nyslfriends Chapter 213: Ascension Technique Attempt Pt.2
Chapter 213: Ascension Technique Attempt Pt.2
Many of Li Lang’s students were now also in the peak stage of Energy Gathering. However, only Xiao Dong managed to take the step into the next realm.
For those who had grade one aptitude, it was attributed to their lack of accumulation. While Li Lang had observed that the level of Qi didn’t change from the moment they entered the ninth stage, the accumulation he speculated about referred to the degree of strength a cultivator could exert on their Qi. The only way to improve this was through simple training, but the Lingering Impact Technique Wei Ping had brought back was a particularly effective way to train this Qi strength.
Nevertheless, Li Lang still had cultivated for a lot longer than any of the other kids. It would stand to reason that he was the furthest ahead.
The only thing I’m missing should be willpower! Even if Xiao Dong had grade-two aptitude and had more spiritual roots, he shouldn’t be that far ahead of me.
As Li Lang’s breakthrough attempt continued, he could feel the increasing pressure. It felt like he was hanging from a pole, holding on to dear life. If he fell, his goal of reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm would be over. Every second sapped his strength. It did so slowly, which made the ordeal even more tortuous.
Hours passed, and the event had taken a toll on Li Lang, both physically and mentally. It made his thoughts start going astray.
Why do I have to endure this? I’m a re
On the surface, Langley continued as normal, but internally, he had begun to question what he wanted in life. He had passed on starting a family ever since his university days were over. He found no meaning in following his primal urges to reproduce. He refused to be controlled by the chemicals in his body. He believed he was above that. Only animals blindly followed their urges.
Is that truly how I feel? Hmm, it shouldn’t be far off. If I have children, my world will begin to revolve around them. I can’t have that. I want my time to be my own. Purposely walking into a future that makes me prioritize someone else is a trap of nature.
The two’s time in the lab was soon interrupted by a group of armed men waiting at the door. One of them walked in and saluted toward the two scientists.
“I am Sergeant Nicota Earl. Professors, it is time to depart!”
“Thank you for escorting us, Sergeant,” Debra said with a smile. “We’ll come right away.”
Just as she made a move to follow the sergeant, the clicky sounds of the keyboard continued to resonate throughout the room. It made her do a quick one-eighty before she forcefully dragged the middle-aged man up from his seat.
“Langley, let’s go!”
“Hmm, fine.”
The soldiers outside watched on in amusement as they escorted the eccentric professor out of the lab area. They went into a large elevator that could fit a dozen cars and began to ascend. The ride lasted several minutes, showing how deep underground they were.
They blew past hundreds of floors until they were above ground level, but even then, they continued ascending. Only when they were two hundred floors off the ground did they come to a stop. They were then led through a maze of corridors until they arrived inside a grand office.
Inside, only one person was there. A lone woman with a confident demeanor watched them enter.
“President Dekel, good day to you,” Debra immediately greeted. She then discreetly elbowed Langley, urging him to do the same. It only caused Langley to unenthusiastically parrot her words.
“Good day, President,”
“Thank you, professors. I’m sure we’re all busy people, so I’ll make this quick. Your team has requested an increase in your budget again, so it has come to my attention. I’m here to ask about your research.”
The eyes in the room were all drawn to Langley, as he was nominally the person responsible for their team. Even if he left most of the paperwork to others, he was the one who had to answer to their boss during these moments.
“It’s to safely carry out our research, of course. We need the money to set up various safety precautions for our new round of testing. We’ll also be taking on ten times the number of test subjects as well.”
The president closed her eyes for a few moments while resting her chin on a fist.
“That’s not what I meant. I don’t exactly care about the budget increase. My aides would’ve taken note of any issues regarding those details. I’ve only recently gone over the files regarding your studies since I’ve just come into office. The records say that you’re researching permanent life-prolonging treatment. What I want to ask is if this is truly what you want to pursue and your opinion if this is a research topic worth pursuing.”
“Umm, why would you want to know that?”
Debra opened her eyes wide at the direct question her coworker posed. She wanted to reprimand Langley for being so difficult. Why couldn’t he just answer the question? Unfortunately, she didn’t dare interrupt.
In response, President Dekel spoke frankly, not caring about any etiquette expected of high government officials at all.
“It is our first time meeting, Professor. Many things are new to me. I want to know if increasing our investment in your team is worth it. To do that, I look at people. I’ll ask again. Is permanent life-prolonging treatment what you really want to pursue?”
Being struck by such a direct question, Li Lang could feel his mind jolted. He sensed something amiss, as if he had forgotten something important.
What is it that I want? Isn’t it just to cure this telomere disease? For survival? But what comes after that? Wait, why does it feel like my objective has changed?