Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 770

In the year 6600 of the Xia calendar, within the central headquarters of the Spiritual Energy Research Institute.

Cao Wang engaged in conversation with the institute's director on various topics. He served as vice president without holding the top spot. For dedicated researchers like themselves, assuming a leading title became a hindrance, since endless administrative duties would consume far too much of their valuable time.

The Spiritual Energy Research Institute boasted over a dozen vice presidents, with Cao Wang standing out as the most prominent. He oversaw the highly acclaimed space initiative, securing more than thirty percent of the annual budget single-handedly, excluding Lin Jiang's personal contributions.

"Old Cao, I'm well-acquainted with representatives from the involved nations. We won't reveal the true essential secrets to them, yet we can't marginalize them indefinitely. Thus, I intend to assign them several initiatives that offer real economic boosts to their countries. What's your view?"

The director explained to Cao Wang how, during the last two decades, numerous powerful countries had supplied funds and materials, while permitting their scientists to participate in the institute's endeavors. Nevertheless, these experts had been confined to peripheral roles, sparking considerable discontent among the nations.

"The director holds the authority to decide this, since we're advancing tech production on a large scale and commercialization. I stay out of the equilibrium aspects."

Cao Wang shook his head. Throughout the years, he had yearned for the space project to generate profits. He realized the massive funding poured into it, and without tangible returns, resentment was bound to accumulate, ultimately causing issues for everyone involved.

Therefore, Cao Wang consistently desired that space tech could integrate into daily applications and hit the markets. He poured effort into promoting this vision and stirred up quite a stir, yet the earnings remained meager. Relative to their expenditures, it amounted to scarcely a fraction.

This explained Cao Wang's repeated visits to the director. He sought the director's aid in linking practical, everyday technologies to the space project, thereby alleviating some of their mounting pressures.

The pair conversed extensively, and right as Cao Wang prepared to depart, the director interjected, "Old Cao, no need to hurry off. I've got a dinner guest this evening. Join me."

"Hold on, director, who's the dinner invitee? The Prime Minister?"

"No, it's a scientist from a regional branch. Not sure if you've come across the name Liang Long."

"Liang Long? Doesn't he frequently appear in the ‘Science and Cultivation’ publication?"

Cao Wang responded. ‘Science and Cultivation’ represented the Spiritual Energy Research Institute's monthly periodical, renowned globally for its profound scientific depth, featuring articles across disciplines such as mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and even cultivation-related segments.

Issued monthly in both physical and digital formats with identical material, this publication stood as a revered sanctuary for academics, where scholars beamed with honor upon seeing their works featured.

"Indeed, that's him. Liang Long shone as a top student at Jingdu University. I spotted his potential back during his student days. Upon graduation, I extended an offer to join the main office, but he refused. He cited his aging parents and impoverished hometown as reasons to go back and support them."

Subsequently, he headed to Yun River to join the local branch. His exceptional performance elevated him to a vital technical role within merely two years. He later ascended to deputy director yet rejected administrative paths, preferring to immerse himself in scholarly pursuits.

At the Yun River Branch, he earned a reputation as a relentless worker. His peak achievement involved staying confined to the laboratory for eight straight months. Humble and profoundly learned, he majored in biology during university and later pursued studies in diverse areas, acquiring two extra certifications. Over his tenure in Yun River, he delved into numerous domains, embodying the traits of a versatile master.

"Does this individual truly possess such remarkable qualities? Director, could you elaborate further?"

"Certainly. Rumor has it that at age twelve, while undergoing Spiritual Root assessment, Liang Long underwent an IQ evaluation too. His score hit 180, marking the peak ever logged at the Yun River testing facility. In his academic journey, he excelled brilliantly and claimed numerous accolades…"

As the director detailed Liang Long's background and experiences, Cao Wang's gaze sparkled with interest. Wasn't this the epitome of a prodigious genius?

"Director, why delay in recruiting him earlier?"

"He resisted the move, and I couldn't compel him. Things have shifted now, though. His parents departed two years back. Currently, he's traveling to Jingdu City for work. His branch's director, my own apprentice, is due to see me tonight. I aim to host him for a meal. Grasp my intention?"

