Chapter 33: The Institute of Extraordinary Studies, Chinese Academy of Sciences

[Institute of Extraordinary Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, abbreviated as the Institute of Extraordinary Research (IER), is the largest national center for the study of supernatural systems. It comprises thirty-six research departments covering disciplines such as cultivation methods, talisman studies, and alchemy.]

[Since its establishment at the end of the 20th century, the IER has adhered to the "Three New" principle: new ideas, new requirements, and new designs. It insists on integrating traditional cultivation models with modern scientific systems, constructing a supernatural application model and talent training system with contemporary characteristics, actively promoting the modernization and intelligent transformation of China’s supernatural field.]

[Currently, the IER has established a theoretical framework centered on spiritual energy studies, deciphering the operational principles of 107 supernatural techniques. Based on this, it has developed multiple applied achievements such as spirit-dispelling bullets, artificial spirit aggregators, and celestial communication technology, achieving a conversion rate of 72%.]

[In the future, the IER will further strengthen cooperation with sister organizations such as the Sanitation Bureau, the Tianji Institute, and the Kunlun Academy, continuously deepening key disciplinary reforms, striving tirelessly to build a new-era supernatural system.]

“…Um, wasn’t I supposed to be here for historical research? Doesn’t this style seem a bit off?”

In the office, Qin Jiajia set down the introductory document in her hand and cautiously voiced her doubt.

After the Yiyuan Power Plant incident, the investigation led by Zhou Qing was handed over to higher-level leadership. Ordinarily, Qin Jiajia should have been assigned to other duties within her original department.

However, considering that the Peach Blossom Spring faction had not yet been eliminated and she had direct contact with its members, staying in the bureau posed a risk of being entangled further. Thus, during the Peach Blossom Spring investigation, Li Yulan made an exception and temporarily transferred her to the IER—a fellow supernatural institution—to complete her initial training phase while maintaining contact with Zhou Qing.

Qin Jiajia had no objection to this decision. She had witnessed firsthand the clashes between cultivators; the memory still sent chills down her spine. Even though Zhou Qing’s lingering True Fire could protect her, she still needed a period of recovery.

Before arriving at the IER, she was told she would continue her research on supernatural history here, but the institute’s introduction she’d just received didn’t seem related to history at all.

“Social sciences are sciences too. And in the supernatural context, history isn’t just the kind you study in school,” said a man in a white lab coat sitting beside her.

“You should know that major existing sects have their own sect histories, but these are usually kept confidential.”

“That’s because these records don’t merely describe historical events; they also cover intersections with the mundane world, cultivation methods that appeared in history, and corresponding lineages—that’s the true focus of our research.”

His tone was calm yet formidable. Qin Jiajia quietly nodded, feeling her doubts begin to clear.

Back when she worked at the Sanitation Bureau, she had often heard the name of the IER.

Though nominally a research institution, its power and influence were astonishing; a single order could mobilize resources across half a city to serve its research.

She had initially wondered about the source of such authority, but after learning about the institute’s research scope, she understood its position was well-deserved.

If China’s supernatural system were a tree, then the Sanitation Bureau would be the leaves sheltering from the wind and rain, while the IER was the roots and foundation—the unshakable pillar.

Nonetheless, her current status was only that of a seconded staff member; she estimated she would stay at the institute for only a few months at most. She did not expect to access any core research and was prepared to take on whatever tasks were assigned.

“So, what’s next?” she asked the man in the white coat.

According to his badge, he was a first-level researcher at the institute and effectively her temporary supervisor during the secondment.

Compared to the Sanitation Bureau, the IER’s management was clearly more flat and relaxed; when she spoke to this supervisor, their manner was more like senior and junior classmates than strict superior and subordinate.

“That is indeed an issue.”

The man turned to his computer and opened a list on the desktop. “There are a few projects underway, but all have been running for some time now, so it might be hard for a newcomer to jump in midstream... Hey! Got it!”

Suddenly, as if he had caught something, he looked at Qin Jiajia and said, “We happen to have a project in cooperation with the Sanitation Bureau. The previous researcher had an accident during fieldwork and is now hospitalized. Some peripheral tasks have been left undone. Since you came from the Sanitation Bureau, why don’t you see if you’re familiar with this project?”

“What project?” Qin Jiajia felt an inexplicable unease.

“The field survey of the Baiyun Mountain Ji Clan sect ruins. The report mentions an ancient cultivator named ‘Zhou Fan.’ Are you familiar with this?”

“...” Qin Jiajia felt a slight twitch in her cheek.

