Technological advancement begins with devouring.

Chapter 86 [Space Furnace] (Bonus chapter for 100 average daily subscriptions)

after one day.

The inner world of the World Ring.

Countless construction machines roamed the plains, constantly delivering mountains of various materials to nearby factories for processing in different ways.

After countless processes, these materials will be transformed into large quantities of goods for export.

On the third floor of the system library, Jiang Chen finally found cutting-edge technology that would allow him to have a place in the space age.

—Space Furnace.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Name: Space Furnace

Category: Energy Refining/Production Equipment

Production capacity: Extracts one Hertz of energy per minute (enough to manufacture 13141592 Level 5 Energy Blocks).

Rating: Third Order +++

Note: You think this is an endless energy source?! Yes, it is!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

This is an energy extraction technology that far surpasses nuclear energy and even the 'energy tower' of the mechanical race.

By inducing spatial oscillations, the enormous energy generated by the shock waves is collected and converted into high-density energy blocks for storage.

Jiang Chen had checked the market information for this product through the Universe Galaxy Bank.

In the universe, the value of energy is highly polarized, depending mainly on its density and 'quality'.

The high-energy blocks produced by the space furnace are of a quality that is almost on par with 'cosmic crystals'.

In other words, creating an energy block is equivalent to obtaining a cosmic crystal.

At least within the human race, cosmic crystals are the currency themselves, and all other currencies are directly linked to cosmic crystals.

In other words, the energy extracted from the 'space furnace' and, after a complex transformation process, produces energy blocks that can be directly regarded as cosmic currency.

However, building a space furnace is extremely costly and difficult.

The basic materials alone cost Jiang Chen nearly 10 Mixed Yuan Units.

The creation process is incredibly complex.

With 917 million types and billions of parts, the requirements for error tolerance are extremely stringent, whether in processing or assembly.

Even the slightest error could render the space furnace unusable, or even cause it to self-destruct.

Furthermore, Jiang Chen also plans to enhance the efficiency of the space furnace through 'magical constructs' from arcane technology, which further increases the difficulty.

However, as long as the space furnace can be successfully built, all the hard work will be worthwhile.

"Master, there is a 30% surplus of raw materials. It is estimated that it will take 28 to 52 days to complete the initial processing and enter the assembly stage. Before the assembly begins, you need to complete the processing of 219 kinds of structural materials. I will produce these 219 kinds of parts that need to be reinforced and pre-process the materials needed to manufacture the structural components."

Jarvis's voice rang in Jiang Chen's mind.

Among magical constructs, some basic constructs are not complicated, but slightly higher-level constructs begin to involve the power of 'laws'.

This is a realm Jarvis cannot comprehend.

Without understanding, one cannot complete the necessary tasks.

Although machines and intelligence never make mistakes, the prerequisite is that they need to understand how to complete their 'task'.

If you don't even know how to complete the task, you naturally can't succeed.

"I understand. Let me know after you've finished the initial treatment," Jiang Chen said.

Jarvis's voice rang out again: "It is expected to take 6 days. Master, you can go about your business first. I will remind you when it is time."

After saying that, Jarvis fell silent.

Jiang Chen connected his consciousness to the inside of the World Ring, glanced at the countless mechanical units bustling about inside, and, confirming that his plan was proceeding in an orderly manner, temporarily shifted his attention away.

"By the way, contact Babata and ask him about intelligence and laws..."

Jiang Chen suddenly remembered something and dialed Luo Feng's number.

A moment later, Luo Feng answered the video call and greeted him with a smile: "Ah Chen, you didn't stay in the universe for very long."

"I just bought some things and will be back soon." Jiang Chen replied casually, then immediately got down to business: "Luo Feng, could you ask Babata to come out for a bit? I have something I want to ask it."

"Babata? Oh, it's out." Luo Feng was a little puzzled, and curiously turned the camera to Babata, watching from the side.

"Jiang Chen, what do you want to ask?" Babata looked at Jiang Chen curiously.

"Here's the thing, I'd like to ask, is it possible for auxiliary intelligence to understand 'laws'?" Jiang Chen said, "I want Jarvis to help me create a device that contains laws, but it can't understand laws, nor can it read the blueprints I gave it."

