The Martial Unity

Chapter 3784: A Fundamental Force

Rui was curious to see how the insights of the Psycher aligned with his own insights into the nature of consciousness and the Martial Path as information phenomena that independently existed in some information dimension.

Did the Psycher come up with the same insights?

Did he have another theory of consciousness?

He was curious to know what the most knowledgeable and intelligent mind-expert had to say on the topic.

”I had... a series of epiphanies,” the Psycher replied as his blood-red eyes grew thoughtful, and his expression slackened. ”A series of epiphanies that I got after I achieved Enlightenment of Self.”

He heaved a deep breath. ”I believe that the nature of consciousness is immaterial. It is... abstract. Its existence is likely not present in materia itself.”

Rui grew enthusiastic at those words. It appeared that they were on the same page in that regard; Rui wouldn’t be sure what to think if the Psycher had stated that consciousness was rooted in matter.

”The interactions between paths and mind, in particular, are indicative of their non-material nature,” the Psycher continued. ”There are also other events that demonstrate this truth. Yet, even if they are not rooted in matter itself, they are undoubtedly connected to matter. If you shoot someone in the head, their consciousness fades in a manner that is very directly connected to the material events of the destruction of brain tissue. That begs the question, what is ephemeral, immaterial, and abstract, but is still absolutely tied to material reality?”

The Psycher smiled. ”There is only one answer. And the answer to that is information. No other immaterial phenomenon is also causally tied to material reality the way that information is. Thus, I believe that consciousness is information, most likely something that exists in a layer of reality that we are simply unable to access.”

Rui wanted to jump into the air with ecstasy, but just as he was about to exclaim his concordance, the Psycher continued—

”However, to say that it is information is a rather banal statement, as far as I’m concerned,” the Psycher remarked. ”It is not enough to state that it is information. A real scientist would explore its nature more and not remain satisfied with such a meaningless statement.”

He turned towards Rui with a pointed expression. ”Wouldn’t you agree, my friend?”

”Y-Yeah. Pssht, anybody who is satisfied with just that is a loser of a scientist.”

”Indeed, so I endeavored even further to understand the nature of consciousness,” the Psycher nodded. ”The nature of information itself. And I have come to a conclusion that moved even me.”

He turned towards Rui with a serious expression.

”I believe that information is the fifth fundamental force of the universe.”

Rui’s eyes widened with shock at those words. ”...What?”

”To understand why I think this, it is important to understand what the fundamental forces of the universe are,” the Psycher continued with an academic tone. ”What are the fundamental forces? What do they do in our universe? It is not within my field of expertise, but based on my conversations with the Astromind and the Esoterist, it is more than fair to say that the Fundamental Forces of the universe are... forces of change.”

He leaned forward with a more intense gaze. ”Change cannot occur without the presence of the four fundamental forces. Or perhaps five fundamental universes, since the Astromind tells me that the universe is expanding because of dark energy, a concept I still can’t wrap my head around. But the point is that these forces are forces because they cause change. Now let us come back to information.”

He gestured with his hands. ”Information and matter are inextricably linked. They must be reflective of each other at all times, and perhaps the only time information and matter are not identical to each other is when the brain is destroyed and recreated in the Squire Body Evolution Process, where consciousness is preserved in the Martial Path even when the brain is destroyed. But aside from this one strange exception...”

He raised both hands, holding imaginary objects and gesturing them to each other. ”Information and matter must be identical. I suspect this is a law of reality. Perhaps the most fundamental law of reality. Information and matter must be identical to each other. Changes in matter thus necessarily cause changes in information, and... changes in information likely cause changes in matter.”

Rui’s eyes widened with understanding. ”Thus, information can cause change in material reality, just like the four fundamental forces. That is why you consider information to be the fifth fundamental force!”

”Or the sixth, after dark energy,” the Psycher continued. ”So consciousness may very well just be a derivative of a force of nature. Consciousness could be to the force of information what chemistry is to the electromagnetic force. A complex structure built atop a fundamental force of reality itself.”

Rui’s body slackened as he fell back on his comfortable couch, staring at the white ceiling lights with a stunned expression. ”That... that might be the most profound theory I’ve ever heard in my entire life.”

”I haven’t even fully finished sharing all of my insights,” the Psycher remarked. ”Now that we have established the fundamental nature of consciousness, it begs the question.”

He gestured with one hand. ”What separates consciousness...” He gestured to another hand. ”...from other information? Is there even an actual distinction between other information and consciousness? Could it be that everything is conscious? Or could it be that consciousness itself is some metaphysical illusion, and thus everything is actually dead, including us?”

Rui stared at him with a deeply engrossed expression before slightly shaking his head. ”...I have no idea. In fact, it might be impossible to ever learn the truth to such a profound question.”

”...I believe that we actually have a way of understanding the answer to that question,” the Psycher smiled. ”I believe that the key to reaching the answer is Transcendence. I have a strong, strong suspicion that Martial Transcendents are those Martial Artists who are able to wield the sixth fundamental force of the universe. That might be the key to their strength that defies the laws of causality.”

A deafening silence hung in the air as he dropped that bombshell.