From Under One Person: Sincere Journey Through the Heavens

You lacked a certain strength in the past.

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared in Zhao Yingkong's eyes, like a little girl who had been praised, and she couldn't help but ask, "Really?"

"real."

This is the truth, Jiang Liu wouldn't lie. After all, Zhao Ying couldn't escape her dreams; she could only face reality and had to be strong no matter what, even if that strength came from a false memory.

However, the dominant personality remained hidden deep within, wallowing in self-pity and licking its wounds.

"Speaking of which, what was the ability you demonstrated before? The pink energy cherry blossom? It involved the power of the mind, right?" Jiang Liu asked. "It felt like it could change in countless ways."

"You guessed right before, the fourth stage of the gene lock does indeed involve the spiritual level. It will give birth to the light of the soul, which will evolve into corresponding abilities based on an individual's obsessions, beliefs, and the like."

Zhao Yingkong said, "My ability of the Light of the Mind is most likely a combination of assassination and combat. The thousands of petals are a combination of offense and defense. Offensively, they can be used as hidden weapons, to enhance weapons, and to change shape. Defensively, they can attach to the body to form armor and shields. In addition, this ability can also be operated in conjunction with the Five Elements Elixir Formation Method, which keeps me in a state of continuous energy and breath, which can increase my strength several times over."

"As for the name, I'm thinking of calling it Sakura Phoenix. What do you think?"

Sakura Phoenix?

Jiang Liu scrutinized Zhao Yingkong and realized that the ever-changing light of her soul might indeed have been influenced by her assassination and fighting methods, but the most crucial factor was that she was recognizing her own illusion and yearning to live her own life—Ying was her past, and Huang represented her rebirth.

However, Zhao Yingkong cannot fully reach the "Sakura Phoenix" realm and complete her rebirth until she truly accepts and integrates with the past.

"good."

After Jiang Liu finished speaking, this wisp of consciousness returned to its original body through the light.

Zhao Yingkong slowly woke up and saw that she was being carried by Jiang Liu. Her face turned red, she let go of his hand, and jumped onto the back of a nearby camel that no one was riding.

"Are you okay?"

Zhan Lan rode her camel to Zhao Yingkong's side and asked with concern, "What exactly happened at the market earlier? The battle seemed very intense? Jiang Liu said you were the one who started it, is that true?"

"Well, it's me."

Zhao Yingkong admitted, "I have unlocked the fourth stage of the gene lock."

"Really?"

Zheng Zha asked, "What are your experiences with the fourth stage of the gene lock?"

"It involves the essence of genes and the spiritual level. At this stage, genes can be continuously optimized to keep oneself in peak condition at all times, and it can simulate the energy cycle system of anyone. That is to say, the exchange and strengthening of the main god at this stage can only be said to be better than nothing."

Zhao Yingkong explained, "But the most crucial thing is the light of the soul, which can evolve into a unique ability based on one's deepest subconscious obsessions and beliefs. It can be said to be a kind of spiritual materialization ability. The power comes from the inside out, originates from the soul, and no longer depends on external seeking."

However, at this stage, one will encounter inner demons, stemming from deep-seated fears, despair, and unresolved past events. If these inner demons cannot be overcome, one will lose control at this stage, even becoming dominated by them, and may lose the potential for further evolution.

Upon hearing about their inner demons, everyone frowned, especially Zheng Zha, who suspected that the inner demon he had to confront was the pain of losing Luo Li.

As for the humanoid loli within the Main God Space—

Perhaps he has been deceiving himself all along?

"So how did you overcome your inner demons?" Chu Xuan glanced at Jiang Liu in front of him and asked.

"I didn't overcome it, but I was able to ignore it. With Jiang Liu's help, I built a Tower of All Heavens in the inner world, allowing my main personality to meditate inside. When the main personality climbed to the twenty-fourth floor, I returned to my true self, made up for my past, and with a resolute mind, I could ignore my inner demons."

After Zhao Yingkong finished speaking, she added, "The theory of cultivating one's mind and character in the path of Qi cultivation has the effect of suppressing and eradicating inner demons. However, I have also faced reality and can be considered to be able to ignore the influence of inner demons."

the other side.

