Technological advancement begins with devouring.

Chapter 98 Psionic Technology, 'The Power of My Thoughts' (Bonus Chapter for 300 Average Subscriptions)

More than two months after the 'Erso' clone entered the 'Death Realm', Jiang Chen developed another blueprint that reached the 'Tier 3' rating, which was included in the system and rewarded with 999 specialty points.

The feat points remained on the system panel for less than a minute before turning into a new feat called "Mechanical Sage".

Its attributes are similar to those of the [Arcane Sage], with only slight differences.

[Grand Sage of Mechanics]: You receive a significant bonus when learning and researching knowledge and skills within the 'Nature' system. Each point of Intelligence, Spirit, and Mysticism increases total efficiency by 1.5%. The base attributes of the mechanical units you create are increased by 30%, and the speed at which you create mechanical units is increased by 20%.

The reason I wanted to choose the [Arcane Sage] was that, among the knowledge that Jiang Chen did not yet possess in the third-level library, the knowledge under the 'Arcane' system was the most abundant.

However, considering the impact on reality, improving 'mechanical' related abilities is more important.

After a slight hesitation, Jiang Chen still chose [Mechanical Sage].

Of course, Jiang Chen wouldn't let go of the specializations like [Arcane Sage] and [Alchemy Sage].

At the current efficiency, with the two clones working together, they can develop one third-order blueprint that is recognized by the system, or two or three second-order blueprints that are recognized by the system, on average every six months.

With the addition of the feat points gained during leveling up, it will only take a few months at most to obtain both the [Arcane Sage] and [Alchemy Sage] titles.

After obtaining the [Great Sage of Machinery], Jiang Chen focused more on knowledge of 'natural technology', regardless of whether the knowledge he learned was what he urgently needed, and prioritized rapidly increasing his level.

Jiang Chen is currently at Tier 2, Level 4. With the support of the [Mind Ascension] specialization, his Intelligence, Spirit, and Mystic attributes have all exceeded 400.

With the added advantage of the [Mechanical Sage] specialization, the efficiency in researching 'Natural Technology' has increased by more than ten times!

Previously, it would take several months to complete a level 1 promotion; now it can be done in just a few days.

In less than three months, Jiang Chen advanced five levels, crossing the threshold of the third tier.

The original force and psychic power of the body have also transformed to the 'cosmic level'.

During this process, Jiang Chen also acquired the two feats, [Arcane Sage] and [Alchemy Sage], by using the feat points awarded for leveling up.

[Arcane Sage]: You receive a significant bonus when learning and researching knowledge and skills within the 'Arcane' system. Each point of Intelligence, Spirit, and Mysticism increases your total efficiency by 1.5%. When you cast Arcane abilities, the effect is increased by 40%.

[Great Alchemist]: You receive a significant bonus when learning and researching the knowledge and skills of the 'Alchemy' system. Each point of Intelligence, Spirit, and Mystic attributes increases total efficiency by 1.5%. Your alchemical creation attributes increase by 40%.

After completing the breakthrough, Jiang Chen ignored the changes in attributes and immediately entered the system library to check if there were any new changes.

-

Inside the system library.

The fourth-floor library is several times larger than the third floor, comparable to a super-large-scale base city on Earth!

Jiang Chen flew at high speed through the library, his eyes sweeping over rows of bookshelves.

"Natural technology, alchemy, arcane technology... found!"

Jiang Chen passed through the partitions that existed in the first three floors and soon discovered a completely new partition.

The words "Psychic Technology" are displayed on the large screen hanging above.

"Psionic power?" Jiang Chen asked, somewhat puzzled.

This was an unfamiliar system to Jiang Chen; he had never heard of it before.

Judging from the name, it seems to be some kind of pure supernatural power.

Although alchemy and arcane arts are also extraordinary systems, they are somewhat related to 'science' and have a lot of things that need to be studied and interpreted using scientific methods.

However, with the experience from the first two levels, Jiang Chen knew that within the [Psychic Technology] section, there would definitely be the most basic knowledge about this system.

It also serves as an introduction to the overall concept of this system.

Jiang Chen's gaze swept across the rows of bookshelves, and he quickly found what he wanted: "Basic Psychic Energy".

He took the book off the shelf and flipped through it so fast it was almost as if he were playing with it, not reading. The huge book, which was at least half a foot thick, was flipped through in just a few seconds.

