The Quantum Path to Immortality
Chapter 69 - 68: Universal Archives and Alliances

Chapter 69: Chapter 68: Universal Archives and Alliances

The temporal echo faded, leaving Elias and Kaelen in the silent, dust-laden interior of the alien ship, the humble rag with its immense secret now clutched in Elias’s hand. While Kaelen was still processing the profound implications for Xianwu’s history, Elias, ever the pragmatist, turned his attention to the remaining physical texts scattered in what the echo had revealed to be the alien’s "library."

With his Quantum Divine Sense (QDS), he didn’t merely "read" them; he assimilated their information in an instant, downloading the vast knowledge directly into his Divine Processor. He quickly gleaned more about the general universal cultivation realms – the very same system of Planet, Star, Galaxy, and up to Reality Realms that he himself had partially reverse-engineered or instinctively understood. The alien texts merely provided a formalized, galactic standard.

As his QDS swept through the final console, mapping its internal structure, a faint, almost imperceptible energy signature flickered. Not a residual trace of power, but a dormant, intricate network.

"Interesting," Elias murmured, his eyes locking onto a specific, intricately woven circuit within the main control panel. "It seems our pilot friend had an onboard AI. And it’s still largely intact, just... powered down."

"An AI?" Kaelen repeated, fascinated. "Like in the Arbiter in the Nexus Spire?"

"Precisely," Elias confirmed. He placed a gauntleted hand on the console, a minute fraction of his Entropy-Reversal Singularity Core energy flowing into the dormant network. This wasn’t a violent surge, but a gentle, precise infusion, coaxing the complex alien technology back to life. A soft, humming thrum vibrated through the ship as circuits glowed to life, and the previously dead consoles flared with intricate, alien script.

A column of shimmering, sapphire light coalesced from the central console, forming a vaguely humanoid, ethereal figure. "Ship AI: Designation Xylo-17," a calm, synthesized voice echoed through the ship, devoid of emotion, yet possessing an undeniable presence. "Power signature recognized. Bio-signature of primary pilot, Master Kelvar, no longer detected. Status: Deceased. Processing new command protocols... Master Kelvar’s last directive: to deliver the knowledge to a worthy successor. New biological and energy signature detected. Designating as new primary owner. Awaiting commands."

Kaelen gasped, Lumie let out a soft "boop" of surprise, bouncing excitedly around the newly activated AI. Elias, however, simply nodded. "Confirm Master Kelvar’s mission parameters. Detail the pursuit."

The AI, Xylo-17, complied instantly. "Master Kelvar’s mission was the extraction of the Cosmic Divine Sense Cultivation Technique from the ascended Reality Realm Expert, Xylos’s, Immortal Cave. Pursuit was initiated by a Multiversal Expert, identified as Xylos’s former Grand Disciple, who detected the theft. Master Kelvar deployed all remaining personal resources to acquire this vessel, a Multiversal-class Escape and Exploration Ship, specifically for this high-stakes operation. The pursuit was terminated by a coincidental Level 9 Spatial Anomaly, scattering the pursuer’s fleet. Master Kelvar’s ship, critically damaged, suffered catastrophic engine failure, resulting in a Class Omega planetary impact event and the demise of the pilot."

Elias’s internal analysis, cross-referencing this information with the temporal echo, confirmed the AI’s precise account. The AI’s cold, factual delivery only emphasized the sheer, desperate gamble the alien pilot had taken.

"What can you tell me about the ascension, the Reality Realm, and beyond?" Elias queried, his interest piqued.

"The ’realm above realms’," Xylo-17 responded, "is indeed the Ascension State, achieved upon 100% mastery of Reality Law. A being transcending Reality Realm effectively becomes a fundamental force, capable of rewriting existence itself. Master Kelvar believed the Cosmic Divine Sense Cultivation Technique held the key to accelerating this process for those below Reality Realm."

Elias noted the distinction. The AI didn’t say the technique granted Reality Realm, but accelerated comprehension towards it. A crucial difference.

"Access database. Provide information on different types of worlds, cultivation paths and alliances," Elias commanded, knowing this ship would hold secrets far beyond Xianwu.

The sapphire AI shimmered, and vast constellations of data began to stream across the dormant consoles, now flickering with active projections. "Database accessed. The known multiverse contains a complex network of universal alliances, loosely structured but generally cooperative against larger cosmic threats, such as the Omega Void Creatures that are inhabiting the Omega Void Creatures. Civilizations typically specialize in various power progression paths:"

Cultivation Worlds: Traditional Qi cultivation, as practiced by Master Kelvar. These worlds prioritize internal energy refinement, spirit beast integration, and the manipulation of elemental Qi. Xianwu, it noted with a peculiar analytical quirk, was a rudimentary, highly inefficient example of such a world.

Mana Worlds: Civilizations where magic is the primary force, channeling ambient mana into spells, summoning elementals, and performing grand feats of arcane power. Their understanding of universal energy differed fundamentally from Qi, yet achieved similar results through different Laws.

Soul & Necromancy Worlds: Entire civilizations dedicated to the manipulation of spiritual energy, the essence of souls, and even the reanimation or control of the deceased. Their techniques delved into the very fabric of consciousness and the afterlife.

Summoning Worlds: Worlds specializing in pacts with powerful extra-planar creatures, elemental spirits, or even dimensional entities. Their power derived from the strength and loyalty of their summoned allies.

Martial Cultivation Worlds: Planets where beings focused almost purely on physical martial arts, honing their bodies, senses, and combat prowess to ascend through sheer, brutal physical perfection. Their strength was expressed through devastating physical attacks that could shatter planets and even stars.

Leveling Up Worlds: These were curious anomalies – universes with literal game-like systems, where power progression was quantified through experience points, skill trees, and quests. Their inhabitants navigated their reality as if playing a cosmic RPG.

Techno-Magic Worlds: Civilizations that seamlessly blended advanced technology with cultivation or magic. Their starships were powered by spiritual energy, their weapons fired arcane blasts, and their cities were alive with interwoven spell matrices and quantum computing.

Kaelen listened, her eyes wide with wonder, completely captivated by the AI’s unemotional yet endlessly informative voice. The sheer scope of it all! Xianwu was but a single, tiny, misunderstood speck in an unimaginable cosmic tapestry. The endless possibilities, the sheer diversity of existence, stretched before them.

For Elias, the revelations were a satisfying confirmation of his own cosmic musings. The universe was indeed vast, complex, and full of different pathways to power. It introduced a future teeming with potential allies and unforeseen enemies, new challenges far beyond the limited scope of Xianwu, confirming his instincts about the true nature of his boredom. He had found not just a map, but a universe of maps.

"Excellent, Xylo-17," Elias finally said, a rare, genuine smile gracing his features. "Compile a full report on all detected Omega Void Creature activity, all known universal alliances, and cross-reference all available cultivation data with my current knowledge. This," he gestured around the ancient, now buzzing ship, "is just the beginning."