My mind expands on the possibilities and basics of the concept.

If normal cryptography is all about using math to hide and share information, then quantum cryptography is using physics itself to hide and share information instead.

Which is all based around the idea of quantum physics: photons act one way when not watched, and different when someone is watching. Adding to that, the results from this interaction can produce truly random scenarios (within certain bounds), then you can then use that information to confuse others.

For my purposes, that means one thing.

Data comes in from my scan. I gain the knowledge of the thing. When a shift in my Qi (based on this level of understanding) occurs, the information that goes out would be a randomized mess.

This should completely shut down issues from cultivation method scanning or the issues that come from scanning other cultivators with alert talismans, like the demonic cultivator I fought in the forest.

But there are other types of alerts, as well.

Ones that actually use that same concept against unintended observers.

I suspected early on that there would be things like that out there, which are just looking to see if someone or something is trying to look into whatever they are protecting at that time.

And from what I can tell, even the higher up cultivators are not fully aware of how their alert systems works. They likely just realized that there was a change that only showed when someone paid attention to whatever they were testing.

After the fact, it is a change that seems obvious, but to recognize those changes, you have to perform dedicated actions, with specific testing to verify.

This is both a warning to me and a compliment about this world’s formation and talisman creators.

Despite not knowing the level of science from my world, they could put into practice at least some principles. Of course, which is made easier with Qi and multiple millennia of history and study, of course.

That leaves the only question left.

Would that type of alert be able to catch me, even with quantum encryption?

…Sadly yes, as it still goes off a change in their side, rather than mine.

And as magical as my scan is, it still works off a force of nature here.

Something that still affects the world around it, even if it’s on an extremely minute level. So, they would still detect that something had changed, though I could (with a significant investment) make it so they couldn’t discern “who” had caused it. Or from where.

But this all comes at a cost.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Absolutely enormous amounts of qi.

A quick estimate of the earliest realm needed to have enough qi for the most basic version is… Nascent Soul.

And if I have 4 qi right now, then what I would need to do such a thing, would be worth 100,000 qi.

Obviously, that’s an astronomical amount from where I am now.

… or is it?

I run some numbers and the way I’ve built my body will make my qi soar far beyond what common sense would say. Far above even genius cultivators.

Slow and dedicated cultivation will help me reach that height. The catch is that, even if I can progress to the next stage or realm, I will need to stay in it and allow my body to ‘reform’ to an optimal state.

All in this Qi Condensation realm.

Which is absurd by any standard.

There’s no way that will go unnoticed. My priority after I move to the next stage will need to be covering up the amount of qi coming off me.

I mull over these thoughts for the next few minutes, already nearing the end of the healing session.

I break my thoughts off once I realize this is as far as I should go with the healing.

There’s a shift in the water once Elder Lu changes his position. He knows I’m done as well.

Floating before me is the arm that was stuck in his body. Of course, I had pulled it out as part of the healing process. In a flash, it disappears into his mouth, crunched into dust.

“Young Disciple Delinion, was it?”

The dragon, Elder Lu, turns his sizable and terrifying head towards me.

I give a quick nod and lower my head to him.

Even when he is being kind, I understand why the twins feared him. Being around beings this powerful and physically imposing wears on you. Despite the fact that I have been healing him for many hours now.

“Hahaha. I’m quite grateful for the healing. That itch was a pain to deal with and was causing me quite a few problems.”

He barks out a laugh, with his mouth wide open.

But he soon falls quiet and changes back to the dragon tongue.

“I know (understand) that you are likely looking for something from me, to offer something of this caliber. What were you looking for?”

My breath catches, as I was hoping for such a thing.

This is my chance. But I have to make sure not to go too far, considering his position as guardian.

… which means he won’t be able to leave this spot. That takes defending me out of the picture. And I don’t want to waste this on a one time benefit.

I need him as a tamed creature. If only for the subsequent increase to my mana, that would allow me to potentially grab more spirit beasts of his level.

“Honored Elder Lu, would you mind if we spoke privately?”

His eyes flicker over to the cart, and I can sense a grin from him. That I understand the cart is watching, letting anyone who could decipher our words know what I’m asking for.

Not to mention the two twins there, who likely can’t understand this, but still could be a risk. \

He speaks out to the twins.

“The young disciple here and I are going to head to the bubble chamber. Wait here until we return.”

The way he sounds is kind, but the words are indisputably a command. Considering both his position and power, there’s a reason he’s called Elder.

Their faces turn serious and nod, while Elder Lu lifts his claw and I feel myself gently pulled along in the water alongside him, as we go deeper into this silo. Another bubble forms around the current one and as we get some distance away, the original bubble glows red.

A clear sign that I’m too far away from the cart. Elder Lu looks in my direction briefly and the bubble pops.

Well, at least I know what happens when you get too far away from the cart…

We arrive at an enormous space that I soon recognize as a rock structure, built into the shelves. He takes me through the entry and until I see an airspace above us. Here, deep underground.

The water pressure seems to change in this space, reduced significantly. There is also a stairway climbing from underwater to the airspace.

I find myself placed on the stairway and right after I surface, an older gentleman stands before me.

My first time seeing a spirit beast in human form. The spirit beast in question, being Elder Lu.

He leans forward with a knowing smile and his graying black eyebrows raising at my surprise.

“Welcome to the bubble. You should be safe to discuss anything here.

“Now… tell me what you wanted.”

…I want you.