The Law Of Virtual Body Energy And Its Medical Application: A New Paradigm For Diagnosis And Treatment Based On Virtual Reality Mapping Chapter 13

Consciousness is the subjective reflection of objective existence.

That movie is pretty good.

On that leisurely evening, they leaned against each other. Shen Molin brought up a form of entertainment, which was almost entirely out of character for him.

You actually like Japanese anime? That is unheard of. Oh, friend, you have it wrong. It is not the form of expression I like, but its thematic value.

He still remembered the movie was called Paprika.

Perhaps one day we can achieve dream-linking in reality as well, he said. Though there is no scientific basis for it.

You actually have an imagination… Haha, are you mocking me?

He leaned on his shoulder, feeling drowsy.

Perhaps it is because… I wanted to be romantic for you for once.

…

He had a bit of a migraine, the kind that follows a nap.

It is down to 37 degrees. Shen Molin reached out and touched his forehead. How do you feel now?

Not bad. Right now, it felt just like having a common cold—weak, listless, and unable to muster energy for anything.

What happened? Qi Ruiqing was not fully awake yet, and his throat was as dry as if it were smoking.

Shen Molin leaned against the headboard and looked at him, his face appearing as blurred as if it were covered by a veil. Qi Ruiqing reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling him close until their cheeks touched.

You are back to normal… Yes, I have you to thank for that.

He saw Shen Molin raise a hand to rub his eyes, then pause to consider his wording.

I do not remember clearly what happened, and they cannot explain it either. I do not want to look into it too deeply; after all, there must be a reason why the body chooses self-preservation.

Qi Ruiqing did not quite understand what he meant. The events of that day were too blurry, as if they had happened in another life. He did not care about those details; he only thought that as long as Shen Molin was back, everything was fine.

I think I had a dream about the past…

Shen Molin lay on his side next to him, propping up his head as he listened patiently to the incoherent sleep talk.

The two things I regret most now are: first, I should not have left the car keys on the scooter, and second, I should not have left you behind to save my own skin at the brink of death.

He was the one keeping the USB drive, and he was the one who said he would come back to save him. Qi Ruiqing never felt that he was without responsibility for what happened… even if Shen Molin really did not believe him, or truly was the source of that disaster, Qi Ruiqing had never blamed him…

And naturally, he had never let him go.

I am sensitive and indecisive, suspicious and afraid of death… if I had done even one of those things right, you would not have ended up like this…

But is it not fine the way things are now? Shen Molin smiled and asked him back.

…Fine.

Everything had been made clear. Shen Molin… would never leave him again.

Qi Ruiqing closed his eyes to rest for a while longer. It was not until the sun was high and the clock pointed almost exactly to ten that he finally sat up.

Are you not going to rest more? No need… I have already wasted too much of your time.

Shen Molin must have made some kind of deal with them… Qi Ruiqing absolutely did not want to be his weakness this time.

Oh… it is just an academic exchange; they cannot do anything to me. I reached a consensus with them to study the Ethereal Black Hole together. In the initial stage, our task is to enter the Restricted Zone to obtain first-hand Ethereal Energy observation data. Their task is to try and create observers who will not be affected by distorted gravity, attempting to enter the interior to observe the Physical Entities within.

Obviously, the work they were doing was the most dangerous part, but this was the best possible outcome… much better than a desperate struggle where everyone loses. Qi Ruiqing could only compromise—he had no choice.

Fine, then what can I do?

I think… the usual.

…

First, we must define the research subject—the precise scope of the Ethereal Entity.

Most of the materials you gave me last time were recent. I noticed their papers also cite the concept of the Ethereal Entity.

So I was not the first to propose this concept. On the sofa, Shen Molin propped his hands on his knees and scrolled with the mouse. His wings, with a span of nearly two meters, were tucked in to make room for Qi Ruiqing.

This was not false modesty on Shen Molin’s part. Before Qi Ruiqing joined this project group and encountered the disaster, he had already heard of this brand-new concept from the newcomers in those departments.

I remember it was in my search history… Qi Ruiqing took the tablet back from him. Wait a moment, I will find it for you.

He was holding a homemade sandwich stuffed with ingredients. His hands were shaking slightly, making it hard to hold steady, and a lettuce leaf slipped out, staining Shen Molin’s arm with salad dressing.

Look, here. The earliest information that can be traced online is from late August of ’20.

Shen Molin looked at his soiled limb with displeasure, holding his arm up to show Qi Ruiqing.

The cold and heartless Qi Ruiqing pushed him away: You are blocking it… look at this paper by Jeisen: ‘Ethereal Entities encompass all conscious states of biological organisms in a broad sense, and are substances that must be specifically distinguished from three-dimensional reality’… wait, the theme of this article… why is it a hypothesis on four-dimensional beings?

