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Chapter 8: Someone Has to Step Up
🕑 Added 2024-12-17 11:23:45 +0000 UTC“I admit there was some luck involved, but I really was the one who improved the Cultivation Techniques,” Feng Qi said, his expression earnest as he looked at Wang Jinsheng.
Hearing this, Wang Jinsheng fell into deep thought.
He knew Feng Qi’s background well. Both of Feng Qi’s parents had been members of a domain combat squad, but they went missing during a mission to dispel a domain field. Since then, Feng Qi had been alone, living on campus under the school’s care.
Given the school’s strict closed-off management, it was impossible for Feng Qi to have contact with anyone outside.
As for those within the school, Wang Jinsheng couldn’t think of anyone capable of improving a cultivation technique that had already undergone numerous revisions by experts.
The only explanation seemed to be the one Feng Qi gave: that he had stumbled upon this improvement himself through trial and error.
Recalling Feng Qi’s physical discomfort earlier that morning, Wang Jinsheng hazarded a guess. “Your discomfort this morning—was it related to your reckless modifications to the Cultivation Techniques?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t rule it out,” Feng Qi replied, careful not to reveal the secret of the mysterious dream realm.
“Don’t try anything reckless again,” Wang Jinsheng said, patting Feng Qi’s shoulder with a concerned expression. “Cultivation techniques are closely tied to the body’s acupoints. The human body has many vulnerable spots, and if you’re not careful, you could disrupt your energy flow and become permanently paralyzed. Wait until you’ve learned more about modifying techniques before trying again.”
His tone turned serious as he continued, “Feng Qi, I have a request, but I need your approval first.”
“Go ahead. I won’t promise to agree, though,” Feng Qi replied with a sly smile, already guessing what Wang Jinsheng wanted to say.
“I want to send your modified cultivation technique to the Tiger Soul Research Institute for testing. If it passes, it could be promoted worldwide, and you’d receive recognition and rewards. It would also open up many opportunities for your future.”
“Absolutely!” Feng Qi agreed without hesitation.
Wang Jinsheng broke into a wide grin at Feng Qi’s enthusiastic response. “You little rascal, you really are my student! You didn’t let me down.”
“Of course! Didn’t you always tell us that personal interests can’t compare to the future of humanity? I came to you tonight specifically to help spread this improved exercise.”
“Good lad! You’re teachable!”
“No, it’s because I have such an exceptional teacher!”
After exchanging compliments, Feng Qi suddenly asked, “Mr. Wang, want me to demonstrate it again for you?”
“Alright, let me have another look. I want to see what else is different.”
Stepping back to make room, Feng Qi began performing the Cultivation Techniques again. This time, he deliberately paused at key moments to give Wang Jinsheng a clearer view of the movements.
Having watched the instructional videos from the database numerous times, Feng Qi was already familiar with how to teach the technique. As he moved, he explained the critical points, helping Wang Jinsheng gain a deeper understanding of the future version of the cultivation technique.
Wang Jinsheng quickly picked up the key elements. After just a few repetitions, he was moving almost as fluidly as Feng Qi.
By the third round, Wang Jinsheng had fully mastered the technique, even synchronizing his breathing with the rhythm of the movements.
When Feng Qi finally stopped, he noticed Wang Jinsheng standing deep in thought.
“Mr. Wang, have you ever considered not being a teacher?” Feng Qi asked suddenly.
Wang Jinsheng looked up, confused by the question, before shaking his head. “I have, but I gave up on the idea.”
“Why? Everyone at school knows that, with your academic achievements, you could’ve gone on to much bigger things. Staying here as a teacher is a waste of your talent. Some people even say you were too scared to fight domain creatures, so you chose an easy, quiet life here instead. They call you a coward.”
Feng Qi knew Wang Jinsheng wasn’t a coward, but he wanted to understand why someone with such extraordinary potential would turn down an opportunity at the Tiger Soul Research Institute and choose to teach instead.
Wang Jinsheng laughed at Feng Qi’s bluntness, then sighed. “Why do you care so much? Go back and study. If you’re not feeling well, get some rest early.”
“Come on, Mr. Wang. Can’t you tell me?” Feng Qi pressed.
After a moment of silence, Wang Jinsheng picked up the bottle of liquor by his feet and took a long swig before replying. “Alright, I’ll tell you.”
“Initially, I didn’t plan to become a teacher,” he began. “After graduation, I intended to either join a domain combat squad or enter a cultivation research institute to improve existing techniques and develop new ones. But an incident during our graduation field training changed my mind.”
Seeing Feng Qi’s curious expression, Wang Jinsheng took another sip and continued.
