Xia Ni saw that everyone seemed less dreamy about cultivation, so he decided to share some good news. If he didn’t, there might truly be no one willing to cultivate.
"I will distribute the handbook: Cultivation Methods to everyone. Additionally, there will be some preferential policies for those who wish to become cultivators. The choice is up to you. However, I must be honest: cultivation is purely suffering and responsibility, not happiness, so think carefully. But that comes later, the initial stages of cultivation are not that difficult. On the contrary, it’s actually very beneficial for everyone. That concludes my speech. Now, you may go." Xia Ni continued.
After the speech ended, people gradually left, but they had some hope for that handbook. According to Xia Ni’s final words, the initial stages of cultivation were not too difficult, and his tone encouraged everyone to try the initial stages of cultivation.
The people’s feelings were not wrong. Xia Ni wanted the people to endure ten years of hardship to gain fifty more years of life. This was highly beneficial for both human civilization and themselves.
Although initially, there would be a ten-year delay, after that, humanity would have a longer lifespan, and they could live healthy lives without worrying about illness. This meant they could study more, develop further, create more useful things for human civilization, and have more time to enjoy life. This exchange was not a loss, but going further would definitely be a loss.
Moreover, the handbook clearly noted that cultivators could not have children, so everyone should think carefully before acting. If humanity collectively reached the early stage of body refinement, except for a few special individuals, humanity would be on the brink of extinction.
However, the policy of supporting cultivators only applies to those who want to cultivate to the peak of body refinement and above. If you only want to practice at low levels, there will be no support from the government.
Xia Ni wasn’t wrong when he said cultivation was suffering. For an ordinary person, it truly was. As for him and his friends, they were a bunch of lunatics, so it was quite different.
They didn’t find being a cultivator too painful, even though their bodies ached frequently. But for a group that wasn’t even afraid of death, they can play with explosives and monsters, such minor discomforts didn’t bother them.
Xia Ni slowly walked inside. As he passed by Jun Wu Xiao, he said:
"What do you think? Did I do well?"
"I’m not sure. It’s fine to me, but I’ve never been a leader, so I don’t know how to evaluate this." Jun Wu Xiao shook his head and replied.
"Maybe within a year, I can abdicate. I hope everyone actively participates in the selection. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to continue being the emperor." Xia Ni said.
A high-ranking official, feeling that Xia Ni’s worry was somewhat redundant, said:
"Your Majesty, you don’t need to worry about that. Those with bad ambitions may be scared, but there are still many people who care about the country and the people, and they have good leadership abilities. Not finding someone to replace you is the real difficult thing."
"Ha ha, you’re right. My worries are a bit unnecessary. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, waiting a few more years is not a problem." Xia Ni said with a laugh.
"In that case, I’ll take my leave now. There’s nothing more to see anyway." Jun Wu Xiao said.
"Yes, hurry up and get out. I don’t want to keep you here. I’m still busy cultivating." Xia Ni replied, pretending to use a disgusted tone.
Jun Wu Xiao didn’t react to Xia Ni’s antics, knowing his friend was just talking nonsense:
"Hmph, I’ll leave then. I don’t know how long it will be until we meet again."
Xia Ni shook his head and said:
"Who knows, we just follow the natural course. But we will meet again someday."
"Yes, we will." Jun Wu Xiao said.
Then he immediately rushed back to the Kunlun Mountains. Shortly after, he arrived and intended to check on Feng Shuang’s condition. According to his calculations, the time for her breakthrough was near, and if her hand could regenerate, then he might also be able to regenerate his hand.
When he arrived, he saw Feng Shuang, who looked in very good condition. Her limbs were intact. He said:
"Ha ha, congratulations on regrowing your hand."
"Hmm, are you sure you came to congratulate me, or did you come to see if you could soon regrow your own hand?" Feng Shuang, though happy, still liked to tease him.
Despite her teasing, her face remained cold and calm. Perhaps it was because of her years of swordsmanship or it might be the other way around.
Jun Wu Xiao saw his thoughts were exposed, he stammered:
"I... I did have that in mind, but I also care about you."
"Ha ha, you must have seen Xia Ni already, right? What is his current condition?" Feng Shuang asked.
Her situation was different from his, so she was curious to know.
Jun Wu Xiao nodded and said:
"He’s incredibly well. Now he doesn’t have any scars, and he even looks younger than before."
Feng Shuang nodded and remarked:
"It seems that when breaking through, no matter how dire your condition, you can still recover to normal. If we were to break through during battle, wouldn’t that be incredibly advantageous?"
Jun Wu Xiao, intrigued by this, thought it over and found it quite problematic. He said:
"But our enemies can do the same. I can’t guarantee that our opponents will only be monsters that can’t break through. Also, the likelihood of this happening is very low. And there’s another thing: we don’t know the conditions needed to break through to the next realms."
Feng Shuang didn’t disagree, acknowledging that he was right. After all, while this possibility exists, the probability is indeed very small.
He was just taking his first steps on the path of cultivation, aware of his position and limitations. He wouldn’t be so arrogant as to assume he could foresee the future of cultivation.
He only knew that everything in the world has limits, even imagination. Cultivation, too, would have an ultimate limit. The only thing infinite is the void, it is not material, nor energy, it is simply nothing, and therefore endless.
"Then continue your cultivation. I’ll return to mine as well, hoping to regrow my hand soon." Jun Wu Xiao said.
"Hope you can clap your hands soon." Feng Shuang said.
As Jun Wu Xiao was about to leave, he almost tripped over himself. He snorted and ran off:
"Hmph, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.