Two days went by in an instant and Brax has made no progress in his cultivation, but as for understanding Qi energy, he made great strides.
It first started with just simple actions like controlling the Qi energy and channeling it to other parts of the body. He then wondered if he could control the Qi energy around him, and after some practice, he figured it out as well.
With the ability to control Qi energy around his environment, he could move objects with his will, giving him telekinetic-like abilities, but this drained his energy very fast.
Though useful, he couldn't properly use it in his current state, as he is too weak. He needs to get stronger so that he can use this telekinetic-like ability for a longer amount of time and move heavier objects.
But this was just day one. As he delved deeper into controlling Qi energy, he started to wonder if he could control it at the molecular level or maybe even smaller, maybe the sub-atomic level.
With so many theories running through his mind, he started to experiment with it. He wanted to see if he could gain control of atoms.
Brax put one hundred percent of his attention into controlling the Qi energy, cutting himself off from his surroundings and just focusing on the energy inside and around him.
With the assistance of his sharp mind and strong soul, he started looking for a particular element, Hydrogen.
The most abundant element in the universe. Hydrogen has the simplest molecular structure consisting of two protons and two electrons held together by electrostatic forces.
So with these parameters in mind, he started filtering down every element around him and laser-focused on finding the single one that he was in search of, and it didn't take him long.
He found it. He locked onto a single hydrogen molecule in his surroundings, and though he was excited by his discovery, he controlled himself and started playing with it.
He used his incredible control over Qi energy to split the electrons and protons of the hydrogen molecule and then fused it back together.
Brax became ecstatic. He then thought of something else.
He grabbed another hydrogen molecule from his surroundings and then locked down on a single oxygen molecule.
And now even a middle schooler back from his world would be able to guess what he is up to.
With the help of Qi energy, he combined the two hydrogen molecules with a single oxygen molecule and created a new compound, water. And as this new compound formed, the electrons started lowering their energy and tried to release it. Brax already anticipated this and used Qi energy to dispel the energy created by the formation of the new compound and prevented an explosion that was about to occur.
Brax then opened his eyes with madness in them. He just realized what he just did.
He created a new compound with just his will. He controlled molecules at his whim. This is not just random power, it is the ability to structure the world around him to his liking.
Brax suddenly remembered a character from the comics he used to read when he was little, a man who could control molecules. He was basically a god.
Slowly, it started to seep into Brax's mind. He has the keys to becoming an unstoppable force in the universe, but this will require a lot of energy, as he feels exhausted right now.
Using Qi energy to alter atoms drained him of his energy. "There will be a day when I will be able to alter multiple planes of existence itself." This thought made him feel like a god, and who wouldn't?
Now dead tired, he decides to shut his eyes and continue tomorrow as tomorrow will be the day he will finally start on the path of cultivation.
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Brax wakes up feeling refreshed after a long rest. He looks out the window and by judging the position of the sun; he realizes that he has slept for 14 hours.
The first thing he does after waking up is clean himself up before assuming his place on his bed once again.
Brax is done with looking into other things. He now has the knowledge and understanding of how things work and what needs to be done for it to work better.
"First, I need to get rid of my current cultivation," Brax says and focuses on the Qi energy stored inside his body.
Though the previous Brax spent a year accumulating all this Qi energy with nothing but hard work and dedication, it is not good enough for the current Brax.
The result is mediocre and doesn't give him any advantage over the other cultivators in the same realm.
Brax takes control of the Qi energy stored in his body and starts releasing it just like how humans breathe out carbon dioxide.
Slowly he feels his cultivation drop, from 4th stage to 3rd, 3rd to 2nd, 2nd to 1st, and 1st to no cultivation. Within five minutes, Brax goes from a 4th stage Qi condensing cultivator to a normal mortal.
"I feel so powerless right now," he says as he feels his body no longer containing that superhuman strength he had. He is just surprised by how much of a difference between now and then is.
Right now he feels insignificant, like a worm compared to how he was feeling ten minutes ago, but even when he was in the 4th stage of the Qi condensing realm, he felt insignificant.
Every stage provides a significant power boost.
"Let's get started then," Brax says with a smile and starts breaking down the steps of his very own Qi breathing technique.