LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 145: Chapter 144
Alex sat cross-legged in the quiet space of his apartment, his breathing steady and calm. The sensation of his enhanced mental strength still felt foreign, yet exhilarating. Level 5 wasn't just about power; it was a gateway into a new kind of understanding—a subtle but profound shift in how he experienced the world and his own existence within it. The calm of introspection flooded him, and for the first time in weeks, he wasn't focused on the chaos unfolding around the world—just his own quiet exploration.
Closing his eyes, Alex allowed his mind to shift inward, activating his newfound ability to view his internal systems. It felt like opening a window into his body, and the deeper he looked, the more intricate the details became. He observed the muscles in his arms and legs, flexing and contracting with each breath. His cardiovascular system pulsed in rhythm, efficiently circulating blood.
But beyond that, he noticed something else—areas of his body lagging in strength, places where his muscles could be optimized. His Flowstrike cultivation technique had worked wonders, but there was room for improvement. Now, with his ability to observe his body so precisely, he could finally refine his technique at the most fundamental level.
As he focused on his muscles and tissues, Alex felt the power deep within him, the strength he'd honed through countless hours of practice. Flowstrike had always been about merging Tai Chi's slow, deliberate movements with a meditative awareness of the cosmos. Now, he saw how every movement impacted his body at the cellular level. The slightest misalignment in posture, the smallest inefficiency in power transfer—he saw it all.
"I can improve this," he thought, a small smile tugging at his lips.
He began moving through the familiar stances of Flowstrike, allowing his introspection to guide him. Each movement felt sharper, more deliberate. With each punch or step, he sensed subtle shifts in muscle tension, the flow of energy, and the rhythm of his breath.
With internal sight, Alex corrected the micro-movements in his technique. He adjusted the angle of his arms, the placement of his feet, and the tension in his core. Every movement became more refined, more efficient. His strikes gained fluidity, less reliant on brute force and more about channeling his body's natural strength in perfect harmony. His technique was no longer instinctual but an art, each movement executed with precision.
Satisfied with his internal adjustments, Alex closed his eyes and allowed his external sight to take over. The world around him bloomed into clarity, every detail coming into sharp focus. It was as if he were seeing with a sixth sense, perceiving his surroundings through his mind.
The rhythm of the city seemed to pulse with life. He could feel subtle vibrations—the hum of electricity in the walls, the movement of people in the street below, the rustling of leaves. His external sight allowed him to connect with these details, and with it came a sense of unity with the world.
"Flow with it," he reminded himself.
As he practiced Flowstrike, Alex let his external sight guide him, aligning his movements with the environment's rhythm. He moved in harmony with the pulses he sensed, his body and surroundings intertwined.
There was something profoundly calming about it—a sense of belonging he'd never felt before. His body and the environment were no longer separate entities but parts of a whole, each movement an expression of that connection.
Despite the harmony he felt, a nagging thought surfaced. This was level 5—the pinnacle. The whispers about surpassing level 5 had always lingered in his mind, hinting at untold potential, but his journey here suggested a limit, a cap he couldn't break. Yet, the possibility of transcending it remained tantalizing.
"Eva," he said, activating the AI. Her presence appeared, a calm, blue-hued figure on his screen interface.
"Yes, Alex?" Her voice was soft, almost soothing.
"You've analyzed my levels. What are the limits of human mental strength? Could level 5 be bypassed?"
There was a slight pause as Eva processed. "Current data suggests that level 5 mental strength is the peak limit for the human mind without external augmentation or genetic alteration," she replied. "The structural composition of the human brain cannot sustain the strain beyond this point."
Alex sighed. "So it's a biological cap?"
"Precisely," Eva confirmed. "The brain would suffer irreversible damage if the mental strain exceeded this threshold without enhancing the neural structure. To push beyond level 5 would require significant alterations—changes that may come at great risk."
"Could the mind itself be cultivated, just like the body?" he wondered aloud.
