[NR] Jason's Turn - Chapter 743

This left Jason to relay his findings about NeoRealm, and boy! What findings he had.

It started simple enough. About how the System actually uses Energy for what it does and this is why it works to bury knowledge of Energy. That Energy, Mana, and Qi are the primary forces of this world in the same way physics are irl and Chaos, Yin, and Yang are in many cultivation novels.

Which led to how NeoRealm’s three powers are actually based on the laws of motion. With Energy representing inertia and replaces itself as other forces act upon it. That Qi is the equation of Force equalling Mass times Acceleration and also includes elements of charging up. Then there is Mana which takes on action and reaction, though extended into the mystical so as to include stuff such as sympathetic magic like when acting on an effigy to cause a reaction to the one who is represented.

Which led to Qi being a dot, Energy a line, and Mana a shape. Which is why Energy easily turns into the other two. It seemed a bit odd to the others, but Jason’s explanation of how that relates to the laws of motion somewhat convinced them, at least enough to go along with him.

Then he gets into deeper elements of this, the Primordial forms of the three powers. How if Jason’s guess is right, Primordial Energy was used to create the entire universe that NeoRealm reside within. That Primordial Energy does just replace itself infinitely, but rather multiplies. How the only thing that can stop it are the other Primordial forces.

Though Jason only has guesses on how they work. That Primordial Mana can break the natural order of action and reaction. How Primordial Qi could be a power of infinite force. All interesting stuff, but while Jason assures them, they should still exist. After all, even the smallest bit of Primordial Energy can create an infinite amount more of the stuff, while the other two Primordial powers could be formed from it. Besides, it would be stupid for the System not to keep some samples. They’re too useful on that level.

Then Jason got into the whole “System controls us with Energy lines” thing. That there is a hole in their bodies which leads to NeoRealm’s pool of Energy through which the lines infiltrate. And how their souls actually connect to their avatar bodies. A fact that really freaked them out.

Because it is one thing to realize the game, you’re playing might actually be a real world. And another to find out that not only is it real, but your soul is being partially transported to the world so you can even exist there in the first place. Though that did bring up one question.

Rosha, “If our soul is at least partially here, why doesn’t anything transfer over? Like, if people suddenly gained psionic powers or some such, we’d know about it.”

Jason raises an eyebrow, “I think we already do. Though I’ll also note that part of denying Energy might be exactly that or it is possible that since we don’t have exactly Energy, Mana, and Qi irl that we can’t use any abilities we might gain. That and the System likely works to prevent it in the first place.”

Courtney, “You think this has something to do with those who reach level 500?”

Jason shrugs, “Level 500 is when you break out of the Systems cage. I doubt people suddenly gain all their in-game abilities or anything. That would be too extreme and we’d know.

“However, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is the point that certain benefits you normally find with cultivation and are lacking within NeoRealm, kick in. Mainly, the fact that with a more powerful body, generally your mind also gets stronger.

“I’m not saying smarter! It’s like how in the past tech bros would promise smarter AIs, only to end up with the same dumb AIs, but more efficiently dumb. Given how strong someone at level 499 is, they should be able to think so much faster, connect disparate facts, and generally just use what they have better.

“And everyone ignores this because NeoRealm is a game and your mind can’t be affected by said game. So of course the natives aren’t growing their minds either. It would be hard for us players to keep up with them if they could think as fast as they can move. All while we bounce around, running into walls, unable to react fast enough.”

Courtney, “NeoRealm does have the ability to provide a bullet time effect for people.”

Jason scoffs, “That is a temporary effect. I’m not talking about a surge of adrenaline making things clear or the system ramping you up to 6 times speed for that edge over everyone else going at 5 times irl speed.

“Instead, I mean someone who is working on that level at all times. That have to actively slow down their perception when interacting with normal people. There is a reason some form of telepathic communication is everywhere in such stories. Whether it is literally telepathy or communicating with your energy. It matters because you can hold a conversation at the speed of thought.”

Rosha, “And this is all well and good, but I don’t see why something like that would be so important?”

Courtney, “The faster speed of thought is nice enough on its own. Though I’d guess it likely provides some form of life extension. Not as much as proper cultivation, I’m sure, but better than nothing.”

Jason, “Also, remember there are bottleneck-breaking bonuses. Now, given what I’ve seen so far? All System based nonsense. However! I’d also guess that the true bottlenecks, such at the one at 99, might provide something else.

“Maybe enhanced by the System, but there nonetheless. And so, it is entirely possible that at level 500, they also get a bonus and this one might transfer over with them. Which turns every person at level 499 into a loot box for the powerful.

“Though I’m sure even the minor powers can cause grand effects back irl. After all, people don’t yet have a methodology to make use of the powers now saturating the place. In fact, given time they might have developed their own method of power based on the bonuses. Similarly to how myths and stories all paint cultivation as something discovered through observing mythical beasts and the rare people so talented that even a lack of a method doesn’t hold them back.”

Courtney sighs, “So even with cultivation, we might not be top dogs.”

Jason laughs, “You have to ask that when you know the kind of tech the armed forces have?”