So, the Old Land began to attract attention, and a series of “studies” were launched here, with large amounts of funding invested.

Human nature has always been the same since ancient times—from the First Emperor of Qin to the present, many people cannot escape certain conventions.

In recent years, some elders among the major conglomerates have been pushing for “rebirth,” sponsoring many research institutions.

Of course, research into the old arts is only one of the areas they focus on. Those with the power to drive “life transformation” would never pin all their hopes on a single line of research.

For many years, the major conglomerates have funded various genetics teams, life research institutes, and so on. Some projects have already made astonishing progress.

For example, several anti-aging drugs have already shown preliminary results.

Research into the old arts is just one of dozens of “life extension projects” they have invested in.

In fact, these “life extension projects” also overlap with each other, especially under the intervention of investors, and sometimes they even cooperate.

For instance, the daily food of David Miller and the others replenishes blood and energy, nourishes the spirit, and even has some anti-aging effects. The ingredients and proportions are all related to a certain pharmaceutical research institute.

The people in the old arts experimental class usually exhaust their minds and spirits, but no matter how tired they are, with dietary supplements and other support, they can recover quickly.

For those who study and practice the old arts every day, this is a blessing. After a period of time, their physical condition has improved significantly.

In addition, some biotech genetics teams also hope to collaborate, proactively reaching out, wanting to help the experimental class change their physical constitution through genetic means.

One genetics team focused on mitochondrial research, and theoretically, by altering the length of telomeres, they could achieve life extension.

At the time, everyone resisted. Although it was called the old arts experimental class, they were not lab rats and would never agree to such procedures.

When David Miller heard the news, he almost quit on the spot—he would never accept it under any circumstances.

He diligently studied physical techniques, pondered meditation methods, and researched qi-gathering techniques—a gradual process of changing the body.

In his view, such genetic engineering was a crude way to alter the status quo, likely to leave irreparable hidden dangers, and did not align with his philosophy or desires.

In fact, this collaboration was quickly vetoed from above. Someone with authority spoke up, saying the technology was not mature enough.

Afterwards, there were rumors that some students from the New Star had unusual backgrounds, and their families would never let them take such risks.

At the same time, a well-connected classmate accidentally revealed that there were some “developments” on the New Star—someone had achieved something remarkable in the old arts, which is why these people came to the birthplace of the old arts, willing to delve deeply into their study.

But afterwards, he denied it, saying it was all drunken talk.

David Miller felt he might have let something slip.

But Brian Carter believed it really was drunken talk, because he was the one who got that classmate drunk that day.

David Miller thought that perhaps something had been discovered on the New Star, which is why the heirs of certain conglomerates joined the experimental class to study the old arts.

At this moment, the bright moon hung high, bringing a hint of chill to the late autumn night.

Brian Carter answered a call, nodding repeatedly, then turned to David Miller with a sigh: “Back then, Eric Turner wasn’t just talking nonsense when he was drunk—he really let something slip.”

On the call, he had just received the latest news: the recent scattered rumors from the New Star now had a vague direction, seemingly related to several mysterious phenomena.

As early as three years ago, that classmate from the New Star, Eric Turner, had already given them a hint!

Even though it was due to drunkenness and not his intention to reveal anything.

“You must secure a spot to go to the New Star!” Brian Carter said, then bid farewell and turned to leave.

As students in the old arts research class, their dormitory area was relatively quiet, since they needed to meditate and practice physical techniques daily and could not be disturbed.

Everyone had their own private room and was provided with special food delivered from deep space. It could be said that the “old arts research” project was highly valued.

At dawn, David Miller got up, practiced a physical technique called Vajra Fist, then calmed down and began to practice qi-gathering as the morning glow rose.

According to the old professor, one must master at least one or two of the qi-gathering, meditation, or internal cultivation methods—these are the roots of the old arts, the source of power.

Physical techniques, such as Xingyi and Vajra, are the branches and leaves above the roots. Only with strong roots can the branches flourish.

Naturally, David Miller attached great importance to this and dabbled in all the “root methods,” later choosing to specialize in some.

This area of the campus had many large trees, and the lawn was covered with yellow leaves. It was very peaceful at this time.

David Miller closed his eyes, bathed in the morning glow, practicing qi-gathering. Combining it with internal cultivation, he imagined drawing in strand after strand of golden light, immersing himself in it.

Although it was an internal cultivation method, existing only in his mind, his body seemed to actually heat up, as if he were surrounded by golden flames.

If someone were nearby, they would definitely notice something unusual about David Miller—the morning glow on him was “richer” than on others, as if a layer of firelight was flowing around him.

While gathering qi and using internal cultivation, even though he was only visualizing drawing in golden light, it seemed to be happening in reality.

His whole body was burning hot, and eventually he felt a tingling numbness, as if a surge of energy was drilling into him—first aching, then comfortable.

This strange sensation had only appeared for him recently.