"Spiritual Energy is not a gas, nor is it matter, but a flowing absolute energy,"
In the afternoon, after Ren Suo and his companions had finished their meal and taken a nap, they headed to the base auditorium for the "Spiritual Energy Recognition Class."
The one explaining Spiritual Energy to them was not the man in the Black Body Armor, but a video featuring a middle-aged scholar. When he introduced himself, Xie Qiansi beside Ren Suo exclaimed, "Isn't that the youngest academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences?"
"Is he very impressive?" asked Yuan Dang beside her.
"To describe him in one word, he's a national treasure," Xie Qiansi said, "A big shot in applied physics."
The scholar in the video continued, "The so-called absolute energy is a concept that emerged after the appearance of Spiritual Energy, representing that this energy can transform into any other kind of energy without causing other changes. So far, there has been no discovery of any energy that Spiritual Energy cannot transform into. Instead, Spiritual Energy can be transformed into kinetic energy, thermal energy, potential energy, electrical energy, and so on, through certain methods."
"At the same time, Spiritual Energy can be used as a physical substance, such as a Spiritual Energy flame—"
In the video, a man clad in Black Body Armor, his face pixelated, conjured a fireball in his hand.
"As is widely known, a flame is a physical manifestation of the rapid conversion of fuel and air into combustion products in a chemical process, which is both a chemical and physical phenomenon. However, a Cultivator with certain techniques can create a flame without the need for any fuel."
"Moreover, depending on the technique and ability, the energy emitted by the flame, and even the nature of the phenomenon, may slightly differ. We conducted a Spiritual Energy flame test in a sealed room, and after burning for 10 minutes, we discovered that the oxygen concentration in the room remained unchanged."
"It's apparent that the fuel required for a Spiritual Energy flame can be completely independent of the physical world we observe, using the invisible Spiritual Energy for combustion. But this doesn't mean that the Spiritual Energy flame cannot burn other materials; it's simply because the flame is under the 'complete control' of the Cultivator that it behaves this way."
"Once the Cultivator relinquishes control, the Spiritual Energy flame will burn like a regular flame, capable of burning materials and consuming oxygen. Moreover, the Cultivator could always maintain the flame's fuel, allowing it to burn in cold environments, oxygen-less environments, and underwater."
"As an energy source, Spiritual Energy can materialize physical phenomena that we are familiar with, yet it doesn't need the environmental requirements that physical phenomena do," the middle-aged scholar said. "This is absolute energy."
Next, through a few examples, the middle-aged scholar elucidated the terrifying aspects of Spiritual Energy as an energy source: omnipresent and omnipotent. It could be said that if a Cultivator mastered techniques like Fasting, they might be able to survive without food or drink, solely depending on Spiritual Energy.
The second half of the class was about the Qi Cyclone.
"What is a Qi Cyclone? It is essentially the computer host inside the human body," said the middle-aged scholar. "Although it is called a Qi Cyclone, which is the first impression Cultivators have of it, it's actually a special bodily structure that cannot be observed with instruments. Generally, a Qi Cyclone will be located at the lower dantian, which is two inches and four fen below the navel."
"Cultivators can sense the Qi Cyclone themselves, but others cannot observe it. A Qi Cyclone often appears in the form of a rotating vortex, and each rotation can draw in Spiritual Energy, subtly altering the Cultivator's constitution and absorbing Spiritual Energy to store in the body. When a Qi Cyclone is cultivated to a certain extent, it will suddenly expand, and the drawn Spiritual Energy will also increase exponentially. Currently, the domestic classification of Cultivators' levels is tentatively named after the first turn, second turn, and third turn."
"The importance of Qi Cyclones to cultivators is beyond doubt," said the middle-aged scholar, pointing at a computer tower. "According to research, if we compare the human body to a cultivator, then Qi Cyclones have functions similar to the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory storage, and large external storage devices. Qi Cyclones are divided into internal and external cyclones. The internal cyclone is always 'active' spiritual energy, while the external cyclone acts as a transfer station for the body's spiritual energy and the external spiritual energy, and it cannot be used directly."
"All spiritual energy techniques used by cultivators must be processed through the Qi Cyclone. Some spiritual energy techniques use energy stored within the body. If the amount of spiritual energy used is small, then the casting speed can be very fast—because the Qi Cyclone has called upon the 'active spiritual energy' from within the internal cyclone. If the spiritual energy technique requires a larger amount of energy, it then calls upon the external cyclone. If even the external cyclone's energy is insufficient, it must accelerate the absorption of external spiritual energy."
