Chapter 2214 Damage

"Physical injury?"

Fang Heng couldn't help but feel suspicious.

"We have calculated that the special power fluctuations induced by the Obsidian Stone stimulate psychic abilities, but the body will gradually weaken. We are still exploring the reasons for this, and currently there are no solutions,"

Cheng Fan said, shaking his head. "Perhaps you are unaware that when initially selecting psychic ability users, physique is also a very important assessment criterion. If the physique does not meet the standard, even if their psychic talent is excellent, they cannot go far in the path of psychic abilities."

"So after passing the preliminary assessment at 4 to 5 years old, the subsequent training focuses more on physique until the age of 12 when formal psychic training can begin,"

Fang Heng pondered as he looked through the glass at the Obsidian Stone in the center of the hall.

According to Cheng Fan, practicing psychic abilities would lead to a decline in physical strength.

Indeed.

Even the spawns were extremely fragile.

Once their outer crystal shield defense was breached, a spike of lifeblood could easily kill them.

"Well, let me tell you about the next training stage."

"We currently understand that psychic cultivation consists of only three stages."

Cheng Fan patiently explained, "The first stage, Opening the Mind, as you've seen, involves using the Obsidian Stone provided by the dependents for psychic refinement, gradually honing psychic strength to a certain level."

"During this stage, our physical fitness is also affected and gradually declines. Once it reaches a certain limit, the body can no longer endure it, and further refinement becomes impossible."

"After that, we officially enter the second stage, where we learn various psychic skills and abilities, enhancing our control over psychic abilities. This aspect is closely related to psychic talent."

"As for the final step, it involves directly implanting chips in the body using various technological means to amplify psychic strength."

Fang Heng listened, furrowing his brow.

The first and second tiers were understandable, but the third tier involved body modification?

It did not sound entirely plausible. At least he had not seen any signs of modification on Charlene.

Fang Heng asked, "Can I give it a try?"

"You? Give it a try?"

Cheng Fan looked somewhat surprised, lowering his voice as he spoke softly, "Mr. Fang Heng, the cultivation of psychic abilities requires a series of preliminary tests to confirm whether one possesses talent. Beginners typically need to undergo a series of tests, and only after their data meets the requirements can safety be ensured. Moreover, as per convention, before formally entering the Starry Meditation Hall for cultivation, at least six months of adaptation training are required..."

"It's okay, I understand. If I encounter any issues, I'll stop."

"Well... alright."

Cheng Fan hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He gestured to a subordinate next to a monitoring probe in the corner, signaling to open the entrance to the hall.

Click...

The sealed entrance to the hall opened, and Cheng Fan led Fang Heng inside.

In the Starry Meditation Room, over a dozen twelve or thirteen-year-old youths sat cross-legged, maintaining a state of meditation, unaware of Fang Heng's arrival.

Fang Heng extended his perception and immediately sensed a sharp sensation emanating from the Obsidian Stone. This sharp sensation targeted his sea of consciousness directly.

Staring at the Obsidian Stone, Fang Heng felt the surroundings becoming somewhat ethereal, and his mind momentarily felt dizzy.

Fang Heng immediately became alert, focusing his attention.

[Hint: The player receives the effect of mental honing. The player's psychic experience points +23.]

[Hint: The player possesses too many academic skills, resulting in a significantly reduced rate of skill experience point acquisition.]

[Hint: The player experiences the effect of 'mental honing,' losing 200 HP...]

[Hint: The player's current physique attribute has reached 70 points, immune to the current stage's 'mental honing' HP reduction effect.]

[Hint: The player's psychic talent +0.000001.]

Mental honing.

Fang Heng glanced at the game prompt, contemplating the sensation he just experienced.

It felt somewhat like being fooled by the Holy Court before.

It seemed like he only experienced momentary dizziness, subtly influenced by mental suggestion without realizing it.

It appeared that his body attribute had become immune to the negative effects of cultivation.

With that in mind, Fang Heng decided to close his eyes and fully perceive the Obsidian Stone in front of him.

His consciousness fell into a trance again.

[Hint: The player's psychic experience points +23.]

[Hint: The player's psychic experience points +23...]

[Hint: The player's psychic talent +0.000001...]

Experience points acquisition efficiency has greatly increased, with dozens generated per second.

In the hidden realm, Fang Heng felt as though he was immersed in a swirling sea of stars.

[Hint: The player's foundation psychic studies level has increased to Level 2.]

[Warning: Due to cultivation effects, the player's foundation physique is permanently reduced by -0.5.]

[Hint: With each increase in foundation psychic studies level, the player's strength/physique/agility is randomly reduced by 0.5 points.]

[Warning: If any of the player's basic attributes fall below 3 points, they will be unable to continue psychic cultivation.]

Huh?

What?

Seeing the blood-red warning prompts floating in front of him, Fang Heng immediately snapped out of his cultivation state.

His physique attribute decreased?

Fang Heng rubbed his chin.

So that's how it was.

It had nothing to do with the Obsidian Stone used for cultivation!

Psychic cultivation directly affects other basic physical attributes of the body!

Despite each level-up in psychic cultivation granting a 2-point increase in spiritual attributes, the process also led to a decrease in other physical attributes.

No wonder Charlene mentioned before that the strength of the mind and the body complement each other.

Studying psychic abilities granted significant boosts in the spiritual aspect with each grade attained, but it also continuously inflicted irreversible damage to the body during the learning process, leading to decreases in attributes like strength, physique, or agility.

At first, one could endure it, but as cultivation progresses, if the body's attributes could not keep up, it became impossible to advance in psychic abilities.

This meant psychic players also had a hard time as they had to simultaneously learn skills while finding various methods to improve their basic physical attributes.

Seeing Fang Heng's changed expression, Cheng Fan approached with concern and asked, "Mr. Fang Heng, are you feeling alright? Do you need to take a break?"

"I'm fine," Fang Heng said, standing up.

For ordinary players, the difficulty of cultivating psychic abilities lay in their basic attributes.

His basic attributes had been high enough.

He could easily withstand these losses.

Pure mathematical calculation showed that currently studying psychic abilities was equivalent to a 1:4 ratio of exchanging basic attributes in the physical category for those in the spiritual category.

It was a fair exchange!

As for how to quickly improve psychic abilities...