Chapter 57: Particle Essence and Source Energy

The moon hung high, its light sparse, and the night wind was sharp and cold atop the lonely mountain peak.

Li Nanke opened his eyes to see a man standing not far before him. The man wore a crisp black suit, his figure tall and imposing, yet his face seemed shrouded in a blur, utterly impossible to discern. Focusing his gaze, Li Nanke tried to make out the man’s features, but a wave of dizziness overtook him, the world spinning as if he were witnessing the offspring of the evil god “Orphanas” once more.

A chill ran through Li Nanke’s heart. He dared not look again, instantly understanding that this was an extraordinarily powerful Transcendent. After studying the basics these past days, Li Nanke had learned the classifications among Transcendents in the real world. Having only just grasped the power of the First Tier, he was considered a low-ranked Transcendent. Without the First Tier Primal Substance “Blood Moon,” he would not even qualify as a low-ranked Transcendent—only as an Esper.

Yet Li Nanke felt no discouragement. After all, it had only been ten days since he’d first entered the “Sea of Abes” and awakened his extraordinary abilities—counting both dream and waking hours together. To ascend from an ordinary man to a First Tier Transcendent in ten days was a feat so astonishing that if it were made known, the Myriad Forms system would not be what doomed him to become a research subject; rather, it would be his terrifyingly rapid ascent that would see him whisked away for study and experiments.

Seen in this light, the power system of the four primal substances and Source Energy was utterly beyond anything in the real world; no Transcendent here could possess such might. Li Nanke even wondered if this system had originated from some great deity or divinity.

“The Zenith Meditation Technique was developed through research into various forbidden objects. It is a supreme method, highly universal, suitable for most types of Transcendents, and one of the confidential techniques of our Control Bureau,” the man began, his voice heralding the lesson within the dream.

“This meditation draws on ancient yogic arts provided by Forbidden Object No. 1-068, the ‘Golden Lotus Living Buddha,’ and spiritual cultivation methods from Forbidden Object No. 1-109, the ‘Holy Blood Parchment,’ woven together with existing techniques to form what you will now learn.”

“Follow my guidance to practice the Zenith Meditation. First, close your eyes. The posture is not critical. Using the Ujjayi breathing method—also called throat breathing—control your breath and focus your mind.”

Li Nanke barely shut his eyes before reopening them to ask, “What is the Ujjayi breathing method? I don’t know it.”

The man paused. “You haven’t studied any basic meditation techniques?”

“No.”

He did not comment further, but continued, “Take a deep breath, tightening your throat while making a motion as if gently swallowing. Imagine there is a block of ice before you; exhale as if to warm it, producing a soft ‘ha’ sound to melt it.”

Following the man's instructions, Li Nanke began to make the sound.

“Yes, very good. Keep up the rhythm as I direct… Now, close your mouth but maintain the sensation of the ‘ha’ sound...”

As the air flowed through his narrowed throat, it naturally produced a soft hissing, like waves washing over a shore. At the same time, his abdomen contracted inward as he slowly exhaled, feeling the breath travel from his lungs through his throat, keeping the length of inhalation and exhalation in harmony.

Practicing this breathing, concentrating on the sound from his throat, Li Nanke’s mind became sharply focused, quickly banishing all distracting thoughts.

Possessing the trait “Breath of the Lake,” Li Nanke commanded his respiratory system with perfect precision. With only minimal guidance, he could execute the breathing flawlessly.

Seemingly satisfied, the man began to teach him step by step in detail.

“According to the essence of Zenith Meditation, there are three channels within the human body, called the Three Veins, and seven nodes known as the Seven Wheels. Modern science and medicine have shown these wheels correspond to the major nerve plexuses along the spine.”

“First is the Root Wheel, located at the base of the spine, corresponding to the pelvic plexus and related to the excretory and reproductive systems…”

As he spoke, the man lightly tapped the base of Li Nanke’s spine, and a strange energy arose from the Root Wheel.

“Maintain the breathing technique. Use your mind to guide this energy upward to the next wheel, the Sacral Wheel…”

Following the man’s hands-on instruction, Li Nanke gradually led the energy upward, through the Root, Sacral, Navel, Heart, Throat, Brow, and finally to the Crown Wheel.

As the energy ascended, each wheel awakened in turn, finally gathering at the crown, where he imagined a radiant halo forming, illuminating his entire being.

“Yes, just so. Very good. Focus all your intention on the halo above your head, feel the flow of energy there. Picture a pillar of light stretching from your Crown Wheel to the heavens, linking to the endless energies of the cosmos.”

With concentrated effort, Li Nanke almost truly saw a halo above his head, from which a slender filament of light soared upward, piercing the clouds and atmosphere, connecting to the energies beyond.

Suddenly, cosmic energy poured in through his Crown Wheel, flowing through each of the Seven Wheels to the Root, eventually flooding his entire body.

At the same time, within his spiritual world, at the very core of his “self,” a surge of coarse, low-grade energy appeared. Li Nanke understood this was the energy used by Transcendents in the real world to enhance their powers, known as “Particle Essence.”

His “self,” accustomed to the gourmet feast of Source Energy, found this “coarse grain” somewhat distasteful, but immediately began refining and converting the Particle Essence.

Soon, the Particle Essence transformed into Source Energy, though in a meager quantity—what remained after all impurities were removed, leaving only the purest essence.

“You have a true gift for meditation. You should now be absorbing Particle Essence. The Zenith Meditation Technique is precious precisely because the Particle Essence it draws can be used by most Transcendents,” the man said, admiration evident in his tone, despite his indistinct features.

“This is a recorded dream. When you awaken, come to the Control Bureau’s Security Department Management Office and tell me what happened here—I’ll know who you are.”

Li Nanke’s heart skipped—this man must be a figure of great importance within the Security Department.

Within the Control Bureau, the Containment Team of the Operations Division handled initial containment, but the Security Department was responsible for the long-term housing, supervision, and balancing of forbidden objects.

In short, the Security Department held real control over many forbidden objects and was one of the most critical divisions in the Bureau.

If he could establish good relations with such a senior official, it would be highly advantageous for Li Nanke.

“Yes, sir.”

“By the way, what type of Transcendent are you?”

“Myriad Forms.”

The man’s body visibly stiffened, a note of regret unmistakable in his gaze.

“Never mind, don’t bother coming. Just focus on your cultivation…”

With a wave of his hand, darkness swept in and thunder roared.

Li Nanke’s eyes snapped open—he was back in his single apartment.

He removed the dream synchronizer. “What was that? Discrimination against Transcendent types?”

He quickly pushed the matter from his mind, continuing to practice the Zenith Meditation Technique to produce Particle Essence and convert it into the meager Source Energy.

Tomorrow, he would formally join the research team. He wondered if he would immediately come into contact with forbidden objects carrying information essence.

For now, though he could not enjoy a grand feast, he would persist in cultivating the Zenith Meditation Technique. After all, even the smallest morsel was still food…