บท 540: Time Game
Time Game?"
"Yes," nodded Cori. "The Space Elder God is ambitious yet capable. He knew that anyone who successfully broke the laws of the space-time continuum was talented or lucky in some way. So, he devised a method to use their knowledge for his own."
The great elder paused as he swirled the drink on his glass; it was probably wine, but the dark purple color was somewhat eerie.
"He created the Time Game to give these Time Criminals a way to escape imprisonment. Well, that's the official reason.
"To survive the game, any criminal only needs to defeat him by showing him an unknown or unique understanding of Time. You should be able to understand the implications behind such a method?"
Edward nodded; this approach was similar to how he created the Empire to use other individuals to help him gather magical knowledge.
"I have to say, you're unlucky. To be precise, all time criminals in this day and age are unlucky," continued the Great Elder. "In ancient times, it was much easier to survive the Time Game. But now, after billions of years of gathering the knowledge of Time Criminals, nothing can truly impress him anymore."
Edward frowned as he realized the problem's core. The Time Guardian has lived too long and has access to the Multiverse, allowing him to communicate with his variants.
After so long, this man should have mastered all the secrets and knowledge about Time Authority, making it almost impossible to impress. Even knowledge from other planes might be useless to him.
'My first instinct is to use Void Energy and its Space-Time Characteristics. However, there is a high chance that the Time Guardian also had access to Void Energy.'
The reason he concluded such a thing was due to how he first encountered Void Energy–the tear in space-time discovered in Rowena's timeline. After the Magus Race departed this universe, Edward did not doubt some Void Energy entered this world.
As someone who can navigate the Multiverse and has lived for so long, he should have experienced that era and gotten his paws in Void Energy.
'In that case, we need to change strategy,' thought Edward. 'He wants a unique understanding of Time? I can think of a few: the Time Stone in Marvel, Doctor Who's Tardis, the speed force from The Flash, and many others.'
Edward internally sneered, 'The Time Game is a perfect opportunity for me to get close to him. If I play my cards correctly, I can make him pay and use him for an experiment.'
Edward knew that as long as he could create a method to break the Soul Limit, he would reach Tier 10 quickly. His only concern is achieving Tier 11, which seems to be an even more difficult task.
A perfect example of the difficulty is this Space Elder God. Such a brilliant man who has mastered Time Rules to the pinnacle has not achieved Tier 11, showing it's not a simple feat. Let alone Edward, who plans to become the perfect Tier 11.
"So, are you confident?" asked Cori.
"Confident? No. But it's better than when I had no information to go from."
"It's good not to be overconfident. In the worst-case scenario, you can run away to other planes or this layer of the Quantum Realm. Although it will not guarantee safety, you can prolong your life."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Edward.
"He's not a simple man. He has countless powerful clones scattered all over the Astral Realm. So, even if you ran away to another plane, he would track your Soul Imprint and kill you.
"Your best chance without the game is to defeat him in the Quantum Realm, using the rules to your advantage. But even that is not a guaranteed plan."
Edward took a moment to digest the information. If he ran away to another plane, he would have to deal with countless Tier 10 clones of the Time Guardian.
'No, he doesn't have to use such a stupid method. He only needs to reveal my identity, and these top planes will hunt me down,' analyzed Edward. 'As for the Quantum Realm, it would be a battle of attrition and foundation.'
Battle in the first layer involves not strength but a faction's power due to the limitations and rules. For example, if Edward wanted to invade this place, sending people whose power maxed out at Tier 4 was not the best idea. The best way to fight would be to use ships or magical artifacts.
However, the Savant Race has been in this place for who knows how long, so the Empire could not compete with their arsenal of weapons. So, if he wanted to conquer this place, he would have to spend years manufacturing Tier 6 ships and sending them to attack his opponent, hoping to wipe them out slowly.
In other words, the situation would be the same for him if he chose to hide in the Quantum Realm. However, the Space Elder God is probably even more ancient than the Savant Race, so Edward could not fathom the resources available to him.
