Lin Qiubai explained briefly, and only then did the members understand that these swords made with modern technology can actually be rated as "good quality" by the standards of Cangming Star.

Although they are not the top-tier goods, for beginner apprentices, it's hard to find better substitutes.

Now they knew that the vast majority of Seven Vortex Sword Sect disciples do not enjoy such treatment!

Only those Seven Vortex Disciples who have undergone long-term character assessments and accumulated enough merit can receive a "sword embryo" of equivalent grade!

People are not troubled by scarcity but by inequality.

Hearing this, the trainees felt much more at ease.

Without years of examinations or laborious task completions, they can directly obtain a sword rated as "good" by the Sword Master. What more could they hope for?

The issue of homogeneity in design isn't really a concern either.

It's said that as one's swordsmanship cultivation improves, their lifebound spirit sword will gradually upgrade, evolve, and manifest spiritual traits. By then, the sword's appearance will change according to the owner's will.

Originally, President Huang vaguely sensed something was amiss with the atmosphere, but with just a few simple words, Lin Qiubai managed to control the situation.

This performance reassured Old Huang quite a bit.

He still had matters regarding the Demon Mountain disaster to handle and not much time to linger here, so after a few pleasantries and reminders, he took his leave.

Lin Qiubai's aura was strong enough that just standing there without speaking compelled everyone to zip it and hold their breath, not daring to move.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward and stiff, with a hint of coldness.

Zhu Hanyi, seeing his newly acknowledged teacher in a bit of a bind, nervously raised his hand to break the ice: "I have thoroughly read and memorized the contents of the first two chapters of the Seven Vortex Swordsmanship, but..."

"I still don't quite understand what 'Spiritual Energy Derivation' means and how exactly to go about it."

Upon hearing the question, Lin Qiubai's eyebrow slightly raised, his gaze at this new disciple a bit complicated: "I thought you wouldn't ask such basic questions."

Zhu Hanyi felt sweat start to trickle down his forehead.

Not knowing the specific etiquette on Cangming Star, he awkwardly scratched his head: "This disciple is dull-witted."

In terms of speech, Zhu Hanyi seemed even less like a 21st-century Earthling than Lin Qiubai.

Fortunately, everyone had gotten used to his speaking style; it was no longer surprising.

Lin Qiubai sized up Zhu Hanyi from top to bottom, speaking calmly: "Diligence and inquisitiveness are far better than feigning understanding."

"What you mentioned earlier as 'Spiritual Energy Derivation' is actually a matter of translation."

"At the time, there wasn't a better term available, so this one was directly used."

"It's not what you imagine spiritual energy to be."

"It is not ubiquitous microscopic particles in the air invisible to the naked eye."

"Rather, it originates from your soul, thoughts, beliefs, and spirit."

"From this perspective, 'spiritual' is more appropriate than 'spiritual energy.'"

"Spiritual traits are diverse, each with its own attributes, relating to one's character."

"Those who are clever and shrewd can nurture a lively sword."

"Those with a domineering nature can nurture a powerful sword..."

Seeing that Lin Qiubai didn't display impatience but instead patiently provided detailed explanations, Zhu Hanyi felt relieved, as if he had taken a weight off his mind, with his heartbeat gradually returning to normal.

Initially, all the members remained silent, not daring to make any sound, but after Zhu Hanyi broke the ice, they discovered that although Lin Qiubai seemed aloof and cold as ice, he was actually quite approachable once engaged.

Thus, a slew of peculiar questions were tossed out.

"Which attribute of 'spiritual energy' is better?"

"Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and cannot be generalized."

"What if a sword cultivator experiences a major change, and their worldview, outlook on life, and values differ from before... Say, if a bad person decides to reform, does their spiritual energy attribute change? Will their swordsmanship cultivation improve or weaken?"

"It will change, and their realm will regress."

After everyone's questions were answered, and with Dong Huaiming egging him on, Ma Ran also started seeking guidance.

From the change in expressions and tone between the two, it seemed that Lin Qiubai was not so much enlightening Ma Ran as exchanging cultivation insights from an equal standpoint.

Their conversation was articulate, well-organized, and logically smooth.

