Chapter 83: The Terrifying Power Within Tan Han
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 83: The Terrifying Power Within Tan Han
After a brief recount of my experience, Tan Han fell into deep thought.
I just stood there awkwardly, watching her. I honestly didn't see what was so profound about the story I’d just told.
Was this the gap between me and an Academic God?
"Hmm... So, you believe meditation is related to dreams? I have read books regarding the relationship between the two, and there are indeed similar descriptions..."
Tan Han spoke suddenly, but her words didn't quite sound like a question, leaving me unsure of how to respond.
Awkwardness aside, nothing stopped me from activating my Spirit Vision. I might not be able to help Tan Han directly, but I could at least be the first to know if she succeeded.
I was certain of the connection between meditation and dreams. After all, the area where these meditation rooms were located was where the "Dreamscape" was most active. Everyone’s meditation space and the external Dreamscape were like a small circle within a larger one; I could see it, but I couldn't touch it.
Unless, of course, I started meditating myself. Meditation was my method—or rather, my pathway—to contacting the Dreamscape.
Perhaps I couldn't possess a meditation space like the other senior sisters, but I could use meditation to touch a much larger expanse of the Dreamscape. I was certain that the dream realm I entered through meditation was larger than their meditation spaces—much, much larger.
Furthermore, the nature of the Dreamscape and a meditation space were, in some respects, identical.
My gaze then shifted to Tan Han. Though she wasn't meditating yet, I was curious to see what she looked like under Spirit Vision.
Ultimately, she manifested in my eyes in an abstract way. A deluge of data, including but not limited to her physical stats, flooded my vision. This method of presentation didn't stir a single ounce of desire in me; instead, it made my head throb.
Processing this information was exhausting. If I just glanced at external information casually, I wouldn't have much of a reaction.
But as I observed Tan Han, a certain "power" felt exceptionally terrifying.
It wasn't as profound as a Mana Source, but it was so vast that it made me feel a sudden surge of dread.
In my eyes, with my information filters deactivated and my Spirit Vision allowed to drink in the information of the inner world, Tan Han’s current form resembled a bud waiting to bloom. Behind her, it looked as if she were connected to a vast, boundless starry sky.
With just one more look, that galaxy-like starlight began to flow, violently washing over my cognition.
This was a situation I had never encountered when looking at others with Spirit Vision.
I only remember that before my Spirit Vision was forcibly cut off, an endless golden light filled my sight. It violently destroyed my channels for receiving other information, as if it were a backlash and a warning for my unintentional offense.
It gave me a genuine fright, even making me stumble.
"Ah! Are you okay? What happened?" Tan Han hurriedly stood up to support me.
As for what had just occurred, she didn't have time to ask.
From Tan Han’s perspective, she had felt as if someone were seeing right through her, a sensation that made her skin crawl. When she looked up, she saw Xiao Han’s expression—those eyes were clearly out of focus, yet the stare made her incredibly uncomfortable.
It felt as if all her secrets were laid bare under those eyes. For a moment, she even felt a sense of despair, like she was drowning.
It wasn't until Xiao Han stumbled and that sensation faded that she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She didn't know what had happened, but Yang Yuehan had definitely done something. Was it some unknown spell or an inspection technique?
Tan Han was curious, but she didn't ask immediately.
"Um... No, it's nothing. Sorry, I just lost my footing."
I quickly steadied myself and waved her off to show I was fine. After all, making someone worry because of my own issues made the ten thousand yuan feel like it was burning a hole in my pocket. Even now, I felt uneasy taking it.
"It's fine. Did you think of something just now?" Tan Han said, though she took the opportunity to probe, seeing if Xiao Han was willing to share anything.
"Well... it's nothing much, really. It's just that overthinking meditation doesn't help; you have to try it more. I had to try many times back then. Actually, meditation is probably just having a subjectively derived mental space of your own..."
My gaze flickered as I tried to recover from the shock I’d just received, while also making up an excuse to get Tan Han to try it for herself.
Her theoretical knowledge was far superior to mine. Me trying to explain these things to her was like a novice lecturing a master.
Rather than wasting time like this, it was better to let her start trying.
"A subjectively derived mental space? I think I've seen that theory before. If you describe it that way, do you think meditation is a state, or is it a pathway to enter a certain state?"
"This..." I really didn't know how to answer Tan Han’s question.
My impression of meditation was that it was naturally a mental state, but my actual situation was that it served as a pathway...
"It's okay, just tell me what you think so I can use it as a reference. I have my own considerations; don't worry about your words misleading me."
"Well, alright. I think meditation is a state, but for me, it's a pathway to refine Mental Power threads and increase Mental Power."
"That's how you see it? That is quite different from my own thoughts. If I didn't know that meditation is different for everyone, I’d be doubting myself right now."
"Yeah..."
I nodded in agreement. Although I had only just learned that meditation was different for everyone, my "shortcut" method should still count as meditation—it was just that my degree of "difference" was much larger than others.
As for my answer, I wasn't lying. I really couldn't call the time I spent in the Dreamscape a "meditative state." To me, meditation was more like the path to reach the Dreamscape.
"Anyway, thank you for your answer. You were right before; I can't stay trapped in theory. Without trying, it's all just a pipe dream. I really should give it a shot."
Once Tan Han reached a conclusion, she admitted it frankly. Was she being too obsessive in her pursuit of "succeeding on the first try"? Aside from wasting several days of preparation, that process only seemed to have added theoretical knowledge that didn't actually help her meditate.
Once a problem is recognized, the hardest part is simply getting over the hurdle in one's own heart—the hurdle called pride. Pride without a corresponding success to support it is nothing more than wishful thinking.
"Thank you, Xiao Han."
"It's really nothing... uh..." Being thanked twice in a row by Tan Han made me feel quite embarrassed, especially since I’d only said things that weren't even worth being called "chicken soup for the soul."
However, seeing that Tan Han had already closed her eyes to begin meditating, I didn't say anything more.
I had to admit, Tan Han’s decisiveness was impressive. But should I remind her that she hadn't activated any of the auxiliary spells in the room?
If she wasn't going to use any of those spells, what was the point of renting such a high-end meditation room?