The Law Of Virtual Body Energy And Its Medical Application: A New Paradigm For Diagnosis And Treatment Based On Virtual Reality Mapping Chapter 4

The Hypothetico-Deductive Method Derives the Three Laws of Ethereal Energy

Do something, Qi Ruiqing. You have to do something.

I know who that person we saw in the library is. He took the initiative to confess.

It is Shen Molin.

He had to be honest, explaining Shen Molin’s identity and the facts of that day clearly.

Shen Molin was the lead for this trial, he emphasized repeatedly. But I am certain this disaster has nothing to do with him.

He had to draw a line between Shen Molin and the monsters.

He has the power to kill us, yet he only drove us out. Therefore, I believe he still possesses his reason.

He had to link their interests to the public level.

From him, we might be able to obtain more information regarding the mutations, and perhaps find a way to cure them.

He tried his best to make his speech fully rational and logically clear. He could press his upper body down onto his trembling arms, but he could not suppress the tremor in his voice.

Fortunately, his connections proved effective this time. With the help of a former classmate, the higher-level organization decided to make a concession.

We will send out another team to survey the situation. If the information you provided is true, we can consider your proposal.

A flame of hope ignited in Qi Ruiqing’s heart, only to be extinguished quickly. As if he had anticipated their plan, that proud and conceited genius refused to see them. The library was nothing but a mess; the empty space was filled with nothing but ash and dust.

The team came up empty and returned without success.

Qi Ruiqing sat staring blankly in the direction of the library, appearing as though he couldn’t understand, yet also as though he did.

Qi Ruiqing, I did my best, his classmate said, patting his shoulder in comfort. But everything must proceed from the facts. As pioneers of rescue and exploration, we cannot act on impulse. We have responsibilities; we are responsible for the lives of others.

The lives of others…

If a fellow like Shen Molin stood on the opposite side of social justice, it would be catastrophic.

…What if I can find him? Don’t do that, it’s too dangerous.

Yes, it was too dangerous.

…

Tonight’s sky was exceptionally heavy, so dark it seemed ready to drip blood.

Those massive wings shielded the flashlights of the patrol team as they searched. He did not take the initiative to attack, nor did he retreat; he simply stood on the roof of the ruins, looking down at his nest.

His gaze swept over the mediocre masses, sliding past one figure before landing back on it with a hint of surprise.

The prey’s composure made the night-stalking hunter feel like a foolish woodsman waiting by a tree for a rabbit.

He arrived silently, landing in the shadows behind the other person, observing closely to see if this was a trap to catch a turtle in a jar.

He saw Qi Ruiqing holding that rectangular, glowing communication device called a phone, typing to a contact on the other side.

Mom, I’ll be coming home a bit late again today.

Oh, is that all…

Ahem. He let out a polite cough to alert him.

Qi Ruiqing turned off his phone completely and turned around. He didn’t rudely shine a light in the other’s eyes like those people did.

He stared at Qi Ruiqing.

Qi Ruiqing looked back at Shen Molin in silence, making no further attempt to run.

Shen Molin. …Yes.

His sluggish response made Qi Ruiqing give a bitter smile.

Shen Molin, we need to have a proper talk.

Shen Molin rolled his eyes suspiciously, looking at his surroundings. I thought you wouldn’t come today.

Why? You didn’t want to see me yesterday.

Qi Ruiqing laughed. I have never not wanted to see you.

Never? Hmph, I don’t like hyperbole. Shen Molin didn’t buy it.

I’m telling the truth. But Qi Ruiqing was serious.

…Oh, then have it your way.

Shen Molin’s little temper was exactly the same as before, not changed in the slightest. Qi Ruiqing used to hate this stubborn streak of his—it was truly like throwing pearls before swine.

Fine, my way, everything my way. Qi Ruiqing sighed, yet he truly couldn’t find it in himself to be angry. Then, do you want to take me somewhere else to talk?

No. Shen Molin scratched his head. Here is fine.

Don’t force yourself… Cut the nonsense, just answer honestly.

Shen Molin remained outside a safe distance at all times. Qi Ruiqing sat down against the wall facing him and nodded obediently.

Where is this?

This is your alma mater, and mine. This is where we met.

XX University? So, you and I were classmates?

Same major, same class, even the same lab group. It’s just that after we parted, you went into research, and I took a job.

Our fate was supposed to end there; we went our separate ways and should have had no further contact.

But you appeared here and said, ‘I killed you.’

Yes… yes. It was such a coincidence, as if I had come to murder you, or to witness your death…

I only have a superficial understanding of the experiment. I only know that ‘psychiatric patients might have more abundant thought energy and are more susceptible to external stimuli,’ so your team conducted experiments on them.

