188: Chapter 188 Thesis Plagiarism Scandal

Under the continuous bombardment of "Electromagnetic Cannons" and "Pink Mushroom Clouds," the academic atmosphere of the Heavenly River Sword Sect had reached a hair-raising level of competitiveness.

Nowadays in the Sect, greetings were no longer "Senior Brother, have you eaten?" but rather, "Senior Brother, has your SCI (Heavenly River Sword Sect Core Journal) paper been published?"

Every day, the notice board outside the Scripture Pavilion was surrounded by red-eyed Disciples. What were they looking at? They were looking at the latest "Credit Exchange List."

【First-Class Merit (Publishing an S-rank paper): Exchange for an "Electromagnetic Sword Casket (High-End Version)" or a "Set of Artistic Explosion Pills."】

【Second-Class Merit (Publishing an A-rank paper): Exchange for "Top-Grade Industrial Rejuvenation Pills (Sold by the Pound)."】

【Third-Class Merit...】

Under the temptation of such immense benefits, the weaknesses of human nature began to be exposed.

Not everyone was a martial arts fanatic like Ye Guyun, nor was everyone a technical geek like Zhang Yuan, let alone a natural chemical demon like Liu Qingqing.

The vast majority of Disciples were actually just ordinary "cultivation slackers."

Making them calculate calculus? That was more painful than killing them.

Making them memorize the periodic table? They would rather go to the back mountain and fight hand-to-hand with a third-rank Yao Beast.

However, the credits were just too enticing.

For the sake of credits and to avoid being left behind by the times, some "crooked paths" began to sprout.

...

Scripture Pavilion, Second Floor Review Room.

Li Mo sat behind a massive Lightning-Struck Wood desk, which was piled high with mountain-like scrolls of research papers.

His expression was a bit dark.

“Squeak. (Boss, why has the quality of this batch of leavings suddenly dropped?)”

The Treasure-Seeking Rat, Squeak, wearing a pair of tiny glasses, was helping Li Mo with the preliminary review. It slammed a scroll onto the ground, its whiskers trembling with rage.

“Look at this one, 'On Energy Loss When Boiling Water with Fireball Spells.' It's full of nonsense! The conclusion is actually 'suggest drinking cold water directly'?”

“And this one, 'Aerodynamic Analysis of Hairstyle Maintenance During Sword Flight.' He wrote five thousand words just to promote his self-made styling gel at the end?”

Li Mo rubbed his temples and sighed.

“When the forest is large, there are all kinds of birds.”

“A few days ago was the peak period for elites; now we've entered the mass-padding phase.”

He casually picked up a scroll that looked quite substantial.

The cover of this paper was very exquisite and even sprayed with perfume.

The title was written grandly: 《Postpartum Care and Psychological Reconstruction of High-Level Spirit Beasts Based on the Principles of the Five Elements' Mutual Generation and Overcoming》.

Author: Outer Sect Disciple, Fatty Pig Intestine.

“Oh?”

Li Mo raised an eyebrow.

“Veterinary medicine? This is a good angle. The biology group happens to be lacking data on Spirit Beast breeding.”

“If the problem of low birth rates for Spirit Beasts can be solved, those undercover agents from the Beast Taming Sect should be very happy.”

With a hint of expectation, Li Mo unfurled the scroll.

“Abstract: Spirit Beast breeding is a major plan for the Sect. After giving birth, the mother beast is physically weak and her spiritual energy is dissipated, requiring scientific care...”

The opening was standard, and the writing style was even somewhat experienced.

Li Mo nodded and continued reading.

“Main Text Chapter One: Feed Ratio.”

“After giving birth, the mother beast's stomach is weak. It is recommended to grind 'Spiritual Grain' into powder, mix it with warm water, and stir it into a paste. Remember, the water temperature must not exceed 40 degrees, otherwise, it will scald the mother beast's mouth...”

Li Mo frowned.

Why did this passage look a bit familiar?

It seemed like... the method for raising pigs in the mortal world?

