Chapter 193: The Secret of the Zero-Point Module

The concept of vacuum zero-point energy was put forward centuries ago.

While its energy density might be lower than antimatter, it’s far more stable, and, crucially, it’s limitless—the only true infinite energy.

Direct extraction of vacuum zero-point energy is often called the path to perpetual motion.

Many even consider it a form of energy more advanced than antimatter.

But using this energy for real purposes still feels like science fiction to humanity, even today.

To be clear, this ‘real use’ means direct utilization.

If we’re talking about indirect use, humans actually found some clever workarounds centuries ago.

But that was limited to lab experiments and, frankly, didn’t mean much.

According to the data from that civilization, a Level 5 civilization has two main energy routes: one is antimatter, the other is vacuum zero-point energy.

But in reality, even for Level 5 civilizations, vacuum zero-point energy is still an enormously difficult challenge.

Almost 99% of civilizations opt for antimatter energy instead.

Because, while everyone knows that every single point in the universe contains vacuum zero-point energy, extracting it directly from quantum vacuum is a huge hurdle.

Even that unknown civilization couldn’t manage direct extraction and utilization.

So, here’s the paradox.

If direct extraction is impossible, then…

How did they make their Zero-Point Modules?

The answer is…

They found another way.

Instead of pulling from our own universe, they…

Used advanced spatial technology to tear a hole in our universe and build a quantum space bridge connecting to a parallel universe.

Of course, the goal wasn’t really to link two worlds for travel or exchange.

After all, even a high-level civilization can’t actually accomplish that.

The real purpose lies in the barrier between two universes.

Yes, their clever trick wasn’t to pull zero-point energy straight from our universe, but from the quantum vacuum region between parallel universes.

See, if you wanted to extract it from this universe, you’d have to create a subspace first—then pull energy from there.

But their method skips building subspaces and pulls energy from existing spaces—far simpler.

They discovered this approach by accident—through finding parallel universes, and…

It’s the endless quantum vacuum that both separates these universes and keeps them from interfering with each other.

Even so, for humanity today, this still sounds like pure science fiction.

Just tearing a gap in the universe alone is enough to make most people shout ‘impossible.’

In the past, it really would’ve been impossible.

But now…

Quantum bombs are surprisingly suited for this job.

Of course, you can’t just blow things up with a quantum bomb and expect results.

You need careful adjustments and specialized designs.

With Lin Yun’s command, the equipment powered up.

This time, the blue glow didn’t expand outward in bubbles like a quantum bomb, but focused inward.

It kept narrowing in on a single point in space.

Moments later, a hole appeared right out of the emptiness.

It wasn’t big—about a meter across.

It looked bottomless, but one thing was certain: on the other side of that hole…

It absolutely wasn’t our universe.

“Chief Lin, we did it! We made it!”

“Quiet. This is just the beginning. Start building the quantum space bridge to stabilize the breach!”

“Yes, Chief Lin!”

In the next instant, every lab coat rushed to start operating at their console.

It all happened fast—less than ten seconds passed.

“Chief Lin, the quantum space bridge is up, but the universe’s healing force is eating away at it. It’ll last three minutes at most!”

“Three minutes is enough. Start the Zero-Point Module charging system and guide the zero-point energy in via the quantum space bridge.”

“Understood!”

Immense and endless energy flowed in, funneled steadily through the quantum space bridge.

Thousands of formerly empty, dim Zero-Point Modules now lit up with blue light.

At first, the glow was weak, but brightened slowly as time passed.

15%…

16%…

On the bridge, numbers flickered across a projected display.

They updated constantly.

This showed the current charging progress for the Zero-Point Modules.

After a minute, it reached 48%.

To quote an old advertisement slogan—

“One minute to charge, a century to sail the warship.”

And it’s no exaggeration.

Don’t be fooled by how small each Zero-Point Module looks—it might seem like it can’t store much.

But in truth, extracting vacuum zero-point energy is the easy part—making the modules is the truly hard one.

These things aren’t just batteries. Each one combines advanced spacetech.

Every Zero-Point Module is actually its own pocket subspace.

Subspace is the only way to safely store vacuum zero-point energy. Any other medium would trigger cosmic rejection almost instantly.

Because…

While this extraction method lowers the barrier to entry,

it comes with hidden dangers:

The subspaces aren’t home-grown from our universe—they connect to somewhere else outside of it.

It’s all vacuum zero-point energy, sure, but for our universe, it still counts as foreign particles. Without these subspace Zero-Point Modules, the universe would’ve gone haywire ages ago.

Just like when the Federation deliberately destroyed a Zero-Point Module during the final battle with the Klein.

The result…

It was catastrophic.

Two minutes later.

All of the Zero-Point Modules reached over 90% charge.

At exactly 137 seconds,

Every Zero-Point Module indicator on the panel turned green.

Charging—complete.

“Sever the quantum space bridge, then close the quantum focuser window!”

“Understood. Severing the quantum space bridge… complete!”

“Closing the quantum focuser window… done!”

“The universal breach is rapidly shrinking…”

“The breach is gone!”

Only then did everyone finally let out a breath.

After all, none of them had experience with this before. There was no telling if the universe’s healing power might suddenly go haywire.

Or if the quantum space bridge used to extract and deliver zero-point energy might suddenly collapse.

Or…

In short, this was a dangerously risky experiment.

Any step going wrong could have led to terrible consequences.

Even retreating tens of millions of kilometers away, they couldn’t be sure nothing would go wrong if things blew up.

But with the breach repaired,

the most dangerous part was finally over.

“Run a full check on every Zero-Point Module to guarantee total safety!”

“Yes, Chief Lin!”