LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 150: Chapter 149
Alex sat in the familiar silence of his apartment, waiting for the Cognichip to provide more insights. He had been obsessing over the recent revelations: soul power, mental power, and their connection. The deeper he delved, the more the world around him seemed to make sense in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Today, however, his focus shifted toward a different question—one that had been lingering in his mind for a while now.
"What about ability users?" he asked the Cognichip. "How do they fit into all of this? Are they using mental power, soul power, or something else entirely?"
The screen blinked to life, delivering a response that made Alex lean forward.
[Ability users function similarly to those who would cultivate mental power but with key differences. They are not fully free and unrestrained like a true cultivator. Instead, they are connected to the rhythm of all things in a restricted manner. Their abilities are limited to specific aspects of reality, preventing them from accessing other powers unless they reach the true peak and actively connect to the complete rhythm of all things.]
Alex's eyes widened in surprise. So, ability users were tapping into the same force that he was—the rhythm of all things—but in a limited way. They were essentially locked into one aspect, whether it was fire, metal, or water, and couldn't break free from that specialization unless they trained to a much higher level.
"Restricted to one aspect," Alex repeated softly. "So that's why they can't gain new abilities, no matter how much they try."
It all began to make sense now. He had seen the world react to ability users as if they were gods, and yet, their powers had always felt incomplete to him. This new information confirmed it: while they might be powerful in one domain, they were still bound by limitations.
But what allowed them to connect to that one aspect in the first place?
He voiced the question, and the Cognichip responded.
[This connection is made possible through the Life Code.]
"The Life Code?" Alex asked aloud, intrigued. "That's right, I had once theorised it's existence and connection to abilities, but how does it function exactly?"
The Cognichip didn't make him wait long for an answer.
[The Life Code is essentially a DNA code formed by cosmic energy. This cosmic energy, when expressed in the material world, forms the DNA structure known as nucleic acid. The Life Code functions at a higher order than regular DNA, as it is imprinted with cosmic resonance. As such, it influences the formation of abilities, which are expressions of specific aspects of the rhythm of all things.]
The screen continued displaying more information, leaving Alex in awe.
[With the increased concentration of cosmic energy on Earth—due to the remnant power of the shard you could not absorb—the Life Code is activated in humans. This activation leads to the formation of a hidden code within the DNA, which manifests as abilities. In essence, abilities are an expression of cosmic energy filtered through the Life Code.]
Alex paused, letting the words sink in. Abilities were not some random fluke. They were the result of cosmic energy interacting with the very DNA of humans, awakening a dormant potential that had always been there but had never had the right conditions to emerge. The remnants of the shard—the power he couldn't absorb—had scattered through the atmosphere, triggering this sudden wave of awakenings.
"So, it's all about cosmic energy," Alex murmured. "The Life Code is essentially a cosmic imprint on DNA?"
[Correct. The Life Code is a universal structure embedded within the essence of life itself. It interacts with the rhythm of all things but manifests in a restricted manner, according to the aspect an individual connects with. This connection is encoded in the hidden DNA sequences triggered by the influx of cosmic energy.]
Alex felt his mind racing, trying to grasp the enormity of what he was learning. The entire phenomenon of abilities was rooted in something far deeper than he had ever imagined. Humans had always had the potential for this, but it took the right cosmic trigger—the shard's remnants—for it to finally activate.
"Then that means... every human could theoretically have an ability," Alex muttered.
[Not every human possesses the right genetic alignment to manifest an ability. Only those whose Life Code can properly synchronize with cosmic energy will develop one. However, with enough understanding of the Life Code, it is possible to manipulate this alignment and, theoretically, awaken abilities in others.]
Alex sat back, stunned. The thought of artificially triggering abilities—of manipulating the very code of life itself—was both thrilling and terrifying. The Cognichip was outlining a path to potential genetic modification on a scale that could change the course of humanity. If people started learning how to manipulate the Life Code intentionally, there would be no limit to what they could accomplish.
But then something else dawned on him. "You said they can't gain new abilities unless they reach the true peak," Alex said, his voice steady. "What does that mean, exactly?"
The Cognichip responded immediately.
[To gain new abilities, a user must cultivate their mental or soul power to a point where they are no longer restricted by the Life Code's initial imprint. This requires connecting fully with the rhythm of all things, not just a specific aspect. At that point, the individual will have access to multiple aspects of cosmic energy resonance, granting them the ability to wield different powers.]
"So the reason they're stuck with one ability is because they haven't trained to that level yet," Alex concluded.
[Correct. Most ability users are content with their powers and do not pursue further cultivation. However, those who do seek to surpass the limits of their abilities must cultivate their mental or soul power to unlock new potential.]
The idea that ability users could surpass their limitations was both fascinating and unsettling. If even one of them managed to train beyond their current capabilities, they could become a true force of nature. But at the same time, it would require discipline and knowledge that few, if any, currently possessed.
Alex glanced down at his hands, thinking about how different his path had been. He had cultivated his mental power step by step, growing stronger through careful meditation and focus. Ability users, in contrast, had been thrust into power without the same level of understanding. They had power but lacked control and depth.
The Life Code had given them access to something incredible, but it also bound them in ways they couldn't yet see.
"Can I manipulate the Life Code?" Alex asked suddenly, the idea forming in his mind.
[With a sufficient understanding of cosmic energy and the rhythm of all things, it is possible to alter the Life Code. However, this requires deep knowledge of both the mental and soul aspects of cultivation. You are currently at the beginning of this process.]
Alex couldn't help but smile at that. The possibilities were endless. With the Cognichip's help, he was gaining insights into the very foundation of existence—the rhythm of all things, the Life Code, cosmic energy. He wasn't bound by the same limitations as ability users. He was free to explore, to grow, and to uncover the true depth of his potential.
But he also knew that with this knowledge came responsibility. The world was changing rapidly, and he was one of the few people who understood the forces at play. If others began to understand the Life Code and how to manipulate it, there could be chaos—far more than the world had seen already.
For now, he would continue his quiet cultivation. But he knew that, eventually, the knowledge he was gaining would have to be shared. And when that time came, the world would be ready to evolve once again.
With a deep breath, Alex closed his eyes, sinking into his introspection. The Life Code, mental power, soul power—all of it was connected. And he was just beginning to see the full picture.