However, with his immense mental power, Jiang Chen had completely memorized the information in the book.

Of course, taking notes is one thing, but truly understanding them still takes some time.

If it is some kind of extremely difficult and profound 'knowledge', if it cannot be understood in a short time, the information that is written down will be quickly forgotten and cannot stay in the mind for long.

However, it's just the 'basic' level; even the 'knowledge' that appears only in the fourth-level library won't be too outrageously difficult.

At least for Jiang Chen, there shouldn't be any barriers in terms of memory or comprehension, given his current intelligence and mental attributes.

Close your eyes and recall the information etched into your mind.

More than an hour later, Jiang Chen opened his eyes.

"I see... So-called psychic power refers to the power of the 'mind.' This power is extremely idealistic and is ignored in most worlds, or people only pursue 'use' without seeking 'understanding.' But in a very few worlds, this idealistic power can also be 'understood' and even 'controlled'..."

After reviewing it, Jiang Chen gained a general understanding of the 'psychic energy' system.

In fact, this is a system that combines the level of consciousness with extraordinary power in reality.

For example, the illusionist system in the world of Swallowed Star is a manifestation of psionic energy.

But psionic abilities can do far more than just illusions and soul attacks.

If psychic energy is powerful enough, it can even distort the underlying rules of the entire world.

For example, the "I think power" in the Warhammer world is a high-level application of psionic energy.

By using the orcs' 'collective mindset' to alter certain physical laws, some seemingly whimsical 'technologies' can be realized.

But to achieve that level is beyond the reach of ordinary psionic abilities.

Both the intensity of psionic energy and the efficiency of its utilization need to reach an extremely high level.

"However, even basic psionic technology can have some value," Jiang Chen concluded.

However, instead of immediately continuing to study the knowledge of the psionic system, he turned and headed to the [Arcane Technology] section.

After searching for a while, Jiang Chen quickly found the bookshelf containing books on laws and regulations.

I looked up at the labels on the bookshelf.

Earth, fire, water, wind, light, darkness.

The advanced principles of the six basic elements are all contained within.

In addition, there are many other systems of laws.

Metal, Wood, Thunder, Space, Time, Life, Death, Creation, Destruction...

Dozens of different laws occupy a significant proportion of the [Arcane Technology] area.

The world of Swallowed Star contains all eight lower-level laws and two higher-level laws.

It also introduced many new systems of laws that did not exist in this world.

However, based on the hierarchy of laws involved in the third layer of the system library, Jiang Chen could easily deduce that even the fourth layer of the library could not contain the complete laws of a certain system.

However, for Jiang Chen now, the knowledge in this floor of the library is enough for him to digest for a long time.

"Since 'Erso' has become a disciple of the Illusion King, his performance is still very important. Let's first study the laws and enhance the value of 'Erso' as an avatar..."

Jiang Chen quickly made a decision, walked to the bookshelf of wind-related laws, picked up a book titled "The Relationship Between Wind Elements and Spatial Structures," and tried to open it.

But the next moment, Jiang Chen suddenly showed a look of bewilderment, as if he was both laughing and crying.

[Required prerequisite knowledge: Magical Mathematics Lv.40, Dimensional Geometry Lv.40, Mysticism Lv.30, Spatial Laws Lv.5...]

"Alright, let's start from the beginning. Anyway, with the blessing of the [Arcane Sage], learning won't be slow."

Jiang Chen shook his head, put the book back on the bookshelf, returned to the starting point of the [Arcane Technology] section, and began to read from the beginning.

-

The Secret Realm of Death.

As the main body entered the cosmic level, the limitations on 'Erso', this clone, were immediately broken.

Inside the room, Jiang Chen took out a container that resembled an enormous bathtub and placed it in the center of the living room.

Inside the container was a deep blue liquid, radiating a chilling cold.

This was one of the 'benefits' given to Jiang Chen by the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance: Grade B nutrient solution.

It can elevate a star-level being to the ninth rank of a star without any side effects.

But the price is also incredibly high.

The cost of just one pot of Grade B nutrient solution is enough to buy tens of thousands of ninth-tier stellar slaves.

Generally speaking, those who join the core secret realm of the five giants, even if they are at the stellar level, are mostly at the ninth rank of the stellar level. Soon after joining, they will step into the cosmic level and use cosmic-level C-grade nutrient solution.

