The Sixteenth Power of the Metal-Extinguishing Sword's Prototype

Hearing Zhang Junsheng's words, Jiang Ding was speechless.

True, the world of Void Refining experts was still far beyond him. One expert's twilight years would be enough for a lower-level cultivator like him to live through dozens of reincarnations.

"Forget it. Let's get back to business."

"Didn't you say you were pretty far down the list for a chance at Spirit Transformation? Let's set aside expanding the Immortal Sect's overall pool of resources for now. That's too distant. Let's think about you first: earn more Spirit Transformation merit and move up the rankings, just like Senior Sun Slayer."

Jiang Ding got straight to the point. "Would you like to publish a paper? One that could earn Spirit Transformation merit. I'd have to be the first author, though."

It had not been verified, but Jiang Ding was fairly confident that his earlier flash of inspiration—the prototype of the prototype of the prototype... of the true immortal art's Metal-Extinguishing Sword—had considerable value.

Yes, publishing a paper could earn merit too, provided the research was among the very best.

That was why Divine Mechanism Heavenly Lord, Yuan, Vast Sea Heavenly Lord, Hua Lingling the panda, and the other Heavenly Lords had been working so diligently of late.

They could hardly spend their time, energy, and vast quantities of precious materials on experiments that benefited the entire Immortal Sect, only to end up working for nothing.

Of course, the Spirit Transformation Heavenly Lords included people of lofty morals who gave selflessly.

But that was their personal virtue. Society could not refuse to pay people just because they were virtuous. Its system of rewards and penalties had to be orderly and explicit.

"A paper that earns Spirit Transformation merit?"

"You're dreaming."

Zhang Junsheng paused, then shook his head. Far from excited, he sounded faintly dismissive.