Some techniques hinted at it—ancient disciplines of meditation, mental exercises, and focus drills. But there was no guide for reaching new levels of mental strength. Everything he knew up to this point had been trial and error, evolving naturally through his own experimentation. If he were to break through level 5, he'd have to push beyond what his own body understood and venture into new frontiers.
A spark of curiosity lit within him. What if the mind could be transformed, altered at a foundational level? Was it possible that the Cognichip might play a role, perhaps offering simulations or insights that would aid him in this process?
That got his attention. If the Cognichip were to evolve…maybe, just maybe, it could bridge that gap.
His thoughts returned to the Cognichip. It had served him well, allowing him to navigate his abilities and deepen his understanding. But now, as he felt it undergoing a silent transformation, an upgrade of sorts, he began to wonder.
He couldn't shake the sense that it was more than a simple tool—that it was a part of him, adapting and growing with his own progress. His curiosity grew; what new capabilities would it bring?
"Eva," he asked again, "do you have any insight on the upgrade? What should I expect?"
"Unknown," she replied simply, though there was a hint of anticipation in her tone. "The Cognichip's changes are synchronized with your internal progress, adapting to support your growth. It will likely increase your cognitive processing capacity and may provide deeper interfacing with your mental abilities. But the specifics are…unknown."
Alex smiled at her uncharacteristic intrigue. If even Eva couldn't predict what would come next, then the upgrade might be more significant than he'd anticipated.
"Eva," he began again, "do you think there's a way to surpass the level 5 limit of mental strength?"
Her voice, cool and measured, responded, "It's uncharted territory, Alex. There is no precedent for this—no one before you has cultivated mental strength to this extent. However, there may be ways to explore."
"Go on," he prompted, intrigued.
"There are methods of manipulating mental resilience," she explained. "Memory strengthening techniques, prolonged focus exercises, and mental conditioning. While these methods won't directly boost your level, they can increase the flexibility and endurance of your current capacity."
"Interesting," Alex murmured. "But I want to go further—to actually change the mental structure itself. Like… creating new neural pathways that can support greater strength."
Eva paused, as though calculating the possibilities. "Your idea may align with a theory of neuroplasticity. By repeatedly exposing the mind to tasks and stresses beyond its current limits, it may adapt in response. This could, theoretically, expand your mental capacity."
"Hmm," he said thoughtfully. "What kind of 'tasks' do you mean?"
Eva responded, "Intensive mental simulations, problem-solving under time pressure, multi-layered memory exercises. You could use me to create exercises that place increasing strain on your cognitive functions."
Alex's eyes brightened at the thought. "And if I get close to overload, I could switch to a lower mode and rest. It would be like… training my body but with my mind."
She continued, "Precisely. Another approach would be exposure to different cognitive states. You might experiment with altered states of consciousness, meditation, or even hypnagogic states. This might help the brain 'reset' itself to higher levels."
A grin crept onto his face. "And you'll help me keep track of these experiments?"
"Of course. Recording your responses, identifying patterns, and even intervening if necessary. We can track how much strain you're placing on each level, looking for indicators of adaptation."
There was a pause as Alex mulled it over, the thrill of exploration and discovery settling within him. "So, no maps to follow, but we're making our own," he said.
Eva's voice softened in response, as though sensing his resolve. "Precisely, Alex. You're the origin of this path."
As the day wore on, Alex finished his session, feeling the quiet satisfaction of progress. His Flowstrike had been refined, his body optimized, and his connection to the environment deepened. He had pushed himself to new limits, but there was still more to discover.
"What are you thinking, Alex?" Eva's voice cut into his reverie, gentle yet observant.
"Just wondering about what's next," he replied softly. "If I've reached the limit of mental strength, then maybe I'm supposed to focus on harmony. I've gained so much…now it's about refining, honing. But I'll admit, I can't help but wonder if this is really it."
"It may not be," Eva replied. "Humans are known for surpassing limits they once believed insurmountable. If there is more to discover, you will find it."