Abstract Meditation

Wisdom Dewdrop entered his brain, and Chu Fei immediately felt the world become clearer.

The outlines of objects sharpened, every minute detail stood revealed, and the contrast increased significantly;

His ears caught more sounds, each layer distinct and clearly positioned;

His thoughts became swifter than ever, his joints more nimble, and his control more refined.

Yet even as everything was elevated, his mind did not race like a monkey or gallop like a horse; though his ears could clearly hear a jumble of sounds, his heart remained undisturbed.

A faint realization arose within Chu Fei: his brain's "computing power" had increased!

But in this state, he also felt a vague emptiness and yearning rise within him.

Knowledge!

His thoughts instantly switched into learning mode.

Past memories, the knowledge he had read today, and more flashed through his mind and recombined.

A great deal of forgotten material resurfaced, and knowledge began forming a three-dimensional web:

The derivations of various theories and theorems, the mutual verification and cross-proofs between different theorems—knowledge from mathematics, physics, biology, and other subjects began linking together.

About half an hour later, he had reviewed all his knowledge once over, yet that elevated state still had not faded.

Chu Fei vaguely realized that he could end this state whenever he wished, but any unspent Wisdom Dewdrop would go to waste.

"Can't waste it. I need to read!"

Time slipped away bit by bit. The thick Elementary Mathematics Compendium quietly passed the halfway mark, and Chu Fei became completely immersed in the ocean of knowledge.

Then, at some point, his thoughts gradually began to brake, and his consciousness started to fall.

The world became hazy and dim again, sounds turned muddy and chaotic, and his brain felt somewhat sluggish.

He gently rubbed his temples and glanced at the wall clock. About two hours had passed.

"One Wisdom Dewdrop can provide two hours of elevated state."

Lowering his head to look at the half-read Elementary Mathematics Compendium, then briefly recalling what he had just learned, Chu Fei was astonished:

"Two hours accomplished a full day's worth of normal reading, a week's worth of studying;

"But now, I didn't just finish reading it—I remembered and understood everything completely!

"My mind and body only feel slightly tired. There's no overexertion.

"Wisdom Dewdrop is far more powerful than I imagined.

"But it takes a full day of serious study to accumulate one drop of Wisdom Dewdrop."

Chu Fei thought for a moment, looked down at the thick mathematics compendium, and continued studying!

But after experiencing that super-learning state, he now felt an indescribable irritation.

He felt... so stupid!

Unable to study for the moment, he simply got up and went outside to do some stretching exercises.

Unexpectedly, Cao Liwen happened to be making his rounds. Seeing Chu Fei stretching, Cao Liwen casually gave him some pointers:

"Stretching isn't simply bending at the waist.

"The core of Big Data Cultivation is to follow science and avoid instinct. You can refer to Human Engineering and Human Mechanics.

"Come on, do the splits first."

Two minutes later, Cao Liwen left. Chu Fei felt as though his entire body was about to fall apart. But he had to admit, the effect seemed genuinely good.

For one thing, Wisdom Dewdrop had actually accumulated by 5%!

Less than two minutes of instruction had accumulated 5% of a Wisdom Dewdrop. That was pretty efficient.

"Sure enough, education is more efficient than self-study."

Because of Cao Liwen's guidance, Chu Fei dug out books on Human Engineering and Human Mechanics to read.

Before he realized it, it was lights-out. While washing up, Chu Fei focused on the Wisdom Dewdrop and the Wisdom Tree Seed.

The Wisdom Tree Seed had not changed much, but the new Wisdom Dewdrop had accumulated to around 27% again.

"Looks like any kind of knowledge will do, even strange knowledge..."

The night quietly passed.

During morning training, because of the previous "encouragement," Chu Fei ran until he was somewhat exhausted, yet he still came in third. Things had already become fiercely competitive.

But some people still fell behind.

Needless to say, they received "encouragement."

Considering how tight the time before morning class was, those who got whipped only took painkillers—though it still hurt badly, it was bearable.

Following Cao Liwen into the classroom, Chu Fei spotted an "acquaintance" beside the podium—the one who had stood beneath the flagpole during the first day's run.

He stood with his arms crossed, a whip wrapped around one hand, his indifferent gaze sweeping across Chu Fei and the others.

Seeing that whip, Chu Fei could not help swallowing.

Standing at the podium, Cao Liwen said loudly, "Sit from front to back. Try to sit as far forward as possible."

There were more than forty sets of desks and chairs in the classroom, one desk and one chair each. The desks were neatly stocked with books, paper, and pens.

After thinking it over, Chu Fei sat in the very front.

The desk was not small, around 1.2 meters long, with a full three layers of books stacked on it.

Many of the books were already somewhat worn, but few were stained.

There were also quite a few notes in the drawer, written in different handwritings.

