Calculating Cultivation-Chapter 117: Unburdened By What Has Been

Thankfully the controls were intuitive enough that I didn’t have to worry about controlling the escape yacht. The Soaring Star Society sure liked to travel in style. Looking out the large expansive windows in front of me, there was blackness. Lots and lots of blackness.

There was quite a bit of room, but I didn’t leave the cockpit in case something happened, or I came across something. The actual Firmament was in reality, incredibly boring. Boring enough that I had a pad open looking through the literature on the escape yacht.

The highest layer of reality, the Material had bubbles that naturally formed with universes. They had stars, matter, and other things of interest. No one knew what was outside these bubbles, since these bubbles kept expanding until they pushed against other bubbles. Eventually the outer layer would pop and it would all fall into the material. The math notation for all of this was laid out in some weird three dimensional super calculus which I just skipped right over.

I might be bored enough to read, but to learn that kind of math was asking for my brain to start melting. I only knew it was all math since the literature referred to it as math and I had been brave enough to take a look. It was probably super valuable, but for me, I knew my limits and that kind of math was far beyond them.

The Mechanical Layer had clouds of gases and background light, since the force of gravity was more of a suggestion and light and heat were more interchangeable than one would think. One of the biggest debates was why some things didn’t break down while other did. Thinking creatures would be fine, since energy would reinforce them, but there was a lot of research done by the Soaring Star Society to understand what were the underlying rules governing the physics of the Mechanical Layer.

The prevailing and most reasonable theory, was that observations that occurred in the Material and in the Mechanical Layer itself, allowed energy to stabilize areas that might have otherwise broken down. The light and messed up gravity, were physics decaying. There was nothing I could do to test this theory, for or against. It was completely out of my paygrade. I suspected that this material was only included in the escape yacht so cultivators would know what they were seeing and what was going on.

The Astral Plane was normally viewed as rainbow puke by most intelligent creatures, but this was incorrect. It was the perception of what was going on, translated into a person’s brain. Distance didn’t matter there, but thought. Which was why things got around by thinking for the most part. Nothing moved in the Astral Plane, since there was no space, only the perception of things changed.

That made absolutely no sense, but apparently that was one of the many plans to protect the Infinite Ring Complex in that layer and chaos. To create a structure that couldn’t be perceived from the outside and had never been perceived from the outside. Since space was an illusion, then nothing would ever run into it in those layers except the ambient energy. The problem was the ambient energy was the problem with the parasite hiding and getting through the rest of the safety procedures.

“What do you think golem?” It didn’t reply. The entire thing had shut down after a day or so once I had departed the Infinite Ring Complex. It was off to one side of the cockpit, folded up, with its black robe draped over it. The hyper compressed energy cannister was strapped into a seat next to me, where I could keep an eye on it.

Chaos, no one had an idea what Chaos looked like. If someone had seen, they hadn’t shared. Their brains probably liquified backwards and forwards in time. The reading material I had basically said to kill yourself if you found yourself in Chaos to save yourself from worse things. I couldn’t tell if the text was being defeatist, realist, or both.

That left the wonderful Firmament in all its unveiled glory. Whatever energetic reactions produced light in the Mechanical Layer didn’t happen here in the Firmament. Everything was a soupy cloud of darkness. I checked the display. Yep, I was still in a cloud that was dark, not just empty space.

The literature had answered an interesting question I had. Why was everything so filled up? The Material at the top was mostly empty bubbles, so how did the Mechanical Layer and the Firmament have so much? The simple answer was that while reality might be built like a cake, going between layers was not simple. freewebnσvel.cѳm

The Firmament was the dumping ground for the vast majority of all material in existence and had been since reality first existed. Stuff from the Material would burst into the Mechanical Layer. Like a dam breaking down. There would be a massive surge and then it would quickly stop once everything was gone. This surge would often carry over to the Firmament in some way or another.

