Chapter 76 Ch 76: Soul And Consciousness
"What happened with this guy? has he lost his memories or what?"
"No, I think this guy had lost his memories before, that's why he was behaving nicely with all of us. Now that his memories have returned, he started behaving like his previous self."
"Umm... That might really be. No wonder I felt it was strange that this guy didn't cause any trouble for us all this time."
Alex frowned. He could not understand what these people were talking about.
"What are you guys talking about?"
Only later would Alex find out what happened, but he was puzzled for his entire life why he doesn't remember a single thing that happened here.
.....
_Stairway To Chaos_
Alex opened his eyes and felt blurry for a moment before everything cleared up. He stood up and looked at his surroundings, only to see that he has returned to the place where there used to be a pond filled with Earth Spirit Milk and now it was empty.
Realizing that he was back, without wasting any time, he hurriedly looked at his attribute panel, to check if the system is working or not!
[Originator: Alex White.
Cultivation: Innate Stage Level 3.
Cultivation Talent: Super Grade Cultivation Talent.
Unique Talent: Top Grade Super Strength, Top Grade Speed Talent, Five Basic Attribute Talent.
Skills: Death Swamp, Dark Wind Cutter, Death Ray, Falling Leaf sword Art, Wind Essence Formula, Wandering Steps, Scarlet Flame Saber Technique, Golden Flame Mantra, Falling Sand Palm, Jade Shattering Fist...
Cultivation Technique: Golden Body Tempering Arts.
Special Physique: Mountain Gorilla Body (Low Grade).
Bloodline: Berserker Bloodline (Low Grade).
Weapon: Heavy Earth Sword (Sealed).
Other Treasures: Unknown Jade Slip, Earth Spirit Milk, Ten Golden Pills, One Spirit Origin Pill, Raging Flame Lotus,...
Energy Points: 2,610,368.
Personal Space: 40.
Sealed Memories: 10%.]
Finally, Alex took a deep breath and let go of the worry deep in his heart. He has finally returned to his own body. The experience of possessing another person's body was not good at all.
He noticed that his cultivation base didn't change at all, and everything else was the same. There was only an 'Unknown Jade Slip' extra in the other treasures.
Alex immediately guessed that this Unknown Jade Slip must be the reward promised by the Chaos King, Atticus Finch. And it was also something that the System wasn't able to recognize.
He was really amazed that anything related to Atticus Finch was unrecognizable by the system, including Atticus's attributes.
"Cough! Cough!"
Alex's attention was attracted by the coughing sound of someone familiar. He turned back and saw Atticus sitting on a throne floating in the air. Atticus was looking at Alex with great interest in his eyes.
Seeing that Alex was looking at him, Atticus once again coughed and said, "Congratulations for passing the First Trial. How are you feeling after returning back to your body?"
"Great!" Alex kept staring at Atticus and only replied after a few minutes. For these few minutes, both the young man and the old man kept staring at each other.
Alex also thought that the so-called Chaos King has thick skin, he wasn't embarrassed even after knowing what he did to him and was still looking in his eyes.
"I know there are many questions in your mind. You don't need to ask, I'll let you know whatever you want to."
Saying this, Atticus shifted his gaze and looked into the sky even though the sky couldn't be seen from there. His eyes were shining and he seemed to be able to see through time and space, as his gaze fell on a certain figure who was standing high in the void, looking down on everyone.
A smile appeared on his face, then he shifted his gaze again, looked at Alex, and said, "I sent you to my past. I wanted you to pass all the tests I'd set up in the Ancient Land I left behind when I become an Emperor."
"To the people of that world, I have already died when I was only at the Heavenly Completion Stage. So, they think a Heavenly Completion Stage inheritance is left inside the Earth King's Ancient Land."
"Do you remember, when we first met, I told you I have many titles?"
Seeing Alex nodding his head, Atticus again said, "Earth King was the very first title I received from the people. As for the reason why, you don't need to know that, for I'm not gonna go deep in my story."
"You have to pass a total of five trials before you could receive the complete cultivation technique that is also the strongest in the entire universe. What I gave you only has the First Layer of that cultivation technique. However, this Layer is enough for you to cultivate to the Imperial Martial Emperor Stage."
"After that, you'll have to return here and take the second trial. I'll warn you right now that the Second Trial will also take place in the past. I'll send your consciousness to the past and attach it to another people's body till you complete the Second Trial."
"When you'll pass all five trials I've set up, you'll find yourself standing at the position where no one can rival you. Because, at that time, you'll have already become a person who is only one step behind from becoming the Strongest in the Universe."
"Alright, enough of this chit-chat. If you have any questions, you can ask now. After that, kowtow to me and acknowledge me as your master!"
Alex didn't react at all. After hearing everything, he started thinking of something. Then he said, "Did you attach my consciousness to 'that' Alex's body?"
"Yes!" Atticus nodded.
"How did you do that? I mean, how did you send my consciousness to the past and even attach it to a person's body?" Alex asked in a puzzled tone.
"Sigh!" Atticus took a deep breath and said, "Time and Space, these two extremes are very complicated. You can't understand them even if I were to tell you. You'll understand them as long as you can pass the Third Trial. Anyway, there are some things in this universe that will not do you any good for knowing them before the correct time. Right now, you are too weak to know about the complications of Time and Space. So, I'll pass this question of yours!"
Saying this, he observed Alex's expression closely, wanting to see his reaction. He saw Alex twitching his mouth, and a smile formed on his face.
Alex took deep breaths and calmed his heart down. For some reason, his instinct told him that Atticus is right, and now is really not the time to know anything that is out of his reach.
Seeing Alex calming his surging emotions, Atticus revealed a surprised expression. He thought Alex would try something to make him answer his question, but didn't expect Alex to calm his emotion and not ask about it again.
Alex also fell into deep thought.
According to Atticus, he sent his consciousness to the past. The system is related to his soul, in fact, the system was a very important part of his soul. His soul never left his body and went to the past, so it was no wonder system never responded to him when he was taking the First Trial.
His real body had always been sleeping at the present time. And when his consciousness returned to his body, his body responded as if he has just woken up from a deep sleep.
Soul and consciousness, though related, are different. The soul is the innermost being of a living thing, the presence of spirit which is beyond body and mind. The soul is in pristine absolute form while consciousness attaches itself to the mind in duality to experience and realize what life is all about. The soul is impersonal, consciousness is personal.
Alex jumped on a different question, asking: "What about 'that' Alex? Is he still alive?"
"Don't worry about him. He was in deep slumber for all the time your consciousness was attached to his body. Now that the First Trial is over and your consciousness has returned to your own body, 'that' Alex must have woken up from his deep slumber, void of any memories of what happened while you were ruling his body through your consciousness!" Atticus replied in an indifferent tone, as if what happened was a very small thing to him.
Well, to a being who is the strongest in the entire universe, this might really be a small thing!