Global Era of Star trekking

"Number 32 'Waking of Insects': I'm here!"

He replied the first moment he could.

Since he was specifically tagged, there was probably something important.

It wasn't long before another message came through in the Shaking Light Star Rank group chat.

"Number 19 'Scorching Sun': Didn't you mention in the group last time that you wanted to buy some Neutron Star Remains? Are you still interested?"

Seeing the term "Neutron Star Remains", Song Chi's eyes lit up immediately.

After having absorbed the second portion of Neutron Star Remains last time, the Neutron Star Core Armor component was just one Neutron Star Remain away from upgrading to silver quality. Now, seeing the news about the Neutron Star Remains, he was naturally excited.

"Number 32 'Waking of Insects': Yes, do you have any news?"

"Number 19 'Scorching Sun': Yes, I just heard some news. If you're interested, I'll look into it more carefully!"

"Number 32 'Waking of Insects': Thank you so much, Uncle 'Scorching Sun!'"

"Number 19 'Scorching Sun': Uncle? Forget it..."

"Number 32 'Waking of Insects': No, no, no. Brother, dear brother, please..."

"Number 3 'Corpse Dog': @Number 19 'Scorching Sun', you're almost 300 years old and still pretending to be young?"

"Number 22 'Red Fox': Exactly."

...

Seeing the flurry of new messages in the chat group, a smile appeared on Song Chi's face.

He was glad both for the news about the "Neutron Star Remains" and for being fortunate enough to join the Shaking Light Star Tower family.

He had long since directed his family to pay a high price for collecting all information on Neutron Star Remains through the duchy. They had happened upon just one portion within the family-governed colonial star domain, then got no further response.

Compared to that, the backing behind the members of the Shaking Light Star Tower was obviously much greater. Little time had passed since he shared his news, yet significant progress was already being made.

Beyond this exalted circle of influence, what was even more extraordinary was the harmonious relations among the Star Tower members.

Securing his token safely away, Song Chi set down the low-level Spatial Law Crystal he had been holding and began to think seriously about another matter.

Ever since obtaining the Double Pupils through the Zhuque Blood Pact, he had been wrestling with a question, a decision he had yet to make.

Although his personal exploration into the myriad mystical abilities of the Double Pupils was still shallow, thanks to the explanation by the Fifth Rank Zhuque Divine Bird from before, he knew these double pupils allowed flawless control over two Powers of Laws up to the Seventh Rank—each eye could perfectly contain a Starry Sea Law.

But therein lay the problem.

The Space Law was something he had long comprehended and chosen as his path.

But what about the second law? How should he choose?

The choice of this second Law had been his quandary for some time.

Considering the strengths of the Shattered Starry Sea Laws, as the strongest among them, the Time Law was slightly more powerful than the Space Law, naturally making time-space cultivation the best option.

However, that was merely the ideal choice. Not to mention how difficult it was to comprehend each Time Law, let alone cultivate two simultaneously.

What Song Chi knew was crucial: the Song Family Town legacy, the Dragon Spine Tyrant Whale inheritance—it all revolved around Light and Space.

In the Dragon Whale Mountain halfway up in the family's Dragon Spine Secret Realm, all secret techniques inscribed in the Dragon Spine Inheritance Stele involve the Laws of Space and Light, and there's also a complete Light of Law Secret Technique Heritage Stele.

Moreover, within the Big Dipper Hall·Shaking Light Star Tower inheritance, the Law of Light is a fundamental law.

Although every Star Master of the Shaking Light Star Tower cultivates various Laws, they all share one commonality—the first fully comprehended Starry Sea Origin Law is always the "Law of Light".

Without going into too much detail, the foundational secret technique of the Shaking Light Star Tower, "Shaking Light Descent," although a universal technique used and practiced by Torch Ship Captains controlling any Law, would have additional might bestowed upon it if followed by a Torch Ship Captain who takes the path of the Law of Light.

Additionally, there's a Light of Law Tree within the Cultivation Secret Realm that could save quite a lot of time in the early stages.

Moreover, for the Double Pupils themselves, the Law of Light is undoubtedly most in tune with this type of Talent Gift.

Based on these considerations, Song Chi clearly ought to choose the Law of Light.

It was precisely because both Time and Light offered distinct advantages that Song Chi had been unable to make a decision.

"Forget it, I'll consult the elder ancestor later. After all, I'm only at Third Rank and my understanding of Origin Laws is too shallow..."

Shaking his head, Song Chi stopped dwelling on the matter and picked up the low-level Spatial Law Crystal again, resuming his contemplation on the Space Law.

...

Time passed, and several months went by.

At the foot of Dragon Spine Sacred Mountain, where the family research institute was located.

As an institution governed by the Internal Affairs Hall, the research institute occupied a sizeable area.

Sealed by multiple high walls and a special Spatial Veil, the institute's core research was stringently confidential to the outside world.

However, as an acknowledged high-ranking member of the family lineage, Song Chi naturally had access to the core areas.

Underground, in Core Research Area 08.

Exclusive testing ground.

Looking at the somewhat incongruous figure standing in the testing ground, Song Chi furrowed his brows.

"Is this the Hellfire Mech developed with the full support of the family? Don't joke!"

No matter how he looked, he couldn't associate the mere hundred-meter-tall flesh mound mech in front of him with the imposing Hellfire Mech he had initially seen.

Of course, these were just his true inner thoughts; he didn't vocalize them so straightforwardly in front of the several high-level family researchers. Otherwise, even as a member of the family hierarchy, Song Chi assured himself that he would be expelled immediately.

