Technological advancement begins with devouring.

Chapter 74 Arcane Technology, Elemental Laws

A booming sound filled Jiang Chen's consciousness, and he was plunged into a mysterious state.

A moment later, Jiang Chen opened his eyes, and the whole world seemed to have changed in his eyes.

"This is what a stellar-level object is?"

Jiang Chen tentatively activated the primal force and psychic power within his body, but under his careful control, it did not cause any damage to the surroundings.

After a slight adjustment, Jiang Chen realized that the destructive power of his Force and Psychic Power was completely different from what it was before his breakthrough.

This is a qualitative change.

At the planetary level, with the support of free attribute points, Jiang Chen's mental power was far stronger than that of a normal ninth-level planet, and even stronger than many star-level beings in terms of 'quantity'.

However, the difference in 'quality' means that if Jiang Chen were to face a stellar-level mentalist, even if the opponent was only at the first level of the stellar realm, Jiang Chen would be defeated in a short time.

However, after the breakthrough, Jiang Chen had a feeling that even without relying on the 'Goliath Giant', he could still unleash extremely powerful combat strength even among stellar-level beings.

He's at least stronger than those fourth- or fifth-tier slaves under his command.

This is naturally an advantage brought about by Jiang Chen's super strong mental power under the blessing of free attribute points.

As Jiang Chen's gaze swept across the system panel, his emotions were somewhat complicated.

In fact, Jiang Chen had already crossed the threshold of 'Level 9, First Tier' a few months ago.

But to Jiang Chen's surprise, after the ninth level of the first tier, it was not the second tier, but the tenth level of the first tier.

In Jiang Chen's perception, this level did not allow him to break through the limit of 'Planetary Ninth Rank' and give birth to a tenth miniature planet within his body. It only made the miniature planets within Jiang Chen's body appear more solid, as if they were physical entities.

After spending several more months breaking through the 'first tier, tenth level', Jiang Chen finally stepped into the second tier, breaking through to the stellar level.

This made Jiang Chen even more suspicious of the system.

The level caps for Tier 0 and Tier 1 are different. Will there be even greater changes at Tier 2 and beyond?

However, this question is destined to remain unanswered until Jiang Chen's level increases.

Jiang Chen had no intention of getting to the bottom of it.

The existence of the system is far beyond Jiang Chen's comprehension; there's no need to rack his brains over something he can't understand.

Jiang Chen was more concerned about what benefits this system upgrade had brought him.

Silently uttering the word 'System', the azure blue interface appeared.

The next instant, Jiang Chen's consciousness appeared in the enormous system library.

Just like when I advanced to the first tier, after entering the second tier, another layer was added to the system library.

Upon entering the third floor, Jiang Chen saw that in addition to the existing [Natural Technology] and [Alchemy Technology] areas, there was a new area.

Arcane Technology.

Arcane?

A guess popped into Jiang Chen's mind, and he immediately walked towards the rows of bookshelves in the arcane section, his eyes scanning the bookshelves.

In the first and second floors of the library, each row of bookshelves is labeled with the subject to which all the books on the shelf belong, and this floor is no exception.

Magical mathematics, dimensional geometry, mysticism, spiritual space, the origin of the soul...

What surprised Jiang Chen the most was the label on a row of bookshelves deep in the arcane area, near the closed door.

The label reads in large characters: 'Elemental Laws'.

Jiang Chen strode toward the bookshelf, glanced at it, and pulled out a book titled "An Overview of the Laws of Wind Elements".

But after holding the book in his hands, Jiang Chen was surprised to find that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't open the cover.

A system message appeared before my eyes.

[Required prerequisite knowledge: Magical Mathematics Lv.20, Plane Geometry Lv.20, Mysticism Lv.15...]

Prerequisite knowledge?

This was the first time Jiang Chen had encountered something that required prior knowledge before he could read it.

Jiang Chen understood that knowledge in any discipline needs to be acquired gradually, from simple to complex.

If you haven't even learned 1+1=2, how can you possibly understand calculus?

But whether in the real world or on the first or second level of the system library, no one will stop you from trying to learn more profound knowledge before you have mastered the basic knowledge of a certain subject.

At most, you just can't understand it.

However, on the third level of the system library, some people couldn't even open a book because they lacked the prerequisite knowledge.

The system directly prevented Jiang Chen from accessing more profound 'knowledge'.

For some reason, a guess popped into Jiang Chen's mind: would it bring unpredictable risks to try to learn more advanced knowledge without mastering the 'prerequisite knowledge'?

