Applied Immortality

Wang Qi would carry the image of what happened in his mind for years to come.

A brilliant sword wave fell from the sky, splitting the ball of yarn. The incredibly dense attack made Wang Qi feel it in his palm as it passed, yet he suffered no damage.

It went through his palm and destroyed the spiritual sense he had just released, filling him with fear. It was a destructive force like no other; it felt like an overwhelming power with the intent to destroy everything. What he sensed just now was merely the tip of what the sword wave was capable of. The sheer terror of this realization bore heavy on his mind.

In a flash, the sword wave struck. Wang Qi’s contempt was still on his face, even as his hand froze in an outstretched position.

The attack struck Yang Jun, leaving nothing but faint sword marks on the ground. They were the only proof Yang Jun even existed.

Wang Qi had a stiff smile as he slumped on the ground. He sensed something that made him look up—to see a sick man standing not far away.

Sky-ringing Sword Deng Jiaxuan, the official leader of Argent Mountain’s headquarters and Immortal Institute; the only Unfettered Wang Qi ever met.

Deng Jiaxuan’s normally amiable look had vanished. He glanced at the three, and coldness entered his gaze as he noticed Wang Qi among them.

Deng Jiaxuan’s gaze was firm, resolved to his decision at any cost.

[Is he going to… silence us?] Wang Qi asked himself. A sudden violent coughing fit overtook Deng Jiaxuan. The blue handkerchief he used took on a darker hue as his coughing continued.

After putting it away, Deng Jiaxuan turned to the trio. His eyes were now much kinder. Heavenly Sword Palace Lord spoke gravely, “You’re not to speak a word of what happened. It regards the Immortal Alliance’s secrets. The next time you face such a devil, you must not hesitate to kill it at once. Understand?”

The trio started in fright under the Unfettered’s gaze, taking a long time to nod.

“His first look was a threat.” Zhen Chanzi spoke. “This means that what happened is grave. “The moment any of you speak out about what really happened here, he will silence you without mercy.”

“I got that much!” Wang Qi snapped in annoyance with his spiritual sense.

Not long ago, the headquarters experienced issues. Then, right after, Yang Jun ended up possessed in a place covered by a large protective array. And lastly, a mere Qi Refining cultivator’s possession forced the battle-famous Unfettered, Heavenly Sword Palace Lord, into action.

[Everything about this screams unnatural!]

Monarch Chen Jingyun of Myriad Arts appeared, giving Wang Qi a long look before turning to Ai Dinglan. Only to leave with Deng Jiaxuan.

An Eminence cultivator heard about the event and took Wang Qi, Mao Zimiao, and Ai Dinglan back to the Immortal Institute. Mao Zimiao was left at the dorm, while the wounded Wang Qi and Ai Dinglan were taken to the Immortal Institute’s medical office.

Under the Eminence’s strict supervision, the two had no choice but to go in.

Ai Dinglan breathed out. “I thought I was dead back there…”

Wang Qi nodded. “You and me both. What the hell was that thing?”

Ai Dinglan shook her head. “I’m not sure, but it must be a deep secret of the Immortal Alliance. We’re better off not asking questions.”

Wang Qi frowned, not ready to accept it. “Senior Sister, aren’t you curious? Even in the case of an inner demon born out of desire and festering, it should be a low-entropy phenomenon. Yet…” Ȓ

Ai Dinglan shook her head. “Junior Brother, there are many things in this world that need a thorough foundation to understand. I’m fortunate enough to be a slight step ahead of most and have a strong foundation, but nevertheless, I can’t say that I have the right to research that spirit.”

Ai Dinglan switched tunes out of the blue and wailed while hugging her head. “Not to mention they’ll off you the minute you dig deeper!”

Wang Qi sighed. “It’s just… hard to accept it.”

Ai Dinglan rubbed his head. “I as well. Once I reach Eminence, I’m definitely going to get to the bottom of this. When the time comes, I’ll be sure to bring Little Qi along…”

Wang Qi pursued. “Senior Sister, have you ever heard of such evil spirits?”

Ai Dinglan shook her head. “Never. I may be majoring in gene research, but my knowledge of every branch of the path of life is superficial. I’d definitely remember if something so bizarre happened.”

Wang Qi shook his head. [Ai Dinglan doesn’t know much about the possession either.]

A sudden idea flashed through his mind and sent to Zhen Chanzi. “Old man, didn’t you once say that you suspected Immortal Alliance has outside enemies?”

Zhen Chanzi knew where Wang Qi was going with it. “It doesn’t seem to be the case. The Immortal Alliance’s control is mainly about preventing magical arts from being leaked and the enemy finding their weaknesses. The enemies of the Immortal Alliance must have awareness and brains. But today’s chaotic devil doesn’t appear to be the work of an intelligent foe. Perhaps a devil king is stronger?”

Wang Qi denied it. “No, not possible. The stronger these devils get, the more chaotic they become. As they grow more powerful, the less likely they are to develop any kind of awareness.”

Zhen Chanzi clicked his tongue. “Inconceivable. I never thought the world would have such weird beings.”

Wang Qi hung his head in deep thought. He was also in doubt of his own conclusion. This world’s laws of physics weren’t just slapping spiritual energy as an exponent to Earth’s theory of relativity. The change to each formula had a deeper meaning. Wang Qi couldn’t simply dismiss the possibility that the devils might possess a single specimen capable of achieving human-like consciousness.

Going further, the odds were low for devils to be the Immortal Alliance’s greatest enemy. It led Wang Qi to think of another possibility.

Devils were the Immortal Alliance’s weapons to fight their enemies.

It was one more slim chance among countless other possibilities. Modern cultivation’s goal was to coexist with the world as they cultivated together. Devils burned spiritual energy, in direct opposition to this view.

However, having read plenty of Earth’s sci-fi books and being a researcher himself, Wang Qi knew all too well that there was no stopping mad scientists as they went down a path of self-destruction. Especially when they believed they developed weapons for the greater good.

That thing was unnatural. [There’s also the chance that the Immortal Alliance is behind it.]

A very low chance.

Wang Qi asked, “Old man, what the devil did, I can do it as well, once I master Celestial Entropy. Have you noticed any connection to the path of destruction when I used Celestial Entropy?”

Zhen Chanzi denied it. “None whatsoever. The aura isn’t the same.”

[Why does the Immortal Alliance’s secret weapon make this ancient cultivator feel it was similar to ancient arts?] [Have ancient cultivators advanced so much in ten thousand years that they can create life?]