However, considering that Spirit Beasts and livestock might have similarities in physiological structure, Li Mo endured it and continued reading.

“Chapter Two: Optimization of the Living Environment.”

“The delivery room must be kept dry and ventilated. The ground should be covered with dry straw no less than three inches thick. Manure must be cleaned regularly to prevent bacteria from breeding...”

This was also okay; although a bit crude, it met hygiene standards.

Until Li Mo saw Chapter Three.

“Chapter Three: Postpartum Psychological Counseling.”

“Mother beasts are prone to postpartum depression. Caretakers should spend more time with them and stroke their backs often. Especially for sows... ahem, for high-level Spirit Beasts, it is even more important to...”

Li Mo's gaze instantly froze on that word.

Sows.

Although the Author was very cunning and replaced most of the subsequent instances of "sows" with high-end terms like "high-level Spirit Beasts," "Fire Cloud Lions," "Heaven-Swallowing Pythons," and so on.

But clearly, there was a slip-up in his meticulous plan.

In Chapter Three, line fifteen, the 48th character.

That glaring word "sow," like a mocking smiley face, lay quietly on the paper.

“Good grief.”

Li Mo laughed out of anger.

He immediately activated the System's 【Great Reader】 search function.

This was not just a reading System, but a super database containing the library of the Myriad Realms.

“System, search for the source of this paper.”

【Searching...】

【Comparison complete.】

【Plagiarism Rate: 98.7%.】

【Original Source: Mortal World Agricultural Science Popularization Reading — 《Postpartum Care for Sows (10th Edition)》. Author: Zhao Dana.】

“I knew it.”

Li Mo closed the scroll and let out a cold snort.

How was this a research paper?

This was clearly just "Ctrl+C" plus "Ctrl+V," then using "Find and Replace" to change "pig" to "beast."

The most ridiculous thing was that this kid even dared to copy operations like "feeding bran" and "cleaning the pen" onto Spirit Beasts.

You dare to feed bran to a Fire Cloud Lion?

Believe it or not, it would eat you as if you were the bran in one bite!

“Fatty Pig Intestine, is it?”

Li Mo's fingers lightly tapped on the desk.

“Trying to cheat for credits? Trying to get something for nothing?”

“It seems it's time to give these opportunistic fellows a vivid lesson on 'Academic Integrity.'”

...

Half an hour later.

In front of the huge light screen used to announce results at the Heavenly River Sword Sect square.

Fatty Pig Intestine was squeezing through the crowd, his heart pounding wildly.

He was just an Outer Sect Disciple with mediocre Aptitude, but he had a quick mind. A few days ago, he went down the mountain to visit relatives and found a copy of 《Sow Care》 in the village latrine.

After returning to the mountain, seeing everyone struggling to write papers, he had a sudden inspiration:

“Spirit Beasts in the Cultivation World are beasts, and pigs in the mortal world are also beasts. The Great Dao is simple; different paths lead to the same destination!”

So, he stayed up all night and performed a "great adaptation."

“As long as I can scrape a 'pass' and get 10 credits, I can exchange for a bottle of 'Industrial Rejuvenation Pills'!”

Fatty Pig Intestine prayed secretly.

Just then.

The light screen suddenly flickered.

The originally scrolling ranking list disappeared.

In its place was a huge, bright red, still-bleeding... warning sign.

【Serious Violation Notice】

The entire square instantly fell silent.

Everyone was startled, thinking another workshop had exploded or the Blazing Fire Sect was attacking again.

But then, rows of large characters appeared on the light screen, accompanied by Li Mo's cold and majestic voice, processed through an amplification Formation:

“Academics are sacred.”

“We can tolerate stupidity, we can tolerate failure, and we can even tolerate explosions.”

“But we can never tolerate—plagiarism.”

“Outer Sect Disciple, Fatty Pig Intestine.”

Fatty Pig Intestine, upon hearing his name, stiffened all over, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back.

The surrounding Disciples scattered, leaving the shivering fat man in the middle.

“Step forward.”

Li Mo's voice sounded like a judgment.

