The Relationship Between History and Psionics

I swear to my most admired Instructor Li, Yu Lian really didn't like this psionics thing.

Yu Lian believed there were three main culprits responsible for completely derailing the technological trees of all known civilizations in the galaxy, and even the universe. One of them was so-called psionics. Of course, some called it Primal Energy, others The Force, and some psionics, but it was roughly the same kind of thing.

A more "scientific" explanation described it as an unfathomably profound and mysterious energy factor that permeated every corner of the universe yet couldn't be detected by any instrument. Lifeforms with talent could utilize its existence to strengthen themselves, communicate with their Spiritual Sense, tear apart mountains and rivers, and traverse the galaxy, much like the omnipotent Deities of classical legends.

Because of the existence of these superhumans, the state of civilization across the universe had become rather mystical. Fatalism, animism, and even bloodline theories became widespread. It was not materialistic at all, not scientific at all, not logical at all, and not progressive at all.

After all, individuals who could smash interstellar warships with their bare hands truly existed in this world! Everyone's confusion was understandable.

When Yu Lian first transmigrated in his previous life, he thought he had arrived in a future interstellar era and might become an "illiterate primitive." He experienced a significant cultural shock for a time, but he soon realized it wasn't like that at all.

Before the 15th century, Earth's history was the same as he knew it, but afterward, change occurred with the arrival of visitors from beyond the stars.

When the exploration ships of the Empire and the Alliance arrived in the Solar System at almost the same time, they were both delighted to discover individuals almost identical to themselves in a corner of the galaxy. They descended upon the remote Blue Planet in the Third Arm of the Galaxy in a manner that was nearly ecstatic and certainly rough.

That era was truly wonderful! Discovering "kin" in the vast Sea of Stars was simply the masterful work of the Spirit of the Universe. The Empire's Star Observers and the Alliance's Academicians of the Academy of Sciences lingered in the Forbidden City and the Holy Palace, marveling at the primitive yet brilliant civilization; the Astral Knights and Bracers raised their cups and sang under the gaze of the Sphinx and the Leshan Giant Buddha, and they even invited the Earthlings who knelt before them to join their feast.

The Earthlings, who were just preparing to enter the Age of Discovery, hadn't even had time to explore their own planet before they were led down an irreversible path where their technological and civilizational trees were completely skewed.

And then, the subsequent historical progression that Yu Lian was familiar with ceased to exist.

Yes, although this was also "Earth," it was not Yu Lian's hometown.

Yu Lian, from the Materialist Earth World, was furious. For a time, he felt that the so-called psionics were the culprits behind the complete disappearance of the history and beliefs he knew! He felt that everyone in the galaxy except himself were incorrigible Idealist Fools.

Wasn't the scientific worldview, with its rigorous logic and clear reasoning, more appealing? Psionics, and the so-called "Star Ring in the Spiritual Universe," didn't they both sound like pure metaphysics?

I, Yu Lian, a fine young man educated for twenty years in a materialistic worldview, would never become an Idealist Fool, even if I were to be killed by a psionic ripple or die in a Black Hole!

Perhaps this internal conflict caused his mind to be more fractured than that of an ordinary person, and in this muddled state, he activated his Star Ring.

And then, it was truly delicious...

Yu Lian quickly comforted himself, saying that "materialism" meant that existence itself was reasonable. The reason it couldn't be classified with rigorous scientific models was simply that the scientific level hadn't reached that point yet.

After all, one couldn't be a fundamentalist metaphysical pseudo-materialist! That would be criticized by Teacher Li.

Therefore, psionics were truly delicious!

Very logical! Very materialistic! No problem!

Of course, the above wasn't the main point.

Let's return to psionics.

This supernatural power, which represented the most powerful and mysterious force in the universe, would only awaken in natural lifeforms with talent. The method of awakening varied from person to person, and there was no authoritative textbook, but once awakened, regardless of the Path of Cultivation they embarked on, the strength of their soul and body would enter the extraordinary realm.

This could also explain why the support team at Supply Post 12 was attacked by the Zerg. For the Zerg, whose ultimate goal was the evolution of their entire species, what could be more appealing than the genes of awakened individuals?

Except for the Queen, who had fought with the Yu Lian of his previous life several times, the vast Zerg swarm, numbering in the trillions, had never produced an individual with psionics—in later generations, many speculated that the Zerg were not naturally born but were biological weapons created by some force that had lost control, thus becoming a calamity that plagued all civilizations in the galaxy.

However, the more something didn't exist, the more one wanted to prove its existence. The more unattainable something was, the more one craved it.

In later generations, the Zerg elites tirelessly hunted psionics throughout the universe; this was clear proof.

Ina Shinika, later known as the "Witch of the Scorching Eye," the most famous sniper in the galaxy, a heroine of the Blue Star Commonwealth, and one of the symbols of unyielding struggle in the hearts of Earthlings, was a powerful psionics.

