Chapter 717: Inescapable Body Cultivation
Accompanied by an unreasonable force that shattered and penetrated the spatial dimension, it connected the Void to the Core Realm of the Main World.
The terrifying fluctuations in the spatial dimension attracted many Extraordinary Witches, who stepped out of the laboratory to peek.
However, after experiencing several Void Rifts from the Great Spellbook, the Extraordinary Witches were sensitive to this wave, but the scale of this disturbance was far from the level of the Great Spellbook.
The experimental area was reinforced and encrypted specially, so many witches could not discern who was causing the commotion.
In the end, they could only return.
At that moment.
In the laboratory where I was, Yi Rui and the others had retreated to a corner, while Belika and several instructors protected them, their gazes fixated on the scene before them.
What their eyes were focused on… was the totem!
I have to say, even though they were experienced Extraordinary Witches, it didn’t mean they had much insight into totems, especially a self-realized totem, which was particularly impossible to grasp.
The totems they studied and learned about appeared exceedingly fragile compared to this one.
In the center of the laboratory, protected by specialized spatial reinforcement instruments, unique patterns began to emerge around me, differing from runes.
This was the totem “displayed” by my Self-Awakened Body Cultivation power, and I was continuously revealing the totem that belonged to the other half of my Self-Generated Magic using this as a medium.
However, due to my lack of understanding of totems, I was very cautious with each of my movements, yet the more careful I was, the more the totem would continue to tear through the void rifts after it was revealed.
So I could only keep borrowing the power of the field to shield myself from harm.
What seemed like a simple attempt took far more time than I expected.
I initially thought an hour or two would be sufficient, but after a whole day, I finally completed the revelation of the totem.
Yes, I had merely discovered the concept of the totem completely.
Looking at the totem, which was nearing completeness at this moment, the feeling it brought me was entirely different.
When it was presented as a whole without any interference, it would almost not penetrate the void to create rifts.
Compared to runes, this pattern represented two different concepts.
If what lay before me were runes, I could decipher what the runes meant, but the totem was more like a representation that emerged after deeper effects took place.
To draw a metaphor, let’s use firearms as an example.
The concept of runes is like a firearm in front of me; I can see the parameters of the firearm, and further research allows me to understand the dimensions of its parts. I might even learn about the manufacturing process through those dimensions, and after assembly, I would know that it can fire bullets, causing penetrating kinetic damage, and so on.
Runes serve as that cognitive path, expressing any parameters, dimensions, effects, and even predictable efficacy.
So mimicking and learning runes can allow one to create that firearm in the same way.
However, the information that the totem presents includes: the decibel level of loading a firearm, the range of the explosion when a b*llet is fired, the brightness of the flames at the muzzle, and the number of shells ejected from one side.
This is also a way of understanding firearms, analogous to the effect of the totem pattern.
But this cognitive path is utterly meaningless to learn because you can’t create a firearm after learning it.
So… the totem represents a method of understanding firearms from another perspective after “having mastered” how to create a firearm!
This is why comparing runes and totems to different language translations forms such a profound metaphor.
In essence, they are the same.
“Xiao Han, can I record these totem patterns?” At this moment, Instructor Belika spoke up, her tone somewhat pleading.
“Of course.” I nodded and then looked at the instructors, who were currently fixated on the totem, “However, I must remind you that recording this pattern is meaningless.”
“That’s fine, we just want to document it and enrich our knowledge.”
“Alright then.”
I nodded, allowing them to record.
As for myself, I submerged my consciousness into the perspective of the totem.
After revealing this complete totem, my understanding of it and the earlier “firearm example” was merely my most superficial way of grasping it.
Yet, there were many more indescribable elements resonating in my mind.
I discovered that the deeper my comprehension of Self-Awakened Body Cultivation and Self-Generated Magic, the deeper my understanding of the totem became!
It turned out that this was the correct way to learn and understand totems!
Learning about totems doesn’t mean directly studying the totems themselves, but rather understanding the things surrounding them. The deeper the cognition of a particular concept, the more profound the meaning expressed by the totem.
It’s just like seeing a beautiful painting with a captivating aesthetic—if I wanted to learn that aesthetic, I wouldn’t only study the aesthetic itself. The correct learning path should involve learning foundational painting techniques, composition, coloring, expression, brushwork…
Rather than just learning about the aesthetic.
Totems operate under a similar principle.