Midway through, the middle-aged scholar suddenly started a pitch:
"The Qi Cyclone will automatically adjust according to the spiritual energy technique used by the cultivator. However, current spiritual energy techniques are still experimental sciences. If cultivators have any discoveries or create new spiritual energy techniques, they can compile and submit them to the Mysterious Country Knowledge Network. Don't worry if the format is incorrect, as the Chinese Academy of Sciences will have someone to review it."
"However, all submissions must be truthful. Cultivation resources are now very precious, so those who submit fraudulent claims will be subject to severe penalties."
"So, what is an easy and relaxed way to obtain one's own Qi Cyclone?" the middle-aged scholar suddenly said with an exaggerated tone, "That, of course, is—"
"to engage in physical exercise and breathing exercises!"
Seeing the middle-aged scholar's smiling face, one could tell that he was very pleased with his clever remark.
"The lower dantian within the human body can now be considered a natural and special location that accommodates the Qi Cyclone. After absorbing spiritual energy through breathing exercises and physical activities, the spiritual energy passes through blood, tissue, and cells, and will ultimately converge at the location of the lower dantian. As long as there is enough spiritual energy and continuous breathing exercises are performed, the flowing spiritual energy will automatically generate a Qi Cyclone."
"When the Qi Cyclone grows large enough to form an active internal cyclone, it will become perceivable to humans. Then, humans can observe the spiritual energy world through the internal cyclone and officially step onto the path of cultivation."
The image behind the middle-aged scholar changed to a human body diagram, with a blue Qi Cyclone at the position of the lower dantian.
"Qi Cyclones are generally invisible physiological structures that appear after the resurgence of spiritual energy and can be obtained by cultivators through training."
"Generally speaking, cultivators following our taught breathing techniques, practicing step by step, will definitely generate a Qi Cyclone within three to thirty days. Qi Cyclones are divided into the formation stage and fixed turn stage. The formation stage cyclone is still difficult to perceive normally, but during breathing exercises, one can clearly feel the fluctuations at the location of the lower dantian, and enjoy the nourishment of the spiritual energy. The formation stage of the cyclone feels as if there is a new heartbeat. When the cyclone forms from nothing, cultivators can sense the fluctuations at the lower dantian."
"The most evident feature is the constant feedback from the spiritual energy during the breathing exercises. Cultivators who have opened their Qi Cyclones can practice intermediate breathing techniques without any obstacle."
"As for the stage of essence transformation, it is when the Qi Cyclone becomes very stable over a certain period of time, and the cultivator can sense the Qi Cyclone at any location, allowing for the practice of spiritual energy breathing exercises anywhere. The cyclones in the formation stage and stage of essence transformation are actually not much different, but only the Qi Cyclones in the stage of essence transformation qualify one as a true member of the cultivator ranks."
Ren Suo was struck by a thought as he listened.
The middle-aged scholar continued, "Then, are there people who obtain Qi Cyclones without training? Yes, there are."
"To date, the cyclone self-generators discovered in our country also possess some form of spiritual energy technique. They did not have it from birth, but directly mastered some spiritual energy technique after the resurgence of spiritual energy, and this spiritual energy technique is rooted in the true form of the cyclone, unable to be fully analyzed and imitated."
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"This group of cyclone self-generators is what we refer to as Supernatural Beings. Their supernatural powers, or Spiritual Energy Techniques, are often much more powerful than the ones we ordinary Cultivators use; they have simpler deployment processes and consume less of their internal Qi Cyclone Spiritual Energy. They can also learn Spiritual Energy Techniques and continue to refine their skills."
"Generally, these unique Spiritual Energy Techniques that cannot be completely replicated, are different for everyone, and are suddenly awakened, we call 'awakening techniques,' and these Supernatural Beings are known as Awakeners. It is still unknown whether Cultivators will later gain awakening techniques, or if Supernatural Beings who already possess awakening techniques will continue to awaken, and how many awakening techniques there are."
"Moreover, Awakeners definitely have Qi Cyclones and can cultivate, but Cultivators need to acquire their own Qi Cyclones, and may not necessarily awaken."
This Spiritual Energy Recognition Class lasted a whole afternoon. If note-taking hadn't been forbidden, perhaps everyone would have hurriedly recorded this knowledge. This was knowledge researched and verified by the nation, completely inaccessible and unknown to ordinary people during this initial period of spiritual awakening.
