Chapter 181 - Chapter 180

The quiet hum of Alex's Cognichip interface signaled the completion of a process long in the making. His simulations had run their course, the techniques perfected and their hidden vulnerabilities securely embedded. The moment had come to release the new frequency techniques to the Stargazers.

With a few clicks, Alex uploaded the files to the online forum. The title was simple: "Frequency Techniques: A New Path to Power."

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Within minutes, the post was flooded with views and comments. Members of the forum, scattered across various regions and backgrounds, began to digest the implications of what they were reading. At first, it was curiosity—people trying to understand the technical jargon. Then, the realizations started to hit.

From User: CosmicMind (USA):

"Wait, are you guys seeing this? This technique… it's not just about physical enhancement anymore. If I'm reading this right, it says you can actually connect with the rhythm of a natural phenomenon? Like, we're talking fire, water, wind? Like an ability user, but without needing an ability!"

From User: LotusWind (China):

"Yes, yes! I was just about to post that! This changes everything. Before, we could only anticipate or flow with energy, but this? This is real control over phenomena! Depending on what rhythm we connect to, we could actually manipulate the elements."

From User: StormSeeker (la Corona):

"Does that mean we could, like, summon a storm? Control fire like the ability users do? This sounds way too powerful. I need to read this again."

The buzz on the forum only grew as more members chimed in, dissecting the technique and its possibilities.

From User: StarReader (suprema):

"It looks like it depends on the level of mastery. The document says at Level 5, there's a chance to connect with one specific natural rhythm. You don't just get to choose, but if you're aligned with fire, then that's what you get. I guess if you're more in tune with water, then that's what you connect with. It's like we're tuning into nature's own energy."

From User: SkyWatcher (Australia):

"So, we could become like elementals? Just pick the technique for the phenomenon you like, practice it, and you're basically a walking natural disaster waiting to happen?"

From User: PulseMaster (South Africa):

"I don't think it's that simple. The rhythm techniques aren't just plug-and-play. You've got to be seriously in tune with your body first, which, if you ask me, is going to take a lot of time. No one's mastered this yet, but I get the feeling it's not just about raw power. It's going to take focus, patience, and maybe a little luck to even connect with a natural rhythm."

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As more users began to weigh in, speculation swirled about the limitations and possibilities.

From User: DeepSea (Japan):

"What's really interesting to me is that we're not being handed a 'one-size-fits-all' technique. You've got to pick the phenomenon you want to connect with, and you train toward it. It's customizable. But, has anyone noticed there's no mention of esoteric phenomena? Like, we can connect with basic natural elements, but what about more abstract forces—gravity, light, or even time?"

From User: StoneFist (Germany):

"Yeah, I was thinking about that too. It feels like whoever designed this technique didn't want to give us access to the truly dangerous stuff. I mean, controlling fire is one thing, but manipulating gravity or time? That would make us gods. Maybe there's more to this, but we're only scratching the surface."

From User: SunChaser (Mexico):

"Could it be that this technique was designed to keep us grounded, so we don't start messing with forces we can't handle? Like, whoever made this knew the dangers and only gave us access to the safer rhythms. Or maybe those other rhythms just require a whole different level of mastery we don't even know about yet."

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The conversation took a turn as members began to wonder about the origins of the technique itself.

From User: IronMind (Russia):

"Whoever created this frequency technique must have an insane level of understanding about the natural world. This isn't something you just stumble upon. This feels… ancient. Like some kind of lost knowledge that's been rediscovered."

From User: RiverFlow (Canada):

"Yeah, but who could've made this? We've been using the old cultivation techniques for years, and now suddenly this appears out of nowhere. There's no way this was developed by just one person. Maybe it's the result of years of study by some hidden group. Or… it's possible someone incredibly powerful is pulling the strings."

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Speculation continued to grow as the discussion ranged from the technique's potential uses to the mysteries surrounding its release.

From User: FireWalker (USA):

"The fact that this technique was just dropped like this is suspicious. It's way too powerful to be given out freely. Whoever's behind this knows something we don't. They want us to practice it, but for what reason?"

From User: NightShade (UK):

"Maybe they're testing us? Seeing who's worthy of mastering it. Or maybe they want us to become powerful enough to fight some future threat. Either way, we should be careful. Power like this always comes with a price."

From User: WhisperingWind (France):

"I don't care who made it. This is the key to leveling the playing field with ability users. For years, we've had to play catch-up, but now? Now we've got the means to stand alongside them. Maybe even surpass them. I'm going to start practicing the fire rhythm right away."

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The forum became a hive of excitement, speculation, and cautious optimism. People from all over the world debated the significance of the frequency techniques and the possibilities they presented. Some saw it as a game-changer, a way to tip the balance of power. Others were more wary, concerned about the intentions behind its release.

From User: ShadowEdge (Brazil):

"Just don't forget—whoever created this technique has their own agenda. And we're all part of it, whether we know it or not. Don't get too comfortable."

From User: ThunderClap (India):

"You can be paranoid if you want, but I'm ready to dive in. Fire, water, wind—whatever rhythm I connect with, I'll take it. This is our chance to become something more."

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As the conversation continued to spiral, Alex remained silent in the background, watching the discussions unfold. His plan had been set in motion. The Stargazers would now begin practicing the frequency techniques, unaware of the hidden vulnerabilities he had placed within them. For now, they were excited, hopeful, and eager to unlock the power the techniques promised. But Alex knew that power always came with a cost.

In time, they would find out what that cost was or maybe not.