The immense calculations for his neutron star skeleton filled Elias with a renewed, almost zealous determination. This wasn't just another upgrade; it was a fundamental redefinition of his physical limits, a monumental step towards becoming truly boundless. He immediately dedicated himself to the final preparations, moving with a focused intensity that left Kaelen both awed and slightly amused. His usual calm was still present, but now it was underscored by an almost eager anticipation, like a child on the eve of a grand adventure.
His first priority, as always, was the sheer volume of energy and matter required. The trillions of condensed star pills needed for the neutron star compression were an astronomical figure, even for him. Elias set his Quantum Divine Sense (QDS) to work, not merely activating his existing fifty Stellar Devourer Furnaces, but replicating them on an unprecedented, almost ludicrous scale.
In a silent, astonishing burst of cosmic engineering, Elias manifested one million new Stellar Devourer Furnaces across the universe. These weren't just about making more pills; they were about accelerating the intake of raw stellar energy and matter to an utterly unprecedented degree. Each new furnace, instantly perfected and activated, hummed to life in strategic locations chosen by Elias's QDS – near dying stars, in the heart of nebulas rich with prime matter, or even in the quiet void where latent cosmic energies coalesced. They began devouring their respective celestial bodies with an efficiency that would make lesser cosmic entities weep. Planets, small stars, vast clouds of gas and dust – all were systematically processed, their essence condensed into the perfectly flavored, ultra-dense pills.
The Nexus Spire's receiving vaults, already vast and capable of holding astronomical quantities, began to fill at an astonishing rate. A continuous, shimmering cascade of condensed star pills materialized, flowing like a river of compacted starlight and matter into cavernous storage spaces that stretched beyond conventional comprehension. It was a dizzying sight, a literal manifestation of boundless resources, each pill a miniature, perfectly crafted sun. This gargantuan stockpile was a true testament to Elias's boundless reach and his ability to bend the universe to his will. The sheer quantity was mind-boggling, turning hypothetical calculations into concrete, tangible reserves.
As the pills stockpiled, Elias simultaneously refined his internal systems. This wasn't a simple upgrade; it was an intricate re-engineering of his very being. He meticulously designed and integrated specialized sub-arrays and quantum anchors throughout his existing physical framework. These weren't mere energy conduits or simple structural reinforcements. They were intricate, Law-based structures, woven into his very cells at a fundamental level. These new arrays would act as structural guides during the impossible compression, ensuring that his bones didn't just collapse into a messy singularity, but transformed uniformly and perfectly. They were also designed as incredibly precise energy dampeners, capable of regulating the immense pressures and heat generated by the neutron star transformation, preventing catastrophic feedback loops or uncontrolled nuclear reactions within his own body. Think of them as the most advanced scaffolding and precise pressure regulators for a cosmic-scale forging process occurring entirely within his physical form.
He was essentially preparing his body to become its own miniature, perfectly controlled cosmic forge, capable of transmuting itself at the deepest possible level. His existing Matter-Antimatter Annihilation Reactor, while still powerful, was now primarily dedicated to maintaining these sub-arrays and facilitating the precursor energy requirements for the main event.
While the millions of furnaces churned and the internal schematics spun, Elias also began to selectively consume specific types of pills. His QDS, now operating with unheard-of clarity and sensitivity (thanks to the constant refinement from the Perpetual Ascension Technique), could discern minute differences in the stellar composition of certain pills. Some contained subtle imprints of raw gravitational forces, others were rich in specific types of ultra-dense matter, perfectly aligned for the neutronium transition. These particular pills, a tiny fraction of the endless flow, were ideal for pre-conditioning his body for the upcoming transformation. He was literally 'eating' the Laws of the cosmos, absorbing the raw principles of gravity and density from their condensed forms, preparing his body to become an embodiment of those very Laws. This showcased his refined understanding of the pills he was now mass-producing, elevating their consumption from mere energy intake to targeted ontological programming.
In the midst of this truly cosmic enterprise, Kaelen remained a steady, comforting presence. She couldn't directly assist with the complex calculations or the direct creation of furnaces, of course, but her role was no less vital. She helped manage the immense logistical side of the pill reserves, calmly tracking the influx and ensuring everything was perfectly ordered. She ensured the Nexus Spire itself ran smoothly, a silent anchor in Elias's storm of creation. More importantly, she provided quiet, unwavering emotional support, a gentle strength that grounded Elias. Sometimes, she would just sit near him, Lumie curled on her lap, reading one of her beloved romance novels, her presence a silent reminder of the human connection that now fueled his boundless journey. Their partnership, blending Elias's god-like power with Kaelen's grounding humanity and intuitive insights, was quickly becoming the true engine of his impossible ascent. She was the one who could pull him back from the abyss of pure, cold logic, reminding him of the warmth that made all his power worthwhile.
As the days turned into a full month of preparations, the Nexus Spire was a hive of silent, cosmic activity. The pill vaults were now truly beyond measure, an impossible mountain of condensed starlight. Elias's internal systems hummed with complex pre-programmed sequences, ready for the main event. He was ready. His body was ready. The infinite power of the Entropy-Reversal Singularity Core, though not yet fully implemented, felt closer than ever, its conceptual energy already guiding his preparations. The stage was set for a transformation that would redefine his very existence.