Chapter 92: Atavism_1

Jiang Yu asked the question he had long wanted to ask, "Can you see Sophon?"

Thirty-Six laughed, "I'm not a superhero, nor do I have any superpowers, how could I see things from another dimension?"

He had learned about Sophons from Sixteen.

Thirty-Six paused, then continued, "I researched this issue last year, I can sense the presence of Sophons, thanks to human atavism."

Jiang Yu had only a rudimentary understanding of atavism and quipped in his mind, "You do look quite atavistic."

Thirty-Six went on to explain, "Do you remember the news from a few years ago, about a three-year-old child who visually detected that a family member had cancer?"

Jiang Yu thought for a moment, "It seems there was such an incident."

At the time, he had treated the news as a curiosity and discussed it with his roommate, so it left some impression.

It was said that a three-year-old child pointed to a relative's chest and said there seemed to be a problem. Since the relative had been feeling some discomfort in the lungs, they went to the hospital for a check-up and were diagnosed with lung cancer.

Fortunately, it was discovered in time, and there was still a chance for treatment.

Thirty-Six laughed, "Some said that child was the reincarnation of Bian Que, but that's not true. I've studied many cases in the past two years and I'm almost certain that children in infancy show more or less signs of atavism."

Jiang Yu wanted to ask why he conducted such research but decided not to ask, guessing that his somewhat atavistic appearance made him feel inferior.

"The process of becoming human from a fertilized egg virtually replicates the entire evolutionary journey from single-celled organisms to humans inside a woman's womb," Thirty-Six said.

"Every person is born with certain instincts that were only present in humans during the primitive age.

"Back then, humans often encountered danger in the wild, and natural selection allowed those with keener senses to survive.

"This includes a premonition of danger. Nowadays, some veterans still have this ability. As soon as they step into a dangerous area, they feel inexplicably uneasy."

Jiang Yu nodded, as he had experienced a similar feeling before.

Thirty-Six continued, "You can call it a sixth sense. It is now confirmed that people emit different brainwaves when in different emotional states.

"For instance, if there are troops lying in ambush or someone harbors a murderous intent, you can't see it with your eyes, but you can sense a signal of danger when you step into the ambush zone.

"Although it's not proven, I suspect that those who step into the ambush zone sense the different brainwaves of the ambushers.

"Or perhaps in battle, when on the brink of life and death, the five senses become sharper than usual, picking up on insignificant details that would normally go unnoticed, which the brain then quickly interprets as danger.

"These are instincts carried in our genes for the sake of survival. In modern society, usually only those who have gone through life-and-death situations can awaken them."

Thirty-Six paused, then added, "Humans in infancy can see things that adults cannot, and there is evidence for this... Oh, I'm not talking about ghosts, but, for example, infrared light.

"Let's go back to that child regarded as the reincarnation of Bian Que; it is now proven that cancer cells, due to their rapid division, are warmer than normal cells.

"Under normal observation with visible light, adults can't distinguish the temperature difference between cancer cells and normal cells, but under infrared light, the difference becomes apparent.

"That child, with the ability to detect infrared light, was able to spot the anomaly in his relative's diseased organ.

"Of course, detecting infrared light here means being somewhat aware of changes in infrared light. The child's vision is the same as a normal person's, only that they can see more information than a normal person can.

"It's not like thermal imaging, where everything has only a temperature contour.

"It's important to clarify this; it's not a superpower, the child isn't a superhero, and definitely not the reincarnation of Bian Que, but rather a manifestation of atavism."

Jiang Yu nodded, "I understand now, the more challenging the environment, the more incredible the potential the human body can unleash.

"In that era when humans consumed raw food and drank from the streams, the human body was much tougher and functional than those who live under modern technology today.

"It was a necessity for survival."

Thirty-Six smiled and said, "That's right, I have quite a few atavistic traits, so I can sense Sophon's gaze, but I can't see it."

"As I got older, since I was also in constant contact with technological products, some of the atavistic phenomena on me gradually faded, and now I can hardly feel the existence of Sophon anymore."

Jiang Yu glanced subtly at Thirty-Six's high cheekbones and thought to himself that he hadn't noticed the atavistic phenomena fading away.

He changed the subject, "The conditions here are too harsh, I will bring you back to China."

Thirty-Six shook his head, "The environment here allows me to reflect in peace."

Jiang Yu was curious, "What are you thinking about?"

Thirty-Six picked up a stone from the side, "Do you say it has life?"

Jiang Yu answered seriously, "At least it doesn't fit humanity's definition of life."

Thirty-Six toyed with the stone in his hand, "Indeed, five thousand years ago, people believed it had no life. Yet it may have existed for tens of thousands, even a hundred thousand years."

Jiang Yu immediately understood Thirty-Six's point, "Human wisdom, since the 'Axis Age', has never advanced.

"After every major disaster, there is hope to draw strength from the 'Axis Age' to patch things up and keep moving forward."

But now it's different, the appearance of the Trisolarans is forcing human intelligence to make some progress.

Otherwise, with humanity's inherent cognition, there's no way to solve this crisis.

Just like the stone in Sixteen's hand, people believe it's lifeless, but they have never seen the stone from its formation to how it ended up here.

The conclusion of it being lifeless is only based on its current observation, so everyone believes stones don't have life."

But what about before humanity had the concept of life? Is humanity's concept of life correct?

Humanity now needs to step out of the wisdom of the ancients and have a higher perspective.

Jiang Yu also realized that Thirty-Six was searching for a path for the advancement of human wisdom.

Thirty-Six stood up and gestured towards the mouth of the pass with an inviting hand, "Please."

Jiang Yu laughed, "How about I introduce you to the Shaolin Temple or Wutai Mountain, talking to you is even more challenging than speaking with a Zen master."

He then sighed, "Alas, we are to blame for our inferior skills! Constantly under the gaze of others, we can only converse in such a way."

Thirty-Six just smiled and didn't say anything.

Jiang Yu waved at him and drove away.

Through the rearview mirror, Jiang Yu saw Thirty-Six looking thin and lonely under the night sky.

Although this trip to Mongolia meant only about a fifteen-minute chat with Thirty-Six, it was far from disappointing for Jiang Yu. There were still many people in the world trying to find a way out for humanity.

Upon returning to Beijing and resting for half a day, it was Monday.

Jiang Yu arrived at Chief Ji's office early. To his surprise, Chief Ji was alone, and Chang Weisi was nowhere to be seen.

Chief Ji chuckled, "You've come so early?"

As he spoke, he turned on a recorder and then pointed at the office door, signaling Jiang Yu to lock it.

Jiang Yu was taken aback. This wasn't a small meeting? It was a private talk just with him?

After locking the door, Jiang Yu sat opposite Chief Ji.

Chief Ji said, "The Star Defense Department has decided to recommend you to carry out the Wallfacer Project and become a Wallfacer."