As the droplet of Wisdom entered his brain, Chu Fei immediately felt the world become clearer.
The outlines of objects became sharp, details vivid, and contrast greatly enhanced.
He could hear more sounds, with clear layers and accurate spatial positioning.
His thoughts became lightning-fast, joints more agile, and movements more precise.
Despite this heightened state, his mind remained focused; though he heard chaotic noises, they couldn't distract him.
A realization rose in Chu Fei's mind: the "computing power" of his brain had increased!
However, alongside this state came a faint sense of emptiness and longing—
For knowledge.
His mind instantly shifted into learning mode.
Past memories, knowledge from earlier in the day, all flashed through his mind and reassembled.
Much of what he had forgotten resurfaced, and knowledge began forming into a three-dimensional network:
Theorems and theories were derived and cross-validated, while knowledge across math, physics, biology, and more began to interlink.
After about half an hour, he had reviewed everything he knew—but the heightened state still hadn't faded.
Chu Fei understood: he could end this state at will, but any unused Wisdom would be wasted.
"I can't waste it. I must study!"
Time quietly slipped by. The thick mathematics compilation was halfway read. Chu Fei was completely immersed in the sea of knowledge.
Eventually, his thoughts began to slow, and his awareness started to descend.
The world turned hazy again, sounds grew muddled, and his brain dulled.
Rubbing his temples, he glanced at the wall clock—about two hours had passed.
"One droplet of Wisdom grants two hours of heightened cognition."
Looking down at the halfway-read mathematics book, and recalling what he just learned, Chu Fei was stunned:
"In two hours, I covered the same material I'd usually take a whole day—or even a week—to finish.
And not only did I read it, I fully understood and memorized it!
My mind and body are only slightly tired, not overstrained.
The power of Wisdom is far beyond imagination.
But… it takes a full day of diligent study to earn just one droplet of Wisdom."
After a brief moment of thought, Chu Fei looked down at the thick textbook and resumed studying.
Yet, after experiencing the super-learning state, he now felt a strange irritation.
He felt… stupid.
Unable to continue, he got up and went outside to stretch.
Unexpectedly, he ran into Inspector Cao Liwen. Seeing Chu Fei stretching, Cao gave a few tips:
"Stretching isn't just bending your waist.
The essence of Big Data Cultivation is following science, not instinct. You should reference ergonomics and biomechanics.
Come, start with a split."
Two minutes later, Cao Liwen left. Chu Fei felt like his body was falling apart—but he had to admit, it worked.
His Wisdom gauge had increased by 5%!
In less than two minutes of instruction, he'd gained 5% of a Wisdom droplet. That was efficient!
"Indeed, being taught is more effective than self-learning."
Thanks to Cao Liwen's advice, Chu Fei pulled out books on ergonomics and biomechanics to study.
Before he realized it, lights-out time had arrived. During his wash-up, Chu Fei focused on the Wisdom droplet and Wisdom Tree Seed.
The Wisdom Tree Seed hadn't changed, but the droplet had filled up to about 27% again.
"Looks like any kind of knowledge works—even strange ones…"
The night passed quietly.
During morning run, after last time's 'motivation,' Chu Fei pushed himself hard and still came in third place—competition was heating up.
But someone had still fallen behind.
As expected, they got "motivated."
Due to the tight schedule before morning classes, the punished student only had time to take a painkiller—it still hurt, but was bearable.
Following Cao Liwen to class, Chu Fei noticed a "familiar face" near the podium—the same person who stood by the flagpole on the first day of running.
He stood with arms crossed, a whip in hand, his indifferent gaze sweeping over Chu Fei and the others.
Seeing the whip, Chu Fei gulped involuntarily.
Standing on the podium, Cao Liwen shouted, "Sit from front to back, as close to the front as possible."
There were over forty desks, each with a chair, and the desks were neatly arranged with books, papers, and pens.
Chu Fei thought for a moment and sat at the very front.
The desk was about 1.2 meters long, piled with three layers of books.
Most were slightly worn, but very clean.
The drawer also held many notes in various handwriting styles.