It's rare to see someone like Jiang Chen join the third order of a stellar system.

However, the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance wouldn't care about such a small amount of money. The moment Jiang Chen's clone arrived at the Death Secret Realm, they sent staff to deliver the nutrient solution and informed Jiang Chen that as soon as he broke through to the Cosmic level, he could apply for a higher-level C-grade nutrient solution through the virtual universe at any time.

However, in the previous few months, due to the limitations of his main body's level, Jiang Chen had not allowed this clone to soak in the nutrient solution. Instead, he stayed indoors and focused on studying the secret manual bestowed by the Illusionary Spirit King.

It's still early, so no one's concerned about why Jiang Chen isn't soaking in the nutrient solution.

But if it drags on for too long, that won't work.

"According to the instructions, just take off your clothes and soak in it. Your body will slowly absorb the nutrient solution, which will enhance your Force and psychic abilities in a very balanced way..."

Jiang Chen put the instruction manual aside, took off his clothes, and lay directly into the 'bathtub'.

The moment his body came into contact with the nutrient solution, Jiang Chen couldn't help but grimace: "It's so cold! With my body, I wouldn't feel anything even if I were directly immersed in liquid nitrogen, but this nutrient solution makes me feel bone-chillingly cold. This can't just be due to physical temperature; it probably involves some kind of extraordinary property..."

Jiang Chen was analyzing things as usual.

In the universe, both low and high temperatures are terrifying environments.

However, if it is merely a matter of physical temperature, low or high temperature, the impact on the strong is not that significant.

Stellar-scale, cosmic-scale...

The greater one's strength, the stronger one's ability to adapt to the environment.

Even at the stellar level, it can easily withstand extreme environmental changes ranging from as low as -200 degrees Celsius to as high as several thousand degrees Celsius without feeling any discomfort.

However, if it is 'temperature' with some kind of extraordinary property, that's another matter.

With his knowledge, Jiang Chen quickly determined that the 'coldness' in the nutrient solution had little to do with the actual temperature, but rather that the solution contained materials with some extraordinary 'coldness' properties.

However, this cold is not fatal, and you can get used to it quickly by lying down for a while.

"Soaking in nutrient solution is quite boring; you can't do anything with it."

"According to the instructions, the upgrade process will take several months, about three or four months, to reach the peak of the ninth level of the Stellar Realm. Let's not waste time and find something to do."

Jiang Chen muttered something to himself, then connected his consciousness to the virtual universe and entered it directly to study the secret technique bestowed by the Illusion King.

-

More than three months later, 'Erso' successfully advanced to the peak of the ninth level of the Stellar Realm, just one step away from breaking through to the Cosmic Realm.

The main body has already reached the cosmic level, and this clone, 'Erso,' could break through at any time.

However, limited by the level of the original body, even after breaking through, it can only reach the first level of the universe at most.

After the system entered the third tier, the increase in the experience bar far exceeded Jiang Chen's expectations.

Even with the support of the three major feats of [Mechanical Sage], [Alchemy Sage], and [Arcane Sage], and having spent more than three months in the library without leaving home, Jiang Chen's experience bar had only increased by less than half.

Without new upgrade-type specializations, it would take about half a year to advance one level, and five or six years to advance to the ninth level of the universe.

However, feat points are not easy to obtain, and more powerful feats that can increase leveling speed are extremely expensive and cannot be acquired in a short time.

Jiang Chen did not rush to change his plans, but steadily absorbed knowledge from the system library to improve his knowledge base.

Meanwhile, the two clones, who are specifically responsible for studying blueprints, continue to delve into new blueprints. The accumulated expertise points are used to purchase expertise that enhance survivability, strength, or other functional abilities.

As for the clone 'Erso', it focuses on researching the secret arts bestowed by the Phantom King, especially the 58 soul defense secret arts, which are in the top priority tier.

This kind of 'skill-based' secret technique, once one clone learns it, is equivalent to the main body and all other clones learning it, so the cost-effectiveness is still very high.

Although Jiang Chen's future plans have always revolved around the 'legion-style' system, he can never have too much effort in improving his own body's survivability.

time flies.

At the end of 2065, an email appeared in the inboxes of both Jiang Chen and Luo Feng.

The triennial 'Dry Witch Auction' is finally about to begin!

Jiang Chen also gave his main body a long-awaited break, detaching himself from the system library.