The Elysium Across Deep Space

Chapter 3: Life Extension Program

Those elders desperately needed results, as they didn’t have much time left in this world.

Thus, the Old Techniques Experimental Class selected students from elite universities rather than young children, as they were older but still had faster learning capabilities.

Since Sanjutsu originated from the Old Earth, those research organizations believed that studying the ancient techniques from their origins was likely the best choice.

More importantly, since all myths and legends came from the Old Earth, there might be some “mysterious influences” there.

However, all of this knowledge was contradictory with the culture of this vibrant technological deep-space civilization and could not be openly stated as truth.

Of course, when some elders with powerful backgrounds enter their old age, they seem to be particularly interested in these occult concepts.

What would they seek in life at this point? Longer lifespans, immortality, and other forward paths that were based upon myths and legends, never walked by man before.

Even if they all knew that it’s likely all a fantasy when they think logically, but when they have little time left yet control so many resources, they would feel tempted to try.

Thus, the Old Earth drew their focus and many studies began with large investments.

Humanity has never changed throughout history, and these people are no different.

Throughout these years, some older magnates have been constantly pushing research projects that seek “rebirth”.

Of course, Ancient Techniques research was only one of their directions. Those who have the power to push for “ascension of human life”, would never leave all their eggs in one basket. 

The various genetic and lifeform research groups have made some astonishing discoveries and progress over the years.

For example, many anti-aging serums have demonstrated preliminary successes. 

Old Technique research was only one of their dozens of “Life Extension Programs” they invested in.

Furthermore, these various programs often have intersecting interests or fields, and under the influence of these, investors would sometimes partner up.

The food that was normally fed to Wang Xuan and his classmates actually not only revitalized their bodies and helped with recovery, but also had some anti-aging properties. The contents and ratios of the various foods were related to research from a pharmaceutical firm.

The students in the class worked very hard in their coursework, but no matter how tired they were they would recover quickly after eating. 

For those who were constantly practicing these Old Techniques, it was a blessing. Their constitutions improved significantly over time.

In addition, there were some genetic research teams that also hoped to cooperate with them. They wanted to genetically alter some students of the experimental class to improve their physical bodies.

One of those specialized in research on mitochondria. Supposedly, by increasing the length of those strands, one’s lifespan could theoretically be increased in this way.

Everyone was against this at the time. Though they were an experimental class, they were not lab rats. They would never agree to this proposal.

Wang Xuan also nearly left the program when he heard the news, as there was no way he could accept it.

When he studied these physical arts, meditation, and qi cultivation techniques, it was a process that improved his physique.

In his views, this type of genetic engineering would forcefully alter his body and could leave some irreparable damages and issues with his body. This was against his desires.

In truth, this proposal was denied very quickly from above. Some influential people thought that the technology was not mature enough.

Also, rumors surfaced that some of the students that came from Nova Terra had some impressive backgrounds, and their families would not want them to take this risk.

At the same time, there was another one of those students who accidentally revealed that there were some people who successfully learned an ancient technique. It was due to this that these youths were sent to the planet of origin to further their experiences. 

Even if he denied ever saying this, stating that he was drunk and spewing nonsense, Wang Xuan believed that he must have let that slip.

Qin Cheng, on the other hand, believed that it was just drunk talk, as he was the one who drank that classmate into the ground.

Wang Xuan believes that something must have been discovered in Nova Terra in order for these descendants of magnates to join the experimental group and start studying these Old Techniques.

Anyways, at this moment, the moon hung high up in the sky, leaving a slight chill lingering in the late autumn.

Qin Cheng picked up a call, nodded constantly, then turned around and sighed to Wang Xuan, “It seems like, back then, Zhou Kun wasn’t just spewing nonsense. He really did let that slip.”

It seemed that he received some news that some mysterious rumors surfaced over at Nova Terra that were related to some recent strange phenomena and these techniques.

As early as 3 years ago, their classmate from Nova Terra had given them notice!

Whether it was actually because he was drunk, or if it was his intention to inform them all along.

“You must obtain a spot with those headed to the Nova Terra!” Qin Cheng told him, and then bid his goodbye and left. 

As a student of the Old Techniques Experimental Class, their dorm was relatively quieter, since they often had to meditate and study physical techniques in peace.