Since entering the supernatural field, she had had a strange feeling as if that man’s shadow followed her everywhere—either causing trouble or trouble finding him. She almost suspected the entire cultivation world revolved around him.

“Well... I guess I know a little.”

“That’s good. I’ll send you the current investigation materials. Take a look first. If you’re interested in Zhou Fan, you can then contact the project leader over there...”

Suddenly, the office door was kicked open. A female researcher, also in a white coat, rushed in hastily, her eyes sharp and alert as if a tiger had come down from the mountain.

“Work has arrived! Work has arrived! Anyone free?”

“Cheng Xiaomeng... about to be promoted to director. Can we be a bit more stable?” the supervisor sighed, rubbing his forehead helplessly.

“We do have someone, but she’s a newcomer just seconded in. I was just about to assign her the Baiyun Mountain Zhou Fan project...”

“Forget that Zhou Fan nonsense! This new project is a heavyweight!” Cheng Xiaomeng turned to Qin Jiajia. “It’s you, right? Being new doesn’t matter. This project isn’t very technical—just a bit of historical background is enough. Do you have time now? Come to the meeting directly.”

“Uh...” Qin Jiajia blinked and whispered, “Actually, I’m more interested in the Zhou Fan case...”

Cheng Xiaomeng paused, then glanced at the white-coated man. “Teacher, are you spinning tales again? Convincing the newbie to do menial tasks?”

“I’m not,” he said. “Newcomers need to familiarize themselves with procedures; doing small tasks is appropriate.”

“But you can’t just assign her leftover projects!” Cheng Xiaomeng raised her voice. “That so-called research on a nobody rogue cultivator has already been thoroughly investigated by the Sanitation Bureau. Sending someone there again is just busywork!”

“Well...” Qin Jiajia tried to interject, “He might not be just some unknown rogue cultivator...”

“Oh, who cares if he’s famous or not? Compared to my project, that’s nothing,” Cheng Xiaomeng grabbed her arm. “Come listen to this first, and you’ll understand.”

Thus, Qin Jiajia was somewhat bewilderedly led to the institute’s comprehensive laboratory. Alongside several senior researchers, she listened to a brief introduction before donning protective gear and entering a room labeled “Restoration Workshop.”

True to its name, the room was dedicated to restoring unearthed artifacts. The interior maintained a constant temperature and humidity in a sterile environment. Considering the IER’s scope, it included a supernatural work zone equipped with special spiritual energy regulation devices, capable of adjusting from ten times the ambient spiritual energy concentration to a 99% spiritless environment.

At that moment, the room was filled with dozens of artifacts—painted scrolls, jars, and various items, each different in type. Damp soil stains indicated they had been recently excavated.

“These artifacts were just transported from Guanzhong. It took great effort to intercept them from the Cultural Relics Bureau.”

“According to the bureau, they were unearthed at the center of the Guanzhong Eighteen Tombs, surrounded by imperial-level constructions. Our experts believe these may contain clues about communications between the Li Tang royal family and the cultivation world of that era.”

“More importantly...” the speaker’s voice dropped, “Among these relics, we found items related to ‘Yuan Tiangang.’ If valuable historical material is uncovered, it may be considered for joint awards. We must treat this with utmost seriousness.”

The weight of these words echoed through the room. The researchers whispered among themselves, and Qin Jiajia couldn’t help but straighten up.

Although her heart leaned toward “Zhou Fan,” her reason forced her to admit that this project was on a whole other level.

The Tang Dynasty alone was enough to gild these ancient artifacts with a golden aura.

The rise and fall of the mundane world were closely linked to shifts in the cultivation realm. The dynasty named Tang was a pinnacle over five thousand years of history; from a supernatural perspective, the forces behind it were surely colossal beyond imagination.

As for “Yuan Tiangang,” though she did not know the details, she recalled he was a famous Tang-era diviner whose name appeared in the Old Book of Tang and numerous official histories.

If such a figure was connected to the supernatural, he was undoubtedly someone who had a profound impact on the mundane world. Compared to him, the obscure “Zhou Fan,” never mentioned in mundane historical records, seemed less significant in terms of research value.

Since that was the case, she could only accept the arrangement, first investigate the current Tang artifacts, then return to explore “Zhou Fan” afterward.

She gathered her thoughts and scanned the room, finally fixing her gaze on a water tank filled with protective fluid.

Inside the tank was an ancient painting depicting a figure standing beneath the moonlight—a profile clad in red and white robes, long hair tied up. The artist’s rendering gave the figure an ethereal quality, as if ready to transcend mortal bounds.

Qin Jiajia stared intently at the painting, her gaze gradually hardening.

The person in the painting... somehow looked a bit like Zhou Qing?