Redemption of a Born Demon

Chapter 114: Standard of Measurement: The Union of Body and Mind Is Mana

"’Magical Treasure’ is really just a flattering term; they aren’t that incredible. From the perspective of the ancients, all the modern equipment we use today would essentially be considered Magical Treasures."

Zhou Qingchen said.

"That’s true. Times are changing. Sooner or later, the things that make us what we are will be fully analyzed. Perhaps in a future era, everyone will be able to achieve Ascension, and humanity will use that power to venture beyond Earth."

Wang Zhihuo remarked with a sigh. Although he appeared quite old, his ideas were very progressive.

Most of the necessary technology was already mature. The greatest factor limiting humanity’s expansion into space was actually the frailty of the human body.

An ordinary person who spends half a year in the zero-gravity environment of space faces significant risks upon returning to Earth. Even so-called hibernation pods can’t guarantee there won’t be irreversible effects on the human body.

But a Saint is different. They can manipulate their qi and blood, adjust their magnetic fields, and possess immense physical strength, enough to handle all sorts of abnormal conditions.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call such individuals "new humans."

As time goes on, the proportion of Saints within the human population is bound to increase.

"We are living in an unprecedented era."

Tao Zihong agreed.

"Come on, let’s head to the next stop,"

Tao Zihong said with a smile.

The group then left the "Magical Treasure Research Department" and followed him to the next section.

This department primarily researched projects related to ancient Arrays, analyzing their magnetic field fluctuations and seeking modern methods to replicate them.

"As you all know, the way of the Array is, in essence, the Fengshui Dao. To set up certain Grand Arrays, one must rely on corresponding terrain and fengshui, and also consider the time of day and climate to borrow from natural magnetic fields. The limitations are immense."

"Our department records various data from the Mao Mountain Array, then works to find ways to replicate the magnetic field environment. We’re attempting to break free from the spatiotemporal constraints of traditional Arrays and to miniaturize them as much as possible."

Tao Zihong explained, leading the group to a small cabin.

The four walls of this small cabin were made of metal, inlaid with intricate patterns of various metallic threads. It had the austere feel of industrial technology, yet also the mystery of traditional Cultivation.

"This is the most important project our Array Department is currently working on. It’s called the ’Amplification Training Room,’ also known as the ’Artificial Grotto Heaven.’ Please, go on in and experience it for yourselves."

Tao Zihong said with a smile.

He then led the group into the metal cabin and had a staff member flip the power control switch.

VMMMM!!

The group felt the entire metal cabin vibrate slightly. Electric arcs seemed to flicker across the walls, and the magnetic field inside the cabin changed drastically in an instant.

The effect was most pronounced on the ordinary people in the group.

"Look! What is that?"

The Kyoto University students discovered in amazement that a faint light was swirling across the metal walls. From within that glow, illusory vines began to climb and sprout flowers, suffused with vibrant life. Their five senses sharpened, and everything around them seemed to grow clearer.

Most of them were not yet qualified to have access to projects like these.

However, while the effect on ordinary people was profound, it was negligible for Saint Experts, let alone someone in the Realm of Mighty Spirit. Their own magnetic fields were too powerful to be easily influenced.

But for Cultivators below the Majestic Spirit Realm, long-term Cultivation in this environment would still be highly beneficial, just like being in a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land.

Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands are typically formed by nature, with humans merely modifying or guiding them slightly. Tao Zihong’s work was different. He wanted to create a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land from nothing and make it replicable, eventually turning it into a device that could be supplied to the general public, much like a gym.

VMMMM!!

But in the next moment, the entire Artificial Grotto Heaven suddenly trembled. The arcs on the walls flashed erratically. For the Kyoto University students, the serene and beautiful illusions vanished. A ringing filled their ears, and a powerful sense of unease washed over their bodies. Their internal organs felt like they were on fire, and they were overcome with nausea, gagging.

WHOMP!

In the next instant, they felt an inexplicable, deep syllable reverberate through the room, echoing over and over like a Demon Sound, vibrating through their bodies. Simultaneously, a cold, blue-white light enveloped them.

In a flash, the discomfort in their bodies vanished without a trace, replaced by a feeling of ease.

They turned to look beside them. The source of it all was the young man standing next to them.

His tall figure, his calm expression... he was like a Stabilizing Needle, capable of dispelling any storm.

Standing beside him gave them an unparalleled sense of security.

"Shut down the power!"

Tao Zihong waved at a staff member outside an observation window.

VMMMM!!

All the effects inside the metal cabin vanished.

"It seems this isn’t quite perfected yet," Yi Beidou said.

"That’s right. It becomes unstable if too many people enter at once, or if an individual’s power level is too high. In nature, the entire natural system is constantly adjusting the magnetic field. In an Array laid by an expert, the expert’s True Intent is also constantly adjusting the magnetic field within it."

"But the Artificial Grotto Heaven is different. It relies on computer systems and sensors to adjust the magnetic field. In terms of adaptability and creativity, no system can currently compare to the human brain. This aspect requires further development, which is why we need to collect more data to improve the system’s ability to respond to unexpected incidents."

Tao Zihong explained. This was also why he had to travel around, collecting all sorts of magnetic field data.

The group nodded upon hearing this. Regardless, it was already an incredible research achievement.

As for Tao Zihong himself, although he was ordinary in terms of combat ability and not particularly strong in his Cultivation, his true path did not lie there.

Perhaps in a few hundred years, all of them would be forgotten by the world, like smoke in the wind, but Tao Zihong would still be remembered.

His legacy would be his immortality.

Was this not also a form of great Cultivation?

"Let’s go. Next is the last of our institute’s three major departments."

Tao Zihong led the group from the Artificial Grotto Heaven to the next department.

"The Life Theory Department. Here, we conduct theoretical research—magnetic field theory, human biology theory, and so on. We are attempting to research and analyze the different effects of various natural magnetic phenomena on the human body, as well as the magnetic field changes caused by the body’s own transformations."

"Although this department may not seem to have any practical output, it is, in fact, the core of the entire institute," Tao Zihong said.

Without the support of these theories, it would be difficult for the other departments to continue their research.

"There’s one more interesting place here."

Tao Zihong said with a smile, leading them to another metal cabin.

This metal cabin was slightly different from the last one. It contained many more detection devices, and one wall was fitted with professional force-measurement equipment.

"A Saint’s power comes not just from their physical body, but more importantly, from the magnetic field influence generated by their spirit and True Intent. It’s difficult to assess the fundamental attributes of a Saint Expert using conventional methods. We’ve been trying to figure out how to quantify the Combat Power of a Saint."

"So, we developed an assessment system. It measures a living being’s physical destructive force during an instantaneous burst of power, as well as the magnetic field influence generated by their True Intent, and then performs a systematic, comprehensive evaluation."

"We’ve temporarily named the unit for the resulting data value ’Mana’."