Aura Cognition Class

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

That afternoon, after Ren Suo and the others finished lunch and took a nap, they went to the Base Camp auditorium for their "Aura Cognition Class."

The one explaining aura to them was not a black vest, but a video. A middle-aged scholar appeared in it. When he introduced himself, Jie Qiansi beside Ren Suo cried out in surprise. "Isn't he the youngest current academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences?"

"Is he that impressive?" Yuan Dang asked beside him.

"If I had to describe him in one phrase, he's a National Treasure-Level Figure," Jie Qiansi said. "A leading authority in applied physics."

The middle-aged scholar in the video continued, "So-called absolute energy is a concept that emerged after the appearance of aura. It means this energy can be converted into any other form of energy without causing any other changes. So far, no form of energy has been found that aura cannot be converted into. On the contrary, through certain methods, aura can be converted into kinetic energy, thermal energy, potential energy, electrical energy, and so on."

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

In the video, a man in a black vest with his face mosaicked raised a ball of flame from his hand.

"As everyone knows, flame is the visible light or other physical manifestation produced during the chemical process in which fuel and air rapidly turn into combustion products. It is both a chemical and physical phenomenon. However, practitioners who have mastered certain techniques can directly create flames without requiring any fuel."

"Furthermore, depending on the technique and ability involved, even the energy emitted by the flames and the nature of the phenomenon may differ slightly. We once tested Aura Flame in a sealed room. After ten minutes of burning, we found that the oxygen concentration in the room had not changed."

"Clearly, the fuel required by Aura Flame can completely detach from the physical world we observe and burn using invisible aura directly. However, that does not mean Aura Flame cannot burn other substances. It is only because the flame is under the practitioner's 'complete control' that it behaves this way."

"Once the practitioner relinquishes control, Aura Flame burns like ordinary fire. Not only can it burn matter and consume oxygen, but the practitioner can also continuously maintain its fuel, allowing it to burn in cold environments, oxygen-free environments, and underwater environments."

"As an energy source, aura can manifest physical phenomena familiar to us without requiring the conditions those phenomena normally demand," the middle-aged scholar said. "That is absolute energy."

Next, the middle-aged scholar used several examples to demonstrate the terrifying nature of aura as an energy source: it was everywhere and capable of anything. It could be said that if practitioners mastered techniques such as Grain Avoidance, they might survive without food or water, relying solely on aura.

The second half of the lesson covered qi vortices.

"What is a qi vortex? In truth, it is the computer mainframe within the human body," the middle-aged scholar said. "Although we call it a qi vortex, that is merely a practitioner's first impression of it. In reality, qi vortices are special structures within the human body that cannot be observed with instruments. Generally speaking, a qi vortex is located in the body's lower dantian, two cun and four fen below the navel."

"Practitioners can sense their own qi vortices, but others cannot observe them. Qi vortices often take the form of rotating whirlpools. Every rotation draws in aura, minutely altering a practitioner's constitution while absorbing and storing aura in the body. Once a qi vortex reaches a certain level of cultivation, it abruptly expands, and the aura it draws in multiplies. At present, practitioners in the country are provisionally ranked as First Cycle, Second Cycle, and Third Cycle."

"The importance of qi vortices to practitioners is beyond question." In the video, the middle-aged scholar pointed at a computer mainframe. "According to research, if the human body is compared to a computer, then the qi vortex serves the functions of a CPU, internal memory, large-scale external storage, and so forth. Qi vortices are divided into Inner Qi Vortices and Outer Qi Vortices. The Inner Qi Vortex contains aura that is constantly in an 'active' state, while the Outer Qi Vortex serves as a transfer station between the human body and external aura and cannot be used directly."

"All Aura Techniques used by practitioners must be processed through qi vortices. Some Aura Techniques directly use aura stored in the body. If the amount of aura used is small, the casting speed will be very fast—because the qi vortex calls upon the 'Active Aura' in the Inner Qi Vortex. If an Aura Technique requires more aura, it must draw upon the Outer Qi Vortex. If even the Outer Qi Vortex does not have enough aura, it must accelerate its absorption of external aura."