Here it all came to a grinding halt. Super organizations existed in bubbles, claiming a territory, and sucked all the energy that came up. Any clear connection between this layer and the Astral Plane was quickly monopolized and guarded.

Technically there was no free real estate since everything was claimed. However super organizations had basically two zones of control. An inner zone, where they had their bubbles to live in like the Forever City or the continent I had grown up on. Little patches of reality and outposts.

Then there was the outer zone, which acted as a buffer. Since everything was shifting around in the Firmament far more than the Mechanical Layer, super organizations had a zone that they claimed, drew ambient energy from, but didn’t build anything major. Most super organizations had such buffer zones. That way if two super organizations crossed paths, it wouldn’t result in an instant conflict in most cases.

It would come down to a matter of energy collection, but there would be no sabotage or attacks. The super organizations would watch each other, but would not take risks in fighting each other. It was rare for one side to have a clear advantage. And even if they did, like with how the Soaring Star Society was wiped out, the automated defenses were still a huge risk.

Only the really crazy super organizations fought directly. Most of them were content just to watch each other and have scavenging teams traveling about looking for anything of value. Everything was constantly being scanned by someone.

In the Mechanical Layer, there were just large swaths of gas and empty spaces. Here it was just one large dark cloud of gas for the most part. Currently I was drifting through territory that was claimed by five different super organizations, one of them being the Soaring Star Society.

Their inner zones were clearly marked on my display. No sign of the Heavenly Alliance. The map wasn’t a recorded one, but one that updated based on what signals these super organizations were sending out. If one wanted to claim territory, they had to state it. One of the few rules between super organizations. You had to publicly announce yourself.

Tri-irT, Thousand Eyes, Order of Souls, and The Unification were the other super organizations claiming the space I was currently drifting through. No database on these organizations unfortunately. Just that they claimed the area in their outer zones.

The real danger of claiming too much, was that the entire space became unwieldy. It would be like the continents drifting away from the Forever City. It would be their death. For the most part there was an optimal size limitation based on how a super organization was organized and how it used energy. The other way around this issue was mega-structures, but those weren’t cheap to build.

Instead of using energy to strengthen yourself, you would be investing that energy into infrastructure. Different super organizations had different ideas apparently. Content to gather more strength and expand slowly or not at all. The bigger one was, the easier to fall.

Looking at the map, I wasn’t going to get close to the inner zone of any of the super organizations claiming this space. There were countless scavengers from the various super organizations, looking to pick apart anything they came across and infiltrate other super organizations. So, while there might not be a full scale conflict, there were lower level fights which increased in intensity when the inner zones got closer to each other.

Setting aside the pad I had been reading, I stood up and stretched, rolling my neck. It was boring to travel alone, but there was no other choice. I looked back at map display, the Soaring Star Society’s inner zone was rapidly disappearing from the map. By rapidly disappearing, I meant a couple of pixels every hour or so, which indicated a massive disturbance. The fact that things were changing rapidly was probably sending up alerts to all the nearby super factions.

“What do you think mister golem? Will my luck still hold?” There was no reply. I did have an option to activate a distress beacon, but I was unsure if I should use something like that. The risk seemed quite high, but I didn’t just want to wait around.

BEEP!

I nearly jumped out of my clothes since someone was trying to contact the escape yacht. I hit the connect button.

“This is Explorer Vessel Seven, contacting escape craft of the Soaring Star Society. Do you require aid?”

“This is Cultivator Yuan Zhou of the escape craft. I would be interested in discussing my rescue options instead of just drifting along,” I replied.

“Please deactivate close range defenses and we will bring you into our recovery bay. There is a lot of activity and we wish to remain in stealth,” the voice responded. I considered the request and turned off what little defenses the escape yacht had. They would only act as a deterrence, and wouldn’t do much against anyone who was determined to get me.

“Defenses deactivated,” I replied. The communication link cut off. Something large was close by, but the weak equipment on this escape yacht was no good. It might be decently sized and comfortable, but it did not have state of the art equipment.

