Three thousand years ago, humans discovered the existence of Source Power.
After three thousand years, humanity has basically mastered the properties of Source Power and developed a complete system of life evolution.
When a person's life evolves, they gain many special powers. These powers are collectively referred to as Extraordinary Powers.
For instance, simply cultivating Source Power to reach the Fifth Level enhances the body in all aspects, completely surpassing human limits. Such a person is qualified to be called a Transcendent.
To surpass the limitation of Level 5, one needs genetic mutation to achieve a fundamental evolution of life.
Of course, some people are born with genetic mutations, possessing various superpowers such as fire-breathing, water spewing, cooling, including mental sensing, and so on.
These are inherent powers, which can be said to be purely personal talents. Such people are born Transcendent.
Even with today's technology, it is still difficult to completely reverse-engineer all superpowers.
However, the superpower level must correspond to the energy level.
In other words, superpowers are bound by energy limitations.
No matter how varied low-level superpowers are, their power is inevitably limited.
All extraordinary powers can be divided into four energy levels: Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
Level 1 to Level 5 Source Power corresponds to the Black Iron Level. Level 6 to Level 10 is Bronze. Level 11 to Level 15 is Silver. Level 16 to Level 20 is Gold.
Superpowers, including marvels, are also divided into such energy levels.
Once reaching the Silver Level, one becomes a remarkable Transcendent expert. At the Gold Level, one becomes a peerless powerhouse across the Star River.
Like Wang Hong'en's Fifth-Level Source Power Cultivation, which is at the peak of Black Iron. Because his Source Power is painstakingly cultivated, in direct combat, he can almost crush all Black Iron Level superpower users.
Moreover, naturally gifted superpower users are very rare, and it is hard for low-level superpowers to increase power through cultivation.
Instead, solid cultivation of Source Power is the way to enhance power.
Wang Hong'en has seen some low-level superpower users, and he looks down on these people.
However, Gao Xuan's mental sensing leaves him puzzled, not knowing the range or operational principles of the mental sensing. This makes him somewhat uneasy.
If mental sensing could sense people's emotions or even thoughts, it would be terrifying!
Feeling somewhat anxious, Wang Hong'en heard Gao Xuan say, "Professor Wang, I'm a bit tired, I'm going to rest first."
He explained, "The larger the range of mental sensing, the more detail is sensed, the greater the consumption. There were too many people and things today, my spirit can't hold up."
"Is that so, then go rest quickly."
Wang Hong'en found this reasoning sensible, as superpowers, no matter how mysterious they seem, ultimately involve some form of energy operation.
Using mental sensing is certainly different from observing with eyes.
Watching Gao Xuan's silhouette slowly fade into the distance, Wang Hong'en gently waved at him, but Gao Xuan didn't respond.
Wang Hong'en's eyes sparkled; he certainly wouldn't fully trust Gao Xuan. However, the power of low-level superpower users is limited and unlikely to possess any heaven-defying divine techniques. He didn't find it necessary to worry excessively.
With Gao Xuan's assistance in mental superpower, he should quickly find the ancient ruins.
Returning to the cave, a small lamp was set in the middle, casting dim light like a candle.
Gao Xuan was already asleep on the stone slab. Yun Qingshang lay beside him, very close yet naturally, without provoking other associations.
But the students from Mingjing University, each with their own tent, were chatting exuberantly, with an ambiguous atmosphere.
Seeing Wang Hong'en enter, their chatting voices lowered significantly.
Wang Hong'en spoke a few words with Xu Yin and some leading students, briefly discussing the next day's plan before going to rest.
Seeing Wang Hong'en go to sleep, the others in the expedition slowly fell silent too.
Exhausted from the day's exertions, the young people soon fell into a deep sleep.
But Yun Qingshang couldn't sleep; she was unaccustomed to so many outsiders and the open space without barriers felt unsafe.
Observing Wang Hong'en for a while, she found him motionless. His tent seemed specially made, as no sound could be heard.
Xu Yin, in contrast, was more forthright, with a normal tent. Yun Qingshang could clearly hear her conversation with Wei Zhenzhen.
"Sister Yin, Gao Xuan's eye condition should be able to have electronic eyes implanted, right? I'll pay for his surgery."
Wei Zhenzhen was very preoccupied with Gao Xuan's eye condition, believing such a perfect man shouldn't be handicapped.
"Electronic eyes are too ugly; they'd ruin his aesthetics."
Xu Yin, considering purely from an aesthetic perspective, couldn't accept Gao Xuan being fitted with electronic eyes.
The mechanical nature of electronic eyes was strong, and their flashing blue-red light when in operation was incredibly ugly. Even on a robot, they'd be unsightly.
Let alone paired with Gao Xuan's nearly perfect face! That would be a complete destruction of his world-class beauty.
Wei Zhenzhen also found this quite reasonable and, gritting her teeth, said, "I'll pay to clone a pair of eyes for him, then there won't be any problem."
With developed medical technology, cloning human organs isn't difficult. The challenges lie in layers of approvals and high costs.
It was only because Wei Zhenzhen's family was wealthy enough that she dared to say such things.
Xu Yin shook her head slightly, "Professor Wang just mentioned that Gao Xuan has mental sensing, so he moves freely without any inconvenience. He probably doesn't need eye implants."
"The implant is for aesthetics..."
Wei Zhenzhen said resentfully, "He now lacks the window to the soul, which always leaves one with a bad feeling."
"He probably won't accept your kindness..."
Although Gao Xuan was warm and cheerful, Xu Yin always felt that he was actually not easy to approach and wouldn't easily accept others' arrangements.
"Brother Gao Xuan is very easy to talk to, and I'm only thinking of his good; why would he refuse?"
Wei Zhenzhen confidently asserted, "I can handle any trouble for him."
Xu Yin sighed inside, thinking Wei Zhenzhen was indeed naive. Such matters weren't for outsiders to decide for Gao Xuan.
Wei Zhenzhen continued talking a lot with Xu Yin but finally couldn't resist her drowsiness and drifted asleep.
Xu Yin didn't sleep as she had arranged with Wang Hong'en to take shifts of three hours to prevent any incidents.
The night passed peacefully without incident.
The next morning, the young students woke up fully recharged.
They found Yun Qingshang preparing breakfast and gathered boisterously to help. Although they were of little actual help, each was animated and joyful.
The perennial chill of the cave seemed to melt under the young people's enthusiasm and energy.
After eating a breakfast with a somewhat strange taste, Gao Xuan set out with Wang Hong'en, carrying a wooden stick.
This time, Wang Hong'en only brought a guide familiar with the mountain area. The rest were left at the camp.
Xu Yin didn't stay idle either; she led the expedition team to collect various peculiar plants and gather rocks, soil samples, etc.
It wasn't until nightfall that Gao Xuan, Wang Hong'en, and the guide returned.
After a tired-looking Gao Xuan had dinner, he went to rest first.
Wang Hong'en then found Xu Yin, "Gao Xuan's mental sensing is incredibly potent; we've found a safe path. Tomorrow we can venture deep into the Fire Mountain District..."
Xu Yin thought Wang Hong'en seemed a bit too excited; the odd gleam in his eyes made her a little uneasy.
"There's no danger with Gao Xuan leading the way."
Wang Hong'en's expression turned serious, "This expedition will have significant academic credit rewards. Since they're all here, how can they not take a look deep into the Fire Mountain District..."