Fatty Pig Intestine's legs went weak, and he practically crawled to the base of the high platform.

“Old... Old Ancestor... This Disciple is here.”

Li Mo stood on the high platform, holding that "fragrant" scroll in his hand.

“Fatty Pig Intestine, your paper 'Postpartum Care of High-Level Spirit Beasts Based on the Principles of the Five Elements' Mutual Generation and Overcoming' is quite well-written.”

Fatty Pig Intestine swallowed hard, still hoping for a lucky break: “Thank... thank you for the praise, Old Ancestor... this Disciple also put his heart and soul into it...”

“Heart and soul?”

Li Mo smiled.

“Then explain this passage: 'If the mother beast has insufficient milk after giving birth, she can be fed soybeans to stimulate milk production, and manual breast massage is required; the intensity must be moderate to prevent the sow... oh no, the mother beast from kicking people.'”

“I'd like to ask student Fatty Pig Intestine.”

“Which Fire Cloud Lion have you massaged?”

“Do you know that the body temperature of a Fire Cloud Lion is 800 degrees? Are your hands made of tungsten steel?”

“Also, do you really think a dignified third-rank Yao Beast would eat soybeans?”

Roar—!!!

The crowd below erupted into a burst of loud laughter.

“Hahaha! Massaging a Fire Cloud Lion? Is this fat guy tired of living?”

“And feeding it soybeans? What the hell, soybeans! Fire Cloud Lions eat meat, okay!”

“This paper is just too ridiculous!”

Fatty Pig Intestine's face turned the color of pig liver, but he was still trying to argue forcefully:

“Old Ancestor! This... this is the method of analogy! It's theoretical deduction! Although I haven't massaged one, the logic is sound!”

“The logic is sound?”

Li Mo's gaze turned cold.

“Stubborn and incorrigible.”

He extended a finger and pointed into the void.

【authority dog Skill Activated: Eye of Truth · Plagiarism Tagging.】

“Buzz—”

A piercing red light descended from the sky, accurately enveloping Fatty Pig Intestine's body.

Then, under the shocked gazes of everyone.

Above Fatty Pig Intestine's head, several huge, glowing, and completely unhideable blood-red characters slowly emerged:

【Plagiarism Rate: 98.7%】

【Original Source: 《Postpartum Care for Sows》】

【Judgment: Due to clumsy plagiarism techniques and failing to even clean up the text, the punishment is increased by one level.】

These words were like a neon sign, hovering three feet above Fatty Pig Intestine's head and moving with him. He moved left, the words moved left; he squatted, the words squatted too.

No matter how he tried to cover it, the words "Sow Care" blinded the eyes of the entire Sect.

“This... what kind of Divine Ability is this?”

“Directly revealing the truth? It can even show which book was copied?”

“Too terrifying! Has the Old Ancestor read all the books in the world?”

“《Sow Care》... Pfft, hahaha, I can't take it, Junior Brother Zhu, you are a genius!”

At this moment, Fatty Pig Intestine experienced the most tragic social death of his life.

He covered his face in despair, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

This was more painful than killing him!

How could he ever show his face in the Heavenly River Sword Sect again? Every time people saw him, they would think of sows!

“Fatty Pig Intestine.”

Li Mo put away his smile and announced solemnly:

“In view of your deception and attempt to insult the intelligence of all the Disciples in the Sect.”

“The following punishments are hereby made:”

“First, all existing credits are deducted, and an additional 100 points are docked.”

“Second, since you have such insight into 'care,' then go and put it into practice.”

“Starting today, you are punished to go to the Spirit Beast Garden and be responsible for cleaning up the... manure of all high-level Spirit Beasts.”

“Duration: Three months.”

“If you don't serve the Spirit Beasts comfortably, don't come back.”

“Third, the 'Plagiarism Tag' above your head will remain for three days. As a warning, let everyone see that this is the consequence of plagiarism.”

“Take him away!”

Two law enforcement Disciples wearing insulation suits stepped forward, grabbed the now-limp Fatty Pig Intestine from both sides, and dragged him toward the Spirit Beast Garden.

