Aura Cognition Class

"Aura is not a gas, nor is it even matter. It is flowing absolute energy."

In the afternoon, after Ren Suo and the others finished eating and took a nap, they went to the base's auditorium for the Aura Cognition Class.

The one explaining aura to them wasn't Black Vest, but a video. In the video appeared a middle-aged scholar. When he introduced himself, Jie Qiansi, who was next to Ren Suo, exclaimed, "Isn't that the youngest current Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences?"

"Very impressive?" Yuan Dang asked from the side.

"To describe him in one word, he's a National Treasure-Level Figure," Jie Qiansi said. "A big shot in applied physics."

The middle-aged scholar in the video continued, "The so-called absolute energy is a concept that emerged after the appearance of aura. It represents an energy that can transform into any other form of energy without causing other changes. So far, we haven't found any energy that aura cannot transform into. On the contrary, through certain methods, aura can be transformed into kinetic energy, thermal energy, potential energy, electrical energy, and so on."

"At the same time, aura can be used as a substance, such as Aura Flame—"

In the video, a man wearing a Black Vest with his face pixelated produced a ball of flame from his hand.

"As is well known, flame is the visible light or other physical manifestation that appears during the rapid chemical process where fuel and air mix and transform into combustion products. It is both a chemical and a physical phenomenon. However, cultivators who master certain techniques can directly create flames without needing any fuel."

"Moreover, depending on the technique and ability, the energy emitted by the flame, and even its phenomenal properties, can vary slightly. We once conducted an Aura Flame test in a sealed room. After burning for 10 minutes, we found that the oxygen concentration in the room did not change."

"This shows that the fuel required for Aura Flame can be completely detached from the physical world we observe, directly using invisible aura for combustion. But this doesn't mean that Aura Flame cannot burn other substances. It's because this type of flame is under the cultivator's 'complete control' that it behaves this way."

"Once the cultivator releases control, the Aura Flame will burn like a normal flame. Not only can it burn substances and consume oxygen, but the cultivator can also continuously maintain the flame's fuel, allowing it to burn in cold environments, oxygen-free environments, and water environments."

"As an energy source, aura can manifest physical phenomena that we are familiar with, but it doesn't require the necessary environment for those physical phenomena," the middle-aged scholar said. "This is absolute energy."

Next, the middle-aged scholar used several examples to illustrate the terrifying aspect of aura as an energy source: it is omnipresent and omnipotent. It can be said that if cultivators master techniques like Grain Avoidance, they might be able to live without eating or drinking, relying solely on aura.

Then, the second half of the class was about the Qi Vortex.

"What is a Qi Vortex? In fact, it's like the computer's main processing unit inside the human body," the middle-aged scholar said. "Although it's called a Qi Vortex, this is the cultivator's initial perception of it. In reality, the Qi Vortex is a special human body structure that cannot be observed with instruments. Generally speaking, the Qi Vortex is located in the human body's Lower Dantian, which is two cun and four fen below the navel."

"Cultivators can sense the Qi Vortex themselves, but others cannot observe it. The Qi Vortex often appears in the form of a rotating vortex. Each rotation can draw in aura, subtly changing the cultivator's physique and absorbing aura to store in the human body. When the Qi Vortex is cultivated to a certain level, it will suddenly expand, and the aura it draws in will also double. Currently, the domestic classification of cultivators is temporarily named First Cycle, Second Cycle, and Third Cycle."

"The importance of the Qi Vortex to cultivators is beyond doubt." In the video, the middle-aged scholar pointed to a computer's main processing unit and said, "According to research, if the human body is compared to a cultivator, then the Qi Vortex has the functions of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), internal memory, large external storage, etc. The Qi Vortex is divided into the Inner Qi Vortex and the Outer Qi Vortex. The Inner Qi Vortex is aura that is constantly in an 'active' state, while the Outer Qi Vortex is a transfer station between the human body and external aura and cannot be used directly."

"All aura techniques used by cultivators must be processed through the Qi Vortex. Some aura techniques directly use the aura stored in the human body. If the amount of aura used is small, then the casting speed will be very fast—because the Qi Vortex has mobilized the 'active aura' located in the Inner Qi Vortex. If the aura technique requires a large amount of aura, then the Outer Qi Vortex needs to be mobilized. If the aura in the Outer Qi Vortex is also insufficient, the Outer Qi Vortex needs to accelerate the absorption of external aura."