Everyone had their own rooms and were delivered special foods that were imported from the other side of the deep space. One could say that this “Old Technique research” was very important.

At dawn, Wang Xuan got out of bed and practiced a physical technique known as the Fists of Vajra. Afterwards, he went silent, faced the rising sun, and started practicing the Qi Cultivation technique.

According to the old professor, one must specialize in at least a few of these Qi Cultivation, meditation, or internal development techniques. This was where the basis of Old Techniques lie, as well as the root of power.

Physical techniques, such as the Fist of Vajra or the Fist of Forms, were all leaves on a branch. They would develop well only if the roots of the tree are strong. 

As such, Wang Xuan naturally focused heavily on this, and tried out all of these “basis techniques” and selected his specialized choices carefully.

This area of the school grounds had many trees, and the fields were covered with yellow leaves. It was peaceful.

Wang Xuan shut his eyes and bathed under the glowing sunrise. He was performing a mix of inner cultivation and qi absorption techniques. In his mind, he imagined drawing in golden beams of light, one after another, and letting them drown him.

Though the inner cultivation technique only technically existed within his heart, his body felt like it was actually warming up and being surrounded by golden flames of light.

If anyone was nearby, they would have noticed the oddities on Wang Xuan for sure. The glow of the sunrise was “denser” on him than anyone else, as if there were flames of light dancing across his body.

As Wang Xuan absorbed qi and practiced inner cultivation concurrently, the image of him absorbing the golden light became reality. 

Waves of heat and numbness crawled all over his body, and an energy felt like it was entering his body. It was painful at first, then became very soothing.

This odd feeling had only begun recently.

Wang Xuan knows that this was the “reward” of having long practiced qi absorption and inner cultivation.

Last night, when he firmly pressed his right hand on a thick tree branch, it left a very clear handprint. This was proof that the “roots” phase was coming together in his training.

He has made significant improvements on his path of studying the Old Techniques.

Though all the students in the Experimental class were studying ancient techniques, many only found improvements in their constitution. Wang Xuan was the only one who reached the stage of absorbing qi into his body.

If Qin Cheng and Zhou Shen were to fight normal people, they could easily defeat a dozen of them.

Long periods of practice as well as eating rare and healthy foods has made them much stronger than the average person.

Wang Xuan was already much stronger than his roommates before he even learned Qi Absorption.

This is why Qin Cheng was always trying to help him. If he fought anyone in the class with only Old Techniques, no one could even come close to matching him. 

He could literally use only 1 hand and defeat any of his fellow classmates.

Wang Xuan felt his body become so hot that it felt like small electric waves were flowing through every bit of his flesh and bone. 

This was a scenario that only happens when one has reached a certain proficiency in Qi Absorption and Inner Cultivation.

Wang Xuan imagined absorbing rays of sunshine into his body, then diffusing impurities out from the surface of his skin in the form of black mist. 

The result was that his body’s metabolism sped up, and his body released some sticky sweat. 

It felt like his flesh and bones were being baptized by the light, becoming clear and clean both inside and outside. His body felt full of strength and his mind was also clear and strong.

As the sunlight shone through the woods, adding a golden color to even the light mist in the air. Four young men and women were walking towards him. The two men were only occasionally speaking a word or two, it was mainly the two girls who were discussing.

One was very gorgeous and constantly talking. She often laughed, and it was evident that she had a bubbly and cheerful personality.

The other girl was more soft-spoken and gave a feeling of being well-read, sporting a gentle smile.

They were also students of the Old Techniques Experimental Class, coming from Nova Terra.

“Look, isn’t that Wang Xuan, is it just me or is his body glowing?” The vivacious girl said. Her eyes opened wide, as if she was confirming if she was actually seeing the scene before her.

The quiet girl exclaimed, “He can’t have actually succeeded with Qi Cultivation, could he?”

One of the boys also was surprised, “Someone actually did it in the experimental class!”

However, he quickly shook his head as he knew that it no longer mattered. 

The other men also responded, “It’s a pity. The Old Techniques are outdated at the end. It’s been officially dropped, and we are returning to Nova Terra. There’s new discoveries made there, and a new era is arriving.”

These people who came from Nova Terra all know about the latest news. Old Techniques have been recognized as dated and canceled, as there are better options now!