Applied Immortality

“What of the rest of you? Where is your resolve?”

Wang Qi gave everyone a cold smile as he looked around. The usually noisy mess hall was now silent as a grave.

No one spoke; no one replied.

Wu Fan regarded his fearful schoolmates and lost all interest in lingering. He pushed Wu Fan aside and left the mess hall with books under his arm.

Outside, it came to Wang Qi he hadn’t eaten. He rubbed his belly, grumbling, “That’s why I hate underachievers…”

For a split second, he considered going back in to eat, but he quelled that thought the moment it came. [You kiddin’? The badass way I left is gonna turn into a joke if I go back now! My image as a bookworm will be ruined.]

Since eating was out, reading would have to do. With that thought in mind, Wang Qi went to the library.

The library was awesome. One thing he liked the most was the limitless supply of paper. Cultivating in the modern system used a whole lot of paper. Seeking one’s path was impossible without extensive and elaborate calculations and writing. It just so happened that Immortal Institute didn’t have Earth’s advantage of people-oriented schools with kiosks to make it more convenient. Wanna go shopping? Run for half an hour to Argent Apex, and that’s done with movement arts too.

Wang Qi heard hasty footsteps approaching from behind. He looked back to find Wu Shiqin following him.

“I have a newfound respect for you.”

“Huh?”

Wu Shiqin’s smile turned forced. “I took you for a recalcitrant, talented stuck-up, though not repulsive due to your skills. Only now I realize you’re a person of real character.”

Wang Qi laughed. “You’re not the only one.”

Wu Shiqin was left stunned. “Eh?”

“I used to think you became a disciplinary officer so you’d have a license to beat others up.” Wang Qi shrugged. “You look just like those terrorists that can’t sit still without bashing someone’s face in. I find it astonishing how you ended up putting your life on the line this time.”

Wu Shiqin’s mouth twitched. “Why is it that I find your compliment irritating?”

Wang Qi gave her a cautious look as he took two steps back. “Cause you’re petty?”

The sky flashed with blue lightning.

Wu Shiqin held her forehead and sighed, deciding not to bother with this topic anymore. “You said all that to remind Wu Fan, didn’t you?”

Wang Qi met her gaze. “In passing. I said it more as a self-reminder.”

The two entered the library as they talked. As most of the freshmen were in the mess hall, the place was empty. Wang Qi sat at a random table.  The table, big enough to seat eight, had a large stack of paper at the center. Wu Shiqin sat next to him, asking, “Why?”

Wang Qi considered his words. “Do you know empathy? Aside from having a common friend, me and Yang Jun had similar experiences.”

Wu Shiqin didn’t understand. “You seem to hate him.”

“Hate had nothing to do with it. I hate all overly emotional underachievers, yet that doesn’t change one fact: Yang Jun and I share some similarities in our experiences. I can’t deny that I empathize with him to some extent.” Wang Qi sighed. “So when I heard the rumor, I was shaken up a little.”

Wu Shiqin shook her head with a smile. “You’re really weird. You didn’t hesitate at all when you were about to strike him down.”

Zhen Chanzi sighed from his ring. “You’re heavy-handed with a soft heart.”

Wang Qi continued, “Anyway, it got to me. I thought of myself as being determined enough… to not let hatred blind me or sway me. I should hold a grudge and not let it get a hold of me, because I seek Dao and not become an avenger.”

“If I were you, I’d have cried ages ago, resolve or not.”

Wang Qi gave her a look, following with a most infuriating reply to the girl. “I’m not you. I at least have a goal, alright?”

Wang Qi went on before Wu Shiqin flipped. “These stirrings aren’t natural. While I understand harmony in self, endurance in purpose, I can’t just pursue my desires with no regard to the rules. I need a jolt from time to time so that I don’t get a heart demon. Reminding others was only in passing. It doesn’t cost me anything to let out the sudden jolt I felt through words.”

[Besides, showboating is useful and healthy for the mind.] Wang Qi left that part out.

Wu Shiqin rested her chin on the table, sighing. “It feels so weird and perfect… resolve this, resolve that, a firm state of mind. But I just don’t get it… the human heart I mean.”

[Are you king or something?] Wang Qi bit back, saying, “Grasping your heart is just as simple as it sounds.”

Wu Shiqin shook her head. “The human heart is unpredictable and elusive… Hold up, even Elusive Palace’s elusive path can be represented through calculations. The human heart…”

“Can be as well, or what do you think Radiant Divinity Pavilion is for?”

“The soul, spirit, and the human heart…” Wu Shiqin muttered. “Resolve is just a branch of the path of the heart. Somehow it sounds like the ancient ways.”

Another voice replied before Wang Qi could. “Radiant Divinity Pavilion is delving into the path of the heart and not the ancient way. These three days, Radiant Divinity Pavilion Eminence cultivators’ lectures are mostly angled toward the resolve part of the human heart theory. Young lady, if you wish to know more, you’ll have to give The Principles of Heart and Matter a read.”

A grizzled cultivator sat across from them with a book in hand. He had a neat appearance but a gentle smile. His every gesture gave an air of elegance and nobility. Wu Shiqin and Wang Qi found him familiar, though certain he was not an Immortal Institute teacher.

[A Radiant Divinity Pavilion Eminence then?]

The Principles of Heart and Matter was Brilliance Palace’s Fechner’s work. In his early journey as a cultivator, he forced himself to observe the sun in a vain attempt to understand the path of brilliance, leading to madness. In his insanity, he had a vague insight. And this notion was born: “There’s substance to one’s heart. I must discern it.” For a long long time, the immortal community doubted this method of seeking the path of the heart through the principles of observing celestial phenomena, believing the young cultivator to be truly insane. It wasn’t until the Brilliance Palace was established that this path gained recognition.

Wang Qi thought deeply. “I’d also like to borrow it when I have enough merits. Today’s event made me realize how complex resolve is. Especially when my experiences are nothing like everyone else’s. Introspection and self-reflection are crucial.”

The old man smiled. “For you to say that proves you have a lower possibility than others of walking astray. Regarding the lack of merits, why not take on a few trials?”

Wang Qi sighed. “I have many more books taking precedence… I’d rather not do it. I plan on borrowing Calculator Mind Theory next. It also includes a segment about the human heart. It’ll have to do.”

The old man gave his book to Wang Qi. “If so, I can lend you mine.”