I forgot to introduce myself, boy. I am your self-awareness, or the separated awareness. There are two types of awareness: defensive awareness and offensive awareness. I am defensive awareness, while you are offensive awareness. And to strengthen your own awareness, which is still unrefined, you need to reach the stage of Ascension or beyond. At that stage, you can even control the awareness of another person. Of course, I must explain the lower stages:
Stage of Perception – the person begins to perceive awareness without actually using it, just recognizing it.
Stage of Awareness – the person becomes conscious, and the essence of awareness forms in his mental world, allowing him to build a foundation.
Stage of Formation – awareness is formed, freed from its restraints, and the person gains full control over it, breaking the first chain.
Stage of Ascension – awareness ascends, drawing strength from the essence of perception. Both the essence of perception and awareness combine, breaking further chains in the subconscious. At this stage, one can control the awareness of others.
You have not fully reached the stage of Ascension. You are beyond the Stage of Formation, but you still need several foundations to advance. To break a chain, you must refine iron, then melt it, then forge a hammer. In any case, these are only the lower realms. There are realms far beyond your understanding, but our goal is to help you surpass the first wall.
I looked at him and asked: "Boy, I am in the Stage of Formation, but at what stage are you, since you managed to block someone with overwhelming awareness?"
He replied: "That is none of your concern. I was formed from the experiences and emotions you went through. You could say I am somewhat above those lower stages. I am the result of all your pain, your failures, your despair, your anxiety, your anger, your sadness. I am your awareness."
I asked: "Why is it that even beings who reach a high level of mental strength still cannot control awareness or even psychological disorders?"
He answered: "Well, most beings think disorders are harmful, something destructive, just a parasite within. But the truth is, that so-called parasite is actually the healer. Through disorders and experiences, a person increases acceptance of reality and reconciliation with the self. Disorders are like a double-edged weapon. While they destroy part of the inner self, they also serve as a path to enlightenment for others. When a person feels broken, some drown in it, but those with prior experience grow, accept reality, and let the disorder become part of them. This broken part becomes purer than the rest. To try to eliminate emotions or run away from disorders is a meaningless farce. The whole being is based on sensation—remove sensation, and you remove awareness; remove awareness, and nothing remains but an empty shell. I understand that emotions, no matter how painful, are what polish the mind, and maturity increases with every disorder and every collapse. The broken part rebuilds itself and becomes the foundation of something new. A being cannot destroy the origin from which its awareness was born."
I had never seen a manifestation give advice like this—it felt like a reflection of myself. I felt a faint sense of calm, almost peace, with it.
The manifestation continued: "Now, you need to reach the Stage of Ascension. You already have enough foundation. You only need to reach the limits of your subconscious. Just think of all your emotions, your past, your experiences, and imagine them dispersing into this place."
I did as he said. I imagined every experience, every emotion—joy, sorrow, anger, despair, pain, suffering, and every worry. My whole body glowed. Chains appeared, then began to shatter and vanish until they were gone. From them, a small sphere was born, radiating, and a new world began to form near the world of awareness. Layer upon layer, the World of Perception appeared.
The world was divided into five parts, each with a different color, and in the center gathered the essences of these parts.
I asked the manifestation: "What are these parts? What are their colors? What are they responsible for?"
He said: "The World of Perception is divided into five aspects—Sensory, Mental, Imaginative, Intuitive, Spiritual.
Sensory is red.
Imaginative is blue.
Mental is yellow.
Intuitive is green.
Spiritual is violet.
The more you master one of these aspects, such as Intuition, the larger its essence becomes. It is said that when all of them reach perfection, you can resist even realms beyond the middle mental worlds. The World of Perception serves to refine awareness. If you evolve beyond the lower mental realms, you will be able to reach much further."
I replied: "Very good. But how can I evolve my awareness beyond those higher realms?"
He added: "You have something strange and unique. Usually, manifestations are not conscious. In most mental realms, manifestations are like objects or servants, only fulfilling their duties without awareness. But your manifestations are self-aware, which surprises me. Conscious manifestations only appear in higher realms. Even I do not know where this knowledge within me came from—it feels recorded. Beyond that, every time I absorb or consume awareness, I grow stronger."
I didn't believe him and unleashed my full authority upon him, but he blocked it. He continued: "I am not affected by you. First, because I am a separate manifestation. Second, because you are weaker than me right now. Focus on building yourself and developing both your external and internal power. As for the realms, I will tell you next time. For now, I will place a seal on you, forbidding you from entering the subconscious world for a while."
He placed his hand on my chest and spread a golden glowing seal shaped like tree branches. My body began to fade, and I felt my existence dispersing.
I woke up startled in my room.
"Damn it," I cursed. "The entrance to the mental world has been sealed for an unknown time. Damn that wretch—he caused all of this. I can't do anything now. I guess I should focus on increasing my recruitment and finding the motivation I need."
Qing Yan and Qing Jin entered, asking me to go with them to a tavern. But little Xiuyue would not come. We took our swords and hid them in our clothes in case of trouble. We began drinking. I ordered three drinks and a cup of water.
In the midst of the noise and shouting in the tavern, several men entered. They ordered food and started causing trouble. Strangely, no one responded to their insults. Strange indeed—did that mean they belonged to a powerful family? The two men beside them did not stop their antics. They came to our table while I was sipping my drink, and one of them knocked the cup from my hand.
Qing Yan and Qing Jin grew furious, veins bulging from their necks. The men grew bolder, released their aura, and placed their swords against my neck. They thought I was finished.
But in an instant, I snatched the small dagger from the table. With one sharp motion, their swords broke with a loud metallic crack. Sparks flew. A smile spread across my face before shards of steel cut into their bodies. Blood flowed as they fell to the ground.
A young master was stunned by what happened. He rushed toward me, but a man wearing a wide straw hat blocked him. His eyes were hidden beneath it. He held a sword, deflecting the attack from the young master.
He said: "Even though I know he's trash, my friend, you have no right to harm him. After all, he is unarmed."
Then he gave a faint smile.