By the time they were having dinner, everyone seemed to be waking from a dream. Yuan Dang spoke while eating, "That move the deputy director used yesterday, a punch that launched a big fireball, was it an awakening technique or a Spiritual Energy Technique?"
"It should be a Spiritual Energy Technique, right?" Xie Qiansi wasn't too certain either. "In that situation, it's more appropriate to demonstrate a Spiritual Energy Technique that we can learn. After all, 'you can do this too' is more motivational for us to study hard."
"It could also be an awakening technique for the sake of the effect," Zhao Huo said.
Ren Suo asked, "Are you all so certain that the deputy director is an Awakener? Muyi, what do you think?"
Qiao Muyi, who was eating across from them, glanced at Ren Suo and spoke slowly, "If the deputy director is an Awakener, can that make me acquire a Qi Cyclone faster?"
The others were startled, realizing that Qiao Muyi meant they themselves didn't even have Qi Cyclones and were discussing other Cultivators, so they quietly went back to eating.
Only Ren Suo was secretly delighted—he had called her Muyi, and Qiao Muyi had responded! His rapport with Qiao Muyi must be at least above the level of strangers, right?
Good, perhaps he could invite her to sleep in the Small Grove now…?
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"It's starting to get cold..."
In the Tadamia Mountain Range, a group of tourists sitting in an off-road vehicle was looking around. A girl sitting in the back, wearing only a shirt and a jacket, shivered, quickly pulled out a down jacket, and hurriedly put it on.
"We're almost reaching an altitude of 4000 meters," the Federal guide said. "The higher we go, the lower the temperature will get. Everyone, please make sure to keep yourselves warm. Every year, there are people who freeze to death."
"We've now left the forested area of Tadamia. In another 10 hours, we will reach the Gate of Mount Hyjal—Mount Hyjal Base Camp. If anyone feels unwell, please tell me immediately..."
However, the girl suddenly interrupted the Federal person, "That is, from Graes City to the base camp, we can only take the car through the mountain road, right?"
"Of course," the Federal person said. "Graes City is the city closest to the northern slope of Mount Hyjal Peak, and you can take a plane here, and then a car to the Gate of Mount Hyjal. This mountain road is the only route accessible by car, and even the Kamian people living at the foothills of Mount Hyjal travel by car to reach the gate."
"Then...that person is..."
Following the direction the girl pointed, everyone turned to look at the mountainside on their left, and saw a hundred meters away, a figure with blonde, long hair running swiftly through the mountains. Slopes and scattered rocks were no obstacles to her—it was as if she was parkouring.
"A woman?" someone exclaimed in surprise.
It was clear that the blonde's clothes were quite thin. As she moved vigorously, her baggy black clothes in the cold wind highlighted her impressive figure. Those with good eyesight could even see the dust-covered yet still pretty face of the blonde girl.
"Is she in trouble? Is her car broken down? Why is she running uphill..." Before the Federal tour leader could finish his words, he suddenly widened his eyes in horror and exclaimed, "Watch out!"
The blonde girl was seen running up a nearly 75-degree steep mountainside, moving for about a dozen meters before trying to grab the top of the mountainside to pull herself over. However, the rock at the edge suddenly broke off!
The blonde girl, who suddenly lost her balance, was about to roll down the mountain. Everyone in the car naturally cried out in alarm—given the height and the rocky area below, they might have to watch helplessly as the girl fell to her death!
But the blonde girl reacted immediately, kicked off the mountainside, and leapt into the air, reaching out to grab the edge of the mountainside. With a graceful front somersault, she flipped herself onto the top!
Just watching made their hearts skip a beat with excitement!
"Let's drive over to see if she needs help," the girl suggested.
However, within seconds, the blonde girl continued to scale the mountainside and quickly vanished from their sight. Unlike them, who were zigzagging up the mountain road in their vehicle, she was climbing the shortest route directly towards the Gate of Mount Hyjal!
The shivering girl suddenly became excited, pulled out her laptop, and started typing away eagerly.
"You're doing what now?" the person next to her asked curiously. "Writing an article?"
"I'm a media editor in the Mysterious Country. This is an adventure! At an altitude of over 4000 meters, I saw a girl in light clothing doing parkour extreme sports." The girl got more excited, "It would've been great if I had taken a photo just now. But, it's definitely right to write the article first."
"No worries, I have a feeling I will see her again!"
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