The Quantum Path to Immortality
Chapter 72 - 71: The Currency of Comprehension

Chapter 72: Chapter 71: The Currency of Comprehension

Elias listened intently as Xylo-17 detailed the devastating nature of Omega-level incursions, his mind already calculating the cosmic-level risks these primordial entities posed and the intricate countermeasures implied by the existence and structure of the Universal Alliances. He processed the information with his characteristic analytical precision, categorizing the threats and mentally cataloging potential strategies for mitigation. The sheer scale of universal destruction was sobering, yet Elias remained pragmatic. He then shifted his focus, a more immediate and practical question surfacing in his thoughts, one that spoke to the logistical realities of such a vast, interconnected civilization.

"Understood," Elias mused, his voice a low, thoughtful hum as he tapped a finger against his chin, a gesture of deep contemplation. "Given the vast scale of these alliances—from Sector Confederations to Galactic Federations and the supreme Cosmic Conclaves—and the immense resource management required to sustain their operations and their members, there must be a standardized medium of exchange. A universally accepted form of value that facilitates trade and cooperation across countless star systems and galaxies. Xylo-17, what is the primary currency or most valued commodity within the Universal Alliances, especially at the Galactic Federation and Cosmic Conclave tiers? What drives their cosmic economy?"

Xylo-17’s sapphire projection pulsed gently, its internal algorithms processing the query with seamless efficiency. As it prepared to respond, a new holographic image materialized in the air before them, slowly rotating. It depicted a crystalline structure, intricately faceted, that shimmered with an ethereal, internal light. The light wasn’t a mere reflection; it seemed to emanate from within the crystal itself, pulsating with a subtle, yet profound, energy. "The most universally accepted and highly valued medium of exchange, Master Elias, particularly among higher-tier cultivators and the most advanced civilizations, is Luminite. It is an extremely rare, naturally occurring crystal, discovered millennia ago within the chaotic depths of nascent nebulae and the hearts of dying stars. Its scarcity contributes significantly to its value, but its true worth lies beyond simple rarity."

Elias raised an eyebrow, a flicker of genuine, almost childlike interest momentarily displacing his usual analytical demeanor. "A crystal? What makes it so valuable beyond its rarity? Many crystals are rare; what unique properties does this ’Luminite’ possess that elevate it to such a paramount economic status across the cosmos?" He pressed for more detail, recognizing that a mere commodity could not sustain a universal economy without profound intrinsic value.

"Luminite possesses unique and highly coveted properties directly beneficial to advanced cultivators," Xylo-17 elaborated, its holographic representation of the crystal glowing brighter, as if to emphasize its significance. "Upon absorption—either through direct ingestion, spiritual integration, or advanced technological processing—it has been scientifically verified to increase a cultivator’s comprehension ability. This isn’t a vague spiritual boost or a temporary increase in raw power; it is a quantifiable, measurable improvement in the very faculty of understanding. Specifically, initial scientific surveys indicate an average increase of a verifiable 2% in a cultivator’s capacity for fundamental comprehension with each significant dose. This effect is also demonstrably stackable, meaning continuous and sustained absorption of Luminite yields cumulative increases in one’s capacity to understand and integrate cosmic Laws and principles. This makes it an invaluable asset for anyone seeking to ascend through the higher realms of cultivation, where comprehension of fundamental Laws is paramount."

Elias froze. His eyes, usually analytical, piercing, and detached, widened imperceptibly, a clear sign of profound astonishment. A material that directly increased comprehension? Not just a vague spiritual energy boost, not merely an enhancement of physical or spiritual strength, but a quantifiable, stackable increase in the very faculty he relied upon for everything? This was utterly unprecedented. Even his own advanced neural networks on Earth, designed for quantum processing and capable of performing calculations beyond human capacity, couldn’t directly boost the fundamental biological or spiritual capacity for understanding in such a profound, systemic way. His entire pursuit of knowledge, his very method of cultivation through optimizing and internalizing cosmic Laws, relied entirely on his ability to comprehend and integrate these complex principles. To find a material that could directly enhance this critical cognitive and spiritual function... it was a revelation.

’This is... monumental,’ Elias thought, his internal Divine Processor whirring with renewed vigor, its complex subroutines analyzing the implications at light speed. His current method of absorbing Laws, while effective, relied heavily on his brute-force application of scientific understanding, meticulously breaking down cosmic principles from a scientific point of view. It was a powerful, but often slow and mentally taxing, process, despite the aid of his Quantum Divine Processor. Luminite, however, offered a direct, systematic path to exponentially accelerate his growth, bypass certain cognitive bottlenecks, and unlock levels of understanding that might otherwise take millennia. It wasn’t just a resource; it was a shortcut to enlightenment, a catalyst for true cosmic mastery. He had to acquire it. All of it. The thought ignited a rare, intense drive within him, a hunger for this unique cosmic treasure.

