Chapter 535: Potential Knowledge Seekers
"Do you really know everything?" Gustavo asked in dazed.
[Yes, however, the Dimensional Origin Library only divulges knowledge, not personal information.]
"I see..."
The Spirit of Knowledge seemed to sense his thoughts and anticipate his actions.
Knowing everything in the Aeon Plane, the path of knowledge was becoming more tempting.
Since the Spirit of Knowledge knew everything about him, Gustavo no longer hid what he wanted.
"Give me a Tier 10 Awakening Potion using mostly the local materials of the Crystal Blue Realm."
Soon, out of the millions of books before him, only two remained.
"Crystal Awakening Potion..."
Opening the book, he was prompted to pay 15 origin coins before he could browse its contents.
"This—"
Gritting his teeth, Gustavo reluctantly paid for the knowledge.
A few hours later, after reading the recipe, he couldn't help but frown.
Although most of the materials for the potion could indeed be found locally, there were still key ingredients that could only be bought from the Dimensional Alliance.
Looking at the other book, which bore a title unrelated to his dimension, he knew it wouldn't be any better.
"Don't you have any recipe that only uses the local materials of the Crystal Blue Realm?" Gustavo asked helplessly, not expecting an answer.
[There is none. Do you want to deduce it?]
"What—you can deduce knowledge?!"
[Yes, as the embodiment of knowledge, deduction is one of my capabilities.]
Hearing the response, Gustavo nearly cursed out loud.
Since the Spirit of Knowledge had such a function, why didn't it say so from the start?
Not only had he wasted 15 origin coins, but also precious time in the Tower of Knowledge.
"Then deduce one! Since you're oh-so-powerful, why not deduce something that could easily be made by a mortal using only the common materials of the Crystal Blue Realm, with a hundred percent probability of helping a Tier 9 individual advance?!" Gustavo asked absurdly.
[This would cost 122 trillion origin coins. Do you proceed?]
"What?! How much?! Can you do it?!"
Initially, he was only joking; he didn't expect the Spirit of Knowledge could actually do it.
But looking at the price, it was equally absurd.
122 trillion? Why not just buy the Blue Crystal Realm? It should only cost a few trillion origin coins.
"Ahem, just create a normal Tier 10 Awakening Potion using Crystal Blue Realm local materials," Gustavo relented.
He didn't have much money left; he couldn't be picky and add various prerequisites.
[This would cost 125 origin coins. Do you proceed?]
"Proceed."
Taking out his money, he looked at the 20-minute countdown before him.
---
Meanwhile, in another part of the library, Henry, a Tier 10 master forger, was using the Knowledge Simulation Platform to forge a top tier 10 hammer.
After a few hours of work, Henry looked at his creation with satisfaction.
"Perfect. This simulation is a one-to-one match with reality," Henry praised.
"Now for the good part..."
Instructing the Spirit of Knowledge, he examined the backend data of the hammer he had forged.
From the changes influenced by the hammer and the pressure created by the materials to the influence of law, Henry was immersed in his work like a madman.
"Hahaha! So that's it! I've been using the wrong sequence of materials, my technique is too rigid, and the influence of law was missing!"
Hailed as the most talented forger in his dimension, Henry had hoped to make a splash in the Dimensional Alliance.
However, as he began his journey, he encountered obstacle after obstacle, becoming mediocre like many others.
Initially, he thought it was because he lacked talent.
Now, seeing his mistakes and areas for improvement, his mind opened to a new world.
He was not mediocre; he was simply poor and lacked access to exquisite materials and top-notch masters.
If all forgers started on equal footing, Henry was confident he wouldn't be any worse than those at the top.
"This Tower of Knowledge... what a treasure."
...
In another knowledge simulation platform, a fighting maniac was being beaten black and blue by his simulated enemy.
"No, I must persevere!"
With sheer will, the man, Atlas, fought several more rounds before being defeated.
"Still lost..." Lying on the ground, Atlas couldn't help but sigh.
Initially, Atlas was the lowest kind of cultivator wandering in the Immortal Realm.
However, after finding the cultivation manual, Unrivaled Will, in the Dimensional Origin Library, Atlas's rise became unstoppable.
Even with his incomprehensibly poor comprehension, he rose from nothing to a top Devourer, wanted by the Dimensional Alliance.
