Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Intellectuals (5)
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Twenty-odd years ago, the Western Continent's first international academies were born.
There were academies for astronomy and archaeology, as well as alchemy and mechanism arts—even a Yao Beast Studies Society.
Unfortunately, there was no academy for puppetry.
The social backdrop that allowed these international academies to emerge involved the Black Bamboo Sect, the Golden Craft Sect, and Seoran.
To be precise, it was thanks to Seoran's youngest-ever ascension ceremony.
Everything started from there.
The size of the golden pellet determines the transport capacity during sect ascension.
And Seoran had completed a golden pellet larger than the Cintamani.
In theory, it was on a scale that could transport two great sects to the Immortal Realm simultaneously.
The Golden Craft Sect, which had always managed its relations well, didn't miss the opportunity.
They intermarried with the Black Bamboo Sect, mixing their bloodlines between sects.
And finally, they achieved their goal of merger.
Afterward, the joint leadership of the Black Bamboo Sect and Golden Craft Sect eliminated the worst threats to their sect ascension.
It wasn't something soft like a great yao demon.
A cultivator's greatest enemy was another cultivator.
The Golden Craft Sect fully leveraged its outstanding diplomatic skills.
Centered on the Black Bamboo Sect, Golden Craft Sect, Seaside Gate, and Herbwood Sect, a dozen neutral cultivation sects banded together.
That was the backdrop to the founding of the Eastern Coast Alliance.
And, as a side benefit, the international academies were also established.
*****
A human-faced bird flew into the International Astronomy Academy.
The academy's communications officer checked the recipient.
It was a parcel addressed not to a specific person, but to the academy itself.
Inside was a plan for constructing a space structure.
The main outline of the plan was to install a long structure at the point where the attractive and repulsive forces inside and outside the Sky Canopy Barrier balanced each other.
The parcel had been sent to the International Astronomy Academy to recruit astronomers who could assist in the process.
The astronomers exchanged opinions.
"Installing a massive structure in the Sky Canopy Barrier?"
"Why go to the trouble of doing that?"
"There's a reason listed here. Let me see... Precise celestial observations free from Sky Canopy Barrier interference, communication revolution via widespread mind transmission networks, ultra-precise weather forecasting, and a host of other functions planned. So it says?"
"Aren't the goals a bit too grandiose?"
"It's just the planning stage—what's the harm?"
"Huh, this is more serious than I thought? They've already launched test projectiles multiple times to gather observation data. They must have realized they needed specialized astronomical knowledge while analyzing it, so they recruited us."
"Sounds worth participating in, doesn't it?"
The astronomers gradually warmed to the space structure construction plan.
Proclaiming grand ambitions in the planning stage alone was one thing, while requesting help after encountering difficulties in the process was entirely different.
The former had a high chance of being a waste of time.
But the latter offered a valuable opportunity for scholars to gain worthwhile experience, even if it failed.
At that moment, one astronomer voiced a critical opinion.
"Installing a space structure in the Sky Canopy Barrier? It's pure fantasy, possible only in theory."
"Is it? Doesn't this seem feasible?"
"I've studied the Sky Canopy Barrier for a hundred years, and I can tell you predicting the undulating boundary's movements is impossible. The interface's irregular changes mean the direction and magnitude of forces acting on any specific point fluctuate every instant."
"Ah, in that case, perhaps...?"
"Exactly—it means an advanced computational process to find new equilibrium points must repeat in real time. If the calculations lag even slightly, the space structure will get flung outside the barrier or crash down to the ground."
An astronomer reading the construction plan spoke up.
"They've prepared a solution for the massive computational demands too, it seems. They're mounting state-of-the-art devices called the Dharma Brain and Interpretation Engine? If it's AI based on puppetry and an overwhelmingly powerful calculator, it should respond in real time to the Sky Canopy Barrier's irregular changes."
"How powerful is the performance?"
"It's here—want to read it?"
The critical astronomer carefully examined the performance specs for the Dharma Brain and Interpretation Engine.
And withdrew his opinion.
"It does seem possible."
"You're admitting you were wrong?"
"Of course. I'm a scholar. One who can't accept their own shortcomings can't progress."
Another astronomer asked.
"So, will you participate too?"
"Not so fast. This construction plan still has two fatal flaws."
"Oh..."
The critical astronomer expounded passionately.
