บท 16: Excited
บรรณาธิการ: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Three thousand years ago, humans discovered the existence of Source Power.
Now that three thousand years had passed, humans had gained a basic understanding of its characteristics and developed an entire Life Evolution System.
When a human evolved, they acquired many unique powers, and these powers were collectively called "supernatural abilities."
For example, solely in terms of Source Power Cultivation, when a person reached Source Power Level Five, every aspect of their body was strengthened, surpassing the limits of the human body. By that point, they would've rightfully earned the name "superhuman."
A person needed a genetic mutation if they wished to surpass the limits of Level Five. For that, they had to achieve a qualitative evolution of life itself.
Of course, some people were born with a genetic mutation and possessed various superpowers. For example, fire-breathing, water-breathing, inducing cold, etc. This also included superpowers like spiritual perception.
These were all powers that were present from birth. They could be described as "natural talent." They were born superhumans.
It was difficult to reverse engineer every superpower, even with modern technology.
However, the level of a superpower was directly related to energy level.
This meant that superpowers were also limited by an individual's energy.
The power of low-level superpowers was limited, no matter how many tricks the user had up their sleeve.
Every supernatural ability could be classified into four Energy Levels: Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Source Power Level from Level One to Level Five belonged to the Iron Energy Level. Level Six to Level Ten was Bronze. Level Eleven to Level Fifteen was Silver. Level Sixteen to Level Twenty was Gold.
Superpowers, including Miracle Items, were classified by this system of Energy Levels.
A person would become a powerful supernatural expert if they reached the Silver Energy Level, and a person at the Gold Energy Level would be a fighter without parallel in all the galaxy.
Wang Hongen, who was Source Power Level Five, was already at the peak of the Iron Energy Level. As his Source Power had been obtained through harsh training, he could crush nearly all of the Iron Energy Level superhumans in battle.
Furthermore, people born with superpowers were incredibly rare. It was also extremely difficult to enhance the strength of low-level superpowers through training.
On the other hand, gruelingly cultivating Source Power one step at a time was the key to enhancing a person's strength.
Wang Hongen had seen a few people with low-level superpowers. He didn't think highly of these people.
However, he couldn't figure out Gao Xuan's spiritual perception. He didn't know its range or how it worked, which made him feel a little uneasy.
It would be awful if his spiritual perception could detect someone's emotions, or even their thoughts!
Wang Hongen felt a little guilty when Gao Xuan said, "Professor Wang, I'm a little tired now. I think I'll go and rest first."
He explained, "The greater the range of my spiritual perception, the greater number of details I'm able to perceive, and the greater the toll it takes on me. There are too many things going on today, and too many people. My mind won't be able to last much longer."
"So that's the case. Then you should quickly go rest."
Wang Hongen felt that it made sense. No matter how strange a superpower seemed, ultimately, it was just a circulation of energy.
It must be a different experience using spiritual perception to observe the world than one's eyes.
Wang Hongen watched as Gao Xuan's back gradually receded into the distance. He gently waved his hand at Gao Xuan, but Gao Xuan didn't respond.
Wang Hongen's eyes shined. He didn't fully trust Gao Xuan. However, a low-level superhuman's abilities were limited. They wouldn't have any abilities that defied nature, so there was no need for him to be too worried.
He should be able to quickly find the ancient relic with the help of Gao Xuan's spiritual perception.
There was only a small illuminating light left in the middle of the cavern when Wang Hongen returned. The light was about as bright as a candle flame.
Gao Xuan had long fallen asleep on the stone floor, and Yun Qingshang was lying beside him. They slept close together in a natural sleeping position that didn't allow anyone to draw any other conclusion other than that they were friends when looking at them.
Instead, it was the students of Mingjing University who could make a person's imagination run wild. Even though each of them had individual tents, they were animatedly chatting with each other, the air between them somewhat romantically charged.
The sound of talking largely died down when Wang Hongen walked in.
Wang Hongen found Xu Yin and a few of the students leading the group and told them about tomorrow's plan before he went to rest.
Seeing that Wang Hongen had fallen asleep, the expedition team gradually became less talkative.