“During that training, we entered a domain field and were ambushed by domain creatures. We fought hard and eventually managed to escape, but three of my teammates died in the process.”
“And that’s why you didn’t take the job at Tiger Soul?” Feng Qi asked, puzzled.
“In that battle, I saw something in several of my teammates—fear and cowardice they couldn’t overcome. They had the strength to fight back, but not the courage. Their hesitation almost got everyone else killed. That’s when I realized something important: physical weakness can be fixed, but a weak spirit has no cure.”
“After the mission, I spent a long time thinking about it. In the end, I decided to forgo my opportunity at Tiger Soul and become a history teacher instead—to address the root of the problem.”
Listening to this, Feng Qi finally understood Wang Jinsheng’s true intentions.
Many people spoke behind Wang Jinsheng’s back, claiming he was a coward for giving up such a rare opportunity. But in Feng Qi’s eyes, Wang Jinsheng’s sacrifice was for the future of humanity.
In class, Wang Jinsheng was always serious. He would repeatedly remind his students that humanity would prevail in the future.
He frequently recounted stories of humanity’s struggle against domain creatures, highlighting the contributions of those who made great sacrifices and the heroes who laid down their lives. He hoped his students would look up to these figures as role models.
Outside the classroom, Wang Jinsheng often published articles on the forums of various academies. His words sought to inspire the mentally fragile, urging them to understand that only through self-reliance and relentless determination could humanity have a future.
Although Wang Jinsheng appeared carefree and easygoing on the surface, he carried an immense burden in his heart. His greatest desire was to awaken the human spirit and see humanity achieve ultimate victory.
Feng Qi stood silently for a long time, watching Wang Jinsheng’s slightly drunken state, before finally speaking:
“A teacher’s influence is ultimately limited. You can change a few people, but not everyone. I don’t think you should stay here. You should go to the Tiger Soul Research Institute and try to make a difference there. Who knows? You might develop a cultivation technique suitable for all of humanity. If you succeed, you’d benefit countless people.”
Having read the future database, Feng Qi knew that Wang Jinsheng would eventually abandon teaching and return to Tiger Soul. That decision would lead him to the pinnacle of his career, where he would develop a series of revolutionary cultivation techniques that would become the cornerstone of humanity’s rise.
His achievements would leave an indelible mark on history, earning him the title of historical great.
But now, Feng Qi wanted to rewrite history. He wanted to help Wang Jinsheng realize his potential sooner, to steer him back onto the path where he truly belonged rather than letting him waste his talent as a teacher.
“Researching cultivation techniques isn’t as simple as you think,” Wang Jinsheng sighed, shaking his head. “Even if I devoted my entire life to it, I might never develop a single successful technique. I’m not as capable as you imagine.”
Reaching into a nearby cardboard box, he pulled out another bottle of liquor. Using his teeth to pop the cap, he took a long swig.
“Someone has to try,” Feng Qi said firmly. “How will you know you can’t do it if you never make the attempt? If you truly hope for humanity to achieve ultimate victory, you need to walk the hardest path.
“Take my modified cultivation technique as an example—if humanity had more techniques like this, would we still fear domain creatures?”
Feng Qi’s words left Wang Jinsheng stunned.
What Feng Qi said was true. As a single person, Wang Jinsheng’s influence through teaching was indeed limited.
But if he could develop a truly perfected cultivation technique, it would be a game-changer. Such a technique would undoubtedly be widely adopted, impacting humanity on a global scale.
If humanity had more advanced cultivation techniques, ones that allowed people to grow stronger than the domain creatures, they wouldn’t have to fear domain invasions anymore.
“Mr. Wang, I’m heading back now. Let’s talk more another time,” Feng Qi said as he turned and walked away.
Feng Qi didn’t know whether he could change the future, but he wanted to try.
Someone has to step up.
This wasn’t just something he said to Wang Jinsheng—it was something he told himself.
Feng Qi didn’t know what the future held, but at least if he tried, he wouldn’t have any regrets.
As he watched Feng Qi’s retreating figure, Wang Jinsheng’s mind was in turmoil.
Feng Qi’s words had sparked something within him—a seed, small at first, but now growing and taking root deep in his heart.
The path of developing cultivation techniques was fraught with challenges, but someone had to walk it. Why couldn’t that someone be him?
“That brat… He’s got me questioning myself,” Wang Jinsheng murmured, a hint of determination flickering in his eyes.
At that moment, the butterfly’s wings had begun to stir, subtly shifting the course of reality.
Without him realizing it, the clouds in the night sky had dispersed.
Wang Jinsheng looked up. The moon hung bright and clear, surrounded by countless shimmering stars.
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