Chapter 2

"Can you really practice this kind of old-school technique?" Qin Cheng rushed over, looking at the clear handprints on the thick tree trunk, his shock and doubt mingling.

The techniques from the old era, scattered among ancient documents, ranged from physical techniques to meditation, and then to qi absorption techniques and internal cultivation methods, with various records being quite fragmented.

Nowadays, these are called scattered techniques, and many people also refer to them as old techniques.

Over the years, although Qin Cheng had been in contact with them, he had always harbored doubts deep in his heart. Could they really be practiced?

Wang Xuan's performance greatly moved him. A flesh hand could actually leave clear handprints on a thick and hard tree trunk. Could there really be a path for old techniques?!

"According to the old era's standards, what I have done is nothing much." Wang Xuan shook his head, his figure tall and straight, looking as if a light mist enveloped him under the bright moonlight.

Qin Cheng sighed, "Don't compare it to the past. I never believed in it. In fact, many of those records have long been proven false."

Qin Cheng was also practicing old techniques, and he knew how difficult it was. Just some meditation techniques were enough to drive one to mental breakdown.

In today's world, closely connected with New Star, with advanced technology in deep space, how many people would still believe in these? Doubt had already taken root in his heart before he even started practicing.

However, it was precisely in this context that when Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng first entered university, someone approached them, asking if they were willing to participate in research related to old techniques.

Wang Xuan had previously been exposed to scattered techniques and was immediately very interested, agreeing on the spot.

As for Qin Cheng, he didn't believe in these at all. It was only later, when he heard that the research was related to certain financial tycoons and that a large amount of funding had been invested, that he was surprised and joined with a trial attitude.

In the early days, they studied their original majors in their respective departments while using their spare time to participate in so-called "old technique research."

They found that the so-called research mainly involved them practicing on their own.

Special foods were also prepared for them by dedicated personnel, all to help them better practice certain scattered techniques.

They increasingly felt that this "research" was not simple. The two old professors teaching them the scattered techniques had actually been transferred from New Star.

Soon, some people couldn't keep up and dropped out voluntarily because practicing old techniques was very hard and quite monotonous.

The main reason was that in today's era, people were skeptical about the techniques from the old era's documents.

However, while many dropped out, even more joined.

With the support of financial tycoons, this "research" received significant funding and began to intensify efforts to select more suitable participants.

Not only in this city, but across the old land, mainly among college students, to boost enthusiasm, there were substantial financial incentives.

Initially, many people signed up, but after large-scale selection and more than half a year of elimination, only about fifty people remained.

Most of these people had transferred to the university where Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng were, continuing their original majors while forming an "old technique experimental class."

Not everyone joined out of initial interest like Wang Xuan.

Those who transferred had been promised, upon graduation, at least a decent and high-paying job.

At this point, everyone realized that this "research" was highly unusual; otherwise, why would such great efforts be made?

The "old technique textbooks" used in the experimental class had some significant origins, including rare editions from museums, precious collections from financial tycoons, and religious texts.

For example, a certain internal cultivation method was very famous in the old era but eventually became lost.

A few years ago, it was discovered in a tomb, bringing it back to light. It has since been compiled and is now one of the study materials for the experimental class.

Additionally, all the students in the old technique experimental class had their diets specially prepared, with great attention to detail.

As they learned more, many were amazed to find that some of the ingredients were extremely precious and rare, hard to obtain in the old land, and had to be transported from deep space.

The old professor who taught them the qi absorption technique once remarked that these ingredients were exorbitantly expensive even on New Star, let alone being transported from deep space.

Some ingredients were so rare that they couldn't be bought even with money.

Some of these ingredients came from the deep seas of New Star and had anti-aging effects, while others could greatly replenish blood and qi, and still others could maintain vitality.

For those practicing various scattered techniques, dietary supplements were very important.

The old professor once said that certain ingredients were highly favored by some senior figures with remarkable backgrounds on New Star, as they could slow down aging.

This showed how much importance was placed on this "old technique research."

What was even more surprising was that soon, over twenty new students from New Star joined this experimental class.

Traditionally, students from the old land aspired to study on New Star, but this time it was the opposite.

With the arrival of these young men and women, some rumors began to circulate, gradually revealing some truths to the students in the old technique experimental class.

"Some organizations, research institutions, and financial tycoons are pursuing immortality!"

This statement initially caused quite a stir in the old technique experimental class, shocking many.

In the eyes of modern people, such pursuits seemed laughable and illusory.

However, throughout history, it seemed that all those who reached a certain height were always striving for it.

As early as the pre-Qin era, legends of immortals and alchemists had already captivated later generations, even the rulers could not escape this trend.

But from Emperor Qin to Emperor Wu of Han, and then to other successors, they all failed, unable to obtain the elixir of immortality, and no one could succeed.

In today's era, so-called myths had long been debunked; how could they possibly exist?

However, it was precisely from the technologically advanced New Star that such news came.

"To be precise, it is some of the elderly figures in certain financial tycoons, those in power, who want to live longer."

Although someone made this clarification, it still caused a stir in the experimental class.

History always repeats itself. Throughout the ages, certain elderly figures seemed unwilling to accept their decline, yearning for youth and a vibrant body.

Back then, Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng had whispered about these figures, mocking them.

"The old men, as they decline, naturally yearn for youth. Otherwise, how can they appreciate beautiful women? With vast wealth, but unable to indulge, if I were in their shoes, I would also want to live for five hundred more years!"

"The old women are even more ruthless. Youth has passed, and their former beauty is now marred by wrinkles. For powerful women with vast resources and strong influence, aging is their greatest enemy! If there's even a glimmer of hope, the old women would be even more desperate, doing everything to regain their youth!"

At the time, the few young men and women from New Star who heard their whispers all rolled their eyes, as it seemed to involve some of their own elders.