Xichuan City, Psionic Research Institute branch.
"Come, Changqing."
Kang Tianchen walked ahead, leading Li Changqing deeper into the Research Institute.
Li Changqing surveyed the surroundings. The painted walls were exceptionally mottled, and the corners had yellowed.
Even the hanging lamps overhead were dim, as if they had fallen into disrepair long ago.
"Coach, this place is so old. Does no one maintain it? It feels nothing like the Rong City Research Institute we visited."
Hearing Li Changqing's question, Kang Tianchen helplessly pressed a hand to his forehead.
"It's not that no one maintains it. It's that there's no money for maintenance."
"The Research Institute lacks money too?" Li Changqing did not believe it at all. How could a place dealing with Psionic Energy possibly lack money?
"The Research Institute itself doesn't lack money. Every piece of Psionic Energy equipment developed brings in considerable profits, but..." Kang Tianchen spread his hands.
"The department responsible for researching Old Technique lacks money."
"Over the years, Psionic Energy research has flourished. But after martial arts gradually matured fifty years ago, Old Technique has been going downhill ever since. At first, many researchers believed Old Technique was a path that stood shoulder to shoulder with Psionic Energy. But the more they researched it, the less they found, until it completely became Psionic Energy's appendage."
Kang Tianchen shook his head, seemingly recalling his days as a researcher.
"Otherwise, why do you think I left the Research Institute?"
"Other than that stone stele suspected to have been personally inscribed by Lü Dongbin, we never discovered anything else of value."
As they spoke, Kang Tianchen brought Li Changqing before a laboratory.
He pushed open the door.
"Old Zhang! Old Zhang!"
The enormous laboratory was rather empty. Only two or three machines were still operating. At a glance, Li