The Three Inner Cylinders

'I once worked with computers in my previous life, so I have a very good understanding of them'

Imagine the human body as a sophisticated computer system. Just like hardware components, our bodies are composed of various intricate parts—bones, muscles, organs—that work together in harmony to support our physical existence. Just as hardware provides the foundation for a computer, our bodies form the physical foundation of our being--the pillar of the body.

Now, let's consider the human soul as the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of this metaphorical computer. The GUI serves as the interface which enables us to access and utilize the computer functionalities. Similarly, the soul can be seen as the interface through which we experience and navigate the world around us, encompassing our emotions, thoughts, and consciousness. It's the aspect of ourselves that interacts with our surroundings, shaping our perceptions and experiences-- the pillar of soul.

Finally, let's equate the human spirit to the operating system of this analogy. The operating system serves as the core software that manages and coordinates all the activities of the computer, providing the framework within which applications run and enabling the hardware to function efficiently. Similarly, the spirit can be viewed as the essence or core of our being, guiding and orchestrating our actions, values, and beliefs. It's the source of our vitality, resilience, and inner strength, providing the overarching framework for our existence and influencing how we navigate life's challenges and opportunities, it is our subconscious--the pillar of spirit.

Just as a computer system requires both hardware and software to operate effectively, our human existence integrates the physical body (hardware), the soul (GUI), and the spirit (operating system) into a unified whole. Each component plays a unique and indispensable role, and also limits the other.

Bian formed this analogy in his mind, with his eyes closed. Once he opened his eyes however, he was shocked to find himself still surrounded by darkness.

In front of him stood the most mind-boggling structure he had ever seen, a colossal white pillar crafted from lusterless metal. It rose from the depths of the abyssal darkness below, soaring to meet the infinite expanse of the dark abyss above. To his right and left stood two identical pillars, mirroring the first in their monumental scale and enigmatic presence. Stretching from negative to positive infinity, they stood magnificently in the darkness.

'Whoa, so these are the three pillars' Bian moved closer to the body pillar, he couldn't walk in this dark expanse and so had to mimic a swimming motion. As he got close to what he felt was the body pillar, a rhythmic pulse of machinery greeted him like an old friend.

The rhythmic pumping of a piston echoed through the dark abyss reverberating in the lightless space like the beat of a drum. It was the heartbeat of the engine, a steady pulse that drove the machinery of life forward.

"So that's how it is, this is why he couldn't advance past this stage. The three inner pillars are actually more like the cylinders with pistons working within them."

Strangely enough no matter how close Bian got to the cylinder, he could never reach it. As though it was but a mirage, the cylinder stood just beyond his reach.

With a sigh Bian decided to head out, now he knew were the inner pillars were so his problem should be solved. Bian shut his eyes, and willed himself to wake up.

The white environment of the saints hall greeted him along with professor Min Tai and professor Johnson.

"Did it work?" Professor Min asked curiously, to him Bian just sat there with his eyes closed with no visible change in his aura or body.

"It did, I found the inner pillars" Bian gave an affirmative nod, "Although I feel it might be more appropriate to call them the inner cylinders."

Noticing the confused look on their faces, Bian clarified; "I believe the inner pillars are hollow, I could hear and feel the vibrations of a piston coming from within it."

"That is quite... fascinating. How about the symptoms, are they cured?" Professor Min asked.

Bian closed his eyes for a bit, within him he could locate the inner pillars whenever necessary. His body seemed to have finally found what it was looking for.

"The symptoms are gone, I appreciate the help professor Min, professor Johnson"

"Well that was a bit lackluster, can you tell if there is a reason why you were able to go past the first stage of the three inner pillars" professor Johnson said, his hands moving to pack up his files.

Bian thought about it for a little bit, it could have been because he wasn't originally from the geno universe but he couldn't be sure. After all what difference would it make if he wasn't originally from this universe, he didn't receive a golden finger or a special system.

"I have no idea either, I think you should keep the book. Maybe you might be able to glean some more insights from it"

Professor Johnson picked up the book, bid them farewell and went on his way at a quickened pace.

"Feel like you've done something good? Professor Johnson also knows you've gone past the second stage of the inner pillars. Perfect recollection if I remember clearly" Professor Min Tai said with a smile.

"I am aware of that, I just thought it would be cordial to say so anyway. Once again I appreciate the assistance, professor Min. If there is nothing else, I will be on my way."

...

"Thank you so much master Bian." The middle aged man said as he shook his hand, his head in a slight bow.

"It was the right thing to do. Now if you don't mind, I would like my hand back" Bian said with a slight smile.

"Haha of course" The man scratched the back of his head.

Bian stood up and left the Qi family corporation with a bottle of pet pills. He had invested a lot into this business as he was sure pets would soon have their time to shine.

'With the advent of super creatures on the horizon, everyone is looking for a way to gain more power. It won't be long before they discover how amazing beast soul pets are.' With the pet pills he could hasten the evolution of the silver fox, it was certainly easier than running around the sanctuaries looking for consumable treasures.

'This is going to be troublesome' Bian saw two messages on his commlink, one from Han Yan and the other from Man Tian. He had informed them that the issue with his 'blackouts' had been resolved some days ago, now they both wanted his help with two separate tasks.

Man Tian wants to head out into the desert, several marked targets of his had been killed by something and he didn't know what. If a marked target was killed then the mark would slowly fade out. If it was eaten, then the mark would be transferred to the predator and lastly if it was removed by some power, he would suffer a backlash.

He could feel the distinct differences between these three scenarios and right now, several sacred-blood creatures were killed in drove in the desert. He wasn't sure of the cause and wanted Bian to follow along to find out.

Han Yan on the other hand had discovered two peach like fruits that were almost ripe, several super creatures were waiting around it and thus she would need help to get to the fruits.

According to her, the fruits would help her breakthrough the gene lock of the dongxuan sutra. The main issue were two ladybug like creatures which were too dynamic in the air, she probably needed the holy angel to help her out.

They had both contacted him individually and he couldn't give a definite answer to either of them, he asked for them to meet up in the shelter without giving an explanation.

"Okay, it will be alright. I'll just explain the situation and then we can choose who to help first." There was no problem, but yet..

'Why do I feel such unease.'