone.
The listeners exchanged glances, unsure of what was happening.
"This round of teachings ends today."
Team Leader Yang and the others were surprised but remained silent, simply watching Zheng Fa.
"You are among the first practitioners in this world."
Zheng Fa slowly scanned the crowd and continued:
"I have some extra expectations for you."
Team Leader Yang and the others instinctively straightened up, listening more intently.
"I chose you because you have contributed to the nursing home, and now that you have the opportunity to cultivate, naturally, I think of you first."
Zheng Fa paused for a moment before adding:
"But it’s not just that; it’s far more than that."
Team Leader Yang began to grasp the meaning behind Zheng Fa’s words:
While they had indeed made contributions, were they truly worthy of such dedicated teaching from him?
Even she, who had always worked hard for the nursing home, had to ask herself: if given this opportunity, others would likely work harder and contribute even more.
"I chose you also because most of you are smart enough, talented enough, and capable enough."
"By learning this knowledge, you can achieve the greatest results."
"Perhaps it will be in the study of the essence of the immortal path, perhaps in cultivating spiritual plants, or perhaps in creating various cultivation methods."
Zheng Fa glanced at Team Leader Yang and added, "Even those who may not engage in research can use their talents to create new martial arts or help the nursing home operate more effectively."
At this point, Zheng Fa’s expression suddenly turned a bit stern:
"I chose you because I believe you can create more value for the nursing home, and I hope you will contribute more to the immortal path."
"This isn’t about making you immortal beings above ordinary people."
"It’s not about stagnation, nor is it about self-interest."
"I admire wisdom, not because it is superior, but because it is the driving force behind the world’s progress."
"This is... your mission."
At this point, Zheng Fa paused, his eyes filled with expectation.
He hoped that the modern world would become his dojo, but many challenges remained unsolved.
This group of people before him was the spark he had chosen.
"Do you understand?"
The people in the lecture hall stood up and bowed to Zheng Fa, saying, "We understand, Master!"
"Very well. I only hope that this teaching is just the beginning for you, for Hongshan, and for this world."
"I also hope that your names will be remembered in the history of the development of the immortal path."
Team Leader Yang pressed her lips together and joined the others in a loud, "Yes!"
What she didn’t know was that every one of the over a thousand people present would have their names firmly etched in history.
Because this lecture would have a dedicated chapter in most future history books, titled:
The Lecture of the Dao Ancestor.
(End of this chapter)
---
Chapter 448: Transformation Method, A Precious Gift
"How is the research on the genes related to spiritual roots coming along?"
With the lecture concluded, Zheng Fa sought out Teacher Tian to discuss the previous research on spiritual roots.
For the modern immortal path to develop rapidly, exploring spiritual roots was crucial.
However, this matter had been ongoing for over half a year, and it seemed there had been no progress, likely due to some difficulties.
Zheng Fa hadn’t asked much before, mainly because he wasn’t well-versed in this area of research and feared giving advice as an outsider.
On the other hand, he didn’t want to put pressure on the researchers.
Now that the Creation Jade Tablet had evolved and contained a wealth of biological knowledge, he figured it wouldn’t be a problem to understand, if not guide, the research.
Asking Teacher Tian about it was also a way to see if he could lend a hand.
Teacher Tian exchanged a glance with Tang Muda and sighed, "There’s been some progress, but not much."
"What kind of progress?"
Tang Muda spoke up, "Using a spectrometer, we’ve been able to define single and multiple spiritual roots more precisely."
"How do you define them?"
"By measuring the spiritual energy content in the measuring jade, we found that if we set a person’s total spiritual root capacity at one hundred, then a single spiritual root means that root’s proportion is greater than eighty."
"And for multiple spiritual roots?"
"For each type of spiritual root to be measured, its proportion must be greater than twenty."
Zheng Fa understood.
Everyone has five elemental spiritual roots.
A dual spiritual root means both types are above twenty percent, while the other three types are below twenty percent.
Thus, from dual roots downwards, no single root can exceed eighty percent.
A triple spiritual root means three types are above twenty.
The problem is...
"What about five spiritual roots?"
Zheng Fa’s mind raced, and he quickly identified the issue: could it be that five spiritual roots mean the roots are perfectly balanced, all at twenty?
That would be too coincidental, much rarer than a single spiritual root.
"If our research is correct, there are no five spiritual roots," Tang Muda said slowly. "At least, there are no five spiritual roots in the nursing home."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa began to recall his experiences in the Xuanwei Realm:
He had never seen a practitioner with five spiritual roots.
In fact, those with three spiritual roots or fewer had almost no chance of entering the immortal sects.
To be honest, five spiritual roots were so insignificant in the Xuanwei Realm that no one paid them any mind.
Even Zheng Fa, compared to other immortal sects, didn’t place much importance on spiritual roots and didn’t think much of practitioners below three spiritual roots.
He hadn’t even considered this matter.
"Does that mean everyone has at least four spiritual roots?"
Zheng Fa frowned; this didn’t quite align with the reality of the Xuanwei Realm, where the measuring jade could detect five spiritual roots.
Tang Muda explained, "Spiritual roots only represent the proportion of spiritual energy, not the total amount of spiritual energy."
Zheng Fa was taken aback, then suddenly enlightened: "Differences in constitution?"
"Exactly. We found that those who practiced calisthenics can absorb more spiritual energy than others, even if the increase is only about three percent," Tang Muda explained. "Some people absorb less spiritual energy, yet are classified as four spiritual roots; the measuring jade’s precision isn’t sufficient, leading to inaccurate readings, and they are mistaken for having five spiritual roots."
Calisthenics?
A flash of inspiration struck Zheng Fa.
Calisthenics, after all, is a form of martial arts that relates to the Dao body.
He was nearly certain of what the so-called cultivation aptitude was:
The Dao body and spiritual roots.
The Dao body is rarer and more fundamental; it might increase a practitioner’s total absorption of spiritual energy, along with some corresponding unique abilities.
Meanwhile, spiritual roots determine the conversion rate of absorbed spiritual energy into spiritual power.
This is somewhat akin to the fuel tank capacity and combustion efficiency of a car.
He nodded at Tang Muda and then looked at Teacher Tian.
"The progress on gene sequencing has been slow," Teacher Tian said helplessly. "The sample size at the nursing home is too small."
"The human genome is vast, with billions of base pairs, and about fifteen percent of gene functions we’ve never fully understood."
There was a note of frustration in Teacher Tian’s voice.
"The data on spiritual root proportions mentioned by Professor Tang is too vague and not intuitive enough... we currently have no leads."
Zheng Fa felt a headache coming on.
The nursing home had only about a thousand people, which was already insufficient for a sample size.
On the other hand, from the perspective of spiritual root proportions, it seemed that spiritual roots were likely influenced by multiple genes.
But if spiritual roots were the result of multiple genes working together, then they were almost at a standstill.
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