Chapter 1253 - 351: City

Chen Ming opened his eyes.

For some reason, he suddenly found himself in a bustling city, standing atop a skyscraper at the city’s center.

Looking out, he saw shuttle boats navigating the controlled airways above, while traffic and hurried pedestrians filled the streets below.

Where had his boss brought him?

"Here..."

"Inside my mind."

His boss’s voice suddenly sounded from behind Chen Ming.

Turning back, he saw his boss standing by the elevator leading down from the rooftop, gazing at Chen Ming with an indescribable look.

Without words, his boss beckoned Chen Ming to come over.

His boss’s consciousness space was unexpectedly a city with inhabitants.

Chen Ming had never anticipated such a phenomenon.

But matters of spiritual energy are beyond prediction.

So Chen Ming naturally accepted this unique situation and followed his boss.

His boss led Chen Ming into the elevator, glanced at him, and said, "This is a good time for a talk."

"I remember you used to be curious why I was willing to help you initially, to mentor you, but later you stopped questioning."

Chen Ming replied, "Because it’s no longer necessary."

Regardless of the reason, it did not change the deeds of his boss, and dwelling on it was unnecessary.

"But now I can tell you."

His boss didn’t speak directly, but continued to lead Chen Ming to the shuttle boat landing outside the building.

They boarded a shuttle boat together, ascended high into the sky, offering Chen Ming a full view of the city.

Chen Ming observed the myriad details within the city, seeing different people engaging in diverse tasks, even conversing with each other — as if this truly was a real city.

Naturally, Chen Ming also noticed the areas nearer the city’s edge growing increasingly blurred.

It reminded Chen Ming that they were still within the consciousness space.

His boss suddenly asked, "Do you see it? The city, and its inhabitants."

"Yes."

"This city is a replica of the city where I was born, and its inhabitants are projections of all the people I’ve heard of and learned about."

"Projections? Why transform your consciousness space into this?"

"Well... a consciousness space can symbolize a psychic’s power, and can also be a source of their power."

"It is essentially the foundation of a psychic’s spiritual energy, a spiritual foundation, though calling it a consciousness space is also fine."

"Each person’s consciousness space is different; I chose to make it my power source."

"That’s why I created this city."

His boss suddenly spread his arms wide, as if to embrace the entire city.

"By listening to others’ life stories, I’ve generated projections within the city, each projection provides me with power."

"What’s the principle behind this?" Chen Ming asked with some confusion.

"A person’s existence inherently holds power, and their experiences determine the extent of that power, influencing their spirit."

"Most non-natural psychics awaken after experiencing some profoundly life-altering events, you know?"

"That’s why I replicate these projections to draw power from them."

Chen Ming thought of Lu Bai, who awakened his spiritual energy after risking everything to infiltrate Dusk’s colossal dock and coordinating with Chen Ming on an unprecedented feat.

Another acquaintance, Thousand Faces, awakened his spiritual energy after enduring years of domestic abuse and committing patricide upon reaching adulthood.

Indeed, they all awakened after significant events.

"How about if someone’s described experiences are false?" Chen Ming asked.

"False experiences lack power; they can’t coincide or resonate with one’s spirit, thus can’t be replicated. True experiences, even simply narrated, stir my emotions."

"Look closely at those projections; some are solidified, while others appear ’fuzzier.’ They vary in strength, that’s the difference."

"Those who’ve experienced more — whose spirits are formidable — yield more potent projections and, consequently, more power."

"I purposely ventured to the Pirate Space Station to encounter diverse individuals."

"That can’t be the only reason, right?" Chen Ming replied.

The Prosperous Star Realm surely has more people to encounter than the Pirate Space Station in the Edge Star Realm.

His boss, a level 6 psychic, hiding here clearly had other motives.

"I prefer people with rich experiences."

"Though the Prosperous Star Realm thrives, the truly valuable experiences don’t surpass those found in the Edge Star Realm."

"Lives in stable star realms don’t match the abundance of experiences pirates face on life’s edge."

"There are other reasons, indeed, which involve many matters; we’ll discuss them later."

"I enjoy encountering people with rich experiences, and I also like cultivating potential people who may lead such lives."

"Back then, you seemed full of stories, so I saw potential in you and chose to approach you positively and mentor you."

Chen Ming finally understood his boss’s intentions.

Evidently, his boss’s efforts truly met expectations.

His experiences were indeed abundant, and due to his boss’s genuine treatment, he generously shared most of his experiences whole-heartedly.