Exploring Immortality Cultivation

Chapter 13: Black Box



On Earth, there's a term called "Technology Black Box." This concept is specifically used to describe technological products. The technology contained within a product is actually integrated into a framework. To those outside the framework, the items within are as if locked inside a box. Users don't need to open the box to make use of the functionality of the items inside. It's precisely because of this concept that Earth People don't have to learn a computer's code, logical diagrams, and various algorithms, nor do they need to be proficient in electromagnetism and materials science before using a computer. Since the world of Shenzhou is a universe where a physical quantity called "Spiritual Energy" exists, the "black box" here is bigger than the one in Earth's universe. Here, humans can use various magical abilities even without understanding the essence of the world. Ancient Method Practitioners, who are ignorant of the Dao of Heaven and Earth, can use Divine Skills and Spells for the same reason. If we use Earth's technology as a metaphor, then for the Shenzhou Immortal Path, Cultivation Techniques and Spells are not theories but core technologies. Engineers who want to master better technology must learn theory. Similarly, Cultivators who want to go further must open the "black box" and penetrate the theoretical essence of their Cultivation Techniques. A computer in the hands of a hacker and in the hands of an ignorant person will perform differently. Similarly, a Spell in the hands of a Cultivator who has understood its intrinsic Dao and in the hands of a Cultivator who relies on other axioms to slyly comprehend, the power is incomparable. This is the principle behind the Wanfa Sect's "one law gives rise to myriad laws." On Earth, Mathematics is the cornerstone of natural science and is called the "queen of sciences." In Shenzhou, Mathematics is also regarded as a shortcut to Seeking Dao. No matter what mental method or Daoist Skill is involved, there will be mathematical reasoning. It's not surprising for disciples of the Wanfa Sect to use any Spell. When Bai Ze God Monarch became enlightened, he used Sword Qi to inscribe three lines of big characters on the mountain of the Wanfa Sect: "Life is impure with the six senses; the bustling dust clouds all hides the truth; the sole reliance in Seeking Dao, lies in Mathematics alone." These twenty-four characters mean: After one is born, they are constantly receiving specific, chaotic information. Although this information contains aspects of the Dao, it is only one side of the Dao and has its limitations. These experiential limitations are the shackles that bind the Heart of Seeking. And the only thing that can break these shackles and transcend specific experiences is the innately abstract Mathematics. If we switch to a different style, this sentence could actually be translated as "Your eyes will deceive you, your ears will deceive you, your experience will deceive you, even your imagination will deceive you, but Mathematics will not." This statement by Bai Ze God Monarch clarified the loftiness of mathematical reasoning, which later became the creed of the Wanfa Sect. And in the eyes of most Modern Cultivators, Mathematics is worthy of this honor. And this was precisely the opportunity for Wang Qi to escape his current predicament. On Earth, there are many mathematical results related to Evolution Theory. Wang Qi is familiar with two of them: the Evolution Algorithm and the Mutation Model. The former is a global optimization method derived from the theory of evolution, while the latter is a mathematical model that can depict the biological Mutation and Survival of the Fittest. Disciples of the Wanfa Sect have proven that merely analyzing the mathematical principles of a Spell allows one to use that Spell. In other words, Wang Qi can bypass the field of Evolution Theory, which he is unfamiliar with, and bring the problem into the mathematical world he is familiar with! After having this idea, he immediately used his Spiritual Sense to transmit a message to Zhen Chan and ask, "Old man, has there ever been a Cultivator who accumulated Mana by primarily training in Cultivation Techniques but reached Enlightenment through a supplementary Cultivation Technique?" Zhen Chan didn't even think before counter-asking, "Why are you asking about Sword Cultivators?" "Sword Cultivators?" "Those who practice the supreme mental method of the Mysterious Sect, yet do not follow the path of tolerance and Daoist Natural Law, but instead seek the sword and lose themselves in it..." Wang Qi stopped listening because he had already found a way out. "I'll use the 'Heavenly Calculation Atlas' as my main study Cultivation Technique and deduce it with the Evolution Algorithm and Mutation Model. However, my main research direction must still be the Mysterious Path and Quantum Physics!" Having solved a major problem that had troubled him for a long time, joy filled Wang Qi's chest. Dammit I'm so excited, sorry, I don't know what expression to use at this time, just smile, a smile will do, just smile will do... a smile is simply not enough! After all this complicated internal struggle, Wang Qi asked with an expressionless face, "Brother Su, may I ask how Cultivators typically celebrate upon comprehending a major Dao? Are there any customs in the Immortal Dao?" "As for customs... well, my Wanfa Sect does maintain a tradition inspired by the Geometric Demon Lord. The Demon Lord shouted 'I got it!' while flying on his sword, having comprehended a major Dao during his bath without remembering to get dressed. His disciples often imitate that—hey! What are you doing?" Wang Qi pulled off his belt and placed his hand on the lapel of his clothes: "Imitating the sages." "Dammit, wait a minute! That custom exists but not many from my Wanfa Sect actually do it, be calm, be calm!" "I can't take it anymore, I need to vent!" Su Junyu grabbed Wang Qi's belt with one hand and his shirt with another, "Hold on, there are many different ways to vent!" "My big saber is already hard to restrain!" "Where did you get a big saber from!" "Let go!" "I can't let go!" The two struggled for a while until Su Junyu finally managed to dissuade Wang Qi from the idea. Wiping the sweat off his brow, the true inheritor of the Wanfa Sect was just about to educate this new disciple, who seemingly had a screw loose. That's when he suddenly sensed a familiar presence and hurriedly turned around. Xiang Qi stood behind them, dazed as a statue. She hadn't even noticed her sword had dropped to the ground; she looked as if her entire worldview was being rebuilt after a disaster. Su Junyu was a bit puzzled but still waved his hand politely. It was only when he waved that he saw the belt still clutched in his hand. Wang Qi's clothes were disheveled, and the belt was in his own hand... To others, it had probably appeared as if he was entangled with Wang Qi... The gesture of waving something in his hand could easily be misconstrued as showing off... The powerful computational abilities granted by the Wanfa Sect's cultivation technique allowed Su Junyu to connect all these dots instantly. He immediately wailed with a mournful face, "It's not what you think!" As soon as these words left his mouth, Su Junyu wanted to slap himself: Damn it, isn't this just like saying 'there's no silver here'? Sure enough, Xiang Qi staggered back a few steps after hearing his exclamation, "Damn nouveau riche... Oh no, Junyu, don't worry, I won't judge you..." "You're already judging!" "No, no, no, it's not your fault. Think about it, Elder Ji also came from Wanfa and then switched midway to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion... No wonder everyone says 'even Wanfa wants a Daoist couple'." Su Junyu cried out, "Don't discriminate against the Wanfa Sect!" Xiang Qi turned to Wang Qi with a serious face, "Well, Xiao Qi, this is your own choice, and as a Senior Sister, I really shouldn't say much. The main thing is, as long as you're happy." "He's just trying to emulate the sages..." "Elder Ji is a great man." "It's not about Turing aaaah, why don't you listen, woman! Wang Qi, you explain, too!" After straightening up his clothes, Wang Qi stood up and said to Xiang Qi, "Could you give us a chance to prove our orientation?" "No, no, no, you really don't have to force yourselves; besides, that would be hard to prove, right?" Wang Qi shook his head, "You can try it out for yourself, Senior Sister."

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