Lu Jin also inquired about the source of the commotion at the market, and Jiang Liu explained to him and Duanmu Ying, who had come over, the ability of the fourth stage of the gene lock: continuously optimizing genes, awakening the light of the soul, completing the transformation from seeking externally to giving internally, and gradually evolving into the legendary immortals and Buddhas.

"The awakened light of the soul evolves into abilities... Isn't that similar to innate superpowers?" Duanmu Ying wondered, "Going through all that trouble just for this?"

"It's different. Innate abilities are merely constructed based on Qi, but abilities that evolve based on the light of the mind originate from the mind and are used to leverage the physical laws of reality."

Jiang Liu explained the difference between the two: "When fighting against those who have awakened the light of the mind, there is no way to break their abilities. Moreover, those who can reach the fourth level have already fully adapted to the opening of the first three levels of gene locks. Their physical strength is so formidable that even without entering the ranks of cultivation, their combat power is comparable to that of an internal martial arts master who has cultivated for a lifetime."

"The gene lock is even more outrageous than I imagined!" Duanmu Ying exclaimed again, her interest in the word "gene" growing ever stronger.

"How should I put it? In essence, it's similar to our Qi cultivation practice. Our process of circulating Qi throughout the body and cultivating our life force is also a process of constantly relying on Qi to control every inch of the body. It's just that the form is a bit different. They rely on the complete fusion of consciousness and brain to achieve a true 'primordial spirit' to control genes, which should be considered a microscopic level of manipulation. Our Qi cultivation, on the other hand, is to manage the body's life activities through the macroscopic system of circulating Qi throughout the body."

Jiang Liu compared the two and came to the same conclusion: "But without a doubt, unlocking the gene lock can make up for our shortcomings in 'micro-management'."

Lu Jin and Duanmu Ying both agreed.

Furthermore, the fundamental reason why China lags behind the West lies in its inferior practical application of "micro-management" techniques, rather than in a lack of civilizational depth...

# Chapter 528 Hamunaptra

"By the way, what level of gene lock have you activated?"

"Duanmu Ying asked."

"Third tier".

Gene lock: first stage awakens combat instincts, second stage grants control over 90% of the physical body, and third stage develops brain functions.

For ordinary people, without effective treatments, unlocking the genetic potential has only one outcome:

dead!

For those who practice Qi cultivation, circulating Qi throughout the body can alleviate the side effects of unlocking the genetic lock, allowing them to gradually adapt.

However, it will also consume one's lifespan. After all, unlocking the gene lock requires a lot of energy, and the power gained after unlocking also requires a lot of energy from the human body. If it is not replenished and only relies on natural recovery, a person's body will be depleted in a short period of time.

fortunately!

Jiang Liu has the ability to refine his form with the sun and moon, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. The moon contains the Jade Rabbit to unlock his potential, and the sun contains the Golden Crow to transform his genes, replenishing his energy. He also has the Nine-Turn Elixir Method, which uses the Five Elements to transform the Six Qi, to refine the Primordial Qi and make up for his energy consumption. That's why he was able to reach the third stage in a short time.

However, given Jiang Liu's current state, he has only fully normalized the first and second stages of the gene lock; normalizing the third stage will still take some time.

"So, you can't unleash power as strong as Zhao Yingkong?" Duanmu Ying couldn't help but ask.

"can."

Jiang Liu laughed and said, "Conservatively speaking, with my current strength, if I were to fully activate my gene lock and unleash my power without considering the consequences, I should be able to raze a mountain that is over a hundred meters high to the ground."

"That's really amazing!"

Duanmu Ying's mouth was agape, yet she believed that Jiang Liu truly possessed such power.

"I have some understanding of the fourth stage through Zhao Yingkong. Essentially, it is a process of forging a complete 'primordial spirit'. The first three stages control the entire physical body in order to allow consciousness, soul and brain, or rather, the entire nervous system, to be completely integrated in the fourth stage."

Jiang Liu spoke of the fourth stage, "It seems that only in this way can the thoughts generated by the primordial spirit quickly transform into spirit, and the spirit further sublimate into mind. That is, to use the power of mind to guide the activities of the primordial spirit, form an ability corresponding to personal obsessions and beliefs, and complete the transformation from seeking externally to giving internally."