Halfway through, the middle-aged scholar suddenly slipped in an advertisement.

"Qi vortices automatically make adjustments according to the Aura Techniques a practitioner uses. However, Aura Technique is still an empirical science. If practitioners make any discoveries or create Aura Techniques, they may organize their findings and submit them to the Xuan Country Knowledge Network. Incorrect formatting is not a problem; the Chinese Academy of Sciences has dedicated personnel to review submissions."

"However, all submissions must be authentic. Cultivation resources are extremely precious now. Anyone who submits false material will receive severe punishment."

"So, is there any easy and simple way to obtain your own qi vortex?" The middle-aged scholar suddenly asked in an exaggerated tone. "Of course there is—"

"Come exercise and practice the Breathing Method!"

Judging from the broad smile on the middle-aged scholar's face, he was clearly delighted with that little bit of mischief.

"The lower dantian within the human body can now be considered a special natural location for housing qi vortices. After absorbing aura through breathing exercises and physical activity, the body's aura flows through the blood, tissues, and cells before eventually gathering at the lower dantian. As long as there is enough aura and one continues practicing the Breathing Method, 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, humans can perceive it. Then, humans can observe the aura world through the Inner Qi Vortex and officially step onto the path of cultivation."

The image behind the middle-aged scholar changed to a diagram of a human body, with a blue qi vortex at the location of the lower dantian.

"Qi vortices are essentially invisible physiological structures that only appeared after the Aura Resurgence, and practitioners can obtain them through training."

"Generally speaking, if practitioners follow the Breathing Method we teach and practice step by step, they will definitely develop a qi vortex within three to thirty days. Qi vortices are divided into the Formation Stage and the Stabilization Stage. Qi vortices in the Formation Stage are still difficult to sense normally, but during breathing exercises, one can clearly feel fluctuations at the lower dantian and enjoy the gifts of aura. When a qi vortex forms from nothing, practitioners can sense fluctuations in their lower dantian, as though they have grown another heart."

"The clearest sign is that, while practicing the Breathing Method, one can receive feedback from aura at every moment. Practitioners who have opened a qi vortex can basically practice intermediate Breathing Methods without any obstacles."

"The Stabilization Stage occurs after the qi vortex has existed for a period of time and becomes highly stable and perceptible to the practitioner, allowing aura breathing cultivation anywhere. The qi vortices of the Formation Stage and Stabilization Stage are actually not very different, but only a Stabilization Stage qi vortex counts as fully entering the ranks of practitioners."

Ren Suo's heart stirred as he listened.

The middle-aged scholar continued, "Then, are there people who obtain qi vortices without training? Yes."

"So far, every spontaneous qi vortex bearer discovered in our country has also mastered some kind of Aura Technique. They did not obtain it innately. Instead, after the Aura Resurgence, they directly mastered a certain Aura Technique. Moreover, this Aura Technique is rooted in the qi vortex's main body and cannot be fully analyzed or imitated."

"These spontaneous qi vortex bearers are what we call superpowered individuals. Their Superpowers, which are also Aura Techniques, are often more powerful than the Aura Techniques ordinary practitioners can use, have simpler casting procedures, and consume less Inner Qi Vortex aura. They can also learn Aura Techniques and continue improving."

"Generally speaking, such Aura Techniques that cannot be fully replicated, differ from person to person, and awaken suddenly are called 'Awakening Skills.' Superpowered individuals of this type are called the Awakened. At present, it is still unknown whether practitioners may obtain Awakening Skills in the future, whether superpowered individuals who already possess Awakening Skills may awaken again, or how many Awakening Skills there are."

"Additionally, the Awakened inevitably possess qi vortices and can definitely cultivate. Practitioners, however, need to obtain qi vortices themselves, and they may not necessarily awaken."

This "Aura Cognition Class" lasted the entire afternoon. If note-taking had been allowed, everyone might have been feverishly recording all this knowledge. This was knowledge researched and verified by the state. At the beginning of this Aura Resurgence, ordinary people had no way of knowing or obtaining it.