I made my way to the air lock. Either I was about to be killed and stripped of all my valuables, or these beings were willing to talk. I really hoped it was the second option. I entered the airlock, attaching my mask, and other equipment, so I wouldn’t die if there was no atmosphere or a different type of atmosphere.

Opening up the outer airlock, I was greeted by a plant based interior. Interesting how a plant based ship was used and not some kind of metal. A woman was walking across the short grassy surface towards the open airlock. I looked around before stepping out. I saw vines moving behind me, closing up the opening to the outside.

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“Greetings Cultivator Yuan Zhou,” the woman said. Woman was wrong though. This being might have a feminine appearance, but they weren’t human. Their face was too narrow, their flesh had a green tint, pointed ears, and glowing green eyes. “I am She Who Seeks Knowledge of the Explorer Seven.” Her voice had a musical quality to it before it was roughly translated by my equipment. The first word that came to mind was an elf.

“Greetings She Who Seeks Knowledge of the Explorer Seven,” I replied and noted no one else with her. No guards, minions, or other kind of constructs. Her energy was hard to read as well. “What are your intentions for me?”

“You are a guest. Like all others who are welcomed on board this branch of the Great Tree. Do you require medical aid, food, water, or other sustenance?” she asked. This being seemed entirely too nice.

“Thank you for the offer, but I am fine in regards to my immediate needs. I am more surprised you would be willing to pick me up? And where would you take me?” I asked.

“You are right to be concerned. But we folk of the Great Tree have found that cooperation is often better than discord.” She Who Seeks Knowledge waved a long thin hand. The green gown she was wearing almost seemed translucent. A table and two chairs formed out of the floor as plants rapidly growing. The chairs were sized for both of us respectively. “Please sit and be welcomed. I swear that upon my name and this vessel, we will not harm or steal from you, unless you seek to harm or steal from us first.”

“I will swear as well on my cultivation that I do not seek to harm or steal from you,” I replied. She nodded at me, but her facial expressions remained unmoved. I returned the nod and we both took a seat at the table. “My apologies if I seem overly suspicious, but rarely are beings nice for no reason except their benefit.”

“True. We do not begrudge the suspicion of others. But the risk of conflict is high, while we do not require that much to exist.”

“Even with such a large craft?” I asked.

“Even with such a large craft. Our ability to manager our material and energy needs is quite advanced. You appear you might have knowledge of what is occurring in the nearby area. We would be willing to trade in exchange for your knowledge,” she replied.

“I know quite a bit of what is occurring. I am looking to returning to the Heavenly Alliance or another cultivation society,” I replied.

“The Heavenly Alliance is unknown to us. As for other cultivation societies we are not welcome. It is a matter of energy use. Many cultivators covet the folk of the Great Tree for our bodily resources. I can sense your surprise.”

“That it would seem risky. Using another person’s cultivation unless you are a demonic cultivator. Even looking at your cultivation, I can’t see how I would even use it in such a way, which is why I am confused,” I replied. “My apologies, I do not wish to come off as insensitive. I just lack understanding.”

“The folk of the Great Tree are natural immortals. Our organs and other parts are coveted for easing the burden on a cultivator if they wish to break through.” That I completely understood. “For stronger cultivators, they wish to strengthen their physical bodies or use us as ingredients.”

“I see, so approaching any cultivation organization is impossible,” I muttered.

“We can drop you off at a Free Port. We can offer the local currency so you are not destitute and forced to trade at a disadvantage. We can offer local knowledge. Three things,” She Who Seeks Knowledge offered.

“Do you have any knowledge on cultivation? Or suggestions?”

“Nothing that would be of use on your journey. Our paths do not cross like that. What do you offer?”

“How would we even begin to judge the value of our respective items? Your offers to my knowledge about what is happening with the Soaring Star Society?” I replied. She Who Seeks Knowledge nodded at this slowly. That was the hard part about bartering without any kind of currency to work off of. It was all about respective value.

“How detailed is your knowledge?” the female elf asked me.

