Cultivating in the Wizard World

Jeming saw this and instinctively fell into deep thought.

Previously, he had attended a lecture by Professor Vito, where the theory propagated by the professor was that anomalies were related to Spiritual Wisdom.

But now, it seemed that was only a superficial reason.

[...I have observed countless cases of anomalies attacking humans.

Elderly, children, men, women, ordinary people, Spiritualists, even vegetative patients.

I discovered a pattern: as long as it is human, anomalies will attack.

Regardless of consciousness or behavior, as long as you are human, anomalies will target you.]

[But animals are not.]

[No animal would be attacked by anomalies. The possibility of animals being attacked by anomalies is not "rare," it is "never."

No records show any cat, dog, mouse, or bird being killed by anomalies.

They can move freely in anomaly-ridden areas without any harm.

Plants are not affected either.

Even primates specially trained to have intelligence close to humans are not attacked by anomalies.]

[What does this indicate?

It indicates the "targeting mechanism" of anomalies does not rely on physiological form, behavior patterns, or even consciousness activities.

A vegetative patient has no consciousness and would still be killed by anomalies.

Gorillas have consciousness and even some intelligence, yet they are not attacked by anomalies.]

This was the question Jeming thought of back then, but without samples, it was impossible to find out the specifics.

It seems Professor Vito had already studied this carefully.

[So the only commonality in anomaly targeting is "human" itself.]

[I spent a long time thinking about this issue. Then I came to a conclusion, one that may not be accepted by anyone: anomalies are not an external threat.

Anomalies are a product of the relationship between humans and this world.

It is human existence itself that leads to the birth of anomalies.

Just like light creates shadows, just like flowing water creates ripples.

Humans are the "discordant notes" of this world, and anomalies are the "echo" produced by the world to eliminate such discordant notes.]

[Thus, anomalies will never disappear.]

[As long as humans exist, anomalies will continuously be born. This is the basic rule of world operation.]

[The battle between humans and anomalies will never end.]

Jeming's fingers paused on the page.

He looked up, his gaze passing through the bookstore's window, landing on the sky outside.

The clouds were nearly refilled with mist, leaving only a small irregular blue spot, like a pupil slowly closing its eye.

Is the professor correct?

Not necessarily.

But it is a plausible hypothesis, one that can explain many phenomena.

Jeming roughly understood Professor Vito's ideas.

[Since the battle will never stop, then what humanity needs to do is not "eliminate anomalies," as that is impossible.

What humanity needs to do is "change its own nature."

If anomalies attack humans because they are "human," then let humans cease to be "human."]

[Anomalies do not attack each other; if humans could acquire the characteristics of anomalies, even just the most basic and weakest traits, anomalies would no longer attack them.]

Jeming nodded; this was Professor Vito's thought.

The real purpose was not to gain stronger combat power but to obtain the "identity verification" of anomalies while maintaining the essence of humanity.

Like putting an anomalous "coat" over a regular person, allowing them to be recognized by the world as "anomalous" instead of "human."

In this way, they can walk freely in the world of anomalies, without any attacks.

Of course, this was just the first step.

Judging from the later content in the notes, the professor's ultimate goal was the complete Fusion of humans and anomalies.

Humans obtain the features of anomalies, while anomalies gain the will of humans.

In Fusion, both sides lose part of their identities but each gain a new part.

The existence resulting from Fusion is neither human nor anomalous but a new form of Life never before seen in this world.

[This is what I call "human liberation."]

Jeming paused as he turned the page.

He reread the last line: "human liberation."

Liberating humans from the shadow of anomalies, from endless fear, and from the fate of "being human means facing anomalies."

"This... should be considered a different kind of humanity's completion plan..."

He was silent for a few seconds and then continued reading.

[Of course, this goal is too distant.

With current technology, with my capabilities, with the resources of this era, I cannot achieve it.

So, I settle for the second best.

I want to find a perfect Fusion scheme for humans and anomalies.

It's not necessary for everyone to merge, only that some people must be able to merge.

It's not necessary to solve the conflict between humans and anomalies forever, only that in the next few centuries, humans need not just passively endure when facing anomalies.

If, in the process, humanity after Fusion can obtain powerful combat strength, it would certainly be beneficial.