"The first issue is materials. If the space structure pierces the Sky Canopy Barrier as planned, enormous attractive and repulsive forces will pull at its upper and lower sections. Materials that can withstand such tension long-term are exceedingly rare, and producing them is incredibly difficult. Securing enough for construction is nearly impossible."
"And the other?"
"There's also the spiritual power consumption problem. Even if you calculate the shifted equilibrium point, moving the structure there is a separate issue. Sustaining continuous spiritual power drain is impossible. No matter how efficient the propulsion engines, there's a clear limit."
The astronomer reading the construction plan spoke again.
"They're planning to hire miners from the underground world and Golden Craft Sect mechanism artisans for the materials. They must have money to burn. Oh, and there's a solution for the sustained spiritual power consumption too. Remote recharging via ground facilities applying formation designs."
"Can I take a look too?"
"Sure, here."
The critical astronomer read through the space structure construction plan meticulously.
And filled out a participation application.
The attitude of a true scholar.
Similar scenes unfolded not only in the International Astronomy Academy but in the other international academies as well.
*****
Seoran didn't send parcels only to the International Astronomy Academy.
She spammed any academy that might contribute even slightly to the space structure construction plan.
Scholars from various fields flocked to the Black Bamboo Sect headquarters like schools of carp spotting bait.
The Repair Club members scattered to collaborate with the scholars.
Damcheong assisted celestial observations using Dragon Eye's divine authority.
Seoran and Jang Seonhwa consulted with astronomers while working on Dharma Brain No. 2 and Interpretation Engine No. 2 designs.
Ho Hye-mun and Yi Agum were too busy to attend often.
Geum Yeongyeong worked as an assistant to the mechanism artisans.
It was a group of artifact experts from over a dozen neutral cultivation sects, beyond just Golden Craft Sect members.
Naturally, most didn't know Geum Yeongyeong.
When Geum Yeongyeong first joined the department, she was busy shrinking back timidly.
Approaching others first wasn't easy.
Still, she gradually blended into the group.
Eventually, she even offered opinions.
"Wouldn't it be more efficient another way?"
"For example?"
"Well, like the Type-3 bonding method..."
A mechanism artisan from a neutral sect exclaimed in admiration.
"Oh, that method does look much better. Thank you, Investigator Geum. That was a huge help."
"It's nothing... And since I lack mechanism arts knowledge, this is how I can help."
"Not at all. Knowledge can be accumulated, but flexible thinking isn't easily acquired. Investigator Geum will surely become an excellent artifact expert."
Geum Yeongyeong mumbled an excuse and left.
But the brief words from the nameless mechanism artisan lingered in her mind.
It was a minor acknowledgment, but it left an impression.
And so, three years passed.
Preparations for launching the space structure were complete.
A massive bamboo stalk boasting a golden surface towered in the center of the launch site.
The Western Continent's first artificial satellite, Golden Bamboo Flower, was made of lightweight, sturdy, non-corrosive new material.
Seoran shouted loudly.
"10, 9, 8, 7...!"
The scholars counted along.
"6, 5, 4, 3...!"
Soon, the awaited moment arrived.
"2, 1! Golden Bamboo Flower, launch!"
With a dazzling flash, the golden bamboo launched.
The rapidly ascending artificial satellite Golden Bamboo Flower began slowing at the designated point.
Before long, the projectile's upper section passed through the Sky Canopy Barrier.
In an instant, the force directions reversed.
Immense tension pulled Golden Bamboo Flower from both sides.
But the new material withstood it effortlessly.
The observation instruments embedded in Golden Bamboo Flower activated simultaneously.
The Neo Dharma Brain and Neo Interpretation Engine analyzed the flood of observation data in an instant.
It was designed from the outset for Sky Canopy Barrier analysis.
After a brief computation, a position where attractive and repulsive forces balanced was found.
The countless thrusters attached to each segment of Golden Bamboo Flower's body activated in their respective directions and strengths.
After repeated precise vertical and horizontal movements, Golden Bamboo Flower's center of mass aligned with the equilibrium point.
Moments later, the tips of Golden Bamboo Flower's ends split open.
Inside the split cylinders, massive trumpet flowers bloomed.
Each golden petal served as both a spiritual power transceiver and high-magnification observer.
Fully bloomed, Golden Bamboo Flower responded flawlessly to the Sky Canopy Barrier's irregular movements.
Whenever the equilibrium point shifted, thrusters fired instantly to relocate the center of mass.
It felt like a buoy floating at sea.
