The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Constructing a city required an immense effort. The material and labor involved were staggering. It was an endeavor that took years to establish the foundation and would require constant maintenance in perpetuity.

However, that wasn't the case in a world of cultivators.

In a world where a powerful expert could do the work of hundreds, and with the assistance of the Crucible, a Spirit-grade artifact, Li Lang's city project could be completed in a matter of weeks. In fact, it was possible to make it livable in days, but the cultivators of Star Gem Academy opted not to rush.

Getting mortals to immigrate to their new city was an arduous and slow process. It took them much longer to cross the same distance, especially when you included their families. No matter how competent Wei Ping was, the best he could do to accelerate the process was to ferry them to the city for a tour, so they could come to a decision quickly. After that, it was up to them to manage their own logistics. Otherwise, Wei Ping wouldn't be able to handle the load.

That's why, after creating the skeletal framework of the sewer system and creating a few blocky residences, similar to the ones on Starpoint Island, Li Lang brought his attention elsewhere. The future residents of the city could take care of their own matters.

Naturally, what Li Lang focused on next were the new students.

Five days after working on the city, Long Yi finally returned with his batch of students in tow. That meant the three of them had finally accomplished the initial goal they had set out for. While they didn't make any headway in their secondary goal of tracking down the Abductress, being able to cross out a few areas was still progress.

"I'm glad to see so many new faces," Li Lang projected his voice as he swept his gaze across the open fields of the stadium where everyone gathered. "Today, we will be beginning the cultivation training for all our newcomers. However, that doesn't mean nothing has changed for our older students. We will be introducing new training methods that you will be incorporating into your routine as well."

He took a small pause to allow his audience to settle down. The younger children had understandably begun whispering to their peers upon hearing they would finally become cultivators. Some even loudly cheered at not having to continue their tedious studies they were being put through, not realizing how far from the truth that was.

If they had known Li Lang a little better, they would've realized how much importance he placed on foundation knowledge, regardless of whether they were mundane or not.

"Now, before we jump straight into any classes, we will need to first split you up based on which path of cultivation you will be taking. The majority of you will be practicing demonic techniques, with only a quarter of you learning orthodox techniques."

There were a total of twenty new students, which meant the split was fifteen to five. While it hadn't been blatantly stated that they would practice demonic cultivation techniques, enough hints were dropped that they didn't panic. Most were even surprised at the possibility of becoming an orthodox cultivator. An existence they looked up to for their entire lives.

It was something they hadn't dared imagine ever since they learned of their low aptitude. Due to Li Lang's machinations, there was a higher number of students with grade one aptitude and a single-digit amount of spiritual roots present compared to the last batch.

The excitement spurred by Li Lang's words caused one of the young girls to forget her manners, shouting out a question without waiting for her turn to speak.

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"Teacher, what do I need to do to be selected for orthodox cultivation?"

As soon as she finished her words, the realization of her misstep dawned upon her as her face contorted, but Li Lang simply smiled at the overeager girl.

"Good question. We will have you all undergo a test momentarily to make that decision. The older students are to participate as well, so we can set a benchmark."

The talk about a test ignited the competitive spirit of some, while others grew nervous. Nevertheless, no one complained. They were determined to fight for a place in their new home. Otherwise, they wouldn't have bothered coming along in the first place.

"But there's no need to fret," Li Lang continued. "There are no failing marks in this test. Orthodox cultivation isn't inherently superior to demonic cultivation. While the latter is famed for its dangers, we have someone quite experienced to guide you."

Li Lang turned to the side and set his gaze out in the distance. It confused his audience as there was no one there until suddenly there was. A fierce-looking man with a full beard and scars running down his face materialized beside their headmaster. It caused the younger children to recoil in surprise while the older students grimaced upon realizing who he was.

"I am Niu Ben. I will be monitoring those who will be practicing demonic cultivation techniques."

A moment of silence ensued as everyone waited for him to continue, but no words came. Wei Ping quickly stepped in and resumed the orientation session.

The anticipation in the air rapidly returned as the three teachers of Star Gem Academy then took turns explaining the rules and how their lives would be moving forward. They kept it short before handing out a set of pamphlets with a basic map of the island and matters they needed to take note of.

Overall, the rules of Star Gem Academy were quite lax. They were isolated on an island, so there weren't too many factors they needed to consider or guard against. The main rules were regarding their daily conduct and what was permissible within the Crucible.

As the organization grew, Li Lang couldn't afford to just give unlimited access to his Spirit-grade artifact. No matter how expansive the artifact realm was, there was a limit. Only a certain number of people could take certain trials at a time, and the resources of the realm needed time to regrow as well. There was a reason the three artifact spirits only opened up the realm every decade or so prior to Li Lang's arrival.

Once they were finally done going through the rules and regulations, the trio led their students into one of the buildings meant for training. It had numerous rooms for closed-door meditation and a library where they kept their collection of cultivation manuals.

"You will each enter into the illusion formation set up within the rooms down these hallways," Li Lang explained. "The point of the test is not to break out of the illusion, but to follow the instructions given to you once inside. Does anyone have any questions?"

In response to his words, Li Lang only saw them nervously gulping and determined expressions as if they were about to set off to war.

"Um, if we aren't to break out of the illusion ourselves, then how do we know when the tests end?" Xiao Dong asked, breaking the tension.

"Don't worry about that. We'll end the formation once the test is over."

With no further inquiries, the students were soon split up, each entering their own room, leaving the three teachers and one former deviator in the hallway. Long Yi raised his brow at Wei Ping, who simply shrugged him off. He then tried his luck with Li Lang, who completely ignored him as he walked off to the proctor's room in the corner.

Shaking his head, Long Yi muttered under his breath. "You guys are something else."

The four men soon settled into the chairs within the new room. A large scroll hung on one end of the wall. It only took a touch for it to begin glowing. It was a screen depicting what the students currently faced. Almost all of them had a blank look as they read the instructions engraved on a nearby stele.

Contrary to what the students themselves thought, they didn't face any perilous challenge like facing off against an intimidating Qi beast or any obstacle courses. They found themselves in the middle of an empty desert under a blazing sun. At first, those who had survival training or experience navigating the wilderness got excited at the challenge, but when they read the words on the stele, they all couldn't help but frown. That was because there was only one word engraved on it.

"Dig."