A massive fighting force, at least, can make human life a bit easier.

Unfortunately, due to the limitations of time and technology, even this goal I have not achieved.]

[My plan is incomplete.

The risks of Fusion are too high, and the probability of success is too low.

Even if successful, the host's will would be devoured by the bizarre in a short time.

This is a failed technology, an unfinished work.

But the direction is correct.

I have this confidence.]

Jeming closed the notebook.

He leaned back against the rocking chair, closed his eyes, gently tapping his fingers on the armrest.

Professor Vito's theory is incomplete; some parts don't even hold water.

But his direction is correct.

At least on the point that "humans need to change their nature to escape the bizarre," Jeming agrees with him.

Moreover, his experiment data is very solid, and those failed experiences are extremely valuable materials.

These materials could advance his research progress by at least half a year.

Jeming opened his eyes and reopened the notebook to carefully verify a set of experimental data…

Just then, the wooden door was violently pushed open.

The creaking of the door hinge was several times louder than usual, accompanied by a chaotic rush of footsteps.

Eric dashed in, panting heavily, his face covered in sweat, clothes smeared with dust, his hair messy like a bird's nest.

His eyes were wide open, pupils reflecting a mixture of shock, excitement, and fear.

"Boss!" His voice cracked, "Did you see it?! Outside… that… the sky! And that…"

He reached out pointing beyond the door, fingers flailing in the air, unable to find suitable words to describe what he'd seen.

Jeming raised his head, looking at him, his expression as calm as observing a falling leaf.

"I saw it." He said.

Eric was momentarily taken aback.

Only then did he carefully survey his surroundings.

Jeming sat in his rocking chair reading the newspaper as usual, speaking calmly as if it were just another ordinary day.

"You… you saw it?" Eric's voice lowered.

Jeming's calm demeanor also made Eric subconsciously deflate from his excited state: "Then what do you think… that thing is?"

Jeming didn't answer this question, instead changing the topic calmly:

"Why are you back so early? What about work?"

Eric's attention was diverted by the question.

He immediately showed an expression of having bottled up frustration with nowhere to vent.

"That fat pig! That damn fat pig!" He plopped down on the chair opposite Jeming, leaning forward with hands on knees, his face turning red.

"Such a big event happened, originally public places and factories should gather personnel waiting for the Spirit Communicator Association's notifications, to prevent any issues."

"But that fat pig worried someone might die in the factory, causing him to pay compensation, so he chased everyone home! Chased them home! Have you ever seen anyone like this? Huh?"

His words grew more agitated, waving his hands in the air.

"I told him, what if there's danger outside? He said, whether there's danger outside is the association's business; if someone dies in the factory, it's his business. And how did that saying go… 'My factory is not a shelter'! Bah!"

Jeming didn't interrupt him, nor did he agree with him.

He just leaned on the rocking chair, with an indifferent expression, his gaze resting on the black notebook in his hand.

Eric rambled on about a bunch of things.

He talked himself dry, but couldn't stop, like a balloon that has finally found the release valve.

By the end, his voice gradually diminished, and his speech slowed.

His gaze unconsciously drifted to the black notebook on the table.

Indeed, he hadn't really seen this boss read anything other than newspapers, and this coverless book immediately piqued his interest.

"Boss, what kind of book are you reading?" Eric reached out, intending to flip open the cover.

Jeming calmly slapped his hand away, his gaze still on the notes.

"Nothing that you'd understand at your current level."

"Ah… haha…" Eric chuckled awkwardly at that remark.

He really didn't dare to refute his boss's assessment.

But Jeming closed the notebook, looked up at Eric, scrutinizing him with interest.

"Eric."

Until Eric felt somewhat uncomfortable under his gaze, Jeming finally spoke.

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to become a Spiritualist?"

The air in the old bookstore froze.

The flame of the oil lamp flickered lightly in the breeze, casting long shadows of the old book spines on the shelf in the amber glow.

Outside, footsteps hurried down the cobblestone road, while the factory whistle echoed deeply in the fog.

Eric's mouth gaped, his eyes wider than when he first rushed in, pupils reflecting Jeming's face that was too calm to read any expression.

"...Ah?"