David Miller spoke: "The woman in the photo... looks a bit like Olivia Scott."

Brian Carter looked closely upon hearing this, and indeed, there was some resemblance.

His expression became quite animated, and finally he sighed, "Professor, our understanding of beauty is quite similar. I think we could become friends despite the age gap!"

Professor Sullivan gave him a slap right away and told him that the person in the photo was Olivia Scott's grandmother.

Upon hearing this, Brian Carter's face fell again. This was the goddess's grandmother?!

David Miller immediately understood why he had seen Olivia Scott at the door earlier—because the two families had some history. It was precisely because he had seen an old acquaintance that Professor Sullivan had opened this photo album again tonight.

David Miller had already realized that Professor Sullivan might want him to meet this woman, but he didn't want the old man to disturb the peace of mind he had maintained for so many years.

"Professor Sullivan, you don't need to worry about my affairs. I already have some initial ideas and should be able to solve the problem myself."

Professor Sullivan was surprised. He had only looked down at the photo for a moment, and David Miller could already guess what he wanted to do. Such keen perception—he really was suited for the path of the old arts.

"In ancient times, alchemists fought fierce beasts and struggled against the heavens. Though human, they dared to act, seeking to shine alongside the sun and moon. I have inherited this tradition and chosen the path of the old arts. If I can't even solve such a small problem, how will I handle matters of life and death in the future?"

David Miller was a grateful person. He was mainly worried that if Professor Sullivan went to see his old acquaintance, he would recall the past and disturb the peace and detachment he had cultivated over the years. After all, some things the old man had already let go of and shouldn't be reopened.

"Alright, you handle it yourself!" Professor Sullivan smiled. His own path had ended, and he very much wanted to see a successor walk the old arts to the very end.

That night, most of their conversation revolved around the old arts. David Miller studied the pre-Qin alchemist traditions on the spot, becoming quite absorbed.

Because in areas like qi-gathering, internal cultivation, and meditation, this old method had unique features—truly extraordinary and remarkable.

Professor Sullivan told him that the foundational methods in the experimental class were actually quite strong, but not complete, which was why they couldn't compare to this pre-Qin secret technique.

However, as David Miller continued reading, he found it increasingly difficult. The later records became very vague—was this really a workable foundational method?

For example, the text mentioned a certain domain: before reaching it, it was desolate; then it spoke of black soil, and after that... the records became even more elusive.

David Miller was puzzled and asked Professor Sullivan on the spot.

"When you go back, it's best to read some books related to the old era's sects—Daoist, Buddhist. They all discuss the terminology and phenomena of the pre-Qin period. If you revisit this method after that, you'll gain more from it."

Professor Sullivan explained that some of the descriptions were likely related to the "Huangting Neijing Tu."

The pre-Qin era was so distant that certain words and phenomena could only be understood with the help of later classics.

As Professor Sullivan continued, he also mentioned Ge Hong's "Baopuzi" and Chen Tuan's "Wu Ji Tu," among others.

David Miller nodded and took careful note.

Brian Carter, listening on the side, felt a headache coming on. Did he really have to read through the entire Daoist Canon just to learn the alchemist's tradition?

They talked late into the night. Professor Sullivan told David Miller everything he knew. Over the years, he had consulted a vast number of classics, which was how he managed to decipher the alchemist's tradition.

David Miller gained a great deal, but he still felt it necessary to read more old-era books after returning.

……

At dawn, David Miller completely changed his qi-gathering and internal cultivation techniques, practicing according to the alchemist's tradition, and the results were tremendous.

In the morning glow, he broke out in a sweat, his metabolism faster than ever, as if expelling some impurities from his body—his skin felt sticky.

He felt better than ever—light, healthy, full of vitality, energetic, and with a strong power surging within.

"I'm going to the New Star!" he said firmly. In the near future, he would work hard to improve his strength and prepare for the journey to the New Star.

"David Miller!" someone called him from afar.

Soon, Eric Turner walked over. His face was delicate, still with a slightly melancholic air, but after arriving here, he showed a genuine smile.

"I knew you hadn't left campus yet, still practicing the old arts. You're really getting lost in it."

At this, he lowered his voice: "Take my advice and get ready early. The old arts... have been abandoned by those on the New Star. Something new has emerged."

Hearing this, David Miller felt a warmth in his heart. Even though he had already guessed as much, he was still grateful to Eric Turner.

"I'm moving out in two days, but I'll still be in this city. My job is basically set—I'll report in five days."

Upon hearing this, Eric Turner sighed, "I hope everything goes well for you. I hope we can meet again in the future."

Then he explained why he had come: there was a gathering that evening and asked if he wanted to join.

Those who had been selected would leave the Old Land for the New Star in four days. They were planning a get-together, because once on the New Star, everyone would go their separate ways.

Eric Turner said, "Don't worry, it's just a simple gathering. Four years of being classmates—there won't be any drama. It's mainly to commemorate the end of the last pure and beautiful four years of our lives. From now on, we'll be entering the big dye vat of society, facing all kinds of beatings and corruption."