Not until dinner did everyone look as though they had awakened from a dream. Yuan Dang spoke while eating. "Then was that move the deputy director used yesterday, where he punched out a huge fireball, an Awakening Skill or an Aura Technique?"

"It should have been an Aura Technique, right?" Jie Qiansi was not entirely certain either. "In that situation, it would have been more appropriate to demonstrate an Aura Technique we can learn. After all, only 'you can do this too' can motivate us to study hard."

"Or maybe he used an Awakening Skill for the sake of spectacle," Zhao Huo said.

Ren Suo asked, "You're all so sure the deputy director is 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 Awakened, will that help me obtain a qi vortex faster?"

The others froze. They all realized Qiao Muyi was pointing out that they did not even have qi vortices themselves, yet they were discussing other practitioners. They obediently fell silent and continued eating.

Only Ren Suo secretly rejoiced—he had directly called her Muyi, and Qiao Muyi had answered him!

Their favorability had to be above stranger level now, right?

Good, then he should be able to ask her to sleep in the small woods with him now...?

"It's getting colder..."

In the Taidamia Mountain Range, a mountaineering tour group riding in off-road vehicles looked around in every direction. In the back seat, a young girl wearing only a shirt and jacket shivered, dug out a down coat, and hurriedly put it on.

"We're nearly at an altitude of four thousand meters now," said the Federation guide leading the group. "The higher we go, the lower the temperature. Make sure you stay warm. People freeze to death every year."

"We've already left Taidamia's forested region. In another ten hours, we'll arrive at the gates of the sacred Mount Hyjal Peak—Hyjal Base Camp. If any of you feel unwell, tell me immediately..."

The young girl suddenly interrupted the Federation guide. "Um, from Grace City to Base Camp, we can only travel by car along mountain roads, right?"

"Of course," said the Federation guide. "Grace City is the city closest to the northern slope of Haidar Peak. Planes can take you here, and then you travel by car to the gates of Mount Hyjal. This mountain road is also the only road vehicles can use. Even the Kamiya People living at the foot of Mount Hyjal travel to its gates by car."

"Then... then who is that...?"

Following the girl's fingertip, everyone looked toward the mountainside on the left. More than a hundred meters away, they saw a long-haired blonde figure sprinting through the mountain terrain. The slopes, trees, cliff faces, and loose rocks along the way were no obstacle to her at all. She moved as though she were doing parkour.

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

It was clear that the blonde figure was dressed very lightly. As she ran intensely, her loose black clothing outlined her impressive figure in the cold wind. Those with good eyesight could even see the blonde girl's travel-worn yet still lovely face.

"Did she get stranded? Did her car break down? Why is she running upward..." The Federation guide had barely said a few words before his eyes widened in terror. "Watch out!"

The blonde girl ran directly along a nearly seventy-five-degree cliff face. After moving more than ten meters, she tried to grab the top and pull herself up, but the rocks at the edge suddenly broke away!

With her center of gravity abruptly thrown off, the blonde girl was about to tumble down the cliff. Everyone in the vehicles cried out in alarm—at that height, with all those broken rocks below, they might have to watch this girl fall to her death!

However, the blonde girl reacted in an instant. She kicked off the cliff face and leaped up, grabbed the upper edge with one hand, then performed a beautiful forward flip and vaulted directly onto the top!

Just watching her made them feel as though their hearts had skipped half a beat from fright!

"Should we drive over and see whether she needs help?" the young girl suggested.

Yet only a few seconds later, the blonde girl continued crossing mountains and ridges before swiftly vanishing from their sight. Unlike them, who wound their way upward along the mountain road, she was climbing the shortest route toward the gates of Mount Hyjal!

The shivering young girl suddenly grew excited and pulled out her laptop, her fingers clattering across the keys.

"What are you..." someone beside her asked curiously. "Writing an article?"

"I'm an independent media editor in the Xuan Kingdom. This is an incredible encounter! At an altitude above four thousand meters, I saw a lightly dressed girl doing parkour and extreme sports." The young girl became increasingly excited. "It would have been great if I'd taken photos just now, but I can write the article first."

"But it's fine. I have a feeling I'll see her again!"