If that's the case, why do the geniuses and powerful figures in the world of "Swallowed Star" skip the earlier stages and go directly to comprehend the domain and laws?

Or is it that the so-called 'Elemental Laws' in the system library and the 'Laws' of the Swallowed Star world are not the same concept?

Jiang Chen had no idea, but he was extremely curious about it.

"Let's start with the basic 'prerequisites'."

Jiang Chen's gaze swept across the bookshelves in the arcane section, and when he looked at the two rows of bookshelves at the very front, namely 'Magic Mathematics' and 'Plane Geometry', the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

"Even mystical magic and arcane arts can't escape the torment of the Mathematical Demon King?!"

Although Jiang Chen's learning ability is extremely formidable thanks to the system's support.

But only Jiang Chen himself knew how much he suffered from the great demon of 'mathematics' when he was studying natural sciences.

However painful the process of acquiring knowledge may be.

The indescribable sense of accomplishment when you successfully master a new advanced skill is unparalleled by any other enjoyment.

Jiang Chen, at least, thoroughly enjoyed the process.

After exiting the system library, Jiang Chen habitually opened his personal computer and reviewed the operation logs of the two major bases on Earth and Bailan Star.

The Earth was peaceful, except for Luo Feng who came a few times, seemingly wanting to go to space with Jiang Chen.

The base on White Star is also operating normally, having completed two more transactions of 'Goliath Giants', and its scale continues to expand.

Currently, the number of 'Goliath' mechs being produced or waiting in line for production at the Bailan Star base has reached more than 600.

This was because the 'butler' had obtained Jiang Chen's permission and decided to allocate a large sum of money to upgrade Bailanxing's defense system.

Such small planets are not a problem when they have little value, but once they develop a highly profitable industry, they are very likely to attract the attention of space pirates.

If the defenses are insufficient, a single attack by space pirates could wipe out all of Jiang Chen's hard work over this period.

Things on Bailan Star are naturally taken care of by the 'steward'.

Jiang Chen only needs to ensure that the general direction is correct.

Instead of immediately taking 'remote control' of Bai Lanxing, Jiang Chen dialed Luo Feng's number.

A moment later, Luo Feng's face appeared on the video screen.

"Ah Chen, you've emerged from seclusion?" Luo Feng asked with a smile. "I tried to visit you a few times before, but your subordinates all said you were in seclusion and couldn't be disturbed."

"Yes, I've broken through to the stellar level." Jiang Chen smiled slightly.

Luo Feng's eyes widened suddenly: "Stellar level? So fast?! Babata told me that Earthlings have inferior genes, and even if you are at the eighth or ninth level of planetary rank, it would still take several years to break through to the stellar level! Even with some treasures, it would still take one or two years."

Jiang Chen countered, "Haven't you been possessing the Golden Horned Beast for over a year now? What's so strange about me breaking through to the Stellar level?"

In fact, Jiang Chen's method of upgrading is completely different from that of ordinary people in the universe.

Absorbing cosmic energy, absorbing treasures, and so on—these things had absolutely no effect on Jiang Chen.

Only by relying on the system can one improve their level.

Jiang Chen guessed that this might also be a kind of restriction imposed on him by the system.

However, there's no need to tell Luo Feng all this. Just let him believe that he quickly reached the Stellar level by absorbing treasures.

"That's true. It's been over a year, but I still feel like our siege of the Golden Horned Beast just happened recently." Luo Feng smiled somewhat awkwardly.

"Instead of spending time with your family, you come looking for me. Do you want to go to space?" Jiang Chen guessed Luo Feng's thoughts.

The two grew up together and knew each other so well that it was difficult for them to hide any thoughts from each other.

Moreover, Luo Feng had no intention of hiding anything, and nodded, saying, "Babata told me about your trip to the universe. He thinks I should also go to the universe to get some kind of identity or something."

There is only one spaceship on Earth capable of traveling to space, located in Jiang Chen's base.

Luo Feng's desire to go to space naturally involves Jiang Chen.

"Then come to the base to find me," Jiang Chen said, and then hung up the phone.

A few hours later, Luo Feng arrived at the base in South America.

Jiang Chen had already made preparations, and together with Number Two and Number Four, he boarded the silver-gray spaceship with Luo Feng.

Jarvis's upgrade was already complete, but he still can't compare to Babata.

Jiang Chen then handed over control of the spaceship to Babata.