'In other words, if I don't want to move the entire Empire to another universe, I must win that Time Game,' summarized Edward.
"Thank you for your information."
"My pleasure."
"If you don't mind, I have some doubts," continued Edward.
"Ask away."
"Why do I feel you don't want to mention his name out loud?"
"Quite observant," nodded the great elder. "Some things are taboo, and his name is one of them."
"So, he will know once it is uttered?"
"Yes, especially for time criminals like you."
"Can it be written?"
"Yes," said Cori before writing something in the air: [Cosmus].
Edward took a moment to remember that name.
"Second question: why did you reveal this information so easily? You did not ask anything in return and easily offered this piece of information. Something tells me it's not because I solved your previous puzzle."
"You're correct in your observation," said Cori. "We are showing you kindness because you're also a member of the Akashic Record."
Edward frowned before relaxing. He guessed the Savant tried to research him on the record, but like him, they could not get any information since he was also a member.
"Is this truly the only reason?"
Cori did not immediately answer, sipping from his glass. "Have you heard of the concept of luck and destiny from the Heavenly Dao Plane?"
"I know a little."
Edward lied as he had only learned very little about that plane. However, he guessed the concept was similar to Qi Luck, which he had learned from reading novels in his past life.
"We have done research on this concept, so we can see many things. For example, you are a man blessed with great fortune or luck."
As Cori said this, his eyes could see a golden dragon above Edward's eyes with spots of purple.
"We can tell you're a man destined for great things–especially after seeing Cronai's blessing. Our race suffered tremendously at the hands of the Magus Race, and we do not want the same thing to happen again.
"So, after seeing your destiny, we made the unilateral decision to make friends, even invest in your future. Maybe we can achieve our dreams after associating with you."
บท 541: Exchange
"Don't worry, I will show you that your choice was wise," said Edward with a smile. He pointed to the side, and a magical circle appeared. The Great Elder looked with interest as he had never seen such a magic system:
"If the Great Elder would do me the honor?"
Cori briefly looked at the magic circle before saying, "Why not?"
Without hesitation, he walked inside. Soon, the three found themselves in another space.
"Welcome to the Grand Arcane Library," said Edward with a proud smile. Cori looked around, not hiding the shock on his massive head.
"What a great library. Although the size is only 5% of ours, that's still impressive."
The Savant Race possessed the most extensive library in the entire Astral Realm, meaning the knowledge they contained was greater than countless planes combined. So, anyone with a library greater than 1% of their size should be praised for their accomplishment.
"I know my library cannot compare to yours in size, but I guarantee you cannot compare to me in quality."
"Bold words, Sir Edward," said Cori, not hiding the contempt on his face.
"Haha, I know you won't believe me simply because of my words," continued Edward. "So, let me show you the proof."
He waved his hand, and a holographic screen appeared before Cori. The latter immediately knew how to use it and began to browse the catalog of this library.
At first, he was nonchalant, but with each passing second, his brows became furrowed.
"Impossible; there is no way your library contained these secrets and knowledge.'
He was truly angry, believing this person had misled him with this fake library, probably in a shoddy method to impress their clan. This was not the first time their clan had experienced such a thing.
"I know you won't easily believe," said Edward calmly, not minding the latter's outburst. "I will grant you the authority to read some of these documents."
Cori frowned after hearing this; he controlled his urge to storm out of this place. Without hesitation, he picked a book called [Advanced Understanding of the Relationship between the Body, Soul, and Mana].
Their Savant Race's most advanced knowledge on this topic originated from studies done in the Heavenly Dao Plane. In that plane, the casters call themselves [Immortal Cultivators]. Their power system involved the concept of unity between Essence, Spirit, and Qi–another term for the body, soul, and energy.
Cori began reading this book and soon realized the first few pages reached the same level as their race's research. Furthermore, after more than twenty pages, the knowledge in this book was beyond them. However, something happened that made him want to kill someone.