It is Jesen, Shen Molin corrected him strictly. And this is indeed an article that has almost nothing to do with Thought Energy.

Well, Qi Ruiqing had somehow failed to notice that problem last time.

Change the keyword, Shen Molin instructed. Search: consciousness systems.

It had to be a professional; Qi Ruiqing only typed the first three words before the search engine spat out a mountain of results.

Preliminary Observational Cognition of Soul Entities, this is an article from February last year.

Scroll down slowly. Shen Molin leaned in. He used his super-speed reading ability to quickly scan the entire article, then closed his eyes to process.

He reviewed: This is an observational paper on whether thought-forms truly exist. The author proposes a hypothesis: human consciousness is not purely a product of the body’s bioelectrical reactions, but a quantum-like actual substance. He attempted to use death to separate thought from the Physical Entity, but he ignored the necessity of their symbiosis, which led to the experiment’s failure.

He rolled his eyes again: But it was not entirely without merit. Micro-energy instruments observed non-objective fluctuations. Although they were slight and resembled system errors, they successfully noted this important detail.

He finally concluded: This might be the beginning of this discipline.

The citation count for this article is already quite high for such a short period of time. Qi Ruiqing scrolled up and down again. It is even an authoritative journal.

Qi Ruiqing knew that it was impossible for Shen Molin not to be interested in new knowledge within his field. For such a brand-new knowledge base that had been recognized by others in the industry and had a bright future, Shen Molin would jump into that surging ocean immediately like a fish on dry land.

Unfortunately, papers signed by Shen Molin or anyone related to this explosion were no longer viewable online. Qi Ruiqing actually really wanted to take a peek and see what Shen Molin had been doing after leaving him.

The definition of an Ethereal Entity is actually very simple: consciousness. But what consciousness is, and why micro-unconscious quanta can form a conscious individual, that is the key question.

Currently, I have the following four hypotheses: Integrated Information Theory—the degree of consciousness is determined by the system’s information integration value Φ; human neurons are highly interconnected, and while computer chips are fast, their modular structure leads to a low Φ (unconscious). Global Workspace Theory—consciousness is the brain’s ‘information broadcasting system,’ where quantum tunneling or ion channel coordination allows certain neural signals to be ‘selected’ into consciousness, similar to an audition mechanism. Predictive Processing Theory—the brain is a ‘prediction machine,’ and consciousness is a byproduct of minimizing prediction error. Particle movement in the brain forms a Bayesian inference network, constantly optimizing the model of the external world. Quantum Consciousness Hypothesis—quantum coherent states in microtubules trigger wave function collapse, generating consciousness. But the point of contention here is that quantum decoherence happens too fast at room temperature; experiments are needed to verify if it is sufficient to support conscious processes…

What are you blabbering about? I do not understand.

It is okay, that is not the point. Shen Molin leaned in to offer him comfort. Ethereal Entities can be considered consciousness. You just need to understand that; it is not the point.

It is not the point? Oh right, you are right, it is not the point.

The point is, Shen Molin, you already know the definition of an Ethereal Entity, so why are you wasting time here reviewing where the definition came from?

He did not seem like the kind of scholar who would care about the founders… unless it involved intellectual property issues.

Uh, you misunderstood, Shen Molin said, still holding up his sauce-stained arm. What I care about is whether physiological changes created by artificial electrical stimulation can produce something within the scope of Ethereal Entities that approximates consciousness.

Besides, helping you review and fill in the gaps will give you a deeper impression… have you not been away from the lab for a long time? Consider this a way of caring for my assistant.

Qi Ruiqing’s head started hurting again, this time from anger.

Shen Molin took a tissue and obediently wiped the salad dressing off himself. He looked at Qi Ruiqing: Why are you not talking? Did I say something wrong?

…Shen Molin, do you not remember? ? I do not remember.

Qi Ruiqing decided to tease him: You forgot. Before we started a new project in the past, you would dance at the lab entrance to ward off evil spirits to ensure the experiment went smoothly.

Shen Molin’s eyes widened, looking like a bird ruffled by the wind: Really?

Really. I… I would do such a thing? Yes. You are playing me, right? You are playing me. I am not.

Qi Ruiqing knew that adding details could make a lie seem more real: Truly. At first, it was a lion dance, but later you found it useless, so it became bowing every three steps. We would even use candles instead of incense to pray; that was quite effective.

Shen Molin rested his chin on his hand and stared at Qi Ruiqing for a long time, finally choosing to analyze the problem logically: At that time, the influence of Thought Energy should have been negligible. If rituals were truly useful… it might be that vibrations caused a mechanical part to shake, or the heat supplemented insufficient heating.