As a safety officer, I was there to ensure the subjects wouldn’t suffer a relapse because of you, to ensure the safety of the experiment met standards, and for the generous compensation… anyway, Senior Sister Yu recommended me to help.

Tell me everything that happened, in detail.

When it happened, you were the only one in the lab. When I returned, I was locked out by you. I couldn’t see the condition of the subjects because of the reflection on the glass; I could only see you suddenly pressing the fire alarm for some reason.

Why? Shen Molin still possessed some humanity. Perhaps I discovered a warning sign of crisis and tried to signal the coming disaster?

It must have been.

Because you shouted for me to run.

Then the explosion happened. But because of the wall, I was only injured by the blast—one rib broken, one cracked, plus a moderate concussion.

The explosion caused the ceiling pipes to rupture, and a whole section crashed down on you. Your face was covered in blood, and you couldn’t move.

You called to me for help, but I couldn’t lift the pipe alone. I was afraid I would die there too, so I chose to run away…

Shen Molin frowned as he looked at Qi Ruiqing, suddenly interrupting him. At what point did you start making things up?

Qi Ruiqing inhaled and then exhaled heavily. The words at the tip of his tongue were forced back down, sliding into his stomach like a piece of scalding sweet potato.

Then, did you find someone to save me? Shen Molin didn’t seem to want to pursue it further.

Yes, but. Qi Ruiqing looked at Shen Molin’s current appearance. You can see for yourself, you know I failed.

I see.

Shen Molin scratched his hair again, looking awkward, conflicted, and uncomfortable. Finally, he stood up and walked out of the ruins.

Qi Ruiqing did not move or speak, letting the other walk right up to him. He looked up at him, dejected and pitiful, as if he were the abandoned child.

I still don’t know your name. Shen Molin leaned down, his voice intentionally much softer.

…Qi Ruiqing.

Qi. Rui. Qing. ‘Qi Ruiqing’? Qi Ruiqing…

Every time Shen Molin said the name, the pain and bitterness in Qi Ruiqing’s chest grew stronger. He wanted to beg Shen Molin to stop.

But Shen Molin ignored him, talking to himself with focused seriousness. He seemed to be accepting a difficult definition, equation, or formula, feeling his way across a stream stone by stone.

Qi Ruiqing.

Seeing Shen Molin squat down, Qi Ruiqing immediately turned his head away.

When I woke up, I vaguely remembered the content of that experiment and knew the cause of the explosion.

The ‘mutation’ you mentioned is likely the same concept as what I have researched and summarized during this period.

I call it the ‘Laws of Ethereal Energy’ and the ‘Reaction Patterns of Ethereal Energy.’

Seeing Qi Ruiqing’s stunned expression, Shen Molin’s face turned serious.

Oh, Qi Ruiqing, listen carefully. I don’t want to waste my breath.

First Law of Ethereal Energy: The ethereal (thought) energy systems of individuals are independent. Their fluctuation coefficients are influenced by biochemical factors like internal hormone secretion and feedback modulation, and can also influence each other through common means such as physical contact or verbal expression with other individuals. This system is constantly changing and cannot remain constant.

Qi Ruiqing’s expression was stiff at first. But he quickly calmed down and kept up with Shen Molin’s speed.

Can I take notes? He opened the notepad on his phone.

Of course, being studious is a human virtue. Shen Molin was surprisingly considerate.

Second Law of Ethereal Energy: An individual’s ethereal energy remains within a limit under normal conditions. It is only possible to break through the physical body’s upper limit when subjected to external stimuli or when external environmental constants are changed. The standard growth formula (under conditions of significant constant external stimuli, where other minor bases can be temporarily ignored) is: f(x)=0.0034% e^x. Shen Molin picked up a stick and began drawing on the ground like a dedicated, rigorous teacher. Note: This formula is from my memory and has not been verified. Just like the name ‘Shen Molin,’ I don’t know where it came from, and I cannot understand why such an illogical formula is always subconsciously identified by me as the standard growth formula.

But… I think it is.

Oh? Shen Molin made a questioning sound and tilted his head.

Qi Ruiqing provided evidence. That time, from the start of the incident to breaking the limit and triggering the explosion, it only took a few seconds. I saw several experimental data points through the window: 74.8%, 553.3%, 4088.8%, 30211.7%, 223243.8%…

As he spoke, he quickly began calculating on his phone. This fits the formula very ideally.

Well… fine, I’ll give you credit for that. Shen Molin obtained the result with a few scribbles even faster than Qi Ruiqing, but he wasn’t stingy with his praise. The retention rate of human visual memory is not high; after three days, the retention rate for image memory is 65%, while for text memory it is only 10%. It’s been so many days; is your memory that good?

