Applied Immortality

Chapter 87: July Fire

Su Junyu gave Wang Qi two new ways of calculating: what Divine Province called White Marsh Expansion and Fourier Expansion. 

Wang Qi had a flashback looking at the formulas, recognizing the Laplace expansion and Fourier series. Their purpose was to simply do calculations.

[Does that mean I can’t forget how to solve problems even after death?] Wang Qi mocked himself.

Su Junyu finished the lesson by giving Wang Qi a heavenly heartwood and the spiritual energy essence equation devised for red copper. He had Wang Qi simplify the red copper formula and derive the heavenly heartwood’s equation.

Su Junyu emphasized Fourier Expansion in the process, highly useful in calculating the essence equation of spiritual power. 

Fourier Expansion, known to Wang Qi as the Fourier series, simplified periodic functions. Since any cultivation method required cycling spiritual energy through one’s meridians or taking in fresh spiritual energy, it resulted in a periodical spiritual power. Mastering Fourier Expansion, in a battle, one could determine the opponent’s arts to gain control of the fight.

Before long, Wang Qi handed over the two new formulas.

Su Junyu was stunned. “Kid, are you sure you haven’t learned them before?”

Wang Qi shook his head. Su Junyu’s shock only grew. “You truly are one of the greatest geniuses I’ve ever met.” 

Wang Qi’s mouth fell, not feeling like talking with him anymore. 

“Years ago, I’d be thrilled at the prospect of saying, ‘Myriad Arts Sect has another genius,’ and then us brothers could hang out in the sect.” Su Junyu went on, “A shame you’re so proud, insisting on being a true disciple. Elusive Palace… going for its true disciple spot means you’ll face that scary devil. Dark days plague your future.” 

By devil, he meant Elusive Palace’s current head true disciple, the greatest man of this generation. Wang Qi’s ears were falling off from how many times people talked about him. 

Wang Qi was stern: “Such is my path; my joy can’t change, nor is it possible to change.” 

Su Junyu knew he couldn’t convince Wang Qi. Mao Zimiao came over to him with her homework, tears in her eyes. “It’s so hard.”

Su Junyu paused, giving her work to Wang Qi to handle. “You do it.”

“Eh?” Wang Qi was baffled. “Why me?”

Su Junyu was blunt: “Teaching others strengthens your foundation. Just accept it.” 

He reached out, and the hovering colored glass lamp fell into his hand. “That’s it for today. Come find me tomorrow if you have more questions.”

Mao Zimiao spoke with the utmost courtesy, “Goodbye, Senior Brother Su, nya.”

Ju Sunyu waved without turning. “I can only help you so much.”

The words held different meanings for the two.

Wang Qi huffed, “You just want to laze off. Bah, if you wanted to teach us, don’t leave halfway!”

Mao Zimiao’s cheeks tinted red, her cat ears flinching. Wang Qi saved her life in the trial, leaving an unshakable impression on her. That sudden ‘tingle’ coupled with Wang Qi’s hug to satisfy his deviancy led to a budding seed being planted in the demonborn girl. 

It was only Wang Qi who never thought about it, doing things only if he found them fun. His casual nature made it impossible to guess what Mao Zimiao was thinking.

Mao Zimiao’s heart gave birth to a longing feeling as a result. Su Junyu’s words cut her to the quick, knowing exactly their implied meaning. 

Wang Qi extended his left index finger, a golden glow shining from the tip, while his right went through Mao Zimiao’s homework. He shook his head. “It’s all wrong.”

Mao Zimiao stuck out her bottom lip and said, “Little Qi is picking on me. Not everyone’s like you.” 

Wang Qi said, “Which is why focusing on the path of life would be better, no? With the demonborn nature holding you back, your math won’t reach human level until Foundation Establishment.”

Mao Zimiao’s tail swayed, ignoring him.

“Fine, fine, do you want me to solve them now or tomorrow?”

Mao Zimiao paused. “Now, nya.”

As cultivation improved, Wang Qi’s sleep shortened. Mao Zimiao had the blood of a cat demon running through her veins, lively during both the day and night. Wang Qi figured he should still have a lot of time to explain it to her.

Wang Qi considered another problem: “Now where should we go?”

Mao Zimiao wanted to offer her room, but with how late it was, rumors of her action would spread across the Immortal Institute first thing tomorrow morning. Wang Qi’s room was out for the same reason.

Wang Qi said, “I got the perfect place.”

“Nya?”

“I’ll take you there.”

Mao Zimiao followed him.

It was the first day of the lunar month, a new moon. Without moonlight shedding some light, the stars were particularly bright this evening. 

Mao Zimiao spoke up, “It’s almost July, nya.”

Wang Qi nodded. “Yes, July.”

Argent Apex’s city had Drifting Cloud Sect’s magic arts adjusting the climate, but the air still contained traces of heat. Wang Qi wore something thin, while Mao Zimiao was in her summer clothes, leaving most of her arms open and her tail swaying free.

“Little Qi, by this time next year, we’ll be at the sects of our choosing.”

“First comes admission trial.”

The two made idle talk as they walked. Mao Zimiao felt happy all of a sudden. The night hid her expression from Wang Qi.

They went all the way to the Immortal Institute’s auditorium. Wang Qi used spiritual power to jump on its roof, calling out, “Zimiao, come on up.”

“Nya?” Mao Zimiao asked, “Is this the perfect place you mentioned, the auditorium? Why, nya?”

Wang Qi gave a thumb’s up with a grin. “It’s called mood!”