Title: Cosmic Mindscape: Rise of a Hidden Power

Alex sat at his desk, staring at the old manuscript—the unfinished book of meditation techniques he had been working on before everything had gotten so chaotic. It was filled with the methods he'd developed over time, a combination of martial art forms and meditative exercises designed to build mental strength and focus. He hadn't released it yet, but it was tempting. The Mentalists were growing in number, and a book like this could push them even further.

But something in him held back. There was always room for improvement, right?

He leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling, tapping his fingers on the desk. "Cognichip," he said aloud, "I want to run an analysis on the meditation techniques in this book. Perfect them, fix any flaws I might have missed."

A moment later, the familiar sensation of the Cognichip engaging sent a subtle tingling sensation through his mind.

"Analyzing methods. Please wait."

Alex watched as the floating text appeared before him. This was his life now—a hidden empire, a personal AI, and a world that didn't know how much of its future rested in his hands. He had learned to live with it, but every once in a while, he found himself pausing, reflecting on just how far he had come.

After a few minutes, the Cognichip's response popped up.

"Analysis complete. Significant improvements can be made. Presenting updated method."

Alex straightened in his seat, his curiosity piqued. He hadn't expected any major errors in his techniques, but he trusted the Cognichip's judgment. The text that followed, however, left him stunned.

"A more efficient pathway has been discovered. Introducing the 'Rhythm Breathing Method,' which taps into the body's internal rhythm to build mental strength more efficiently. Progression through this method allows for increased resonance with external rhythms, including cosmic energy."

He frowned, intrigued but cautious. "Rhythm breathing? How does that differ from my previous methods?"

The Cognichip didn't miss a beat.

"The previous method you created relied heavily on martial arts forms combined with meditative practices. While this approach builds mental strength, it lacks the ability to synchronize with the deeper rhythms of the universe. By focusing on breath, specifically a sequence of controlled breathing exercises, the practitioner can tune into the body's natural rhythm. This allows for a more direct connection to cosmic energy resonance and, with further progression, potentially unlocks the external rhythm of all things."

Alex's eyes widened. "The external rhythm of all things? You mean—like, the Pinnacle path of mental cultivation?"

"Correct. Upon reaching level 5 in mental strength using this method, the practitioner has a chance—though not a certainty—of gaining insight into an aspect of the rhythm of all things. This may grant them abilities similar to what is seen in ability users. However, it is not guaranteed and varies based on individual resonance."

Alex sat in stunned silence for a moment. He had always known there was something more to mental cultivation, but this? The possibility of reaching a level where one could actually control the forces of the universe, even to a small extent? It was mind-blowing.

"Wait," he said, leaning forward. "But I reached level 5 in mental power before I converted to soul cultivation. I never felt anything like this… external rhythm."

"The method you used before was less effective. While it built mental strength, it did not properly align you with the rythm of the cosmic energy that flows around you. Martial arts forms, though beneficial, do not provide the same synchronization as rhythm breathing. Thus, the external rhythm remained inaccessible to you."

Alex's shoulders slumped slightly. He had worked so hard on those forms, practicing them for hours, believing they would lead him to the pinnacle of mental strength. To hear that they were outdated, even weak, was a tough pill to swallow.

"So you're saying my old methods… they were flawed?"

"Not entirely flawed, but inefficient compared to this new discovery. The rhythm breathing method directly taps into the body's energy cycles and aligns them with the greater rhythms of the universe. It allows for faster growth and a higher likelihood of connecting with cosmic forces."

Alex took a deep breath, processing the information. It was hard to let go of something he'd invested so much time and effort into, but he couldn't argue with the facts. If this new method was as powerful as the Cognichip suggested, then it was worth considering.

"But…" He hesitated. "Even with this new method, it's just a chance that someone might connect with the rhythm of all things. No guarantees?"

"Correct. The ability to resonate with the external rhythm is highly individual. It depends on factors such as innate talent, mental discipline, and environmental influences. Not every practitioner will reach that level, but those who do will gain powers beyond what traditional mental cultivation can offer."

Alex let out a low whistle. "Damn. So it's basically a gamble."

"A calculated gamble. The odds of success increase with practice and dedication. However, even if one does not reach the stage of external resonance, the rhythm breathing method still offers substantial benefits in terms of mental strength and focus."

Alex leaned back, exhaling slowly. He couldn't help but be impressed. The sheer depth of what the Cognichip had uncovered left him both excited and frustrated. Excited, because this was groundbreaking—an entirely new path of cultivation that could change the world once again. Frustrated, because he had been walking down the wrong path for so long.

"So, my martial arts-based methods… they're obsolete?"

"They are still effective for general mental discipline, but they are unlikely to lead to breakthroughs in cosmic resonance. The rhythm breathing method is superior in this regard."

Alex sat in silence for a few moments, contemplating his next steps. He had a choice to make. He could continue refining his soul cultivation, pushing himself further along that path, or he could pivot back to mental cultivation and try out this new method for himself. The temptation was there. If he could unlock the rhythm of all things… who knew what powers he might gain?

But deep down, he knew he couldn't go backward. Soul cultivation was the future for him now. He had already made that decision, and he wasn't about to undo it. Still, this rhythm breathing method could be useful for the Mentalists. It was another tool, another way to push the world toward the future.

He stood up, pacing the room as he spoke aloud. "This is big, Cognichip. If I release this method, it could change everything again. The Mentalists will go crazy for it."

"It is a highly advanced method. If released, it would undoubtedly accelerate the progress of those practicing mental cultivation. However, you should consider the potential consequences."

Alex paused, nodding. "Yeah, I know. It could throw the balance off. PowerGen, Stargazer, all of it—it could shift things too quickly. I'll have to think about how and when to release it."

For now, he would keep the rhythm breathing method under wraps, just like the unfinished book. The world wasn't quite ready for this yet. But when the came… well, it would be another step toward reshaping the world in his image.

"Thanks, Cognichip," he said with a smirk. "You've outdone yourself this time."

"As always, I aim to provide the most efficient solutions."

Alex chuckled. "Yeah, efficient and terrifying. Let's keep this between us for now."