He actually believed it? Qi Ruiqing quickly urged him: Now, the power of thought is even harder to ignore. You should also piously bow three times; maybe we will have smooth sailing or even an unexpected harvest.

Shen Molin stood up from the sofa.

Yes, you must be pious. Qi Ruiqing sat cross-legged and demonstrated. You bow.

Okay. Shen Molin said okay, but he stepped closer to Qi Ruiqing.

You are standing too close to bend down.

I can bend. Shen Molin smiled and leaned down. See.

He got closer, closer, and closer, until Qi Ruiqing could only lean against the back of the sofa.

This will not do, he said. You have to be sincere, you know? Do not be perfunctory…

Mhm. No, you…

Qi Ruiqing suddenly realized, belatedly, that he could not actually trick Shen Molin at all.

Finally realized?

The bad bird squinted, his wings blocking the way so Qi Ruiqing had no escape. He propped his hand next to Qi Ruiqing’s neck, and a knee pressed up.

I told you, do not lie to me. When you lie, your breath becomes pungent.

Qi Ruiqing thought of the chicks raised in his old courtyard… the predatory eagle coming to steal food was probably what Shen Molin looked like now, and he was like a stray chick, pitifully curled in a crack in the wall.

Then he watched that fierce beak approach, ready to swallow him whole like a glutinous rice ball…

A light kiss.

Shen Molin straightened up; now he was the mischievous one.

Alright, let’s get to work.

…

Fine, the real first step: regarding the generation of consciousness.

Their hypothesis is that existing technology simply cannot create independent consciousness. Shen Molin laid his cards on the table. Because the essential characteristics of consciousness are unique to humans, using the human brain as a biological carrier, and are a product of social history. All three are indispensable.

Too rigorous, too rigorous. Qi Ruiqing had long known why the other team members hated Shen Molin: his temper was one thing, but his attitude was… daunting.

But anyway, I am not using that.

…I just finished praising you.

Why? First, those matters are handled by the partners; second, because I hate philosophy.

Please do not mix personal emotions into research!

Have they not already mastered the method of controlling Aberrations? Mastered? Not really. That is just an unconscious bodily reaction to external electrical signals.

Shen Molin pointed to his neck, which was still a bit red.

It hurts like hell, but pain alone cannot control me.

They really were a bunch of thugs.

It cannot be helped… I could make their physical bodies die instantly, but I do not want to waste time being an enemy of the world. Alright, Qi Ruiqing, let’s go place these detectors near the black hole.

This experiment really required going to the Restricted Zone because Shen Molin could not yet fully understand the Ethereal Black Hole and simulate it in his mind. Qi Ruiqing was carried along like a backpack, picking up fried dough sticks and sesame balls on the way.

Smells pretty good.

Qi Ruiqing looked up and saw Shen Molin resting on a roof, watching him.

Why do you not eat what I make? I can achieve the same effect. No.

Then he was lifted by Shen Molin like a fried dough stick in a bag. He saw Shen Molin frowning unhappily.

Sulking again? No, I am not.

That meant he was.

Shen Molin only dared to sulk… the old Shen Molin could not beat a sturdy farm boy who had worked in the fields and dried grain.

He forgot what happened once, but Qi Ruiqing had been genuinely annoyed by Shen Molin’s sarcasm. He pinned Shen Molin to the bed, restraining both his hands with one of his own, acting like he was going to beat him to death.

Do you admit you are wrong? No, I do not! I will never yield to tyranny! Say it again! I… I am not! No means no!

The stubborn Shen Molin refused to give in, eventually reduced to shouting: We are students! Violence does not solve problems… it is unrefined! Domestic violence! Help!

Tsk tsk, why does that not work now? Qi Ruiqing missed it a little…

The sound of flapping wings suddenly changed. Qi Ruiqing was jerked by a sudden brake, swaying like a wobbly doll in a claw machine.

He almost dropped his fried dough stick.

Are you really angry?

He was not worried that Shen Molin would drop him.

And Shen Molin indeed would not. He pulled Qi Ruiqing tighter into his embrace, his expression turning grave.

What is wrong? Qi Ruiqing looked around. The sky was quiet; there was no other bird, no night patrol lights, and no dangerous drones locking onto them.

Shen Molin remained silent. He carried Qi Ruiqing down, finally landing on a mundane patch of ruins in front of The Library.

Stand here. Do not move. Whatever you do, do not come in.

Qi Ruiqing steadied himself and watched Shen Molin leap into The Library. He saw Shen Molin crouch down, brushing away dust to observe something.

Shen Molin, when you say ‘come in’… what do you mean? Into The Library?

He saw Shen Molin stand up and let out a heavy, serious sigh.

I mean the range of the black hole’s distortion.

The black hole… it is expanding.