“This technology... did you develop it entirely on your own?”
Basian was silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
Jie Ming's heart tightened slightly, then relaxed again.
How to put it? Fortunately, the people before him were genuine top-tier geniuses, so they followed the natural habits of genius minds.
If they had been more ordinary, they might have wondered where the technology came from, and could have accidentally stumbled onto the true origin of the Mustard Seed Contains the Dao True Body Art.
But precisely because they were geniuses, they had the confidence of geniuses. So the first time they saw an unknown technology, their instinct was to assume the person across from them had developed it.
Then Jie Ming felt a bit awkward again—he could hardly tell these three that it came from another world's cultivation system. So he could only smile. “No, I had a lot of help. But this technology is still far from complete, and quite a few problems have emerged.”
After hearing his words, the faces of the three eighth-rank wizards showed no disappointment; instead, they looked even more appreciative.
Savien set down his teacup and said with a smile, “That's not a problem. Unexpected accidents from imperfect technology are simply part of a wizard's daily life. When I developed my space-folding theory back in the day, it took blowing up six laboratories before I succeeded.”
Morna nodded in agreement. “The imperfection of an initial technology doesn't matter. What truly matters is whether the technology can keep developing. The fact that it opens a new path in spatial studies—even if still rough—already surpasses what most wizards can achieve in a lifetime.” Basian even smiled and patted Jie Ming on the shoulder.
“Don't sell yourself short, kid. Mature technology can be learned by anyone, but the one who creates it will always be the first.” Savien looked at Jie Ming seriously as well. “Spatial studies have developed to the point where there are fewer and fewer directions left to explore. Many so-called new achievements are just a few revised formulas added to old theories. But you are different.”
Savien looked at Jie Ming with a serious tone. “The technology you have shown us is blazing an entirely new path.”
When those words landed, several high-ranked wizards nearby who had been quietly paying attention all felt their hearts jolt! Blazing a new path. That kind of evaluation was no longer praise—it was the appraisal of someone who, in the future, would be qualified to establish a school of their own!
They covertly sized up Jie Ming, their minds already racing with ways to build a good relationship with this young wizard.
Among those people, however, one eighth-rank wizard's expression turned ugly for a split second. After careful thought, he finally revealed a look of resolve.
Meanwhile, listening to the praise from the three big names in front of him, Jie Ming also felt embarrassed. He hadn't expected Savien and the others to rate him so highly—even Jie Ming felt it was a bit too high. But judging from Basian and Morna's expressions, they completely agreed with Savien's words.
That also made Jie Ming realize that he had perhaps underestimated the Mustard Seed Contains the Dao True Body Art... or rather, underestimated the true value of “Immortal Arts.” Then he felt even more awkward, because this thing really wasn't developed by him. He could only be considered a student—and not even a very accomplished one!
At that moment, Jie Ming was even somewhat glad that his mastery of the Mustard Seed Contains the Dao True Body Art was incomplete and hadn't reached the final step. Because he was using a puppet, the emotions of his true body wouldn't show on the puppet, so his embarrassment remained hidden.
On the other side, Savien and the other two were seriously thinking about whether there were suitable juniors in their families who could be introduced to this young man.
It wasn't to the point of forcing a marriage. After all, with the talent he had demonstrated, even if his current rank was still low, unless something unexpected happened, he was certain to become a senior eighth-rank wizard in the future.
At that level, their juniors wouldn't even be qualified to marry him. But even if marriage was impossible, what about borrowing his seed?
The group fell silent for a moment, then Basian suddenly smiled and broke the silence: “Speaking of which, since you can blaze a new path, the thing you're planning to submit at this symposium isn't this technology, is it?”
Normally, papers or technologies for the Academic Symposium were reviewed in advance, but Jie Ming, as an additional invited guest, naturally didn't have to submit early for review. But when presenting, he still had to show something that could command the room.
Morna, however, shook her head and rejected his view. “Impossible. Not to mention the technology isn't fully perfected yet—no one easily reveals a trump card of that level. I'd guess it's the Self-Stabilizing Field Regulation Protocol you two have been refining together recently.”
“With that old thing Savien's skill, he should have developed quite a few new variants during this time, plus some fresh application results. That should be more than enough to carry the show.”
Jie Ming snapped back to attention at their words and gently set down his teacup. “Lady Morna is right. It is related to the Self-Stabilizing Field Regulation Protocol. But...”
The three people's eyes landed on him again. “But what I want to present is not a variant or application result of the Self-Stabilizing Field Regulation Protocol. It's the next stage.”
“More precisely, it's an advanced evolution of the Self-Stabilizing Field Regulation Protocol.”
Hearing this, Basian raised an eyebrow, and Savien slowly set back the teacup he had already lifted. He gazed quietly at Jie Ming, the anticipation in his eyes even stronger than before.
All three understood the difference. A variant meant adding functions to the original framework. An advanced evolution meant the entire technological system had made a leap!
They had originally thought it was already astonishing enough for the young man before them to produce a spatial overlap technology capable of opening a new branch.
Now he was telling them that even the Self-Stabilizing Field Regulation Protocol Savien had praised so highly could continue to improve under his hands. For a moment, the three even felt as if they were witnessing history.
Somehow, what they were seeing now seemed only the tip of the iceberg of this young wizard's abilities. Basian was silent for a long while, then finally let out a slow breath and looked at Jie Ming seriously. “To be honest, I'm starting to look forward to this Academic Symposium.”
Morna covered her mouth with a light laugh. “I'm a little eager too. It seems the greatest surprise of this symposium may not come from old-timers like us.”
Savien, in particular, made no effort to hide the smile in his eyes. “I can't wait to see the expressions on those old-timers of the review committee when the time comes.”