[NR] What's The Point? - Chapter 506

Jason smiles, “More about cultivation? What’s the point? The answer to that is simple enough.

“To live forever and be powerful enough someone else can’t take what is yours from you. The second part is particularly important since your life is in fact yours.

“Of course, there is always a heaven above the heavens, as it were. If you just assume you’re the strongest, you won’t be ready for when something stronger or more dangerous shows up. After all, even if you survive all the universe can throw at you, you still have to survive when it, in turn, dies.”

Courtney raises an eyebrow, “A bit more exaggerated than when we first talked. I would think the eventual heat death of the universe would provide more than enough time.”

Jason, “I don’t think this universe is going to have a peaceful death. We all know about the chaotic mix of extra-dimensional energies jostling around. My guess is that eventually someone, somewhere will set off some form of cascade failure. With enough luck, we have someone strong enough and close enough to stop it, but if you want to depend on luck to survive, you might as well not bother.

“At least that is what is at the center of my cultivation ethos. Now, this doesn’t mean some lonely slog to the top. You can depend on friends and such. At the same time, you need to be strong enough for them to depend on as well in your own way.

“The classic mmo trinity is a good example of this sort of thing. A team made of a tank, healer, and dps when balanced against one another, is amazing. Triangles have always been a particularly strong shape.”

Courtney, “Fair enough, but what’s all that about out living the universe? Even if something goes wrong somewhere out there, chances are we have more time than humanity has existed so far to deal with it. Any shorter time span and you’re getting a little silly.

“Sure, more local disasters can happen, but even then we’re pretty insulated. While we aren’t quite a truly space faring race at the moment. We have a strong presence in orbit and can send things out even further if needed.

“We have fusion power! The only reason we haven’t sent out colony ships yet is because we wanted to clean up our own backyard first. The plan is that within the next couple hundred years there will be multiple colonies in the solar system.”

Jason smiles a toothy grin, “But what about NeoRealm?”

Courtney shrugs, “It might be hard to keep the colonies connected to it. We’ll have to see what comes up.”

Jason gestures at the room. “We have enough privacy so I feel confident enough saying that even if you sent a slow ship off, they would always have contact with NeoRealm. Doesn’t matter how far they go, NeoRealm will always be just a pod away.”

Rosha frowns, “We haven’t cracked faster than light anything.”

Courtney nods, “There would be at least some rumors of it.”

Jason nods, “Our universe seems a bit averse to ftl in general. But that’s what cheating is for. Courtney, do you and Rosha know the reality of NeoRealm?”

Courtney nods, “I assume you mean the fact that NeoRealm has become an actual place. While most would put the word “actual” in quotes, well, all those powers didn’t come from nowhere. NeoRealm is real, as are a number of other places.

“Though we’ve only managed to make use of NeoRealm. Some even say we created it, which the System points towards. I don’t feel comfortable with that answer.”

Jason, “Well, I can’t give you the answer. Though I can tell you that NeoRealm is as real of a universe as this one. Now, tell me, if NeoRealm is an entirely separate dimension and with how we can pop up in there anywhere, why would being any distance apart here matter?”

Rosha laughs, “So that’s what you mean by cheating!”

Jason, “The classic ftl cheat. If our current dimension has a speed limit, just go to one that either doesn’t or whose distance isn’t one to one to our own. If our actual bodies were entering the game, we would probably have teleportation set up.”

Courtney, “But how would they explain it? Even with how open things are, knowledge is still power and so hidden.”

Jason, “I only said it would be possible, not that it would be widely known or used. For the first bit, they would probably try to limit those using NeoRealm to their trusted people. That won’t last, of course. A secret like that can’t ever stay hidden in such a small population.”

Courtney, “Fair, now let’s get back on topic.”

Rosha, “We did get a little out there. While interesting, the whole reason we are here is cultivation. Not the fact that NeoRealm is real.”

Jason shrugs, “Eh, we just sort of ended up there because you didn’t believe my thoughts on outliving the universe. Which, might I add, NeoRealm is a potential method of escape if irl has some sort of cascade reality failure.

“Anyway, there will always be people claiming immortality and my view on that is that they’re immortal so far. Hell, anyone can claim to be immortal. After all, they haven’t died yet.

“So some might see cultivation as having an end goal of immortality. I instead see it as a continual effort to advance. Sort of like how a lot of people say they’re reaching for perfection. That is just lining yourself up for failure. Instead, reach for excellence and to continually improve.

“However, that’s all stuff at the top end. Cultivation, despite how people like to portray it as some elite art, in my view is actually the practice of the common. Sure, people will try and monopolize it and the resources required for it.

“That’s just human nature. The thing is, everyone can cultivate. At the most basic level, cultivation is reinforcing and refining your existence with powers beyond the norm. Once the secret is out, even the poorest man will practice at least the first levels because it will improve their life so much more than those who are rich.”