Chapter 22: The Relative Relationship Between History and Psychic Energy

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Yu Lian dared to assure his most admired instructor, Teacher Li, that he truly did not have much fondness for this so-called psychic power. He believed there were three main reasons why this phenomenon had completely skewed the entire technological development of the galaxy, and indeed, known civilizations throughout the universe. One of these reasons was precisely this thing called psychic energy. Of course, some called it primal energy, some called it the Force, others called it shadow energy—essentially, it was all the same mysterious stuff.

The more “scientific” explanation described it as an elusive, inscrutable energy factor, pervasive in every corner of the universe yet utterly undetectable by any instrument. Gifted living beings could harness its presence to strengthen themselves, communicate telepathically, rend the heavens and earth, and traverse the stars and galaxies, much like the omnipotent deities of ancient legend.

Because of the existence of these extraordinary individuals, the whole cosmos had taken on a rather mystical air. Fatalism, animism, even bloodline theories flourished. None of it was materialistic, scientific, logical, or progressive.

After all, individuals who could obliterate a battleship with their bare hands really did exist! It was understandable that chaos ensued.

When Yu Lian first transmigrated in his previous life, he thought he had arrived in a futuristic cosmic era and feared he might become a “primitive illiterate.” He was greatly shocked culturally, but soon realized this was far from the truth.

Until the 15th century, Earth’s history was exactly as he knew it. But then, changes came with the arrival of extraterrestrial visitors.

When the Empire’s and the Alliance’s space exploration vessels arrived almost simultaneously in the solar system, they discovered beings nearly identical to themselves in a remote corner of the galaxy. Overjoyed almost to the point of ecstasy, they descended violently upon this obscure blue planet, the third arm of the Milky Way.

Those were truly glorious times! Discovering “kindred” among the endless stars was nothing short of a cosmic miracle. The Empire’s starward observers and the Alliance’s academy scholars lingered in the Forbidden City and the Holy Palace, marveling at the primitive yet radiant civilization; the Star Knights and Rangers raised their glasses and sang beneath the watchful gaze of the Sphinx and the Leshan Giant Buddha, inviting the kneeling Earthlings to join their revelry.

Yet Earthlings, just about to enter their Age of Discovery, had no time to explore their own planet before being led down a path where both technology and civilization were irrevocably warped.

From then on, the historical timeline Yu Lian once knew ceased to exist.

Yes, this was Earth—but not the Earth of Yu Lian’s homeland.

Coming from a materialist Earth, Yu Lian was furious. He considered psychic powers the chief culprit for the disappearance of the history and beliefs he once knew! To him, the entire galaxy was filled with incorrigible idealist fools, except for himself.

Wasn’t a logically rigorous, well-ordered scientific worldview far superior? All this talk of psychic energy, opening the so-called “stellar rings in the spiritual universe”—didn’t it all sound like mysticism?

Yu Lian, a fine young man educated in a materialist worldview for twenty years, vowed that even if he were struck down by psychic waves and cast into a black hole, he would never become an idealist fool!

Perhaps this internal conflict caused his mind to split more than most, and thus, quite confusedly, he awakened his stellar ring.

And then, to his great surprise… it was truly captivating.

Yu Lian quickly comforted himself: materialism meant “existence is reasonable.” The reason it couldn’t yet be neatly categorized by rigorous scientific models was simply because science hadn’t yet reached that level.

After all, he couldn’t become a dogmatic metaphysical pseudo-materialist! That would earn him a stern lecture from Teacher Li.

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So, psychic power was truly alluring!

Logical! Materialist! Absolutely sound!

Of course, none of that was the main point.

Let’s return to psychic power itself.

This almost universally regarded as the most potent and mysterious extraordinary force in the universe only awakens in naturally gifted lifeforms. The manner of awakening varies from person to person and no authoritative manuals exist. Yet, once awakened, regardless of which path one pursues, their soul and body enter a transcendent realm.

This also explains why the support squad at Outpost 12 was attacked by the insectoid swarm. For a species whose ultimate goal is the evolution of the entire brood, what could be more enticing than the genes of awakened individuals?

Aside from the queen, with whom Yu Lian had fought several times in his previous life, no other member of the vast swarm—numbering in the trillions—had ever been born possessing psychic power. In later years, many speculated the swarm was not naturally born but a bioweapon created by some faction, which lost control and became a galactic scourge afflicting all civilizations.

But the more something does not exist, the more one strives to prove its existence. The more unattainable it is, the greater the desire.

In later times, the swarm’s elite relentlessly hunted psychic users across the universe—proof enough.