The spaceship started up, and Jiang Chen and Luo Feng sat in the control room, chatting casually.

"Come on, try this. It was brewed by my men and tastes even better than the finest wines on Earth." Suddenly, a beautifully crafted glass bottle appeared in Jiang Chen's hand, filled with a light brown liquid.

As soon as the bottle was opened, a rich aroma of wine filled the entire control room, making one's mouth water.

In order to have good wine to drink, Jiang Chen specially purchased slaves skilled in brewing from the slave market, and also bought a large amount of special materials from the universe, so that the 'brewers' could brew good wine.

This wine might not be considered particularly outstanding in the universe, since the aging time is too short, which naturally affects its flavor.

But compared to ordinary wines on Earth, it is on a completely different level.

"This aroma is wonderful!" Luo Feng's eyes lit up.

He also has a fondness for alcohol, and his cravings are immediately aroused at the sight of good wine.

"Try it." Jiang Chen took out a wine glass, poured wine for the two of them, and drank it all in one gulp after clinking glasses with Luo Feng.

Luo Feng took a small sip, his eyes shining even brighter, and exclaimed, "This aroma is wonderful! But this wine is too strong; if you don't have some strength, you probably can't drink it."

"At least planetary level is needed to drink this, otherwise one cup will make you drunk to death." Jiang Chen laughed, "When we return, we'll stop on Bailan Star and bring you a few hundred barrels back. Put them in barrels to continue aging; the longer the aging, the better the wine will taste."

"I won't stand on ceremony with you, this wine is really delicious." Luo Feng didn't refuse Jiang Chen's kindness.

"Besides obtaining citizenship and opening a virtual universe account, what else do you plan to do on this trip to the universe?" Jiang Chen asked.

Luo Feng glanced at Babata and said, "Babata said I should go to the 'Qianwu Dojo' to register again, that's all."

"I understand." Jiang Chen nodded and said, "Go open an account at the Cosmic Galaxy Bank. You have a share in the base on Bailan Star. I'll transfer it to you first. However, most of the profits are being used for expansion now, so the first dividend won't be much."

In fact, if Luo Feng's golden-horned behemoth didn't need to devour metal, and if his Earthling clone didn't need treasures to accelerate its growth, Jiang Chen wouldn't want to take out money to distribute dividends now.

All the funds are invested in expansion, and the snowball effect continues. In the long run, the returns will be astonishing.

Taking out 10 billion Black Dragon Coins now might mean losing tens of billions of Cosmic Coins in ten years!

However, it is also very important to let Luo Feng grow up as soon as possible, so that at least the Earthling clone can reach the stellar level.

Only by reaching the stellar level can one inherit the first legacy left by Huyanbo.

Jiang Chen had no particular interest in the Qianwu coins that Huyanbo left for Luo Feng, but the five-star account of the Cosmic Galaxy Bank itself was of great value.

Luo Feng already knew about this from Babata, but he didn't say anything, though he felt a little awkward.

Given Luo Feng's personality, he would readily accept gifts from friends, such as the fine wine Jiang Chen gave him.

But this financial transaction made Luo Feng feel a little uncomfortable.

But after Babata's repeated persuasion, Luo Feng had no choice but to accept it, only keeping in mind that he would repay him many times over when he had the ability in the future.

Babata, unaware of Luo Feng's thoughts, suddenly interjected, "Jiang Chen, how much money are you planning to give Luo Feng?"

"Hey, Babata!" Luo Feng was startled and quickly tried to stop Babata from asking more questions.

"Luo Feng, it's alright." Jiang Chen patted Luo Feng on the shoulder and looked at Babata, saying, "For the first transaction, let's take out 20 billion Black Dragon Coins. Luo Feng will take 30%, which is 6 billion Black Dragon Coins. That should be enough resources up to the Stellar level."

Jiang Chen had calculated the resources Luo Feng would need to upgrade.

Although the Golden Horned Beast is a money-devouring monster, a few billion Black Dragon Coins are more than enough for it to advance to the Stellar level.

Maybe there will be some extra money to buy other things you like.

The 20 billion yuan allocated will not have a significant impact on the Bailan Star base; at most, it will just slow down the next phase of expansion.

"Six billion? That's barely enough." Babata nodded and said, "This time we'll only stay on 'Qiulong Star' for a few days at most. Once we've finished our business, we'll go back as soon as possible. Luo Feng, your strength is still too weak. Focusing on your cultivation is the most important thing."