The curriculum was a work in progress.
Three days after the Grand Council's vote, Lab 7B had become a chaos field of scrolls, floating glyph displays, spiraling Qi resonance schematics, and at least two experimental constructs Lin Xue kept from exploding out of sheer willpower.
Rayen stood in the center of it all, hair slightly singed, watching a diagram loop between failure states.
"So far, we've designed a course that can theoretically enlighten a disciple or kill them in three sessions," he said dryly.
Lin Xue sighed. "Honestly, I expected worse."
:: Curriculum assessment: 27% comprehension rate among senior disciples. 72% burnout probability without spiritual stabilization protocols. Suggest inserting guided meditation pills and core reinforcement talismans in module one. ::
Rayen groaned. "We're going to need a starter pill. Something to ease the body into resonance layering."
He pulled a half-finished scroll toward him and began scribbling. "What if we combine a microdose of dewfire extract with a fragment of Etherweave and a thermally modulated Qi carrier?"
"That would stabilize emotional flux during first-wave awakening," Lin said, leaning in. "Might even allow them to glimpse their Dao thread early."
Rayen paused, then looked at her. "What's your Dao thread?"
She smiled softly. "I think I want to understand the structure behind intuition. To map the path cultivators 'feel' with science."
He blinked. "That's… beautiful."
:: Potential romantic subtext detected. Recommend deflection or emotional clarity. ::
Rayen cleared his throat. "Anyway. Let's test the formulation."
That night, as Lin monitored the sealed cauldron chamber, Rayen retreated to the upper courtyard—one of the quietest Qi nodes in the Sect.
He settled into lotus position, the Philosopher's Core hovering beside him. The moment his eyes closed, the world shifted.
He didn't fall into the usual meditation trance. Instead, it was as if the Core reached outward, drawing his consciousness into a lattice of shifting patterns.
There were no meridians, no flames, no swords. Just equations of light. Pulses. Probabilities.
And in the middle of it, a hollow sphere—cracked, incomplete. Waiting.
:: Core Lattice incomplete. Quantum shell integrity unstable. Suggest roadmap update. ::
Cultivation Roadmap: Quantum Path
• Foundation Establishment (Complete) • Core Formation — Phase 1: Quantum Lattice Seed [In Progress] • Phase 2: Intent Crystallization [Materials Required] • Phase 3: Prototype Core Reactor [Simulation Pending]
Rayen breathed slowly, letting the data settle.
He wasn't just pushing cultivation into new territory. He was creating a framework—one others could follow. A Dao of simulation, of knowledge as pathway.
But he'd need more than ideas.
He'd need power. And protection.
The next morning, Elder Fan arrived with an unexpected announcement.
"You're being granted a new rank," she said, handing Rayen a badge of silver-gold. "You're now an Inner Sect Research Master. It comes with privileges."
Rayen stared. "And expectations?"
She smirked. "Exactly. One of which includes mentoring a team."
"What team?"
Behind her, four disciples entered—each with an alchemical specialty, and each wearing wide-eyed awe or barely disguised skepticism.
Lin Xue leaned toward him. "You asked what's next."
Rayen blinked at the group.
"Now," she said, "we build a school."
And somewhere in the back of Lab 7B, the cauldron popped with a high-pitched chime.