Physical cultivation is relatively easy to acquire through dedicated practice but spiritual energy is extraordinarily hard to develop properly!
For serious cultivators while physical cultivation is certainly related to natural aptitude, it generally grows stronger and more powerful over time with consistent effort. However spiritual strength and consciousness are not so easily enhanced through simple practice.
Therefore after reaching a certain elevated level of physical cultivation, most advanced cultivators begin to focus far more on improving their spiritual energy and enlightened realm. Pure physical cultivation becomes considerably less important in comparison.
For example Mount Shushan sword cultivators focus primarily on the profound concept of "entering the Dao" or achieving enlightenment through the sword.
As the ultimate final boss in the realm of The Legend of Sword and Fairy, the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader naturally places tremendous emphasis on cultivating his spiritual energy above all else.
However during their intense sparring match with Alex, the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader had used his concentrated spiritual energy to directly impact Alex's consciousness. Only to be met with the devastating recoil from Alex's protective spiritual pendant which severely damaged his own spiritual energy. Consequently the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader has sought out various secluded locations to slowly recover from the significant damage done to his spiritual consciousness.
Similarly spiritual souls are extraordinarily hard to develop and strengthen. And if seriously damaged recovery becomes even more difficult and time-consuming. Even with the Moon Worshiper's exceptional abilities, he has not been able to fully recover from the damage to his soul during these past several days.
However the Moon Worshiper's primary focus these recent days has not been solely on cultivating and healing his damaged soul. For example right now...
The Moon Worshiper stood calmly on a small hill while gazing intently into the far distance approximately one kilometer away.
Several Moon Worshiper disciples appeared to be carefully tinkering with some experimental apparatus. And then in the distance several Moon Worshiper followers waved small colored flags as signals.
Seeing this prearranged signal, the Moon Worshiper perked up with interest and peered even more intently into the distance.
Then brilliant flames suddenly exploded outward. And after approximately three full breaths of time passed, a loud rumbling sound finally echoed across the valley.
"Well the distance measured here is approximately three hundred zhang. Mister Alex said the speed of light is essentially instantaneous and negligible over short distances while the speed of sound traveling through air is roughly one hundred zhang per breath. Sure enough from the initial appearance of the flames to the delayed transmission of the sound, it indeed took about three breaths exactly." Hearing the rumbling sound arrive on schedule, the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader nodded inwardly with satisfaction.
That memorable day when Alex and the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader had discussed many fascinating topics in natural science, they had even covered simple physics principles.
Over the past several days while recovering from his spiritual injuries, the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader had conducted numerous careful experiments to scientifically verify Alex's various claims.
It must be said that Alex's revolutionary words might sound completely absurd and heretical to most other people. But the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader genuinely believed him. And with a true scientific spirit of inquiry he systematically verified Alex's claims through experimentation.
"Master we are almost ready for the next experiment..."
As the distant experiments successfully helped the Moon Worshiping Sect Leader understand and confirm the speed of sound, another devoted Moon Worshiper disciple spoke up respectfully beside him.
It turned out that there was an empty wine jar sitting on the ground nearby. A member of the Moon Worship Church had carefully sealed the mouth of the wine jar. Then he used an empty hollow straw to gently blow a large amount of exhaled air into the sealed container.
"Well Mister Alex said that the breath exhaled by people is called carbon dioxide I believe? Well anyway it is a specific gas that is somewhat heavier than normal air. I asked the believers to blow their breath into it gently over time. This empty jar should now be completely full of that carbon dioxide gas."
Seeing that the experiment apparatus here was finally ready, the leader of the Moon Worship Church murmured thoughtfully in his heart.
Then he took a piece of tinder and lit a small wooden stick on fire. Then he slowly and carefully opened the sealed mouth of the jar and gradually lowered the burning small wooden stick inside.
Sure enough after the small wooden stick was inserted into the jar, without any obvious external reason, the burning small wooden stick was instantly extinguished completely!
"Mister Alex said that the exhaled gas cannot support combustion and can even actively extinguish flames. It turned out to be absolutely true..."
Although it was admittedly only a crude and simple experiment, the sight before his own eyes completely convinced the Moon Worshiper that absolutely all the words and knowledge Alex had spoken were genuine truth.
"Long live the Master!" the Moon Worshiper disciples nearby who were watching this seemingly miraculous scene looked on with absolute astonishment. Then they gazed at the Moon Worshiper with pure adoration while chanting praises.
"This is not the mysterious power of cultivation practice but rather the practical power of scientific knowledge..." Watching these simple followers exclaim in praise of him, the Moon Worshiper showed absolutely no sign of joy or pride.
He did not bother explaining this fundamental knowledge to them because they simply could not understand such complex concepts.
At this particular moment the Moon Worshiper felt a tremendous surge of genuine joy welling up inside. Not only because he now understood considerably more about the fundamental nature of the world around him but also because of Alex's remarkable existence.
He had always believed himself a complete loner throughout his life. His thoughts and revolutionary ideas seemed utterly unfathomable to all others. But now he finally realized he was not truly alone anymore. He had Alex as a fellow traveler and intellectual companion. To him Alex was a true pioneer of knowledge.
...
Out in the remote wilderness far from civilization, Liu Jinyuan and Lin Yueru walked steadily forward while carrying numerous large and small bags on their backs.
"It is such a shame we do not have Alex traveling with us right now. We are carrying so much heavy stuff entirely on our own. We are absolutely exhausted!" Lin Yueru patted her aching shoulders repeatedly. She deeply missed the comfortable days of traveling alongside Alex.
"Cousin Yueru please let me help carry some of that..." Seeing Lin Yueru's exhausted and pained expression, Liu Jinyuan immediately offered gallantly.
Boom!
Before Liu Jinyuan could possibly finish his generous words, a terrifying explosive blast erupted not very far away. This startling sound shocked both him and Lin Yueru considerably.
After quickly exchanging worried glances, they cautiously walked toward the source of the mysterious blast with obvious curiosity.
As they carefully approached the area, they discovered several Moon Worshiper disciples gathered together.
Who could possibly know what kinds of shady plans they were secretly preparing in such a remote and desolate place?
"Who are you exactly?!" After just a brief moment of peeking, the two travelers who completely lacked proper stealth skills were quickly spotted by the alert Moon Worshiper guards. They immediately swiftly attacked the intruders.
On the hillside not very far away, the Moon Worshiper himself was still trying to find practical ways to verify the scientific knowledge that both Alex and he had discussed by using the simplest possible experimental means.
The sudden battle erupting below quickly attracted his full attention.
"Huh? Are they not the two people who were traveling beside Mister Alex?" Seeing Liu Jinyuan and Lin Yueru from his distant vantage point, the Moon Worshiper's eyebrows raised slightly with interest. After a brief moment of thoughtful silence, a knowing smile suddenly appeared on his face.
Down below Liu Jinyuan displayed the exquisitely refined swordsmanship techniques of the Dugu Nine Swords. After successfully defeating four or five Moon Worshiper disciples in rapid succession, he protectively grabbed Lin Yueru and prepared to leave immediately.
However a powerful figure soon appeared and completely blocked their escape route. It was the Moon Worshiper himself.
"Welcome both of you. Since you are here then why is Mister Alex not traveling with you?"
After deliberately blocking the path of both Liu Jinyuan and Lin Yueru, the Moon Worshiper said calmly with a gentle smile on his face.
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