The observation team shouted.
"Golden Bamboo Flower has successfully anchored in the Sky Canopy Barrier!"
All eyes turned to Seoran.
The space structure had dropped anchor in the Sky Canopy Barrier.
All that remained was functional checks.
Seoran pulled something from her sleeve.
It resembled a dumbbell or a brick.
It was a handheld telephone.
Seoran dialed the number and pressed call.
After a short tone, the call connected.
Damcheong's voice came from the other end.
"Seoran, can you hear me?"
"I hear you fine. How about you, Elder Damcheong?"
"I hear you clearly too."
Humanity's first phone call ended.
Cheers loud enough to deafen rang out.
Repair Club members hugged each other.
Then, Seoran suddenly thought.
How did things end up like this?
Why did she suddenly start the Repair Club?
Wasn't it to help Yeongyeong overcome her heart demon?
Seoran glanced at Geum Yeongyeong's expression.
She didn't know the reason, but she looked much brighter.
Anyway, if Geum Yeongyeong was happy, Seoran was okay with it.
It was summer.
*****
Geum Yeongyeong ate a hearty dinner and lay on her bed.
At age ten, she had been identified as a Single Spirit Root Holder.
It was a major event—the first Single Spirit Root Holder from the Geum clan direct line in ages.
Naturally, everyone's attention focused on Geum Yeongyeong.
At first, people's interest was purely welcome.
Everyone she encountered smiled, their mouth and eye corners curving gently.
It was a truly joyful time.
Several years passed.
At fifteen, Geum Yeongyeong suddenly felt emptiness.
Golden Craft Sect members still loved her.
But that love was directed not at the human Geum Yeongyeong, but at Single Spirit Root Holder Geum Yeongyeong.
The brilliance of Single Spirit Root Holder Geum Yeongyeong was so dazzling it blinded people's eyes.
No one could see the human Geum Yeongyeong.
Even her parents were the same.
Geum Yeongyeong felt lonely even amid crowds.
Then, by chance, she participated in a friendship tournament.
There, she met a girl named Seoran.
Why had she spoken to a girl she'd just met?
Even carrying anxiety about rejection and her own awkwardness.
Perhaps it was a desperate cry to be seen.
In the end, Seoran and Geum Yeongyeong became friends.
From then on, Geum Yeongyeong stayed by Seoran's side.
Life at the unfamiliar Black Bamboo Sect felt more comfortable than at her birthplace, Golden Craft Sect.
She didn't know why she quit cultivation either.
She cited efficiency, but that wasn't her true heart.
Emptiness from receiving praise no matter what she did?
An experiment to see if they'd love her without being a Single Spirit Root Holder?
Or perhaps just her innate temperament.
Either way, it was unknowable now.
Geum Yeongyeong spent twelve years in the talisman workshop.
She did succumb to a heart demon as a result, but the grueling work environment wasn't the cause.
Witnessing her naked self as human Geum Yeongyeong—not the great sect's Single Spirit Root Holder—was the heart demon's trigger.
There's a saying that people grow through love.
Geum Yeongyeong's inner world held two selves.
One was the excessively inflated Single Spirit Root giant.
The other was a ten-year-old crybaby girl who hadn't grown at all.
Plunged into heart demon, Geum Yeongyeong had the giant crush the little crybaby.
It was a struggle to preserve her ego.
Desperate people inevitably narrow their vision.
Seoran and Damcheong's efforts saved the ten-year-old crybaby.
Thanks to them, Geum Yeongyeong's heart demon gradually improved.
And only then did she see things.
Why she split a perfectly fine table, why she suddenly started the Repair Club, why they always hovered around her.
Friends' consideration for her sake, recognition received purely as human Geum Yeongyeong.
Many things accumulated to create small changes.
The giant withdrew its crushing hand.
The ten-year-old girl stopped crying.
The two selves finally faced each other.
It was the moment she overcame her long heart demon.
Geum Yeongyeong called Seoran on the handheld telephone.
After a short tone, Seoran asked.
"Yeongyeong, what's up?"
Geum Yeongyeong said urgently.
"Seoran, come to my room quick!"
Seoran rushed in.
"What is it? What's wrong?!"
Geum Yeongyeong, lying on the bed, said.
"Turn off the light."
Seoran, momentarily baffled, chuckled.
"Lights out."
"Seoran, good night."
"You too."
Geum Yeongyeong fell asleep quickly.
There were no nightmares.