LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 159: Chapter 158
Alex stood by the window, staring out at the sprawling city beneath him. The world was changing faster than ever, and much of that change was due to him—well, to his hidden empires. Stargazer Empire and PowerGen were both rising stars, and the influence of the Mentalists was growing by the day. It was fascinating to see how things had unfolded. But now, with the new rhythm breathing method—the frequency technique, as he was starting to call it—he had a new tool to push humanity even further.
He stepped away from the window and made his way back to the desk, glancing at the open manuscript on mental cultivation. The old method, the martial arts-based approach he'd developed, was still valid, but now it seemed so… basic. It didn't have the same elegance or efficiency as the frequency technique, which could tap into the natural rhythms of the body and the universe.
"Cognichip," he said aloud, his voice breaking the silence, "let's differentiate the two methods. My old technique will be called the Cultivation Technique from now on, and the new rhythm-based pathway will be the Frequency Technique."
"Acknowledged. Terminology updated."
Alex sat down, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrest. "The cultivation technique might seem weaker now, but I don't think it's truly obsolete. Maybe at a much higher level, beyond what I've already achieved, the cultivation technique would also lead to the rhythm of all things."
"There is a possibility," the Cognichip responded. "While the frequency technique is more efficient in reaching resonance, the cultivation technique may still lead to breakthroughs, albeit at a slower pace. Both pathways can lead to higher levels of mental strength, but the frequency technique offers a more direct route to cosmic synchronization."
Alex nodded thoughtfully. "It's all about the journey, I guess. Some people will thrive with the cultivation method, others with the frequency technique. But either way, humanity will reach a new level."
He stood up and moved to the large screen on the wall, where Eva, the AI, was waiting with its usual calm presence.
"Eva," Alex said, "I want you to release some advanced cultivation techniques to the Stargazer Empire. But don't give it all away—let's keep the most powerful ones restricted by the membership hierarchy."
Eva's voice echoed softly through the room. "Understood. I will release the advanced cultivation techniques based on the level of membership, restricting the higher-level ones accordingly."
Alex smirked. "Good. We don't want everyone jumping too far ahead. Let's keep it structured."
He could already see how the different levels of the Stargazer Empire would clamor for access to the new techniques. The Mentalists, in particular, would be eager to push further, to discover the limits of their potential. And with the advanced techniques now within reach, they would have the tools to do just that.
"And while you're at it, get in touch with Max at PowerGen," Alex added. "I want him to release more of the smart AI tech I developed earlier. Let's push them to the next stage."
"Message sent," Eva replied smoothly. "Max will be informed immediately."
Alex leaned back in his chair, satisfied. PowerGen was already a giant in the biotech and AI fields, but with this next wave of smart AI tech, they would dominate even further. The substandard AI other companies were developing couldn't hold a candle to what PowerGen had in store. And all of it was tied to the hidden research he'd fed them through Eva.
Speaking of which…
"Eva," Alex called, "give me a report on the latest developments in the world. Anything significant I should know about?"
The screen lit up with a series of headlines, clips, and data streams as Eva began to summarize the events.
"Public interest in the Mentalists continues to grow. Several governments are quietly discussing the implementation of leaked cultivation techniques from the Stargazer Empire. In particular, there has been increased experimentation with the mental focus techniques. However, the full potential remains elusive for most."
A video played of a government official in a closed-door meeting, discussing the leaked techniques. Alex chuckled. They could try all they wanted, but without a deeper understanding, they were still fumbling in the dark.
"The Gene-enhanced programs, led by Dr. Carlisle, continue to face issues," Eva continued. "Mental focus remains a critical weakness, and public opinion is beginning to shift in favor of cultivation-based methods. The general population views the Mentalists as a safer, more natural alternative to gene enhancement."
Alex smiled. "Good. Let them see the truth for themselves. The Gene programs were always flawed."
The report continued, showing scenes of public debates, news anchors discussing the rise of the Mentalists, and clips of people attempting to practice cultivation techniques on their own.
"This is only going to get bigger," Alex muttered to himself. "Once the advanced methods are out there, people are going to push even harder."
"Agreed," Eva responded. "The demand for the Stargazer Empire's teachings will continue to rise. PowerGen and Stargazer are already in indirect competition, though neither entity is aware they share the same source."
Alex laughed. It amused him to no end that his two empires—one built on biotech and AI, the other on mental cultivation—were unknowingly competing against each other. He had no intention of stopping it. Let them drive each other to greater heights.
"It's like watching two sides of a coin fight for dominance," he mused. "And they have no idea I control both."
Eva chimed in. "What would you like your next move to be?"
Alex rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment. "For now, let's keep the competition going. I want to see how far they can push each other. But hold off on releasing the frequency techniques. The world isn't ready for that yet."
"Understood," Eva said. "I will monitor developments and keep you informed."
Alex stood up, stretching his arms above his head. The day was just beginning, and there was still so much to do. But for now, he was content to watch from the shadows, guiding the world quietly toward its next evolution.
"Let the world chase after the power they seek," Alex said, a grin spreading across his face. "We'll give them what they need when the time is right."