At this point, Jiang Liu pondered to himself:

The light of the mind may be the foundation for stabilizing the mental landscape and enabling it to evolve into the real world. If the energy field of reality can support another dimension, then theoretically, the energy field of the human body can also support a three-dimensional space, thus giving birth to the inner universe…

With this in mind, Jiang Liu felt it necessary to unlock his gene lock to the fourth level and awaken the light of his soul before refining his inner holy embryo.

Furthermore, his theory of the unity of mind and body is largely the same as the first four stages of the gene lock, which control the essence of physical genes and mental power.

[Worth trying in the future!]

What are you discussing?

Evelyn, riding her camel, approached Jiang Liu, Lu Jin, and Duanmu Ying, asking, "Are you having trouble adjusting to the desert environment?"

"Thank you for your concern, Professor Evelyn." Jiang Liu decisively ended the conversation, smiling slightly. "People always have to force themselves to adapt to new environments, it's alright."

Actually.

For Jiang Liu, adapting to the local climate is also part of perfecting his mastery of the four seasons and six elements, since the four seasons are not so distinct on this continent.

"That's right, Ms. Evelyn, you don't need to worry, we're perfectly healthy!"

Lu Jin stood tall and proud, indicating that he was unharmed.

Duanmu Ying picked up a water bag from the side of the camel's hump, uncorked it, took a sip of water, and said, "I'm not as carefree as you guys!"

"It's good that you're alright. I thought you wouldn't be used to a long journey in the desert." Evelyn nodded slightly, then asked about the three of them's chosen majors for studying abroad...

···

In the blink of an eye.

Sunrise and sunset, several days passed.

Jiang Liu and his group rode camels through the desolate desert, enduring the scorching sun and the cold winds of the moonlit night, and finally found their destination under O'Connor's guidance.

Upon entering this place, Jiang Liu felt a faint breeze, unlike the hot winds of the desert during the day or the cold winds of the night; it was a unique airflow—

Awesome!

However, according to Jiang Liu's perception, this aura was like an "old man" who was about to die. Even if left unattended, it would dissipate on its own in less than a hundred years.

Just like a cultivator, even if their cultivation is unfathomable, if they do not understand the method of refining the innate Qi, they cannot replenish what they have consumed. When their lifespan comes, their physical body will also decay, and their innate Qi will return to nature, leading to death and the dissipation of their Dao.

Similarly, the same applies to the natural atmosphere:

The terrain and topography change due to crustal movement and wind and rain erosion, and the energy pattern will also dissipate and return to the entire natural cycle.

Therefore.

Entering this energy field will not have a significant impact on ordinary people. At most, they may wander around without understanding the energy flow, causing their personal energy to clash with the local energy field, resulting in a series of bad luck.

Those who cultivate Qi can completely ignore the conflicting Qi in this place, ensuring that their "past" information remains unaffected.

We've arrived!

O'Connor dismounted from his camel, landed on the sand dune, pointed ahead, and said excitedly, "That's the legendary city of the dead—"

Hamnata!

"There's nothing ahead!" The warden, seeing that there was only endless sand for dozens of miles below the dunes, began to suspect that O'Connor was just messing with them.

How did you determine that?

Evelyn also began to have doubts. After all, the area in front of her was dim and there were no landmark buildings. How could she be sure that this was Hamunaptra?

Could it be that they've taken the sand dune they're currently standing on as a symbol of Hamunaptra?

"Believe me!"

Seeing the distrust of the crowd, O'Connor showed his displeasure, but the saying "when under someone's roof, one dares not disobey" holds true even in the West, so he only let out a shout before immediately beginning to explain, "I was hired by the army to fight against local warlords. Defeated, I had to flee, and in my panic, I ended up in this desert..."

At that time, there were many broken walls and ruins in the vicinity, and further away there was a half-exposed statue of Anubis!

You wouldn't believe it! The sand beneath the Anubis statue churned up on its own, eventually forming a gigantic human face, eyes wide and mouth agape, as if screaming!

Evelyn and the warden naturally didn't believe it.