Li Qingyu thought it all resembled hacking a game's code – editing the backend. But would interference cause a system crash?
He took the bolt, preparing to try levitation. The Silent One instructed:
"Find the object in the warp. It's easiest when you're holding it in your hand."
Li Qingyu switched his vision. When he gripped the bolt, he saw its projection – a gray, unremarkable shadow in the warp.
In the warp, everything is either ash-gray or blindingly colorful; it's hard to figure out. Only souls shine so brightly there that they can't be missed.
"Found it. What's next?" he asked.
"Focus on this projection. Feel the forces acting on it and try to change them."
Li Qingyu directed his thoughts at the bolt's shadow – and his mind was struck by revelation.
Gravity, friction, density – hundreds of interconnected laws unfolded before him. He suddenly realized he was seeing the underside of the world.
The Silent One's voice sounded as if from afar:
"Now change the rules. Reality will resist, you'll have to fight it with psionic force. Don't be afraid, it's just a bolt."
A second later, the Silent One saw the iron piece rise above Li Qingyu's palm.
The psyker thought with admiration: it's only been a moment – and he's already controlling gravity. Even if it's just a small bolt, the beginning has been made.
The bolt stayed in the air for about thirty seconds, after which Li Qingyu felt a headache, and the iron piece fell with a clang. He came out of the trance, feeling a ringing in his ears and weakness.
The Silent One sighed with relief: so the guy wasn't that much of a monster – his mental strength reserve was still limited.
He put on an important expression and said:
"You've understood the basics. Now you need training to temper your soul."
From behind his back, he pulled out a steel pipe and handed it to his student.
"When you can hold this in the air for half an hour, I'll show you new tricks."
Li Qingyu weighed the pipe – about ten kilograms. He would have to work hard before he mastered control.
Meanwhile, the Silent One rubbed his hands and grinned:
"Well! You promised me something that gets you high! Show me!"
Li Qingyu laughed. He took a bottle of holy wine from his bag and handed it over.
The Silent One frowned in disbelief – and that was it?
"Don't grumble. Take a sip – and you'll understand everything."
He opened the bottle with doubt and took a sip. He froze.
It was just moonshine. Ordinary taste, but the effect! In an instant, power surged through his body. The "Holiness" status was applied, instantly cleansing him of warp corruption, plus ten to spirit and the Emperor's radiant aura.
The Silent One trembled with delight.
"Wow! I feel like I could strangle the demon whispering in my soul with my bare hands!"
Li Qingyu grinned and patted him on the shoulder:
"Save it. It's rare stuff. A sip a day, the effect lasts for twenty-four hours."
The Silent One nodded, hid the bottle in his pocket, and pressed it to his chest, looking around.
The next five days passed peacefully. Li Qingyu lived in the shelter, managed production, and developed his psionics.
He also drank the holy drink – a little at a time, to strengthen his spirit.
After five days, he could lift five bolts simultaneously and keep them in the air for more than half an hour.
When he got tired, he rested. When he woke up, he trained again, strengthening his body and mind.
His stats increased: Strength 15, Endurance 16, Spirit 21.
One day, Knife returned. He exchanged the skin of a killed chemist for money – over five thousand credits – and respectfully handed it all to the boss.
Li Qingyu smiled and returned the money:
"Buy supplies, furniture, make sure the people have a normal life."
Knife beamed, but suddenly hesitated. Li Qingyu asked:
"What is it?"
"Boss, I'd like to buy a woman... so she can have a child. It'll cost five hundred."
Li Qingyu waved his hand:
"Here's a thousand. Buy a beautiful one. And with the rest, furnish a room for yourself to live like a human."
Knife, beaming with happiness, ran off. In the evening, he brought a young woman – surprisingly sweet, gentler than most he'd encountered in this world.
Li Qingyu told Sansa to slaughter three gu-gu, get all the fresh vegetables, and uncorked a bottle of holy wine. They had a feast – the most generous in the lives of many of them.
Everyone laughed and ate heartily. Smiles never left their faces.
Li Qingyu also felt joy – the wedding had united the people. Now this place had become their home.
Knife took his wife to the new room. His gaze showed it: he truly wanted to start a family, even here, in this cruel world.
Li Qingyu only approved – with words, deeds, and resources.
He knew: a person who has found a home will never betray. Knife was now forever bound to this place.
Li Qingyu chuckled to himself: "Maybe I should find a wife for the Silent One too? Otherwise, this guy is always getting stuck in the warp's backside..."