"Remarkable," Elias breathed aloud, a rare note of genuine surprise and awe in his voice. The implications resonated deeply within his being. "And such a universally impactful material, one that can accelerate the fundamental process of cultivation, is considered merely ’currency’?" He found it almost absurd, given its profound utility.

"Its utility makes it universally desired, Master Elias, transcending mere material wealth," Xylo-17 confirmed, its holographic crystal shimmering with an almost sentient light. "It serves as both a high-value commodity for general trade and, more importantly, a strategic asset of unparalleled importance for powerful civilizations and advanced cultivators. The control over Luminite mines, or access to rich Luminite deposits, is consequently a frequent source of inter-federation disputes, political maneuvering, and even open conflict. Empires and federations vie for control of this precious resource, understanding that it directly translates into cultivation advancement and therefore, cosmic power. Its value is ingrained in the very fabric of universal ambition and development."

As Elias pondered the profound implications of Luminite, envisioning its role in his future cultivation and cosmic ascent, another thought, a lingering peculiarity from his forgotten life on Earth, surfaced in his mind. He remembered his automatic pill-making machines – sophisticated devices that could synthesize complex chemical compounds with unparalleled precision and speed, revolutionizing medicine and supplemental intake on Earth. He had automated virtually every aspect of high-precision manufacturing, creating vast, efficient factories capable of producing countless items with perfect consistency.

’Wait a minute,’ Elias mused internally, a faint frown touching his lips as he cross-referenced his memories with the data he had absorbed from Master Kelvar’s vast, albeit somewhat dated, library. ’If these cosmic cultivators are so advanced, if they possess inter-galactic travel and can comprehend cosmic Laws, why haven’t I seen any evidence of widespread, automated, high-precision manufacturing? Especially for common cultivation aids like pills or elixirs? They seem to rely heavily on manual refinement processes, or less efficient, slower alchemical procedures for creating spiritual medicines.’

He’d absorbed vast amounts of data from Master Kelvar’s library, ranging from the basic cultivation methods of Universe Realm beings to the highly esoteric knowledge of nascent Multiversal Experts. He’d seen schematics for grand interstellar warships and intricate reality-bending artifacts. Yet, the concept of a fully automated, sterile, clean-room pill manufacturing line, capable of mass-producing perfectly calibrated spiritual medicines with zero human error and at incredible speed, seemed entirely absent from the universal economic landscape. Was it a fundamental cultural blind spot, a lack of practical ingenuity despite their advanced theoretical understanding? Or did their singular focus on Law comprehension and direct energy manipulation make them overlook "lower" technological advancements that he, from his Earthly perspective, considered foundational for efficiency and scalability? The cosmic cultivators seemed obsessed with direct manipulation of energy and Laws, neglecting the industrial processes that Elias knew could revolutionize resource acquisition.

A slow, calculating grin, a genuine expression of mischievous ingenuity, spread across Elias’s face. He knew his way around quantum chemistry and automated synthesis better than perhaps anyone in this entire universe. He possessed a unique Earth-based scientific perspective, combined with his unparalleled processing power. If he could create a superior product – cultivation pills or elixirs with unparalleled purity, perfect consistency, and maximum potency – and then mass-produce it efficiently at an astronomical scale, he could effectively corner a vital segment of the cosmic supplement market. It would be a disruptive force unlike anything the Universal Alliances had likely encountered.

"Kaelen," Elias said, a new, almost predatory glint of entrepreneurial zeal in his eyes, a flicker of his past life as an Earth innovator meeting his cosmic ambitions. "When we finally make our way to one of these Universal Alliance headquarters, particularly a Galactic Federation hub... I believe I’ve found a truly lucrative business venture. A way to not only sustain ourselves but to acquire immense wealth and influence. I’ll need to re-evaluate the local demand for high-quality, perfectly consistent cultivation pills and elixirs. It seems the universe, despite its advanced cultivators, is ripe for a little market disruption, a touch of pure Earthly efficiency." He saw a gap, a colossal opportunity in the cosmic economic fabric.

Kaelen, who had been quietly observing the conversation and absorbing the dense information about cosmic economics and cultivation, finally spoke up, a touch of genuine bewilderment in her voice. "Business venture? Elias, we’re talking about cosmic alliances, universe-eating monsters that defy comprehension, and the very fabric of reality, and you’re thinking about selling... pills? Like, medicinal supplements?" Her question encapsulated the sheer disconnect between the cosmic threats and Elias’s pragmatic, almost mundane, proposed solution.

Elias merely chuckled, a sound that held both his ancient, alien wisdom and his very human ingenuity, a perfect blend of his past and present self. "Kaelen, even gods need their supplements. And if those supplements also happen to be the most efficient and potent on the market, thereby fueling my acquisition of vast quantities of Luminite, which in turn fuels my comprehension of Laws... well, that’s just efficient, isn’t it? It’s all about optimization. Always optimize, Kaelen. Always optimize." His words carried a profound truth: in the vast, dangerous cosmos, every advantage, no matter how seemingly small, could be leveraged into ultimate power. And for Elias, the path to power always began with relentless, uncompromising optimization.