They had spent a great deal of energy during the day, so the bunch of young students quickly fell into a deep sleep.
It was Yun Qingshang who couldn't sleep. There were too many people here. She wasn't used to it, and the vast, open space inside the cavern made her feel unsafe.
Yun Qingshang observed Wang Hongen for a while but didn't detect any movements from inside the tent. However, Wang Hongen's tent must've been custom-made, because she couldn't hear any noises at all from inside it.
Xu Yin was much more straightforward, and her tent was normal. Yun Qingshang could clearly hear her conversation with Wei Zhenzhen.
"Sister Zhen, Gao Xuan's eye disease should be able to be fixed with an electronic eye transplant, right? I'll pay for his surgery."
Wei Zhenzhen was hung up on Gao Xaun's eye disease. Such a perfect man shouldn't have a disability.
"An electronic eye is too ugly. It'll ruin his beauty."
Simply for aesthetic reasons, Xu Yin wouldn't be able to stand it if Gao Xuan got a pair of electronic eyes.
Electronic eyes looked too mechanical. The red and blue light that they emitted while in use was also extremely ugly. It'd even look ugly on a robot.
With Gao Xuan's near-perfect face, it'd look even more ugly! It would completely destroy Gao Xuan's god-like appearance.
Wei Zhenzhen thought this made sense. She clenched her teeth and said, "I'll fork out the money to clone him a pair of eyes. Then, there won't be any issues."
With how advanced medical technology was these days, it wasn't difficult to clone human organs. What was difficult was the exorbitant cost and passing through all the levels of approval.
Wei Zhenzhen only dared to say this because her family was rich.
Xu Yin shook her head slightly. "Professor Wang said just now that Gao Xuan has spiritual perception. That's why he can move as he pleases and isn't inconvenienced in any way. He doesn't need an eye transplant."
"But the eye transplant is to make him look better…"
Wei Zhenzhen grumbled, "Without eyes, he lacks a window to his soul. That isn't right."
"He won't accept your goodwill…"
Even though Gao Xuan was welcoming and cheerful, Xu Yin had the feeling that Gao Xuan wasn't a very approachable man. He wouldn't openly accept arrangements someone else made for him.
"Brother Gao Xuan is very agreeable. And, I'm doing it for his own good, so why wouldn't he be willing to..."
Wei Zhenzhen said presumptuously, "I'll settle any trouble for him along the way."
Xu Yin sighed internally. Wei Zhenzhen was too naive. An outsider shouldn't be deciding such things for Gao Xuan.
Wei Zhenzhen then pulled Xu Yin into a conversation about a variety of different topics before finally succumbing to her fatigue and slowly falling asleep.
However, Xu Yin didn't sleep. She had made plans with Wang Hongen to take turns keeping watch for three hours at a time in case something happened.
The night went on without issue.
By morning the second day, the young students had all returned to peak form.
They noticed that Yun Qingshang was making breakfast and rushed to help. Even though they couldn't really help much, they were all happy and excited to assist her.
The perennial chill in the cavern was dispelled by the young students' enthusiasm and warmth.
After they finished their strange-tasting breakfast, Gao Xuan grabbed a wooden rod and set off with Wang Hongen.
This time, Wang Hongen only brought the guide, who was familiar with the mountainous region. He left the rest of the group at the campsite.
Xu Yin didn't slack off while Wang Hongen was gone. She led the expedition team and gathered strange botanicals from all around the area. She also collected rocks and soil samples.
Gao Xuan, Wang Hongen, and the guide only returned after the sky turned dark.
After dinner, Gao Xuan, who looked tired, went to rest first.
Wang Hongen looked for Xu Yin. "Gao Xuan's spiritual perception is very powerful. We've already found a safe path. We'll head deep into the area where the volcano is tomorrow…"
Xu Yin felt that Wang Hongen was being overly excited. The strange glimmer in his eyes made her feel a little scared.
"Does everyone have to go?"
"There'll be no danger with Gao Xuan leading the way."
Wang Hongen's expression turned serious. "The expedition team will be rewarded with a large number of study credits this time. Since they're already here, why shouldn't they go have a look deep in the area where the volcano is..."
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