“More detailed than anyone else you are going to meet,” I replied.

“We will measure value by using tokens. A full token would be the equivalent to one of your higher ranked spirit stones. Taking you to the Free Port would be free. Knowledge of the situation there would be worth a single token,” She Who Seeks Knowledge said and set a green metal octogen that was radiating energy on the leaf table between us.

“May I?” I asked and she nodded. I picked up the token and looked at it. The energy density as immense. As much as the ring had been when it was fully charged. “This is hyper compressed energy, not a spirit stone.”

“If you get a strong enough spirit stone, they are the same thing, but yes. Energy is the primary currency of the Firmament. The real challenge is finding a useful medium for such transactions. The tokens we manufacture are quite well regarded since they have been purged of outside influence like that ring you wear. Manufactured by the Soaring Star Society and gifted to their permanent members as a sign of wealth and power.” Instead of moving my hand away, I held it up.

“This Free Port, would it have knowledge on cultivation?” I asked.

“As much as any place outside a super organization can have,” She Who Seeks Knowledge replied. I considered our discussion so far. While this being in front of me might have a humanoid shape, it was not human. I also had no understanding on how to value my knowledge of the Soaring Star Society. I didn’t have the context or background to understand what these folk of the Great Tree valued in terms of knowledge.

“Trust is hard to have,” I said with a sigh. She Who Seeks Knowledge nodded at this. At least some gestures were common between humanoids or she just might be faking very well. The fact there was no one else in this hanger bay was concerning and surprising.

“The Infinite Ring Complex is self-destructing. It is plummeting into Chaos. Based on my estimations, it is picking up speed and disrupting the surrounding area,” I replied. She Who Seeks Knowledge blinked very slowly.

“While I do not doubt your honesty, how sure are you of the Infinite Ring Complex descending into Chaos?” She Who Seeks Knowledge asked.

“The last member of the Soaring Star Society informed me of this, since it was a failsafe once they had all perished to the machinations of Chaos,” I replied. I noted her entire body tense up and a slight frown appear on her face.

“This is very grave news. We have just run our own calculations. The entire area is destabilizing.” I felt the slightest of forces as the Explorer Seven turning heavily.

“Why is the Explorer Seven turning?” I asked.

“We were investigating the surges of energy in the area, especially since the Soaring Star Society was rumored to be undergoing an internal struggle and invasion from nearby super organizations. But the knowledge you have shared, has made us realize the great danger approaching. Our divinations were quickly cleared up, thanks to the knowledge you provided. We would value it at ten tokens,” She Who Seeks Knowledge said, and I was surprised by that.

“You are leaving, just like that?” I asked and I got a nod in response.

“Yes. A great vortex is forming. No, that is the wrong terminology to use, my apologies. Are you familiar with the layers of Reality?”

“Yes, we are in the Firmament at the moment,” I replied.

“When an organization drills into a lower layer and their construction fails for whatever reason. You get a great vortex. However we have been observing this Infinite Ring Complex for quite some time. If the other attempts are like a needle or a sword through a piece of cloth, the Soaring Star Society did something far more stupid by creating a supporting structure like a giant pipe.”

“But it will all fall into Chaos? Don’t the layers self-repair over time? No matter how big a hole that occurs, it can’t be that bad,” I replied.

“Normally that would be correct. The structure would collapse in the process of creating such a hole. Also such a hole would never extend all the way to Chaos. The Astral Plane at worse. But now the Soaring Star Society has created a massive pipe. Once whatever safeguards exist to keep Chaos out fail, and they will fail, Chaos will travel up the pipe while it is falling through the layers. Creating an insulated environment from the outside.”

“And Chaos would rise up out of it, taking down everything nearby,” I said.

“It is far worse than that. The ripples in increased energy nearby are the result of disasters that have not been fully realized yet. Once the energy level rises to a certain point, a paradoxical loop will snap into being, dooming this entire area of the Firmament,” She Who Seeks Knowledge explained. That did not sound good.

