Qin Cheng noticed that Professor Lin was somewhat lost in thought while looking at the photo of the woman, seemingly reminiscing about the past.
Wang Xuan felt that Professor Lin was a man with a story.
He had entered ancient tombs from the pre-Qin period, received the inheritance of the alchemists, survived with two large wounds in his chest, and even knew an exceptionally beautiful woman who had been famous on the new star for a long time.
And this was just a glimpse of Professor Lin's experiences, indicating that he was quite remarkable in his youth.
"Professor, don't be melancholic; it's just a woman, let the past be the past," Qin Cheng broke the quiet atmosphere.
Professor Lin shook his head, "What are you two thinking? Today, I'm just feeling a bit nostalgic. Besides, this is purely admiration; nothing else."
Qin Cheng felt this sounded familiar; not long ago, he had also mentioned "pure admiration," and he immediately thought of Zhao Qinghan.
"I completely understand you!" Qin Cheng said, pretending to be a kindred spirit.
Wang Xuan spoke up, "The woman in the photo... looks a bit like Zhao Qinghan."
Qin Cheng examined the photo closely and indeed found some resemblance.
His expression became quite animated, and he finally sighed, "Professor, our understanding of beauty seems to align; I think we can become lifelong friends!"
Professor Lin slapped him directly, telling him that the person in the photo was Zhao Qinghan's grandmother.
Upon hearing this, Qin Cheng's face fell; this was the goddess's grandmother?!
Wang Xuan instantly understood why he had seen Zhao Qinghan at the door earlier—because their families had some connections. It was also because of this old acquaintance that Professor Lin opened this album again tonight.
Wang Xuan realized that Professor Lin might want to meet this woman for his sake, but he didn't want the old man to disrupt the peace he had maintained for years.
"Professor Lin, you don't need to worry about me. I already have some preliminary ideas, and I should be able to solve the problem."
Professor Lin was surprised; after only glancing at the photo for a moment, Wang Xuan could guess what he intended to do. His keen perception truly suited the path of old techniques.
"In ancient times, alchemists battled ferocious beasts and fought against fate; though human, they dared to strive for coexistence with the sun and moon. Since I have received this inheritance and wish to walk the path of old techniques, if I can't even resolve such a minor issue, how will I handle major life-and-death matters in the future?"
Wang Xuan was a grateful person, mainly worried that Professor Lin meeting his old friend would lead him to reflect on the past and disrupt the tranquility and calm he had cultivated over the years. After all, some things the old man had long since let go and should not be revisited.
"Alright, you handle it yourself!" Professor Lin smiled. His own path was severed, and he genuinely wanted to see a successor carry the path of old techniques to the end.
That night, their discussions mostly revolved around old techniques, and Wang Xuan became completely absorbed in studying the inheritance of the alchemists from the pre-Qin era.
This old method had unique aspects in areas like Qi gathering, internal nurturing, and meditation, which could be considered extraordinary and remarkable.
Professor Lin informed him that the foundational techniques in the experimental class were also strong but not complete, which made them seem less impressive compared to this ancient secret.
However, as Wang Xuan studied, he found it increasingly challenging; the later records were quite vague. Was this really a viable foundational technique?
For example, the text mentioned a certain field that was desolate until it later wrote about black soil, and beyond that... the records became even more elusive.
Wang Xuan was puzzled and asked Professor Lin for clarification.
"You should read some books related to the sects of the old era after you go back—Taoist, Buddhist, etc. They discuss some terms and phenomena from the pre-Qin period, which will help you understand this method better when you revisit it."
Professor Lin explained that some descriptions should be related to the "Diagram of the Inner Landscape of the Yellow Court."
The pre-Qin era was too distant; certain words and phenomena needed to be interpreted through later texts.
As Professor Lin elaborated, he also mentioned Ge Hong's "Baopuzi" and Chen Tuan's "Wuji Diagram."
Wang Xuan nodded, memorizing attentively.
Qin Cheng, listening nearby, felt overwhelmed. Did he have to read through all the Taoist texts just to learn the alchemists' inheritance?
They talked late into the night, and Professor Lin shared all he knew with Wang Xuan. Over the years, he had consulted numerous texts to decipher the alchemists' inheritance.
Wang Xuan gained a lot, but he felt it was still necessary to review old texts when he returned.
…
In the morning, Wang Xuan completely transformed his Qi gathering and internal nurturing techniques according to the alchemists' inheritance, resulting in significant gains.
In the dawn light, he broke out in a sweat; his metabolism was faster than ever, as if his body was expelling impurities, leaving a sticky feeling on his skin.
He felt better than ever—light and agile, full of vitality, and within him, there was a strong power.
"I need to go to the new star!" His tone was resolute; he was determined to enhance his abilities to prepare for the journey to the new star.
"Wang Xuan!" Someone called out from a distance.
Soon, Zhou Kun approached, his face handsome but still carrying a hint of melancholy; however, upon appearing here, he revealed a genuine smile.
"You haven't left the campus after all, still practicing old techniques. It seems you're really immersed in it."
At this point, he lowered his voice, "Take my advice, prepare early; the old techniques... have been abandoned by the new star, new things are emerging."
Hearing this, Wang Xuan felt a warmth in his heart. Though he had already suspected it, he was still grateful to Zhou Kun.
"I'm moving in two days, but I'll still be in this city; my job is basically confirmed, and I'll report in five days."
Zhou Kun sighed upon hearing this, "I hope everything goes well for you, and we can meet again in the future."
He then mentioned that there would be a gathering that evening and asked if Wang Xuan wanted to attend.
Those selected would leave the old land for the new star in four days, and they were preparing to gather since once they reached the new star, they would each have their own paths and would part ways.
Zhou Kun said, "Don't worry, it's just a simple gathering; our four years of camaraderie won't lead to any unpleasantness. It's mainly to commemorate the end of our simple and beautiful four years of life; from here on, we'll enter the big dye vat of society and face various challenges and hardships."
Wang Xuan didn't speak up; he didn't care whether any unpleasantness would arise; he was just wondering if he would bring trouble to others.
"Go; there are people you really want to see," Zhou Kun said, eager to chat with Wang Xuan and have a good drink.
Wang Xuan was speechless; it seemed he had misunderstood—there was no one he particularly wanted to see; he just hoped to avoid causing any disturbances.
"There are still some classmates in the experimental class who were not selected and are still in this city," Wang Xuan informed him.
Zhou Kun replied, "I'll inform them all, but some are watching you, wanting to know whether you will go or not."
Though the students selected to go to the new star were familiar with those staying in the old land and many had good relationships, this gathering still seemed to create a sense of unease.
"Alright, I'll go," Wang Xuan nodded.
Just as Zhou Kun left, Qin Cheng called him: "Old Wang, they're having a gathering; they want me to come too. I'm really conflicted since I'm only going to New Moon, not the new star. Are you going?"
Wang Xuan first corrected his way of addressing him, then said, "You're standing on the moon above them, looking down every day; what's there to be conflicted about? Come pick me up tonight, and we'll go together."
Qin Cheng instantly shouted excitedly, "Alright, that's what I was waiting to hear! I was actually afraid you wouldn't go!"