Regarding these “foundations,” the more solidly one learns them, the closer one’s expression of the intended aesthetic will approximate what they desire.
Totems serve as that final aesthetic, reflecting the results achieved, rather than being the pathway to learn.
And those totems learned this way are merely exceptions; they’re akin to… copying.
However, without a foundation for copying, one cannot match an original piece that possesses profound depth and foundational qualities.
Thus, through merely an epiphany, I gained an understanding of totems that others could not comprehend.
However, to express it, I could only articulate through metaphors and analogies that others could understand.
In the field of totems, since no one could teach me anymore, I felt I had enough qualifications to define these concepts.
After all, these understandings served me, so it was natural that they should please me.
Therefore, I divided the learning stages of totems into two: one was foundational, and the other was expansion.
The foundational stage resembles learning to paint; only with solidified basics can one paint whatever they wish, representing the completion of the foundation.
It is also the beginning of expansion.
Expansion pertains to the aesthetic; only with sufficient taste can one create the desired aesthetic.
To exemplify with my Self-Awakened Body Cultivation: The deeper my understanding of it, achieving perfect control over it, the deeper my understanding of the totem’s power related to Self-Awakened Body Cultivation will be.
At that point, using the power of Self-Awakened Body Cultivation would not only bring about the original strength of physical cultivation but also the added power of the totem.
Right now, my understanding of Self-Awakened Body Cultivation is limited to physical strength, foundational five senses, heart sense, and a rudimentary sense of time.
However, having this understanding also enables me to grasp aspects of the totem. If I do not pursue perfect power, my current strength can similarly reinforce the totem.
However… I should not focus on Self-Awakened Body Cultivation right now but rather on Self-Generated Magic.
My comprehension of Self-Generated Magic still rests at the stage of “self-generating magic power,” as straightforward as its name suggests.
This seems entirely different from Self-Awakened Body Cultivation, which encompasses a broader scope than Self-Generated Magic.
This model reminds me of… Resurrection Spells.
It also leads me to a certain hypothesis.
That is, could Self-Generated Magic itself be a part or aspect of Self-Awakened Body Cultivation, but this power was separated and defined, hence the term “Self-Generated Magic”? Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why Self-Generated Magic’s effect is so singular.
Moreover, in its initial form, this ability was based on Self-Awakened Body Cultivation.
This model is akin to Resurrection Spell!
The Resurrection Spell is an absolute prototype spell; any derivative spell of resurrection is based on this spell’s principles.
You might say the Resurrection Spell is worthless, but you cannot mock its potential for development.
My initial Self-Awakened Body Cultivation is like the Resurrection Spell; it is a prototype with no defining characteristics—just a qualification.
Yet after mastering Self-Awakened Body Cultivation, through exploration and experimentation, I discovered that I could absolutely control my body.
Then, influenced by Sister Bai, I developed upgrades for the five senses, followed by heart sense, sense of time…
All of these emerged based on the prototype and foundation of Self-Awakened Body Cultivation.
It is just like those derivative resurrection spells: hatching, reincarnation rebirth, and incubation derivations, all of which are based on the Resurrection Spell.
Even though these derivative resurrection spells can operate independently from the Resurrection Spell, their core structure is inseparable from it.
The Resurrection Spell is the “only prototype” among resurrection-related spells.
Those independently derived resurrection effect spells are akin to… Self-Generated Magic.
It has detached itself from Self-Awakened Body Cultivation!
This sensation is akin to the Resurrection Spell adding an additional “delayed technique,” giving rise to a “self-resurrection spell.”
Likewise, Self-Awakened Body Cultivation must also have incorporated some technique related to magic power to generate Self-Generated Magic.
Let’s not forget that there is another subject in the Witch curriculum, that is the Magic Power subject!
And this concept of magic power hasn’t been categorized alongside Self-Generated Magic as a foundation; instead, it has been separately defined as its own subject, indicating that it is a special skill.
Thus, similar to how orcs practice body cultivation, they must also have integrated some technique leading them to cultivate “vitality.”
It follows that the foundational “qi” of body cultivation should be viewed as a system formed from the most basic “power exertion techniques.”
With so many examples, I can reasonably speculate that Self-Generated Magic is a power system generated from “Self-Awakened Body Cultivation + magic techniques,” and it has been completely extracted.
Moreover, this extraction is thorough; they have lowered the threshold of “Self-Awakened Body Cultivation” to “body cultivation.”