Of course, at twenty-three years old, she hadn't awakened yet; she was at most a sensitive.

Currently, only the Empire's Astral Knights, the Alliance's Zemuria's Bracer Guild, and the transcendent Void Temple possessed very mystical detection methods to determine if someone was a sensitive. But Yu Lian knew that the Bugs likely had them too.

For the Xenomorphs, the genetic information of a sensitive who hadn't awakened might be even more valuable than that of an awakened individual.

The Zerg, currently in stealthy development, did not yet have the strength to attack major cities and the Galactic Homeland, but if they had the opportunity, they would naturally not let go of targets in the wild.

Yu Lian was still somewhat puzzled. In his previous life, he hadn't heard of any attack incident from Ina, and it was only during the subsequent Siege of Tulon Port Incident that she first appeared on the stage of history.

But if he hadn't been reborn, wouldn't "the Witch of the Scorching Eye" have perished then?

Furthermore, he carefully searched his memories from his previous life again and confirmed that there were no traces of the Zerg in the entire Tulon Port Incident. The first recorded formal appearance of the Zerg was indeed several years later.

Or perhaps, the Zerg had never intended to appear, but because of his rebirth, they changed their original objective and appeared ahead of schedule?

Well, for the Zerg, two sensitives would naturally be more valuable than one.

In other words, he was already starting to change history?

Uh... While he said that, it was ultimately just Yu Lian's speculation. Since there was no basis for it, he could only suppress these doubts in his heart for the time being.

In any case, let's shift the perspective back to reality. Yu Lian believed that even if his rebirth and possession had caused some Butterfly Effect, the Zerg shouldn't reappear anytime soon. Their current policy was stealthy development; they wouldn't dare expose themselves to the sight of major civilizations before forming a scale. Therefore, the closer everyone got to the battlefield of Tulon, the safer they would actually be.

As Yu Lian pondered, he casually said, "Well, if you must ask what psionics feel like... aside from my stamina and energy being much more abundant than before, I'd say my perception is stronger. However, this also varies from person to person. Each awakened individual has different experiences. Some people hear some nonsensical delirium from who knows where and insist they've received guidance from the Spirit of the Universe, performing tricks like gods and ghosts, spouting a bunch of flawed theories, yet dignitaries still treat them as spiritual leaders. So, don't think becoming an awakened individual is always a good thing; if your will cannot control your power, you become a slave to power."

Most people wore expressions of "I don't understand what you're saying, but it sounds amazing," but only the old mechanic flinched in fear, instinctively glancing around before saying helplessly, "Sir, you can only say things like that here, but you can't say them on the homeland! Especially not in public."

"Uh... What did I say?"

"The Church of the Unity of All Spirits still has quite a few influential supporters, and there are also many fanatics. If you can't keep your mouth shut, it might affect your future, but fanatics might actually attack you. I once knew a reporter... Sigh, never mind."

"Oh, you mean the one Master Wang created? I swear to the Spirit of the Universe, I wasn't referring to him."

Yes, this wasn't a reference; it was practically a direct insult.

Ina probably didn't want to continue this topic and interjected, "So, how exactly did you sense those tunneling worms? Some kind of psionic technique?"

You still remember that? Yu Lian silently rolled his eyes in his mind, then said earnestly, "It's the same principle as how we catch groundhogs back home. Spread your hand flat on the ground and feel the subtle vibrations. As long as it's moving, there will definitely be vibrations, and there will be a specific rhythm. One-two-three, it's approaching; one-two-three-four, it's preparing to attack; an interval of five to six means it's less than two meters away. Seven to eight, three meters. Nine to ten, five meters. Each knuckle corresponds to the target's direction. For example, the first knuckle of the middle finger is the three o'clock direction."

Everyone became solemn, either still bewildered or impressed. Only Ina remained suspicious, "Is this you talking nonsense with a straight face?"

The hunters on Green Court Star did catch silver-whiskered rats this way, just with slight differences in detail. And wasn't this less scientific than psionics?

"Alright, let me say something that isn't nonsense. When I was at the Academy before, I also carefully read the early survey reports of the survey team for New Jade Gate. They believed that there should be civilization left behind by the Enlighteners here."

"Enlighteners?" Youyou looked utterly confused.

"...I don't want to start from the beginning to explain. Go back to middle school and study for two more years. In short, the disappeared Enlighteners left behind civilization heritage throughout the universe for later generations to develop; this is not a secret. The reason I was willing to serve here was also to come and investigate. Then, when I awakened, I indeed had a vague, indescribable impulse guiding me here. Perhaps this was the enlightenment given to me by the Spirit of the Universe and the ancient ancestors. I figured, since we have to retreat anyway, and there's a high probability of encountering the enemy head-on, why not try our luck in the mountains to the north? If there are indeed ruins of the Enlighteners, they could help us escape. And that's exactly what happened... Psionics users, you really should trust your intuition!"