Halfway through, the middle-aged scholar suddenly gave a thumbs up:

"The Qi Vortex will automatically adjust according to the aura techniques used by the cultivator. However, aura techniques are still an empirical science at present. If cultivators have any discoveries or create aura techniques, they can organize and submit them to the Xuan Country Knowledge Network. It doesn't matter if the format is incorrect; the Chinese Academy of Sciences will have dedicated personnel to review them."

"However, all submissions must be truthful. Cultivation resources are very precious now. Any submitters who engage in fraud will be severely punished."

"So, is there an easy and simple way to obtain your own Qi Vortex?" The middle-aged scholar suddenly said in an exaggerated manner, "Of course, it's—"

"By doing exercises and breathing techniques!"

Seeing the middle-aged scholar's smiling face, he was probably very happy to be playful like this.

"The Lower Dantian inside the human body can now be considered a special part that naturally accommodates the Qi Vortex. After absorbing aura through breathing techniques and exercise, the aura in the human body, after flowing through the blood, tissues, and cells, will eventually gather at the location of the Lower Dantian. As long as there is enough aura and breathing techniques are continuously performed, the flowing aura will automatically generate a Qi Vortex."

"When the Qi Vortex grows to a certain extent and forms an active Inner Qi Vortex, it will be perceived by humans. Then, humans can observe the aura world through the Inner Qi Vortex and officially step onto the path of cultivation."

Behind the middle-aged scholar, a diagram of the human body appeared, with a blue Qi Vortex at the location of the Lower Dantian.

"The Qi Vortex is basically an invisible physiological structure that appears after the Aura Resurgence and can be obtained by cultivators through training."

"Generally speaking, cultivators who follow the breathing techniques we teach and practice step by step will definitely produce a Qi Vortex within three to thirty days. The Qi Vortex is divided into the Formation Stage and the Stabilization Stage. The Qi Vortex in the Formation Stage is still difficult to perceive during normal times, but during breathing techniques, one can clearly feel the fluctuations at the Lower Dantian location and enjoy the gifts of aura. And when the Qi Vortex forms from nothing, cultivators can perceive fluctuations appearing in the Lower Dantian, as if they have an extra heart."

"The most obvious characteristic is that you can constantly receive feedback from the aura when practicing breathing techniques. Cultivators who have opened a Qi Vortex can basically practice intermediate breathing techniques without any hindrance."

"As for the Stabilization Stage, after a certain period, the Qi Vortex becomes very stable and can be perceived by the cultivator. They can then practice aura breathing techniques anywhere. The Qi Vortex in the Formation Stage and the Stabilization Stage are actually quite similar, but only a Stabilization Stage Qi Vortex is considered to have truly entered the ranks of cultivators."

Ren Suo's heart stirred as he listened.

The middle-aged scholar continued, "So, are there people who acquire a Qi Vortex without training? Yes."

"So far, the self-generating Qi Vortex users discovered in our country also possess a certain aura technique. They didn't acquire it innately, but directly mastered a certain aura technique after the Aura Resurgence. Moreover, this aura technique is rooted in the Qi Vortex itself and cannot be fully analyzed or imitated."

"These self-generating Qi Vortex users are what we call Superpower users. Their Superpowers, which are aura techniques, are often more powerful than the aura techniques our ordinary cultivators can use. The casting process is simpler, and they consume less Inner Qi Vortex aura. They can also learn aura techniques and continue to improve."

"Generally speaking, this type of aura technique that cannot be fully replicated, is unique to each person, and is suddenly awakened, is called an 'Awakening Skill,' and these types of Superpower users are Awakened. It is currently unknown whether cultivators will acquire Awakening Skills in the future, whether Superpower users who already possess Awakening Skills will continue to awaken, and how many Awakening Skills there are."

"Furthermore, Awakened individuals must possess a Qi Vortex and must be able to cultivate; however, cultivators need to acquire a Qi Vortex themselves and may not necessarily awaken."

This Aura Cognition Class lasted for a full afternoon. If note-taking hadn't been prohibited, everyone would probably have been diligently recording this knowledge. This was knowledge researched and verified by the country, and in this initial period of aura awakening, ordinary people simply didn't know about it and couldn't obtain it.