"Crystal clear. Regardless, we must secure his stay."

"Precisely! Lao Cao, your eloquence surpasses mine. I've handed this responsibility to you."

"Leave it to me, director, though might you assign him to my team?"

"His current focus doesn't align with your area yet."

"How so? With his background in biology and chemistry, and my space project requiring such expertise, I desperately need someone like him."

"Haha, succeed in retaining him, and he's all yours. I cherish promising minds too. A prodigy such as Liang Long thrives in any discipline he tackles."

"Absolutely, my team already includes several such brilliant minds, each mastering multiple specialties."

Cao Wang agreed with a nod—that rang true. Certain individuals possessed innate brilliance, their sharp intellects grasping concepts effortlessly. For average folks, attaining mastery in one domain marked a extraordinary feat, a rare distinction. Yet some dominated across various realms; their accomplishments transcended mere fortune.

"Agreed then. Three hours remain. Head to my residence in three hours; it'll include you plus a handful of fellow vice directors."

"Others as well?"

"Naturally, to ensure equitable rivalry. Do you believe you're the sole admirer? Talent draws everyone's ambition."

"Fine, let's witness who steps up against me. As a late-stage Void Achieving great ancestor, none can outmatch me."

Cao Wang promptly hiked up his sleeves. Amongst the vice directors, his scholarly prowess outshone all, while those surpassing in cultivation lagged in intellectual depth. Confidence surged within him.

········

Fangzhang Continent, Demon God Temple

"Ha ha…"

The Shenwu Demon Emperor's booming laughter resounded across the Demon God Temple. Soon after, he emerged from seclusion, finding the Demon Queen patiently awaiting him.

"Greetings, Demon Queen."

"Shenwu Demon Emperor, hold on—you've reached the eighth level. The title Demon Emperor no longer fits. How shall I address you now?"

A wide grin spread across the Demon Queen's face as she spoke. This marked a historic milestone for the demon clan: two eighth-level powerhouses emerging simultaneously, with Shenwu not even bearing the Demon Emperor moniker.

"Demon Queen, I'd prefer to hail you as Demon Emperor. Demon Emperor Feng Jiu attained the Dao via selfless devotion to our race, standing as our esteemed sage. I deem myself unworthy to rival Feng Jiu, lacking terms to entitle her Emperor Lord."

"Going forward, I'll continue calling you Demon Emperor."

"Demon Queen, no need for formality. As I've stated, I'll persist in revering you as Demon Queen."

"Very well, Shenwu Demon Emperor. I'm curious if your recent seclusion yielded revelations on bloodline heritage or the way of heaven."

The Demon Queen noted that the Shenwu Demon Emperor and Fire Scale Demon Emperor had retreated into isolation 140 years prior. Hailing from the cultivation period as Demon Emperors, backed by complete resources, they achieved the breakthrough in merely those 140 years—a remarkably swift pace. Naturally, the Fire Scale Demon Emperor remained in seclusion, yet to succeed.

"Demon Queen, curiously, upon commencing seclusion, the route beyond the seventh level flowed with effortless clarity. Recalling my earlier cultivation days…"

After an initial astonishment, the Shenwu Demon Emperor animatedly described the seamless nature of this seclusion. Such smoothness was unprecedented. Previously, upon hitting this realm, the horizon appeared foggy, the direction obscure, leaving them clueless on advancement.

Yet this instance brought no such anxieties. Concentrating solely on cultivation resembled traversing a broad avenue, free of obstacles, facilitating an unhindered ascension.

The Demon Queen fixed her gaze on the Shenwu Demon Emperor, probing his expression for clues, before inquiring, "Nothing more?"

"More, Demon Queen? Shall we delve into the great Dao together?"

"No, I refer to during your breakthrough—did any visions manifest in your thoughts?"

"Demon Queen, speak your mind openly."

"It's trivial; perhaps merely the bloodline inheritance from my Peng Bird Clan."

The Demon Queen shook her head. She knew the Shenwu Demon Emperor intimately, and in that instant, deception seemed absent. Under those circumstances, she concluded that not all could grasp those enigmatic insights.