A loud bang bang came from the podium as Cao Liwen knocked on the table. Chu Fei looked up to see him coldly say,
"Hurry up! If you're not seated in 60 seconds, I'll assign you a seat myself."
The dawdlers sprang into action. Within 20 seconds, everyone was seated.
A few students sitting too far away adjusted themselves under Cao Liwen's gaze.
Once everyone was seated, Cao Liwen spoke again:
"This is your third day at Dawn Academy. You should have a basic understanding by now.
The specific rules are posted on the wall."
Chu Fei turned his head and saw a list of "Behavior Guidelines" hanging on the wall:
1. Sleeping in: 1 whip per minute
2. Daydreaming in class: 1 whip
3. Sleeping in class: 3 whips
4. Tardiness: 1 whip per minute
5. Grade decline: starts at 1 whip
6. Cheating: starts at 5 whips
…
7. Bottom three in class: 1 whip per day minimum
Looking at those 60 rules, Chu Fei finally understood the meaning of "motivation by whip."
After a while, Cao Liwen continued:
"Studying can change your fate.
Top students can awaken and rise above others.
There are 10 months until Spring Festival.
Those who meet the standards can enter the second semester.
There are three criteria for passing:
Under 15 years old: either potential reaches 7.70 or gains over 0.2 potential
15 years old or older: potential over 7.75
Those who don't meet the standard… you've been warned."
Chu Fei listened intently, when suddenly the "whip handler" walked to the back. Soon, whipping sounds and screams echoed.
"Silence!" Cao Liwen said coldly. "One scream = 10 lashes. Serious offenders will be expelled!"
Everyone instantly fell silent.
Cao Liwen continued lecturing.
Dawn Academy has existed for over 30 years. It produced three registered disciples for Wu Yong—all fully awakened.
It also produced 34 formal Awakeners for Feihu City and over 200 semi-awakened ones.
The whipping method was developed through long-term experience—
Simple, direct, and effective.
Wu Yong even provided a healing device for it—something quite costly in the post-apocalypse.
Cao Liwen concluded,
"Remember, everything here is for the sake of learning.
Alright, any questions?"
Chu Fei raised his hand first.
"Speak."
"Teacher, there's punishment for not studying well—but what about rewards for studying well?"
"Studying well is expected!
Knowledge and your future—those are your greatest rewards.
Anyone else?"
No one replied after three rounds of asking. Cao Liwen began cold-calling students to review what he just explained.
After a few questions, he nodded in satisfaction.
"Good, keep up this pace.
Now let's talk about what Big Data Cultivation actually is."
Chu Fei listened carefully, especially about "Abstract Meditation."
At first, you meditate on basic geometric shapes to train your cognitive abilities.
As your skill improves, you build more complex shapes, then matrix structures, and eventually introduce mathematical logic.
Eventually, when your thoughts run independently and persist—
you form a "quasi-Hilbert space matrix."
At that point, your "cosmic brain" separates from your "biological brain."
Your potential generally reaches around 7.8, though it varies by person.
After reaching 7.8, you can become:
Semi-awakened
(Formally) Awakened
Fully Awakened
To become Principal Wu Yong's disciple, you must be fully awakened.
Chu Fei raised another question:
"What's the difference between the three levels?"
"Semi-awakened can't go beyond 8.0. Their power relies on modifications and implants.
Awakened can barely reach 8.0 with the help of tools, techniques, and drugs—but their potential is nearly exhausted.
Fully Awakened don't need external help to surpass 8.0, and have endless potential."
Chu Fei followed up:
"Are there better and worse meditation techniques? Do they affect what happens after 7.8?"
"That's a complex issue.
For you all, the priority is to separate the cosmic and biological brains—reach 7.8.
If you can't break through 7.8, the best meditation method is meaningless.
Also, the biggest advantage of Big Data Cultivation is that it can be formatted and restarted.
Low-level practitioners can't create perfect foundations.
Even if they do, they can't run it due to limited computing power.
So every advancement is a transformation—it's best to format and start over.
Of course, you can postpone formatting if there's danger.
Either way, restarting is always an option."
(End of Chapter)