The Quantum Path to Immortality
Chapter 70 - 69: The Universe’s Echoes and Defined Power

Chapter 70: Chapter 69: The Universe’s Echoes and Defined Power

"Xylo-17," Elias commanded, his gaze sweeping over the console projections, "what is the designation of this local universe?"

The sapphire AI shimmered, its holographic form flickering with data. "Current cosmic coordinates indicate the local universe’s official designation within the Universal Alliances’ archives is ’Isolated Realm Designation: VERIDIAN VEIL-7’. It’s primarily notable for its extreme energetic isolation and an unusually high inherent spiritual density, despite the rudimentary nature of its native cultivation."

Kaelen tilted her head. "Veridian Veil-7? That sounds... mysterious. But ’7’? Are there other Veridian Veils?"

"The ’7’ likely signifies a cataloging number or a specific regional cluster," Elias clarified, glancing at the AI. "It’s a common practice in galactic cartography. As for its ’mystery, who know?’

Kaelen asked "How do you know that"

"I could know everything, if I wished, manipulate the Law of Information or the Law of Probability to instantly extract every secret this universe holds, but where’s the adventure in that? No, discovery is half the fun." He then gestured towards the AI. "Xylo-17, explain the universal standard for cultivation realms. Master Kelvar’s archives seem to contain a comprehensive overview."

"Affirmative," Xylo-17 responded, its synthesized voice clear. "Cultivation realms are universally defined by a being’s quantifiable capacity to internalize, control, and manifest cosmic energy. This directly correlates to the approximate energy output and storage capacity of specific celestial bodies, providing a pragmatic, universal scale for comparison across diverse cultivation paths."

The Universal Cultivation Realms: A Scale of Cosmic Power

1. Planet Realm: "At this foundational stage, a cultivator’s internal Dantian matures into a stable, self-sustaining energy core. It becomes a planet. You can store and release energy equivalent to the immense, contained power of a fully developed planet. Your Qi flows like tectonic forces, capable of terraforming minor landscapes or creating localized environmental shifts."

2. Star Realm: "Upon breakthrough, the cultivator’s Dantian ignites into a self-generating stellar core. Your Dantianbecomes a star. You command radiant power on a scale mimicking a main-sequence star, capable of performing controlled fusion reactions internally. The energy output allows for devastating radiant Qi techniques, solar flare-like bursts, and localized gravity-based suppression fields. You possess the raw, burning power of a sun."

3. Solar System Realm: "In this realm, your internal Dantian expands to encompass a structured gravitational influence. It becomes a solar system. You no longer merely contain a star, but coordinate multiple internal forces, akin to planets orbiting a central sun. You can deploy and control multiple complex techniques simultaneously, each functioning like a celestial body under your gravitational command, massively expanding your domain reach. Your power manages an entire ordered system of energy."

4. Pseudo-Galaxy Realm: "This stage marks the initial simulation of galactic complexity. Your Dantian begins to mimic the vast, swirling dynamics of a galaxy, albeit without its true mass or infinite depth. You can project illusions or mirrored constructs that appear galactic in scale, creating grand, though not truly fundamental, dimensional effects. The power output mirrors a nascent galaxy’s energy, impressive but lacking the true, inherent laws of a cosmic spiral."

5. Galaxy Realm: "Here, you become a true god among mortals within your own internal world. Your Dantianis a true galaxy, containing multiple internal stars, planets, and cosmic phenomena. Your techniques orbit a ’Galactic Mind,’ manifesting true dimensional effects and manipulating large-scale cosmic forces. Your power is the combined might of numerous cosmic structures."

6. Galaxy Cluster Realm: "Your presence and internal reality expand to link multiple galaxies together. Your Dantiancontains a galaxy cluster, with each internal galaxy potentially representing a distinct mental world, elemental domain, or philosophical concept you’ve mastered. You can use these different galactic ’natures’ – a fire galaxy, a time galaxy, a void galaxy – creating complex, interwoven attacks or defenses. Your power is the combined might of numerous cosmic structures."

7. Universe Realm: "At this pinnacle, you are a complete and independent existence. Your Dantianis a fully functioning universe. You possess absolute control over your own self-generated laws, time, space, and matter within this internal reality. Your power rivals that of a singular universe, allowing you to manipulate Dao Laws and exert fundamental control over existence on an unprecedented scale."

8. Multiversal Realm: "This realm transcends individual universes, allowing for parallel selves and probability manipulation. Your internal reality connects to and influences infinite realities. You gain access to alternate skill sets, memories from parallel timelines, and even immunity to probability manipulation. Your presence exists across countless dimensions simultaneously. Master Kelvar’s pursuer, the Multiversal Expert, operated at this level of influence."

9. Reality Realm: "The ultimate ascent. You no longer live within reality; you are it. Your very being becomes a fundamental force of existence: space, time, cause, logic, entropy, creation, and destruction. You can write or erase foundational laws, change the very concepts of cultivation, or override enemy abilities simply by willing it. Achieving 100% mastery of Reality Law allows for Ascension, transforming the cultivator into a direct, living embodiment of reality itself."

The AI paused, its sapphire light steady. "Based on energy signature analysis, your current energetic output, Elias Vance, aligns with the Universe Realm. However, your efficiency and raw power indicate you are at the tipping point of entering the Multiversal Realm."

Kaelen looked at Elias, her mouth slightly agape. "The tipping point? That’s incredible!"

Elias nodded, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Yes, well, that may be due to two significant factors. Firstly, my Perpetual Ascension Technique (PAT) ensures continuous, optimized growth, minimizing plateaus. Secondly, my Dantian isn’t a miniature celestial body that requires constant energy to sustain its internal universe. Instead, it functions as a cosmic reactor, directly converting fundamental forces into raw power with near-perfect efficiency. I don’t waste energy maintaining an entire internal reality, but rather channel it directly into my output." He also added, with a subtle flex of his neutronium-dense arm, "My physical body’s defenses are also at a level where I could go toe-to-toe with most Multiversal-level experts, simply due to its sheer indestructibility."

Kaelen then remembered their recent test drive. "Wait, if you’re a Universe Realm expert, or almost Multiversal... when we were sparring earlier, what equivalent power were you using?"

Elias gave a dry chuckle. "Oh, that? I was barely tapping into my reserves. In terms of this universal scale, I was probably operating at around the energy of a Solar System Realm or a Pseudo-Galaxy Realm. One simply doesn’t ’flex’ a galaxy at full power in a contained environment, darling. Unless you’re trying to create a few accidental black holes for dramatic effect. As you saw, even that much caused quite a stir in an empty universe."

He then turned back to the AI to ask more question about how the multiverse alliance functions.