"Laws?" Babata's eyes widened. "You've already grasped the realms, and now you're getting involved with laws?! Are you sure it's a law?"

Before Jiang Chen could answer, Babata continued, "Ordinary auxiliary intelligence, or even intelligent life, cannot comprehend the laws because they are not true 'life.' This includes intelligent life; although they have developed self-awareness, they cannot be considered true 'life.' Unless they can obtain the 'Heart of Evolution' of the machine race and transform into true life, they will have the possibility of understanding and comprehending the laws. Moreover, it is only a possibility; whether they can actually do it depends on their aptitude."

"To comprehend the laws is the true privilege of life," Babata concluded in one sentence.

"So that's how it is..." Jiang Chen nodded thoughtfully.

Although I don't understand why Babata said that 'intelligent life' cannot be considered true 'life' before obtaining the 'Heart of Evolution'.

However, Jiang Chen did understand the last summary.

Only 'true life' has the possibility of comprehending and mastering the laws.

Even if something is intelligent, no matter how high its wisdom is or how much it resembles a living being, it still doesn't have the right to comprehend the laws of nature.

This seems to be some kind of limitation imposed by the universe, or this world.

Jiang Chen couldn't understand the reasons behind it, but he just needed to know that such a phenomenon existed.

"What do you want to do? I'm quite interested in things that involve laws."

Babata said with great interest, "Back then, I followed my master to explore the universe. My master also spent a lot of money to get me a 'Heart of Evolution' so that I could evolve into a true life form. Although my body died in that great battle and I had to return to my intelligent form to save my life, I have not forgotten some of the laws that I comprehended back then."

"Oh?" Upon hearing Babata's words, Jiang Chen suddenly smiled and asked, "Which system of laws did you comprehend?"

"I have mastered fire and water elements, but not all of them." Babata didn't hide anything.

“Water system? Perfect, some parts require the use of water system laws.” Jiang Chen immediately said, “Are you sure you want to help? The requirements for these blueprints are quite high, and they are very troublesome to manufacture.”

Babata seemed to be provoked by Jiang Chen's words and shouted, "Trouble? When have I, Lord Babata, ever been afraid of trouble?! I, Lord Babata, was kindly helping you, and you don't even appreciate it?!"

"Alright, thank you very much for your help, Lord Babata!" Jiang Chen smiled slightly and sent over some of the parts and blueprints related to the 'Water Element Law'.

"I've already sent the blueprints. Can you take a look and see if you can make it?" Jiang Chen asked Babata.

For some reason, seeing Jiang Chen's smile, Babata always felt that Jiang Chen's expression had a hint of a successful conspiracy.

However, it quickly forgot about thinking and focused all its attention on the blueprints sent by Jiang Chen.

"This does indeed contain some of the mysteries of the water system's laws, but... I've never seen such a law-based rune before! Look at the part that triggers the law, is it a wave? Water ripples? No! It's using the mysteries of 'waves' to deflect force and reduce the pressure on the parts!"

Babata's voice was filled with surprise and joy.

The blueprints for the magical constructs seemed to open a new world for Babata.

Hearing Babata's words, Jiang Chen couldn't help but admire Babata's keen eye.

Although I have never seen a magical construct, and cannot even understand its mysteries, I can tell the purpose of this construct from the 'laws' it triggers.

Indeed, as Babata said, Jiang Chen designed the structure of this part to reduce the pressure on the parts by using the laws of water, thereby increasing the frequency of repeated starts and indirectly increasing work efficiency.

"How is it going? Can you make it?" Jiang Chen asked with concern.

If Babata could help him solve the problem of these parts, it would save Jiang Chen a lot of work.

“Sure, the water element is exactly what I’m good at, so I can do all of these. Although I don’t understand your secret runes, I have the design drawings, and I can still complete it by following the steps.”

Babata looked at Jiang Chen with suspicion and asked, "Judging from your special runes, your application of the laws has already surpassed the domain stage and crossed the threshold of the laws? Where did you get these blueprints? Or have you truly reached this level?"

Jiang Chen remained silent for a few seconds.