This was a query rather than a compliment; Shen Molin was still too rigorous.

Because that was the only thing glowing in the room… Qi Ruiqing suddenly realized something. Was the power… out?

What? Nothing, I’ll tell you later. Continue.

Alright. The reaction patterns of ethereal entities, which is the Third Law of Ethereal Energy: Ethereal entities that exceed the threshold or are in other special circumstances (such as being affected by the energy explosion waves of other individuals) return to a steady state after releasing excess energy, but they no longer obey the First Law. At this point, the basic relationship where the physical and ethereal influence each other is destroyed. The dominance shifts from the physical to the ethereal; furthermore, ethereal entities can directly and purely transfer energy between individuals without needing to rely on other means.

Shen Molin’s wing reached out proactively, the soft tip of the feathers brushing past Qi Ruiqing’s palm. The curve of the wing was solid and powerful.

Touch it.

Qi Ruiqing was overwhelmed by the favor and hurried to grab the wing.

This is the effect of energy manifesting on the physical body.

Manifested, real, warm, and definitely growing from Shen Molin’s back. Qi Ruiqing’s hand explored deep into the long feathers, easily sinking into Shen Molin’s downy fluff. He felt the genuine pulse beneath the skin and couldn’t help but cry out in surprise.

The will to survive is human nature, and it is also the strongest desire that erupts in moments of life and death. This power is enough to bring the people you saw back from the dead.

Qi Ruiqing carefully gripped the edge of the wing. And what about you?

The corner of Shen Molin’s mouth hooked up slightly, but he didn’t answer. By extension, facing the fear of disaster is the same.

He reached out again, poking Qi Ruiqing’s chest. You too.

Me too… As a survivor, it means you must have been affected by the fluctuations as well.

So, don’t be too obsessed with certain trivial details. Like you said: they aren’t important.

After going in circles, it came down to one sentence: Don’t be sad.

I’m not comforting you. I just don’t want you to become impossible to communicate with before you’ve finished answering all my questions.

What…

What was that…

Is that not right? Shen Molin observed the change in emotions in his eyes, puzzled. Is it not right? Is there a flaw in my theory?

No, no. Qi Ruiqing looked down and laughed at him. I just wanted to ask you, don’t you hate me?

Shen Molin wore an expression of slight exasperation. Is there any necessary connection between that and the topic we are discussing now?

Of course, of course there is.

I know you. I know that knowledge is an incredibly precious wealth and resource to you. For those self-righteous fools you despise, you would never be kind enough to waste your breath on them.

Qi Ruiqing stopped, wanting to know if Shen Molin understood.

Shen Molin clenched his fist and pressed the back of his hand against his nose and lips. This was his habitual thinking gesture, his quirk.

Hmm… before I answer, you answer a question for me too. Go ahead.

We aren’t just classmates, are we?

Just because you aren’t lying doesn’t mean you’ve explained everything. Shen Molin acted human for once. But, you can tell me when you want to. I won’t force you.

It seemed Qi Ruiqing was not qualified to seek that answer yet.

Alright… He was a bit unwilling. Even if those things are truly insignificant, do you still want to hear them?

Trivial details are where success or failure is decided.

Who was it that just said not to dwell on small things? Shen Molin, you really have double standards.

Qi Ruiqing opened his mouth, about to complain, when a beam of light suddenly swept over, illuminating his face.

Who’s there!

He and Shen Molin fell silent at the same time, listening to the approaching footsteps.

Qi Ruiqing heard the sound of a gun being cocked and knew that if he didn’t explain himself now, he would die a wrongful death.

Survival was the priority.

Qi Ruiqing raised his hands in surrender and shouted loudly, Don’t shoot! It’s me!

You? I’m Qi Ruiqing, a doctor from Emergency Team 2. What are you doing here alone? Don’t you know you aren’t allowed near the defensive line?

Alone? Qi Ruiqing turned to look in front of him. But there, where was the winged Shen Molin?

He clutched his palm, only feeling the soft sensation left by the downy feathers dissipating in the wind.

Did he run?

I know, I know… Qi Ruiqing stood up, casually scuffing away Shen Molin’s drawings on the ground.

After a lot of talking, the other party finally lowered their gun and believed him.

Come with me. Leave this place.

What else could he do? Qi Ruiqing sighed and walked out of the shadows. Meanwhile, Shen Molin, who should have been with him, was now nowhere to be found, leaving no trace behind.

Perhaps he had never come at all?

But… f(x)=0.0034% e^x, wasn’t it?