After slightly organizing his thoughts, Song Chi spoke up:

"Is this based on the Hellfire Mech from the Dome Sky Mechanical Civilization? Why does it seem quite different from what I saw in those ruins?"

Although he had tried to phrase his comments as tactfully as possible, it still left the faces of the few high-level researchers in front of him tinged with embarrassment.

An elderly clan member responded:

"Time was indeed tight; this is the final product after several simplifications. While the appearance may be unattractive, the performance is still satisfactory."

Saying so, he waved his hand lightly.

Following that, the hatch behind the hundred-meter-tall flesh mound mech slowly closed, and the three regular posture clansmen inside the mech began to move.

A red glow flashed through the mech's eyes, indicating it was activated.

Song Chi then watched as the flesh mound mech, somewhat experienced, walked to the center of the testing ground. Its arms raised, holding specialized nuclear energy firearms that began firing at several dozen Third Rank Alien Species just released into the distance.

In addition to shooting, the mech's shoulder covers opened, and two dark cannons emerged, quickly releasing two Cruiser-Class Tracking Missiles.

Boom Boom!

Two loud explosions burst forth, blasting a significant portion of the incoming dozens of Third Rank Alien Species into minced meat.

However, these Third Rank Alien Species were extremely fast, and the remaining nearly twenty swiftly reached the proximity of the hundred-meter-tall flesh mound mech. Under their terrifying kilometer-size bodies, the smaller mech looked like a toy about to be swatted away at any moment.

But just then, the Flesh Mound Mech's chest-mounted miniaturized controllable nuclear fusion engine operated at full speed. Then, under its legs, strong thrusts emitted from the mech's feet, propelling the mech to soar into the sky, quickly ascending thousands of meters above the testing room.

Below, the more than twenty Third Rank Alien Species could only clumsily chase after it in the sky, but how could they catch up to the fleet-footed Flesh Mound Mech?

Under the continuous barrage of the Flesh Mound Mech, it took less than twenty minutes to subdue all the Third Rank Alien Species.

Seeing this, the elderly researcher stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling with a satisfied smile.

He then turned to the family head projection next to him.

"Family Head, are you satisfied with this test?"

Song Xuancang's projection nodded slightly, but he remained silent, eventually turning his gaze to Song Chi.

"Chi, how do you feel about it?"

Hearing the Family Head shift the discussion to him, and considering the "Dome Sky Brain System" components, Song Chi didn't hold back his thoughts and responded directly:

"Although this replica mech appears cumbersome, its agility and strength are quite decent. Though small at a hundred meters, these mechs are intended primarily for long-range firepower strikes and don't need to engage in close combat, which also saves a substantial amount of material and reduces production costs. However, I personally think that the firepower is still somewhat lacking."

He continued, "From previous tests, it is apparent that the nuclear energy firearms in its hands only have ordinary Third Rank strength, and while the Cruiser-Class Missile is slightly stronger, it is only about half-step Fourth Rank at most. As we are going to face the Robber Star Civilization next, this firepower seems hardly sufficient!"

Despite these concerns voiced partly because of the "Dome Sky Brain System" components, which have a considerable cooldown time once activated—guaranteeing a significant impact—in today's Cang Qiong, Third Rank energy level firepower was clearly inadequate, even with hundreds or thousands of Third Rank missiles firing simultaneously.

Thus, he hoped the research institute could produce mechs with substantially stronger firepower.

Despite voicing his concerns, he was also speaking frankly.

Facing the Robber Star Civilization in the forthcoming great frontier war, renowned for their resilience, weak firepower was indeed problematic.

Upon hearing his words, the elder with white hair didn't respond, but instead, his gaze shifted to the projected form of the family head.

Regardless of the discussion, the final decision was for Song Xuancang to make.

These researchers were well aware of the firepower issue.

However, enhancing the mech's firepower inevitably meant increased financial input, raising the production costs, with subsequent mass production consuming a lot of Floating Land Origin.

Song Xuancang did not remain silent for long. He quickly said:

"This great frontier war is crucial for the rise of the Song family. There's no need for hesitation. Our family's nearly three thousand years of foundation and Floating Land Origin are plentiful. Moreover, once this frontier war is successful, all these investments will be doubled in return!"

Upon hearing this, the several high-level researchers beside him no longer harbored any doubts. A glimmer of joy appeared in their eyes.

The family's willingness to increase research funding was undeniably good news for them.

If they could develop higher rank replica mechs in the end, these researchers were also eligible for substantial rewards.

As individuals who had not yet awakened the Seed of Torch, they might not need much wealth, but the family did offer life-extending spiritual objects in exchange, akin to high-rank components in the eyes of a Torch Ship Captain.

Moreover, they also had children and desired to provide them with better starting points.

Behind them, Song Chi, although not showing it, was also extremely pleased.

As long as the family was willing to increase financial investment, developing more powerful mechs would not be challenging. Thus, once the new type of mechs entered mass production, he only needed to offer a significant amount of Floating Land Origin to give the Cang Qiong another important trump card.

"Please expedite the research as much as possible," he addressed the researchers. "Even once we start production, speeding up mass production will still require time, and we don't have much time left!"

"Please rest assured, Family Head. All members of The Eighth Research Institute will dedicate themselves fully…"

…

PS: My initial outline was focused on light and space; perhaps we should save time for the Dominators to comprehend later?