The blueprints, whether they were for the [Space Furnace] or the Magic Rune Construction, were all obtained by Jiang Chen from the system.

However, the requirement for exchanging blueprints in the system is that Jiang Chen's 'knowledge' must be at the same level as that in the blueprints.

The reason he was able to exchange for it was naturally because Jiang Chen met the requirements in these areas, including the laws.

In other words, just as Babata said, Jiang Chen has already crossed the threshold of the 'Water System Law'.

"I have indeed crossed the threshold of the laws, the water and wind laws. The light law is almost here too." Jiang Chen did not hide anything.

"Damn! Stellar level, and you've already crossed the threshold of laws, and two laws at that! You're too monstrous!" Babata exclaimed, then stared at Luo Feng with a look of exasperation, which sent chills down Luo Feng's spine.

"It was just a special stroke of luck." Jiang Chen didn't elaborate on the topic.

Without the system library, Jiang Chen could not have achieved such success.

Moreover, the analysis of 'laws' in the third-level library is not very deep; it barely crosses the threshold of laws.

To further grasp the laws, or even to fully grasp them, is far from enough.

After venting his frustrations for a while, Babata suddenly asked, "But what exactly is this secret rune of yours? I've never seen this kind of rune before?"

“I’m sorry, this is my core technology, and I don’t plan to pass it on for the time being.” Jiang Chen glanced at Babata and said, “Unless you acknowledge Luo Feng as your master and Luo Feng issues an order prohibiting you from passing it on, I will not teach you.”

After Babatadai Huyanbo accepted him as a disciple, he followed Luo Feng but did not formally acknowledge him as his master.

Perhaps it was unwillingness, or perhaps he had higher expectations of Luo Feng; Jiang Chen wasn't sure which it was.

However, for this reason, Jiang Chen always held back a little when it came to trusting Babata, unlike his complete trust in Luo Feng.

Upon hearing Jiang Chen's words, Luo Feng was startled: "How did this get involved with me?!"

"You little brat! You're so stingy!" Babata glared at Jiang Chen through gritted teeth.

Jiang Chen countered, "In the universe, which power would easily reveal its core secrets?"

"That's true... never mind then."

Babata hung up the call while cursing.

After hanging up, it came to its senses and exclaimed, "I almost forgot! Jiang Chen! This kid is also a disciple of the Meteorite Star lineage! He talks like he's going to start his own sect!"

Luo Feng, however, remarked quietly from the side, "In the universe, there's no rule that any disciple must hand over a copy of their secret technique, is there?"

Babata was speechless.

After a long while, Babata awkwardly said, "Forget it, this great demon doesn't hold grudges against petty people, I won't bother with him!"

This sight almost made Luo Feng burst out laughing.

Fortunately, Luo Feng remembered that he still needed Babata's help, so he didn't dare to laugh and managed to hold it in.

-

the other side.

After entrusting some of the parts that needed to be enhanced to Babata, Jiang Chen recalculated the number of parts that he needed to do himself.

"I've left all the water-based ones to Babata. As for the remaining wind and dark-based ones, I'll have to handle them myself. But the total number is about the same as the number of water-based constructs, over a hundred types and several thousand parts... Even with Jarvis helping me with the initial processing, it will still take at least half a month..."

The Space Furnace involves many types of constructs, but its attributes are quite simple, with only three types in total.

The water system is used to alleviate the pressure on the parts during startup, while the air system and the dark system are used to improve the efficiency and power of the furnace operation.

This is a system that is somewhat similar to 'Alchemy Runes', but completely different.

In a way, it does bear some resemblance to the 'secret patterns' in the universe.

However, the similarity is only in appearance.

Their core principles are completely different.

Jiang Chen was also very curious about the secret rune schools in the universe.

However, without the support of a system library, learning solely in the real world or in a virtual universe is far less efficient than learning with a system library.

Before reaching a sufficiently high level, it is clear that the system library's superior efficiency will allow Jiang Chen to achieve greater improvement.

"I still have a few days to spare. Hmm... let's not do anything else, let's just keep leveling up."

Jiang Chen recalled his plans for the near future, suppressed the urge to go out and have fun, activated the system, and entered the library.