Yet listening to it was like hearing a heavenly book; everyone was utterly perplexed.

Thankfully, Xiao Ming was smart enough to pull out a recorder and record the conversation between Ma Ran and Lin Qiubai, intending to ponder over it later.

...

The impression Lin Qiubai initially left on the members — cold on the outside, warm on the inside — shattered completely after just one day.

From the second day onwards, everyone felt a noticeable disparity in treatment.

For Zhu Hanyi's questions, Lin Qiubai responded thoroughly and patiently.

Though others' questions were also answered, the look in Lin Qiubai's eyes, seemingly viewing them as simpleminded, was very damaging to their self-esteem.

It seemed that only Ma Ran reached a normal level of intelligence in his view.

Even Zhu Hanyi received only the mixed appraisal of "dumb yet sincere."

This attitude, who could withstand it?

The reason for Lin Qiubai's change in attitude was known only to Wan Haihao and President Huang Weiguo.

Even though Lin Qiubai only had a remnant soul left, he could communicate with Cangming Star, countless light-years away, and send over a few supplies.

The hybrid rice seeds sent to Cangming Star seemed to not be acclimatizing to the new environment, failing to alleviate famine.

Without Lin Qiubai's presence, the Seven Vortex Sword Sect gradually lost its grip on the situation.

On Cangming Star, the horrific scene of starving people everywhere was repeating itself.

Furthermore, the Seven Vortex Sword Sect had not made any progress in deciphering the technology to withstand the Little Ice Age — they were stuck at the "learning Chinese" stage.

Lin Qiubai thought he had learned Chinese with little effort, thus overestimating the comprehension of others on Cangming Star.

With expectations too high and psychological disappointment, foul moods were inevitable.

Even so, the fact that he was still willing to act as a free teacher, imparting Seven Vortex Swordsmanship to society members, in Wan Haihao's eyes, already demonstrated considerable moral character.

However, it was puzzling...

Just at midnight yesterday, Lin Qiubai had sent the seeds back to Cangming Star, and so little time had passed — how did he know the hybrid rice wasn't acclimating?

Moreover, how could Lin Qiubai himself, within just over a day, learn a new foreign language from scratch?

So, why was he upset then?

Wan Haihao spotted a blind spot —

The difference in the flow of time between Earth and Cangming Star was tremendous!

Many years ago, Newton mistakenly thought that the pace of time was the same everywhere in the universe.

However, relativity points out that across the vast cosmos, time flows differently.

For objects with less mass, the surrounding time flows faster.

For massive objects, the surrounding time flows more slowly.

For a black hole massive enough to warp its surrounding spacetime into a collapsing point, time at its center nearly ceases to flow.

So...

"Cangming Star" is actually a much smaller life planet than Earth?

Wan Haihao instinctively shook his head.

With so little intelligence, it was impossible to arrive at an accurate conclusion.

Previously, Earthlings also hadn't encountered aliens, inner Qi, or superpowers — who knows if someone will present new physical laws years from now?

Nonetheless...

The variation in time flow across the universe might just be the primary reason that causes different speeds of development and levels of civilization?

What will the future of Cangming Star look like?

Will it catch up with Earth's technological developments within half a year?

Will Cangming Star enter a major interstellar development era in a year?

At that time...

Will Lin Qiubai still recognize his Cangming Star?

Who knows when Earth can truly establish diplomatic relations with Cangming Star...

"You loser, you zoned out again."

——

Thanks to an unnamed miscellaneous fish for the 1500-point tip!

Thanks to book friend with tail number 4707 for the 200-point tip!

Thanks to Chao Youjiu for tipping Ma Ran a chicken leg (100 points)!

Thanks to Dried Fish for tipping Ma Ran a chicken leg (100 points)!

Thanks to book friend with tail number 4707 for tipping Ma Ran a chicken leg (100 points)!

Thanks to Feilong in the Sky for the 100-point tip!

Thanks to Galactic Solar System for the 100-point tip!

Thanks to Blue Dream Seeker for the 100-point tip!

Thanks to the constant passersby for the 100-point tip!

Thanks to I Want a Lord God for the 100-point tip!

Thanks! (๑▽๑)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.