It wasn't until they were eating dinner that everyone looked as if they had just woken up from a dream. Yuan Dang said while eating, "So, the deputy director's move yesterday, punching out a large fireball, was that an Awakening Skill or an aura technique?"

"It should be an aura technique, right?" Jie Qiansi wasn't very sure either. "In that setting, it's more appropriate to demonstrate with an aura technique that we can learn. After all, 'you can do this too' is what motivates us to study hard."

"It's also possible he used an Awakening Skill for dramatic effect," Zhao Huo said.

Ren Suo asked, "Are you so sure the deputy director is an Awakened? Muyi, what do you think?"

Qiao Muyi, who was eating across from them, glanced at Ren Suo and slowly said, "If the deputy director is an Awakened, can he help me get a Qi Vortex faster?"

The others were stunned, and they all realized that Qiao Muyi was saying they didn't even have a Qi Vortex themselves yet were discussing other cultivators. They also obediently stopped talking and ate.

Only Ren Suo was secretly delighted—he had called her Muyi directly, and Qiao Muyi had responded!

Now his favorability with Qiao Muyi was at least not at the stranger level, right?

Good, maybe he could ask her to sleep in the small woods now...?

"It's starting to get cold..."

In the Taidamia Mountain Range, a group of tourists on a mountain climbing tour in an off-road vehicle were looking around. The girl sitting in the back, wearing only a shirt and jacket, shivered, pulled out her down jacket, and quickly put it on.

"The altitude is almost 4000 meters now," the federal guide said. "The higher we go, the lower the temperature. Everyone, please pay attention to keeping warm. People freeze to death every year."

"We have left the forested area of Taidamia. In another 10 hours, we will reach the gate of Mount Hyjal Peak—Hyjal Base Camp. If anyone feels any discomfort, please tell me immediately..."

The girl suddenly interrupted the federal guide, "Um, from Grace to the Base Camp, we can only get there by car via the mountain road, right?"

"Of course," the federal guide said. "Grace City is the closest city to the north slope of Mount Hyjal. Airplanes can take you here, and then you reach the gate of Hyjal by car. This mountain road is also the only drivable mountain road. Even the Kamiya People who live at the foot of Mount Hyjal reach the gate of Hyjal by car."

"Then... that person is..."

Following the girl's fingertip, everyone looked at the mountain on the left and saw a figure with long blonde hair running rapidly in the mountains about a hundred meters away. The slopes, trees, and rocky cliffs along the way were no obstacle to her; she was like she was parkouring.

"Is it a woman?" someone asked in surprise.

It was clear that the blonde figure's clothes were very thin. As she moved intensely, the wide black clothes highlighted her proud figure in the cold wind. If one had good eyesight, they could also see the blonde girl's dusty yet still beautiful face.

"Is she in trouble? Did her car break down? Why is she running upwards..." The federal group leader hadn't said much before his eyes widened in horror. "Be careful!"

They saw the blonde girl running directly up the steep mountain wall, which was nearly 75 degrees. After running for more than ten meters, she tried to grab the top of the mountain wall to pull herself up, but the rock at the top of the mountain wall suddenly broke!

The blonde girl, whose center of gravity was suddenly unbalanced, was about to roll down the mountain wall. The people in the car naturally exclaimed in surprise—at this height, and with the gravel (gravel) below the mountain wall, if something went wrong, they would have to watch the girl fall to her death!

However, the blonde girl reacted suddenly, kicking off the mountain wall and jumping up. She reached out and grabbed the edge of the top of the mountain wall, and with a beautiful front flip, she jumped up!

Just watching them, they felt extremely thrilling, and their hearts skipped a beat!

"Let's drive over and see if she needs help?" the young girl suggested.

However, within a few seconds, the blonde girl continued to climb over mountains and ridges, quickly disappearing from their sight. She didn't ascend by winding along the mountain road like them, but instead took the shortest route by climbing towards the Hyjal Gate!

The trembling young girl suddenly became excited and took out her laptop, typing away rapidly.

"What are you doing..." the person next to her asked curiously, "Writing a manuscript?"

"I'm a self-media editor in Xuan Country. This is an adventure! Seeing a thinly dressed girl doing parkour and extreme sports at an altitude of over 4000 meters," the young girl said excitedly, "It would have been great if I had taken a picture just now, but it's definitely right to write the manuscript first."

"But it doesn't matter, I have a feeling I'll see her again in the future!"