As Feng Luoyi said, the goal of their meeting this time was singular, and that was to preserve the life of the Master of Calculation.

This might sound like putting the cart before the horse, making a fuss over trifles, or even an overreach. The matters concerning the Master of Calculation should naturally be handled by the Yangshen Pavilion. Their task, as high-ranking members of the Wanfa Sect and masters of mathematics, should be to study and promote the theory of incompleteness.

However, in this world, within the Modern Immortal Path, "preserving the life of the Master of Calculation" and "promoting the theory of incompleteness" are essentially the same matter.

"Preserving the life of the Master of Calculation" is an undertaking based on the promotion of the theory of incompleteness. And now, the considerable prestige of the Master of Calculation, not to mention his strength, is enough to overwhelm most Carefree Practitioners, already becoming a significant threat to the theory of incompleteness. In order to make the theory widely known, one cannot ignore the attitude of the Master of Calculation.

Of course, there are differing opinions on this issue.

For example, Pang Jialai, the Mathematics Lord, has never been one to care about the bigger picture.

"If you ask me, just publish the paper. I've said long ago that those word games are meaningless. If he insists on dying with those tricks, that's his business." Pang Jialai maintained a bland expression, but his squinted eyes and upturned mouth still betrayed the malice in his heart: "I am unwilling to waste my energy understanding his meaningless research."

"You!" Several Carefree Practitioners from the Genting Sect immediately stood up. The theory of incompleteness had already shaken their Dao Hearts, causing them to lose their former calmness. The outrageous statement of the Mathematics Lord further ignited the anger in their hearts.

Facing the battle intent of the Carefree Practitioners, Pang Jialai snorted lightly, clearly not taking these Carefree Cultivators seriously.

Feng Luoyi extended a hand to restrain the crowd and said to the Mathematics Lord, "Daoist Fellow Pang, if Daoist Fellow Xi lives, the benefits to you might be greater."

"Oh?" The Mathematics Lord raised an eyebrow. Essentially, he never truly considered the Master of Calculation Xi Baiche as a formidable rival. In his mind, whether Xi Baiche lived or died had little to do with him, Pang. If he weren't seen as a representative of the Lian Sect, he wouldn't even bother to argue. His earlier suggestion was largely out of schadenfreude.

Now hearing what Feng Luoyi had to say, that keeping the Master alive would be more advantageous to him, he did show a bit of interest.

"The Immortal Alliance has many projects on the other side of the Immortal Path that either require a grandmaster of mathematics or need pinnacle combat power to oversee, and only a few people in the Immortal Alliance are capable of doing so. Therefore, the Immortal Alliance adopts a rotation system. However, when facing this calamity, the Master of Calculation will most likely leave Shenzhou, take on a position in some part of the Star Sea, and slowly adjust himself," Feng Luoyi said. "At that time, those on duty as Carefree Practitioners will have more free time."

The Modern Law, or Science, is based on collective effort. The Immortal Path allows the Immortal Alliance to have the ability to traverse the Star Sea in advance, but the Immortal Alliance has yet to master the ability to communicate in real-time through the Immortal Path, making interactions quite problematic. Under such a premise, "leaving Shenzhou" is not something desirable for high-order cultivators.

Precisely because of this, the cultivators who remain in Shenzhou and guard the gates of the Immortal Path are mostly younger ones who have not yet encountered the Knowledge Barrier. They are currently at the forefront of Shenzhou.

"There is some truth in that," the Mathematics Lord nodded. "So, this time, what kind of trick has been played? Let me see."

Feng Luoyi sent Wang Qi's paper to Pang Jialai. He knew the Mathematics Lord was a straightforward person. This rascal genuinely treats those inferior in mathematics as monkeys, and naturally would not be someone who cares about the bigger picture. There was no need to get upset with such a madman.

After hurriedly reading Wang Qi's paper, the Mathematics Lord sighed, "Not bad, not bad at all. This trick is rather interesting. It seems I was right after all. That guy Xi Baiche's theory is indeed void and meaningless. Haha, his own theory can deduce this point."

He never believed that mathematics was founded on set theory. He is a believer in the self-sufficient thought of mathematics. In his eyes, set theory is merely a branch of mathematics and not an especially successful one. To him, if set theory collapses, so be it; it has nothing to do with mathematics.

The Master of Calculation may be utterly defeated, but true mathematics still stands there, neither increasing nor decreasing.

For this reason, diehard disciples of the Lian Sect do not consider this "mathematical crisis" a crisis at all.

However, arithmeticians with this mindset are ultimately a minority.

Even the average member of the Lian Sect, when faced with the theory of incompleteness, might show signs of confusion and eventually ignore it.

The wavering of the Wanfa Sect is inevitable.

The Mathematics Lord's blatant disregard made all the Genting Sect's Carefree Practitioners grit their teeth in hatred. However, they were helpless.

The Li Sect has already been utterly defeated, and the mathematical world in the future will undoubtedly belong to the Lian Sect.

Feng Luoyi lightly cleared his throat, "I think everyone probably understands the cause and effect of this matter and knows why we are gathered here."