Accompanied by Fatty Pig Intestine's shrill cries: “Old Ancestor! I was wrong! I'll never copy about pigs again!!”

...

After dealing with Fatty Pig Intestine, Li Mo turned around and looked at the Disciples below, who were as quiet as cicadas in winter.

Quite a few of them were quietly hiding the papers they had prepared behind their backs.

Clearly, Fatty Pig Intestine was not an isolated case.

“I know you want to take shortcuts.”

Li Mo's voice softened a bit, but it was still powerful.

“But there are no shortcuts in science.”

“You can write poorly, you can have flawed logic, and you can even blow up the laboratory like Liu Qingqing.”

“That is exploration, that is trial and error. I allow it, even encourage it.”

“But if it is plagiarism or forging data, that is a desecration of the truth.”

“From today on, the Tianhe Academic System launches the **【Heavenly Dao Plagiarism Detection Mechanism】**.”

“Any submitted paper will be automatically compared with the libraries of the Myriad Realms.”

“Those with a plagiarism rate exceeding 20% will be rejected directly.”

“For those exceeding 50%, Fatty Pig Intestine is the example.”

“Do you understand?”

“WE UNDERSTAND!!!”

Three thousand Disciples shouted in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

No joke, who would want to run around the Sect naked for three days with a "Plagiarism Dog" neon sign? That's too much of a social death!

...

Scripture Pavilion, Top Floor.

Li Mo returned to his seat and looked at the pile of papers; his mood had actually improved quite a bit.

Although a Fatty Pig Intestine had appeared, it also served as a warning to others and purified the academic atmosphere.

Just then, a System notification sounded.

【Successfully rectified academic misconduct in the Sect.】

【Established the rule that "Truth cannot be deceived."】

【Congratulations Host, extracted special rule entry: 【True Vision】.】

【Entry Name: True Vision (Elementary)】

【Grade: Purple】

【Description: In this Cultivation World full of lies and illusions, you possess eyes that see through to the essence.】

【Effect 1: Distinguish Truth from Falsehood. Any illusion, disguise, or camouflage is ineffective in your eyes. You can directly see the true form of things (for example, seeing through a female demon's painted skin, or seeing through a male cultivator's height-increasing insoles).】

【Effect 2: Data Correction. When you read books or observe things, the System will automatically mark logical errors and false information within them (highlighted).】

“Good stuff.”

A purple light flashed in Li Mo's eyes.

This entry, combined with 【authority dog】, was simply an invincible means of investigation.

“Squeak? (Boss, what should we do with this 'Sow Care' paper?)”

Squeak pointed at the discarded scroll on the floor.

“Burn it.”

Li Mo waved his hand.

“However...”

He suddenly thought of something and rubbed his chin.

“That Fatty Pig Intestine, although his character is questionable, his idea of 'postpartum depression in Spirit Beasts' is actually quite interesting.”

“Spirit Beasts have feelings too.”

“If we can solve the psychological problems of Spirit Beasts, would we be able to... increase their combat power?”

“Or, simply start a class for Spirit Beasts too?”

“Let them also learn the principle of 'natural selection'?”

Li Mo's gaze turned toward the Spirit Beast Garden outside the window.

There, several cranes were boredly pecking at their feathers, and a Fire Cloud Lion was staring blankly at the sky.

“Since they're idle anyway.”

“Rather than letting them defecate everywhere, why not... let them get competitive too.”

Li Mo picked up a pen and wrote a new line on the plan:

【Next Phase Plan: Heavenly River Sword Sect Affiliated · First Spirit Beast Experimental Elementary School】

【Enrollment Targets: All Yao Beasts, pets, and mounts in the Sect that have developed intelligence.】

【Compulsory Courses: ideology and morality, 《Obeying Orders and Commands》, 《How to Be a Civilized Yao》.】

“Since the people have started learning science, how can the dogs fall behind?”

A wicked smile played on the corners of Li Mo's mouth.

It seemed that the good days for that Big Yellow Dog at the gate were also coming to an end.