58: More information

The third and most effective method to increase mental energy is to completely deplete it without exceeding the critical limit.

When mental energy recovers, you will grow a little each time. As long as it is done in moderation, little by little, a lot of mental energy can be accumulated.

“I understand. So I must have grown a little now, right?” Ning Ruogong asked.

“Yes.”

Ning Ruogong thought for a while longer, then continued his cultivation. Using the Earth Jade Cultivation Technique, he began to gather the light particles, or Qi, in the area, quickly losing track of time.

He didn't stop cultivating until dawn approached, as the sun was about to rise. He stepped outside and saw that the sun hadn't come out yet.

Therefore, he didn't idle about. Instead, he began to gather Yin and convert it into sound, so he could collect energy for the day he had missed. He used it for a few seconds. It felt like it was working, but after that, the sound didn't diminish; instead, it grew louder and louder as it continuously gathered around his body.

He stopped, wondering what had just happened. He used the Yin-Heat Conversion Technique to check for the problem, but he couldn't make it work either. He couldn't absorb heat energy at all.

“This is strange,” he thought. “Did what happened yesterday cause a problem with the system?”

“Status,” he said, deciding to check what was wrong.

[Status: Name: Ning Ruogong Energy: 256,624,372 Separated Energy: Heat Energy: 56,421,966 Sound Energy: 190,948,858 Qi Energy: 19,253,548 Skills: Synchronized Thinking, Beginner Map, Intermediate Clavis Language, Candlelight, Yin-Heat Conversion Technique, Night Vision I, Cross-dimensional Storage (Time Stop; 75KG), Air Slash, Telepathy, Water Filtration, Earth Jade Cultivation Technique, Sun Gods Morning Purification Technique, Qi Cultivation Analysis]

“Wow, when did I accumulate so much Qi?” he said in surprise. He didn't remember accumulating Qi in the past month. Every time he cultivated, his daily Qi amount would be capped, so even if he wanted to accumulate Qi, he wouldn't have the chance.

“Wait, did I only take 4 hours to collect this much?” he said in shock. “System, am I right?” he asked.

“Yes. You collected 19,253,548 Qi in your last cultivation.”

“It's ridiculous that I gathered so much Qi and am still only at Qi Condensation First Realm. How strong are cultivators exactly? They seem even more broken than me, and I already thought this system was broken,” he said.

“Cultivators cannot absorb all the Qi they gather.”

“They only absorb a very small amount of the Qi they gather.”

“The higher the cultivation, the stronger the ability to gather Qi.”

“Good physique and good cultivation techniques also lead to faster Qi gathering.”

“Oh, really?” He didn't pay attention to what the system meant at first, but then suddenly remembered something, “Wait a minute, the Villagers cultivate so fast not only because of their good physique but also because of their good cultivation techniques?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Whew, thank goodness,” he said, letting out a sigh of relief. “I'm not as untalented as I thought. I just got some bad cards. However, this problem should be resolved soon. Also, I really should at least get beginner cultivation knowledge. Basic knowledge has almost no information beyond the most fundamental parts.”

He looked at his status again and smiled when he saw how far his Qi amount was from 25 million energy. “When my Qi amount reaches 25 million, my energy cap can be doubled again, right, System?” he asked.

“No.”

“Huh?” Ning Ruogong was a little surprised. “Why not? I thought I could double my cap with all sorts of different forms of energy?” he asked.

“Only energy collected by oneself, without human involvement, can be used to increase the energy cap.”

“Due to special energies like Qi, magic power, magic particles, and spiritual energy only being applicable to specific planets and galaxies, they cannot be used to increase the cap.”

“What? So I can never use Qi or other energies to increase my energy cap? Then what should I use?” he asked.

“The next energy type will be available once unlocked.”

Ning Ruogong was a little surprised to hear that. He had only recently obtained Qi and wasn't particularly interested in unlocking new energy sources, so he asked, “New energy? What new energy?”

“Kinetic energy.”

The system said.

“Kinetic energy?” He tried to recall what that was. “If I remember correctly, uh… it has to do with… what was it? Movement, right? How does it work?” he asked.

“You can collect energy from objects moving relative to the body you inhabit.”

“So if I can see them moving, I can absorb energy? I don't know how that works, but it sounds good. When will I get it then? I just got Qi recently, so it shouldn't be that soon, right?” he asked.

“One or more hidden requirements must be completed before all other forms of energy can be unlocked.”

“You won't tell me, will you? But it doesn't hurt to ask. What are the requirements?” he asked.

“Requirements are hidden.”

“Ha, I knew it.” Ning Ruogong was already used to the system's habit of keeping upcoming events secret, so he let it go.

He waited a little longer. The sun was about to set, and he performed his usual routine according to the Sun Gods Morning Purification Technique. His body began to glow faintly, then gradually dimmed. The Qi he had gathered entered his body, dispelling all the Yin and Yang energy within him, preparing him to receive the pure Yang energy from the sun.

As usual, the Yang energy entered his body, purifying him from within and slightly strengthening his power.

Once his cultivation was complete, he returned to the village once more.