"You actually mastered something from the old times?" Qin Cheng rushed over, staring at the deep handprint on the thick tree trunk, his face filled with doubt.
The scattered arts of the old era had long been buried in forgotten texts—from body techniques to meditation, breathing exercises, and internal energy cultivation. All were fragmented and obscure.
Nowadays, people called them "scattered arts" or simply "old techniques."
Though Qin Cheng had dabbled in them over the years, deep down he had always questioned: Could they really work?
Wang Xuan's display left him shaken. His bare hand had actually marked a thick, solid tree. Did this mean the old arts… still had potential?
"According to the records from the old era, this is nothing," Wang Xuan said, shaking his head. Under the clear moonlight, he looked tall and refined, almost shrouded in a soft mist.
"Don't compare it to the past," Qin Cheng sighed. "I never really believed in any of it. Most of those ancient records have already been debunked."
Qin Cheng was also practicing the old arts. He knew how hard they were. Even some of the meditation techniques alone could drive a person mad.
Now that the New Star had deep ties with the Old Earth again, with dazzling technological progress in deep space, who still believed in these things? Most people gave up before even starting, doubting their effectiveness.
And yet, during their first year at university, someone approached Wang Xuan and others, asking if they were willing to participate in a research program on old arts.
Wang Xuan had prior exposure to scattered arts and agreed on the spot, intrigued.
Qin Cheng, on the other hand, didn't believe in any of it. But when he learned the research was backed by major conglomerates and heavily funded, he joined out of curiosity.
In the beginning, they studied their original academic majors while using their spare time for the "old arts research."
They soon discovered that this so-called research mainly involved personal training.
Special food was also prepared for them—everything tailored toward mastering certain old techniques.
They started to realize just how serious the program was. The professors teaching them were actually transferred from New Star.
Quickly, some students couldn't take it and dropped out. Training was harsh and repetitive. Most people scoffed at these old arts anyway.
But despite the dropouts, new members kept joining.
With corporate backing and significant funding, the program expanded, recruiting more suitable candidates.
Across the Old Earth, particularly at universities, efforts intensified. Attractive salaries were offered to boost participation.
At first, the number of applicants was overwhelming. But after rigorous screening and six months of training, only about fifty students remained.
Most were transferred to the university where Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng studied. They formed a dedicated "Old Arts Experimental Class" while continuing their main coursework.
Not all joined out of passion like Wang Xuan.
Those who transferred in had been promised prestigious, high-paying jobs after graduation.
Everyone realized this was no ordinary study. Otherwise, why invest so heavily?
Their training materials came from museums, rare private collections, even religious texts.
One inner energy method, once famous in the old days, had long been lost—until a copy was discovered in a tomb just a few years ago. It was now a key reference in the class.
Every student's meals were now professionally managed, carefully curated.
Some ingredients were shockingly rare—imported from deep space.
The professor teaching them the breathing arts once exclaimed: "Even on New Star, these items are insanely expensive. Let alone shipping them across the stars!"
Some couldn't be bought with money at all.
Certain ingredients came from the deep sea of New Star, known to slow aging or drastically boost vitality and energy.
For practitioners, dietary supplements were crucial.
One old professor confided that some of these items were favored by the most elite elders on New Star—because they delayed aging.
Clearly, the old arts research program had powerful backers.
Then, even more shocking—over twenty new students arrived… from New Star.
Usually, it was the dream of Old Earth students to study on New Star. But now, it was the other way around.
As these young men and women arrived, rumors began to spread.
"Some organizations, research institutes, and powerful conglomerates… are chasing immortality."
This sentence caused an uproar in the experimental class. Everyone was stunned.
In modern times, such pursuits seemed absurd—empty dreams.
Yet throughout history, it was always the same. Those who reached high status often yearned for more life.
From Emperor Qin to Han Wu, none succeeded. No one ever found the elixir of life.
Now in an age where myths had been debunked, who still believed in such things?
And yet… these whispers were coming from the technologically dazzling New Star.
"More accurately," someone corrected, "it's the elders of some conglomerates—those in power—who crave longer life."
Even so, the entire class was abuzz.
History repeats itself. Those approaching the end of life often refuse to let go—longing for youth, for a vibrant body.
Back then, Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng joked in private:
"Old men aging and withering, of course they want to be young again! How else could they enjoy beauty? What's the point of owning billions if you can't spend it anymore? If it were me, I'd want to live another 500 years too!"