“We must take precautions. Take only what you need from your escape craft. The less the better. The rest should be cast off to avoid a link of any kind.”

“Is that necessary?” I asked.

“Most likely not, but no chances can be taken with Chaos. I apologize for the inconvenience, but it is a matter of safety. We cannot risk being attacked by such creatures. I swear this upon my life.” It really was hard to trust, but Chaos was no joke. Also, the explanation kind of made sense.

The Infinite Ring Complex was stupidly massive across multiple layers. If anything was going to mess everything up, it would be that structure falling into Chaos. Perhaps that was the very reason why the Soaring Star Society planned that in the first place. To drag down anyone seeking to profit off the remnants of their super organization. It was a very cultivator mind set, that if you couldn’t get some benefits, then your enemies definitely weren’t going to get any benefits.

I got up from my chair and returned to the escape yacht. The deactivated golem would not go into my spatial storage. Same with the cannister. I took a pad with the database on it along with other miscellaneous goods I could stuff away like a pack rat. I really needed to clean out my spatial storage some time.

Exiting the escape yacht, She Who Seeks Knowledge was still sitting at the table. I was carrying the golem and the cannister with me and set them next to my chair before sitting back down. “I am done with the escape craft,” I replied and she nodded.

“Your seat will adjust slightly, please do not be alarmed,” she said. My seat then shifted to the side with the leaf table between us. The escape yacht was as big as a decent sized house. It lifted up into the air and out the airlock that opened up with vines.

“I am surprised you are not concerned about me,” I replied.

“Oh we are. But you and your items will be able to fit in a separation chamber. I will be accompanying you,” She Who Seeks Knowledge replied.

A platform rose up under us and we began to move into the interior of the plant ship. I was impressed how they had orbs of light growing from the walls. “What exactly does a separation chamber do?” I asked.

“It will separate us from the Reality around us, creating a break in causality. A potent defense after coming into contact with stuff that can be possibly corrupted by Chaos,” she replied.

“How would that even work? Breaking causality? We are moving through your ship to this chamber, and it had to be built,” I replied.

“A very, very careful application of high density energy. We are considered experts for a reason.”

“You want to create a barrier of hyper compressed energy around us, then isolate and filter that energy?” I asked, trying to get a more technical answer.

“Yes. That is the common practice for dealing with such things. The problem is it will only work as long as the barrier is in place. It will ensure that Chaos will not be able to find you even when the Infinite Ring Complex is consumed. The smaller the link, the more energy needed to create a connection for Chaos to reach through.”

“This can’t be cheap,” I replied, and She Who Seeks Knowledge smiled at me.

“That is why we are only paying you ten tokens instead of ten thousand for the knowledge you provided. The rest is being spent to pay the massive cost.”

“I am lucky then,” I replied with a shake of my head and the elven woman chuckled musically at that statement.

“Perhaps, but the more likely answer is that our divination led us to you, while seeking out knowledge about what was happening in this area. The rest is merely the natural result of building trust and understanding,” She Who Seeks Knowledge replied.

I frowned at this but had no plan on complaining. Being picked up by friendly elves since they could perceive information in some esoteric way was not the worst way to be rescued. The platform we were on came to a stop in a white metal room, which was a sharp contrast from the plant life before.

“No plants?” I asked.

“It is possible, but not efficient. Our bio-engineering is quite advanced, melding the physical with energy, but some things require a more metallic bent to them. Geometric shapes are quite useful for some of their higher properties. And while we could grow plants in the shape of cubes, it would be offensive to our design sensibilities. We will be here for a short while. Less than a hundredth of your cycles. To save energy, time is being slowed down for us,” She Who Seeks Knowledge explained.

“Your mastery over energy is impressive,” I replied, not sure what else I should say.

“I am curious about your story. You share yours, and I will share mine, let our understanding grow,” She Who Seeks Knowledge replied. While she might be an inhuman elf, she was certainly pleasant to talk to, not making threats or demands of any kind.