494: Chapter 71 Evolution – Non-human_2 494: Chapter 71 Evolution – Non-human_2 This is the power of the Qi Refining Technique Seventh Level.

Yet, even so, Xiao Jie’s brow remained tightly furrowed.

He had long passed the stage where he felt ecstatic about obtaining a slight increase in strength, and now he was able to think more deeply.

The power he had newly acquired delighted him, but the changes occurring in his own body still gave cause for a vague sense of worry.

Humans are animals driven by desire, and desires often stem from innate bodily instincts.

Humans crave delicious food because of hunger, desire strength because of weakness, yearn for lust because of their innate nature, seek wealth because of poverty, long for respect because of anonymity, and wish for freedom because of bondage, just as they seek safety in response to fear.

When all these desires are satisfied, humans thereby find happiness and contentment.

It can be said that a person’s character, pursuits, and life goals all unfold from this.

All this constitutes the self, which, though not perfect, is unique.

However, now I can control the secretion of hormones in my body, insensitivity to cold and hunger, and even completely control emotions.

If I want joy, I’ll have joy; if I want sorrow, I’ll have sorrow.

Just by activating the corresponding glands and secreting the corresponding hormones, it naturally happens.

If I don’t want to experience joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure, by simply shutting down all these functions, I can remain forever calm and composed, like an observer, using the most rational thinking to deal with everything.

In a positive light, this is being without desires, a peaceful mind, detached and at ease.

On the negative side, however, it can also mean gradually losing one’s humanity.

If this continues to develop, and I end up becoming a walking corpse with no desires, no emotional waves, or even no motivation in life, what then?

Although I can always utilize my body’s abilities, what if one day I find the affairs of men and women meaningless and never engage in such activities again?

Just like those Immortals in the cultivation novels, with hearts emptied of desire and above mundane emotions.

It sounds very tranquil and free, but the thought of myself becoming like that gives Xiao Jie a chilling feeling inside.

Would that still be me?

How is that different from being brainwashed?

These changes brought about by the game are indeed magical, but they are also filled with threats, making one less human, losing the consciousness of the self.

Would I still be myself in the future?

Or just a monster wearing my shell?

This is not just a worry; in fact, Xiao Jie now feels that he might already be showing a bit of this tendency.

If I don’t intentionally activate some of my physiological functions, they default to being turned off.

Like eating, for instance.

I used to enjoy all kinds of delicacies, especially the satisfaction of a big meal when ravenously hungry.

Now, that satisfaction is no longer something I can experience.

Though I can still eat normally and taste the food, it’s a completely different concept from the feeling of being fully satisfied I had before.

Similarly, I can no longer experience feelings of warmth or coolness because, for me, the temperature is always comfortable, to the point where I have lost the concept of temperature altogether.

Xiao Jie extended a hand, feeling the night breeze on his face, neither cold nor hot, just an invisible current.

Furrowing his brow in thought, no, An Ran!

Xiao Jie suddenly remembered the Immortal Fruit that An Ran bid on yesterday.

At the time, he felt only a vague unease and didn’t think much more of it, but now it seems that impact on a person may not be smaller than that of the Qi Refining Technique, and such changes are not necessarily as calm as the Qi Refining technique.

The monsters of the Demon Star Tower are wholly inhumane, having become complete monsters, likely the opposite of the Qi Refining Technique, which strips individuals of desire.

That “Immortal Fruit,” most likely, allows one to be wholly dominated by desires.

That’s why the monsters of the Demon Star Tower engage in endless coupling, reproduction, and mutual killing and devouring.

Because predation and reproduction are, after all, the most basic desires and instincts of any creature.

He quickly took out his phone and called An Ran.

“Hello, An Ran, are you there?”

An Ran’s voice sounded somewhat surprised, “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Have you eaten that ‘Immortal Fruit’ yet?”

“Not yet, why?”

“Don’t eat it.

I think there’s something wrong with it, best not to mess with it.”

An Ran fell silent for a moment, “What’s the problem?”

Xiao Jie opened his mouth but didn’t know where to start.

“Things are a bit complicated; let’s meet and talk about it.

Have you had dinner?”

“Not yet.”

“Perfect, I want to thank you for your help these past few days.

How about I treat you to a meal, and we can talk while we eat?”

“Sure, let’s meet at Huifeng Building then.”

Half an hour later, Xiao Jie sat in a private room on the second floor of Huifeng Building, waiting for An Ran’s arrival.

His thoughts were still immersed in philosophical contemplations about self-awareness.

He hesitated over whether to make any adjustments to his own changes, such as turning off traits that affected his perception of the outside world like immunity to cold and heat.

He wasn’t even sure if he could switch off such abilities, after all, these traits seemed to be passive and unchangeable.

“Sir, may I help you with…

cough, I mean, would you like to order?” A young waitress asked with a slightly excited tone.

Xiao Jie glanced at the young waitress and wondered why she was so eager.

“Oh, not for now, thank you.

I’m waiting for a friend.”

“Oh, then I’ll be outside.

You can call me anytime.”

The waitress left, but the faint conversation between two other waitresses could be heard from outside.

Normally, one wouldn’t be able to hear through the door of the private room, but with Xiao Jie’s heightened senses—hearing all and seeing everything—his hearing was exceptionally sharp, so he could still hear them clearly.

“Wow, that guy just now is so handsome.”

“I saw him too, he looks a lot like Xiao Zhan.”

“I think he’s even more handsome than Xiao Zhan, he has a certain indescribable quality.”

Xiao Jie was taken aback for a moment, thinking, are they talking about me?

He had a clear understanding of his own appearance, slightly above average, with well-proportioned features and a touch of delicacy.

With some grooming, he could pass for a seven out of ten, and without it, a six.

More handsome than Xiao Zhan?

The door suddenly opened, and An Ran walked in.

When An Ran saw him, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed with a dramatic expression and tone, “Wow!

I mean—wow!”

Xiao Jie was at a loss for words.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, it’s just that you suddenly seem more handsome.” An Ran sat down, her gaze still fixed on his face.

Xiao Jie’s thoughts stirred as he touched his face reflectively.

It seemed he genuinely had become more attractive.

Could it also be the work of Qi Refining Skill?

He looked towards the side window.

Through the glass’ reflection, he could see his appearance clearly.

With refined, chiseled features, eyes deep as stars, flowing black hair, and a graceful figure.

More surprisingly, his fair skin under the light, emitted a faint luster, and his indifferent face revealed a calmness and detachment that rose above all, giving off a sense of aloofness.

Xiao Jie was taken aback for a moment.

A person’s appearance is often determined by various factors: skin, features, physique, and temperament.

His own appearance in the mirror hadn’t changed much; it was mostly the aura that was different.

This must be the transformation brought about by the Qi Refining Skill—a transformation from inside to outside that not only made his physical conditioning stronger and gave him various capabilities but also happened to improve his attractiveness.

No wonder the waitresses were so astonished.

Even Xiao Jie was temporarily taken aback—was he really this handsome?

Although he felt this way, Xiao Jie wasn’t overly thrilled.

Deep down, he remained undisturbed, which made him even more uneasy.

Although the change was favorable, in the past, he would have been overjoyed and might’ve even used his high attractiveness to flirt with girls, enjoying life and savoring all kinds of passion and happiness.

But at that moment, he had absolutely no such thoughts, and he wasn’t even excited about the improvement in his looks.

It seemed that without realizing it, he had changed.

The worst part was that he had not noticed at all.

If Yuan Bai hadn’t brought up flirting with girls that day, he might have continued to overlook it until he completely lost interest in women.