A thump-thump of someone knocking on the desk came from the podium. Chu Fei looked up to see Cao Liwen speak coldly, "Hurry up. Anyone not seated within sixty seconds, I'll personally choose your seat for you."

Those still dawdling immediately sprang into action like the wind. In less than twenty seconds, everyone was seated.

A few seats were too far back, and under Cao Liwen's gaze, their occupants voluntarily moved forward.

Once everyone was seated, Cao Liwen spoke again:

"You've been at Dawn Academy for three days now. I presume you've gained some basic understanding.

"The specific rules are posted on the wall."

Chu Fei turned his head and indeed saw a set of 'Code of Conduct' posted on the wall.

1. Sleeping in: 1 lash/minute;

2. Letting your mind wander in class: 1 lash;

3. Sleeping in class: 3 lashes;

4. Being late: 1 lash/minute;

5. Declining grades: starting from 1 lash;

6. Cheating: starting from 5 lashes;

60. Bottom three: starting from 1 lash per day.

Looking at those sixty 'Code of Conduct' rules, Chu Fei finally understood the meaning of "encouragement."

After waiting a moment, Cao Liwen spoke again:

"Study can change your fate.

"Those who study well can become Awakened, become those above others.

"There are still ten months until Spring Festival. Those whose grades meet the standard can enter the second semester.

"There are three ways to meet the standard:

"Those under fifteen years old must reach a potential of 7.70, or improve by more than 0.2 cumulatively;

"Those who have reached fifteen must have a potential above 7.75.

"Those who fail to qualify, fend for yourselves."

Chu Fei listened attentively when he suddenly saw the Whip Holder walk toward the back. Then came the whistle of a whip, the crack of lashes, and... screams.

"Quiet!" Cao Liwen said coldly. "Anyone whose shouting disrupts class will receive ten lashes for every cry. Serious cases will be expelled from the classroom!"

Everyone fell silent as cicadas in winter.

Cao Liwen continued his explanation.

Dawn Academy had been established for more than thirty years. In total, it had provided Wu Yong with three nominal disciples, all three of whom were Fully Awakened; it had trained thirty-four official Awakened for Flying Tiger City, as well as more than two hundred Semi-Awakened.

As for the method of "encouragement," it too was the result of long-term exploration.

It was the simplest, most direct, and most effective method.

For this purpose, Wu Yong had even specially acquired a treatment device—an extremely expensive piece of equipment in the post-apocalyptic world.

Finally, Cao Liwen concluded, "In short, remember this: everything here is for the sake of learning.

"Alright, any questions?"

Chu Fei was the first to raise his hand.

"Speak."

"Teacher, failing to study properly brings punishment. Then what about studying properly?"

"Studying properly is what you ought to do! Knowledge and the future are the greatest rewards.

"Anyone else have questions?"

He called out three times, but no one spoke. Cao Liwen began calling on people to answer questions about what he had just said.

After calling on several students, Cao Liwen nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. Maintain this level of learning efficiency.

"Let me explain what Big Data Cultivation is."

Chu Fei listened carefully, especially when it came to "Abstract Meditation."

At first, one "meditated" upon basic geometric structures to train one's thinking ability.

As one's ability increased, one continuously constructed more complex geometric structures, then developed into matrix structures, introducing mathematical logic and more.

Until "thought" could operate on its own without vanishing, at which point a "Quasi-Hilbert Space Matrix" would take shape.

At that point, the Cosmic Brain and Biological Brain completed their separation.

By then, one's potential could generally reach around 7.8, though the specifics varied from person to person.

Beyond 7.8, there were three further stages: Semi-Awakened, Awakened, and Fully Awakened.

To become a disciple of Principal Wu Yong, one had to become Fully Awakened.

Chu Fei raised his hand again and asked, "What exactly is the difference between the three?"

"Semi-Awakened find it difficult to break through 8.0. In the later stages, their combat strength mainly relies on modifications, Cybernetic Grafting, and so on;

"Ordinary Awakened can barely break through 8.0, but they need all kinds of auxiliary equipment, technology, potions, and other means to pull up seedlings to help them grow. Their potential is almost completely exhausted;

"Fully Awakened require no external assistance. They can break through 8.0 on their own, and their future is vast."

Chu Fei asked again, "Teacher, there are different levels to meditation training methods too, right? Will they affect what comes after 7.8?"

"That question is rather complicated.

"But for you, the first goal is to complete the separation of the Cosmic Brain and Biological Brain and reach 7.8;

"If you cannot break through 7.8, even the best meditation method is meaningless.

"Also, the greatest feature of Big Data Cultivation is that it can be formatted and restarted from the beginning.

"In reality, low-level cultivators cannot possibly construct a perfect foundation. Even if they obtain a perfect framework, their Cosmic Brain's computing power will be too limited to run it.

"So every advancement in Big Data Cultivation is a transformation. It is best to format and start over.

"Of course, in case of danger or other circumstances, you can set it aside temporarily. In any case, it can be formatted."