"I know many of you do not like this new theory, thinking that it desecrates your beliefs. However, I must say, the Dao is such that it does not care for your likes or dislikes. Your favor or aversion holds no significance regarding the Dao."

"Therefore, whether you like it or not, we are about to witness Shenzhou's mathematics turn a new page once again."

Ai Kemeng lowered his voice, "A path filled with gloom."

"I must admit, that incompleteness theorem has also shattered my Dao Heart. I dare not speak recklessly about anything now." Another Carefree Practitioner smiled bitterly, "I even wonder if I'll ever have the chance to emerge from this gloom."

Everyone's confidence had been shaken.

The more elite the arithmetician, the less they could ignore this incompleteness. Lower-level arithmeticians might be exhausted merely by solving a problem or deriving a formula. However, these scholars of mathematics had to confront incompleteness directly and contemplate the essence of mathematics.

Godel's Incompleteness Theorem to arithmeticians was akin to a Taoist discovering that 'the Dao is not natural,' or a monk finding that 'the devil can be a monk.' It was almost a negation of faith.

"Whether it's gloom or thorns, the Dao is free." Feng Luoyi halted the discussion among the crowd: "Although I still do not know what mathematics should do in the future, nevertheless, this paper and its author Wang Qi's achievements are undeniable. It is a historic contribution."

"Now, Wang Qi, please explain your theory and your thoughts to these people. Your ideas, your concepts, whatever they ask, just answer them."

After hearing Feng Luoyi's instruction, Wang Qi stood up and walked to the center of the Carefree Practitioners amidst scattered and weak applause.

The Mathematics Lord said, "Hmm, Wang Qi, I still remember you. It seems you are doing well. Despite going astray before and messing around with Xi Baiche and his ilk. But you are very smart, you have ideas, much stronger than those useless people of Xi Baiche, and you directly saw the contradictions in their theory. You're quite good."

"I dare not accept such praise. Without the efforts of many seniors from the Genting Sect, I would not have comprehended this layer of mathematical reasoning..." Wang Qi was about to be modest, but the Mathematics Lord did not let him continue and instead asked a question, "Let me ask you, according to your theory, if an axiomatic system is consistent, it must be incomplete. In other words, mathematics has lost its proud certainty. Even so, do you still believe in mathematics?"

"Never doubted it."

Wang Qi's answer was resolute and decisive.

His emphatic response made those Carefree Practitioners, whose Dao Hearts were shaken, look at him with renewed interest.

Why can he still be so certain?

Why does he not doubt?

Is his true essence the same as the Mathematics Lord?

"It seems you and I are indeed on the same path." The Mathematics Lord looked at Wang Qi and said solemnly, "I know I am not good at teaching. However, with your talent, you may not need a mentor who constantly guides you. What you truly need is someone who can clear obstacles and save you trouble, especially someone who can guide you through bottlenecks. I am one of the strongest cultivators in Shenzhou and a great master of mathematics. No one in Shenzhou dares to go against me; I can likely resolve any issues you encounter on your cultivation path. If you are willing, you can take me as your master."

Everyone was surprised. Even a few Carefree Practitioners from Li Sect showed a hint of envy. They didn't have the same luck in their early years to be under such a foundational mentor. The Mathematics Lord represented the highest level of mathematics. Even as accomplished Practitioners, they hoped to receive guidance from him.

The expressions on the faces of the many Carefree Practitioners from the Genting Sect became even more complex. They could accept Wang Qi joining Li Sect, but they didn't want Wang Qi to apprentice under the Mathematics Lord. He Wai'er shook his head, glanced at Feng Luoyi. Although Feng Luoyi had never declared Wang Qi as his formal disciple, most Practitioners believed it so. The Mathematics Lord's blatant action seemed almost brazen.

Feng Luoyi sat unmoved, his expression indifferent, seemingly oblivious to Pang Jialai competing with him over a disciple.

Facing the Mathematics Lord's invitation, Wang Qi shook his head: "Senior has overestimated me. Unfortunately, I don't feel that I share the same path as you, so I cannot become your disciple."

The Mathematics Lord, Pang Jialai, raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean? What are your thoughts on my question?"

"We've always used mathematics to depict the Heavenly Dao, and so far, nothing different has been found," Wang Qi said calmly. "For the known parts of mathematics, except Set Theory, my incompleteness theorem doesn't impact anything. For ordinary arithmeticians, whether they know it or not makes no difference."

Pang Jialai paused, then sneered, "I see. Are you planning to play blind and ignore the incompleteness?"

"I know nothing about pretending to be blind. But I do know that ignoring achievements in a field is the greatest arrogance." Wang Qi looked at Pang Jialai and slowly said, "I still do not think that the research methods of the Li Sect are wrong. Perhaps some predecessors of Li Sect took the wrong road. But their efforts have enabled us to have further possibilities."

Pang Jialai sneered, "Just polishing a more beautiful gun?"

Wang Qi shook his head, "I have here another new paper, which I hope the seniors will take a look at."

"I hope this paper can at least prove some significance of incompleteness."

When Pang Jialai remarked about taking Wang Qi as a disciple earlier, Feng Luoyi remained expressionless. But at this moment, he widened his eyes.

This kid... I just told him to prepare a bit, how did he come up with another paper?