"Where is the rest?" he asked, looking at Edward as if he was his enemy.
"Like I said, partial access," replied Edward with a smile.
"You!"
Cori's massive head moved sideways like he was about to fall from the air. He controlled himself before choosing another topic of interest and reading the information. As expected, the knowledge was true and very advanced. However, it stopped midway.
Cori tried a few times but eventually chose to stop. He felt like he was about to have a brain aneurysm.
"What do you want for your library?" he asked directly.
"Law of Equivalent Exchange," said Edward. "My Arcane Empire will exchange knowledge with knowledge, quality for quality, quantity for quantity. And if the quality is not on par, quantity can be used to make up for it."
Cori was quiet as he understood the latter's plan: he wanted to use this method to absorb most of the knowledge in their library. The worst thing is that their Savant Race could not resist this open plot.
Cori finally sighed, "How do you want to exchange?"
"Can you make the decision for your entire race?"
"Yes." As the Great Elder of the council, he has the final say in such a situation.
"In that case, everything is fine. I will send an ambassador to your city; they will be responsible for negotiating the exchange between us."
Cori frowned after hearing this. He could foresee how excruciating such an exchange would be, with each side arguing over the value of every piece of knowledge. If it were up to him, he would have preferred a faster mode of exchange, but he knew this was not possible.
'Maybe we could use the Akashic Record to facilitate a faster exchange?'
The Akashic Record has ways to quantify knowledge, so using them as an intermediary might accelerate the process.
"What about using the Akashic Record to accelerate the process?" suggested Cori.
"No," said Edward directly.
"Why not?"
"Such an act will reveal all our knowledge to them. So, how can we exchange in the future?"
"That's true." Although the Savant Race exchanged knowledge with the Akashic Record, they also controlled themselves since they knew little about this mysterious and unknown force.
"When is the ambassador coming?"
"As soon as I return home," replied Edward, and the great elder nodded. He took one last look at this library before unwillingly leaving, Edward and Luna did not spend too much time afterward, directly returning to the floating city.
"I haven't seen so happy and relaxed in a while," said Luna.
"Now that I know how to deal with my situation, I do feel a lot better," nodded Edward.
"That's good," she replied. "So, what machination do you have against the Savant Race?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"That face you made when you rejected their proposal to use the Akashic Records–that's the face you make when scheming something."
Edward laughed in embarrassment. "Based on the conversation, I deduce their authority in the record is not as high as mine so I will take this opportunity."
"So, you're getting them involved?"
"Only partially. I will use my authority to buy an artifact that can quantify the value of knowledge. I will give it to the ambassador and have them negotiate a higher price."
"Their desire for our knowledge is greater than ours for theirs, so it's possible to take advantage of this situation," nodded Luna. "However, as you said, aren't you afraid of them stealing our information?"
"With Merlin as my backer, they wouldn't dare," replied Edward, who suddenly frowned. "Speaking of the old man, I haven't heard from him for a while. I'm worried that something has happened to him."
Luna embraced him, "Don't worry. Lord Merlin will be fine."
"I hope."
Edward and Luna knew the significance of someone of Merlin's level dying. Such an event would shake the entire Omniverse, and it would also be an indication of how dire the situation was.
The two soon returned to the floating city without any problems. Edward returned to the surface world without hesitation. As soon as he returned, he contacted his family and told him he had succeeded in his endeavor and should stop worrying about him.
The family then scheduled a dinner for a few days later. Afterward, Edward continued his work. He needed to create a massive team dedicated to studying and developing the Quantum Realm.
The team did not only involve the ambassador but also arcanists with different research directions, including Divination. Luna was very interested in using the Quantum Realm as a medium for divination.
Meanwhile, Edward wanted to study that place's rules and know what to expect in the deeper layers.
The process took over a month, and Edward witnessed the team leaving. He had one last talk to the ambassador as he handed the Akashic Records artifact.
Finally, he began to prepare for the Time Game and the Empire's future.
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