Ina Shinika, later known as the “Blazing-Eyed Witch,” the most famous sniper in the galaxy, a heroine of the Blue Star Commonwealth, and one of Earth’s symbols of unyielding resistance, was a powerful psychic.

Of course, at twenty-three years old, she had not yet awakened—at most, she was a sensitive.

Currently, only the Empire’s Star Knight Order, the Alliance’s Stargazer Rangers, and the transcendent Void Spirit Temple possessed highly esoteric methods to detect sensitives. But Yu Lian knew the insects likely had their own means as well.

To the alien brood, an unawakened sensitive’s genetic information might be even more valuable than that of an awakened one.

Although the swarm was still quietly growing and lacked the strength to attack major cities or the galactic core, they would not miss any opportunities to strike targets in the wilderness.

Yu Lian was puzzled. In his previous life, he had never heard Ina mention any attack incidents. Her first appearance on the historical stage was during the Siege of Turon Port.

But if he had not been reincarnated, wouldn’t the “Blazing-Eyed Witch” have perished prematurely?

He searched his memories again and confirmed that the Turon Port incident left no trace of the swarm. The first official record of the swarm’s appearance was indeed several years later.

Perhaps the swarm had not originally planned to appear, but his reincarnation caused them to alter their course and surface earlier?

Yes, for the swarm, two sensitives were naturally more valuable than one.

In other words, he had already begun to alter history?

Uh… though he said that, it was ultimately just Yu Lian’s speculation lacking solid evidence. So he decided to shelve these doubts for now.

Anyway, he returned his focus to the present. Yu Lian believed that even if his reincarnation and possession had caused a butterfly effect, the swarm would not appear again anytime soon. Their current policy was to quietly develop; before reaching critical mass, they dared not expose themselves to the gaze of major civilizations. The closer one got to Turon’s battlefield, the safer one was.

As he pondered this, Yu Lian casually said, “Well, if you want to know what psychic power feels like… besides having much greater physical and mental endurance, I guess it’s about heightened sensitivity. But it varies. Each awakened individual has their own experience. Some hear incomprehensible nonsense and claim to be guided by the spirit of the universe, performing tricks and spouting flawed theories, yet still manage to become spiritual leaders to nobles and dignitaries. So, don’t think awakening is always a blessing—if your will cannot master the power, you become its slave.”

Most people looked at him with expressions that said, “I don’t understand what you said, but it sounds impressive.” Only the old mechanic shivered and glanced nervously around before reluctantly saying, “Sir, this kind of talk is fine here, but you mustn’t say such things on home soil! Especially not in public.”

“Uh… what did I say?”

“The One Spirit Unity Cult has significant backing and many fanatical believers. If you can’t keep quiet, it might ruin your prospects. Worse, fanatics might attack you. I once knew a reporter… well, never mind.”

“Oh, you mean that Master Wang’s thing? Swear on the universe’s spirit, I wasn’t referring to that.”

Yes, it wasn’t just a reference—it was practically an outright insult.

Ina, probably wanting to change the subject, interjected, “So, how exactly do you sense those burrowing bugs? Some psychic technique?”

You actually remembered that? Yu Lian rolled his eyes inwardly and said seriously, “It’s the same principle as catching ground squirrels back home. Spread your fingers on the ground, feel the subtle vibrations. As long as they move, there are vibrations with a distinct rhythm. One-two-three means they’re approaching; one-two-three-four, they’re preparing to attack; five to six means they’re less than two meters away; seven to eight, three meters; nine to ten, five meters. Each finger joint corresponds to a direction. For example, the first joint of the middle finger means three o’clock.”

Everyone showed newfound respect, either impressed or confused. Only Ina still looked skeptical: “Is this just serious nonsense?”

Hunters on Green Garden planet really did catch silver whisker mice this way, with minor differences in detail. And wasn’t this even more scientific than psychic power?

“Alright then, here’s something less nonsensical. When I was at the academy, I seriously read the early survey reports of the New Jade Gate by the scientific expedition. They believed there should be a civilization left behind by the Enlighteners.”

“Enlighteners?” Youyou looked utterly baffled.

“…Don’t want to start from scratch, go back to middle school for two more years. In short, the vanished Enlighteners left relics of civilization scattered across the universe for later generations to explore. It’s no secret. The reason I wanted to serve here was to catch a glimpse of it. When I awakened, I indeed felt an indescribable impulse guiding me here. Perhaps this was the universe’s spirit and the ancient ancestors’ enlightenment. I figured, since we have to retreat anyway, and the front line is likely to encounter the enemy, why not try our luck in the mountains to the north? If there really are relics of the Enlighteners, they could help us escape. And that’s exactly what happened… Psychics really must trust their intuition!”

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