Wandering in the void, hiding from his enemies, and enduring torture beyond anyone can bear, the unranked manual he'd bought in the past had now reached the ultimate level.
Grateful for his achievements and strength, Atlas saw the Dimensional Origin Library as his hope and refuge.
Testing the Battle Mode of the knowledge simulation platform, Atlas was amazed.
The realism was incomparable to any virtual simulation he'd experienced before.
From thoughts, intentions, will, even moves and techniques he didn't know his enemy possessed appeared one after another.
Although he died hundreds of times and spent thousands of origin coins on the simulations, he felt that if he faced his pursuer again, he would have a high chance of victory.
Looking at his pockets filled with millions of origin coins from his exploits, Atlas continued simulating his hated enemy.
"Soon, it will be my turn to hunt you..."
---
Meanwhile, on the 160,000th floor, Valentine was growing irritated as she watched the long countdown presented by the Spirit of Knowledge.
"Hey, can this go any faster? I can pay extra if needed."
"Sister, be patient. You're deducing a Tier 11 peak alchemy weapon; taking a few days is already fast enough," Nola, her older sister, advised.
"But why is yours only taking a few hours?"
"I'm just deducing an alternative array, not a full-fledged alchemy weapon." Nola rolled her eyes.
The two were the twin rising prodigies of the Fritz family, one of the top families in the Dimensional Alliance.
Curious about the Shadowcrest family often touted by the elders, the two were sent to investigate the Tower of Knowledge.
"Tsk, this library is so expensive yet so inefficient!"
The floor they occupied was the highest accessible one in the Tower of Knowledge, costing a million origin coins per day.
Spending several days to deduce knowledge was not only a waste of time but also money.
"Then you can go to the lower floors; it only costs a few dimensional coins."
"Go down? Hmph! Staying with those low-lives would tarnish the name of the Fritz family," Valentine muttered in disgust.
"Valentine, you should fix your attitude. If someone from the Shadowcrest family saw that expression, the marriage alliance the elders were about to propose could fall apart."
"So what?! We're one of the top families! Do we really need to stoop to a marriage alliance?!" Valentine snapped, looking at her sister in anger.
"We can't do anything about it. Although we're considered rising stars, for a top family, we're just another generation of perfect collateral." Nola sighed, shaking her head.
The rise of the Shadowcrest family had been too sudden and powerful.
With many forces eager to support them in their early stages, the Fritz family didn't hold back, presenting their finest treasures.
Especially recently, as a massive turmoil was brewing in the Aeon Plane, the Fritz family knew that aligning with the Shadowcrest family would secure a powerful ally.
Being one of the Primordial Candidates and the strongest of them all, having the Shadowcrests on their side would be a powerful pillar.
Understanding the importance of the alliance, they had no choice but to follow orders.
"Anyway, I'd rather die than marry into that family!" Valentine muttered rebelliously.
"Hey, it's not even certain the Shadowcrest Family would agree to the marriage alliance. Don't be so dramatic."
"Not certain? Hmph! They'd have to be blind to reject a beauty like me!" Valentine said, despite her true feelings.
"We can only wait…"
...
On the highest floor of the Tower of Knowledge, Maximus looked at the multiple projections before him.
"You found five people suitable for the Path of Knowledge?" Maximus murmured in surprise.
Although anyone could embark on the Path of Knowledge, Maximus didn't want to select just anyone.
First, they needed to have a supreme-grade ultimate physique; second, a high affinity for the path of knowledge; and finally, an unwavering loyalty that could be nurtured.
The first condition alone filtered out most people in the Aeon Plane.
A supreme-grade ultimate physique was second only to an origin-grade physique.
(Heroic, Mythic, Supreme, and Origin.)
Having such talent virtually guaranteed mastery of the River of Law, with a high chance of progressing to the Ocean of Law.
As for affinity for knowledge, they needed to be enterprising, always seeking a more logical and comprehensive understanding.
Lastly, loyalty—a loyalty that would obey him, not a tiger waiting to bite off his fingers.
Maximus planned to cultivate an army, not create enemies who would stab him in the back.
Looking at the profiles of the five individuals, a wide smile appeared on his face.
"Huh? The Fritz family? These two…"