Even now, body cultivation remains an inescapable threshold.
Yet, the path of body cultivation concerning witch transformation has already been mapped out.
Advancing to the extraordinary and obtaining a “Self-Generated Magic” gift pack.
Hence, I understand that fixating on the concept of witch transformation no longer holds significance.
I can either bypass witch transformation, or it can only serve as a supporting element but will never become the main force.
Regardless, the path of body cultivation remains unavoidable.
“Xiao Han, have you gained any insights?”
At this moment, seeing that I had calmed down and that the power of the totem was gradually being retracted, Belika approached to inquire.
“Well, I’ve gained quite a bit and have understood many things.” I nodded and dismissed the stabilizing instruments around me.
At that moment, Yi Rui and the others stepped out from behind Instructor Belika.
“That’s truly good news. By the way, Xiao Han, are you hungry? After all, it’s been so long, and you don’t seem to have eaten anything. I ordered takeout for delivery, and I’ll go fetch it.”
“Thank you, I am indeed hungry.”
I nodded, realizing the considerable toll I had taken; I had a lot of emergency food in my storage equipment, but when compared to takeout, it was a no-brainer.
I, of course, chose takeout!
After a short wait, a figure came running to the laboratory door—it was a student involved in this experiment. Although we hadn’t spoken much, their speed in running errands was impressive, considering takeout couldn’t be delivered into this experimental area.
There was a considerable amount of takeout, nearly everyone had a portion.
“Eating takeout in the laboratory, this is a first for me～”
“Yeah, I vaguely remember the last time we ordered takeout and ate at the laboratory entrance I got reprimanded by the instructors.”
“Really? Do you recall how I reprimanded you at that time?” At this point, the instructor of the complaining teaching assistant walked up behind her and spoke.
“Huh? I… I wasn’t badmouthing you, instructor!”
“Decided! After we finish eating, you’ll handle the clean-up. If I catch even a whiff of odor afterward, you’re done for, do you understand? The laboratory must be kept absolutely clean! Do you have any idea how many odor molecules fill the laboratory the moment your takeout box is opened? You should feel fortunate this laboratory belongs to Xiao Han; if it were mine…”
“I know, I know!”
After being reprimanded, we happily enjoyed this meal, which should be referred to as a late-night snack.
In reality, there are many regulations in the laboratory, but whether they are followed largely depends on the practitioners.
After all, personal habits often involve compromises against rules, especially for witches who possess extraordinary powers and spells; cleaning away miscellaneous matters is merely a matter of a spell.
“By the way, I’m curious—have you all ever engaged in body cultivation?” While eating, I asked as I sat among the crowd.
“Body cultivation? No, I’ve never been in contact with it; it seems like a lot of effort, so I didn’t pursue it.”
“I haven’t either, I’m more interested in spells.”
The individuals present, including Yi Rui and the others, responded to my question. Unsurprisingly, none had engaged in body cultivation; at most, they might have visited a gym to maintain their figures.
“Actually, I’d suggest you all change your perspective; body cultivation is also a pathway to understanding the extraordinary.” I offered my advice.
“Since it’s your suggestion, Xiao Han, I can allocate some time to try it out.” Yi Rui replied, and upon her acknowledgment, the others followed suit.
“However, I’m quite curious—why do you suddenly want us to engage in body cultivation?”
“Well… explaining this can be tricky, but to put it directly: through constant exploration of Self-Generated Magic, I always find myself unable to bypass the threshold of body cultivation.” I explained, “So, if we wish to conduct research into Self-Generated Magic, it would be best for you all to familiarize yourselves with the powers of body cultivation.”
“Unable to bypass it?”
“But there are many Extraordinary Witches who haven’t done body cultivation yet have obtained Self-Generated Magic after advancing to become Extraordinary Witches.” At this point, someone questioned.
“Have you considered that one of the processes of advancing to become an Extraordinary Witch, the so-called Witch Transformation Progress, is actually another type of unique body cultivation system?” I countered.
“Ah? Witch Transformation… body cultivation?!”
“Yes, Witch Transformation indeed expresses a form of body cultivation. Otherwise, why do you think that as the degree of witch transformation increases, one’s physical constitution also enhances? However, the body cultivation seen in witch transformation is not the same as what you perceive body cultivation to be.”
At this moment, it was Belika who spoke, providing a definitive statement that saved me a lot of explanation—this is the authority stemming from the instructors.
