Enhancement

Ning Chuan gripped the wooden shaft of the Nine-Toothed Rake tightly, sweat beading faintly in his palm as his gaze remained fixed on the strange corpse and damaged pod that had been dragged to the edge of the platform.

After the palpitations subsided, an even stronger curiosity and urge to investigate surged within him.

What could these creations and lifeforms from an unknown world bring him?

Ning Chuan examined them carefully.

The silver-gray metal pod was severely damaged, as though it had endured a violent impact or explosion. Its edges were twisted and covered in scorch marks.

The shriveled alien corpse remained frozen in a twisted, struggling posture. Its massive head lolled to one side, its vicious mouthparts hanging open, as if it had suffered immense agony before death.

The material of its uniform was unusual. Where it had torn, dark-purple chitinous armor showed beneath, gleaming with an unsettling oily sheen.

"Station," Ning Chuan silently asked, "analyze these objects and assess their recycling value and risks."

"Scanning..."

"Target A: Unknown alloy pod fragments. Material: High-toughness Titanium-Tantalum Superconducting Composite Alloy (light psionic contamination). Condition: Severely damaged. Energy circuits ruptured. Psionic properties dissipated by 99%. Value: Low. Can be decomposed and recycled into basic spirit-conducting metal materials."

"Target B: Unknown humanoid biological corpse. Race: Preliminary identification indicates a Zerg Race Worker Drone variant (low-level psionic lifeform). Condition: Life information completely dissipated. Cellular activity reduced to zero. Chitin and biological tissue retain residual activity (an extremely low chance of carrying Inert Spores; platform defenses can isolate them). Value: Low. Can be decomposed and recycled into Biomass Essence and chitin-based materials."

"Target C: Damaged psionic fiber uniform. Condition: Psionic patterns ruptured. Protective properties lost. Value: Extremely low. Can be decomposed and recycled into basic fibers."

"Overall assessment: Low risk, low value. Recommended for delivery to the Decomposition and Recycling Beam."

A flood of information entered Ning Chuan's mind, giving him a clear understanding of this pile of "junk."

"Zerg Race? Worker Drone? Psionics?" These unfamiliar terms made him realize just how vast and strange the myriad worlds were.

"The value isn't high, but neither is the risk. Perfect for practice."

Without further hesitation, he carefully used the rake to gather all the fragments, including the alien corpse, into a single pile. Then he looked around the platform for the so-called Decomposition and Recycling Beam.

He soon discovered a circular, intricate design about a meter across in a designated area near the platform's center. It resembled the patterns beneath his feet, only denser, with a shallow groove at its center.

"Please place the items to be decomposed within the recycling area," the prompt sounded at just the right moment.

Following the instruction, Ning Chuan laboriously used the rake to push, pry, and drag the heavy pile of fragments into the circular area bit by bit.

When the last fragment entered the area—

Buzz!

The patterns along the circular area's edge suddenly lit up in a brilliant azure glow, forming a cylindrical curtain of light that enveloped everything within its range.

Within the light, the metal fragments, alien corpse, and damaged uniform seemed to be lifted by an invisible force, floating at the center of the beam.

Then Ning Chuan watched as they began to break down and dissolve at a speed visible to the naked eye!

The metal fragments melted like ice and snow beneath the sun, turning into liquid metal streams that shimmered silver-gray as their impurities were stripped away and vaporized.

The alien corpse was even stranger. Its shriveled flesh and chitin rapidly withered and carbonized, ultimately turning into a stream of pale-green viscous vapor and a small pinch of crystalline purple powder.

The uniform broke down into several strands of extremely fine silver thread.

The entire process was quiet, efficient, and carried an icy sense of technology.

In just a few breaths, every item within the beam vanished completely.

The azure curtain of light then went out.

"Decomposition and recycling complete."

"Obtained: Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot x3 (Quality: Common)."

"Obtained: Biomass Essence x1 (Unit)."

"Obtained: Zerg Chitin Powder x1 (Unit)."

"Obtained: Basic Psionic Fiber x2 (Units)."

"Based on the assessed value of recycled items, awarded points: 15."

"Current total points: 15."

Several items appeared out of thin air in the recessed groove beneath the beam: three palm-sized silver-gray metal blocks in neat rectangular shapes, faint light flowing across their surfaces.

There was also a sealed, semi-transparent container holding a slowly writhing pale-green gelatinous substance.

A small crystal vial filled with delicate purple powder.

And two rolls of silver thread glimmering with faint light.

The number in the points bar had also changed from 0 to 15.

"It worked!" Ning Chuan was delighted. Though the points were few, this was a breakthrough from nothing to something!

And these materials... they sounded like they might be useful.

He stepped forward and curiously picked up a Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot.

It felt slightly heavy and cold in his hand, and he could sense an extremely faint flow of energy within it.

"Station, what are these materials used for? And what can points do?"

"Materials may be used to 'fuse' and enhance existing equipment (requires the corresponding blueprint or points to analyze it), to 'forge' new equipment (requires blueprints), or directly exchanged for points (worth approximately 70% of their recycling value)."

"Points may be used in the Shop to exchange for recycled and decomposed items, blueprints, and information, or to pay for functions such as 'analysis' and 'repair.'"

"Notice: The Station Master's permission level is too low. The list of items available in the Shop is restricted. Please raise your permission level as soon as possible."

"Fusion? Forging?" Ning Chuan's eyes flickered as he looked at the crude Nine-Toothed Rake in his hand.

"Can these materials be used to enhance this rake? For example, make it sturdier or longer?"

"Request accepted."

"Option One: Simple Enhancement. Consume Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot x1. Fuse it into the connection between the rake head and shaft, slightly increasing overall sturdiness and toughness while slightly extending effective reach (+0.5 meters). Point cost: 5."

"Option Two: Basic Enchantment. Consume Biomass Essence x1 and Zerg Chitin Powder x1. Grant the rake teeth weak corrosive properties (a slight penetrating effect against low-level energy defenses and biological chitin). Point cost: 8."

"Option Three: Spirit Conduction. Consume Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot x2 and Basic Psionic Fiber x1. Modify the rake shaft so that it can weakly conduct Soul Power, slightly improving handling and strength. Point cost: 10."

"Please choose."

It could do that too? Ning Chuan was overjoyed.

The Recycling Station's functions were far more powerful than he had imagined!

After a brief consideration, he chose Options One and Three.

Extending his attack range and improving its sturdiness were the most practical benefits for now. Being able to conduct Soul Power was an unexpected delight, and perhaps he could develop special uses for it in the future. The corrosive property was not particularly necessary at the moment.

"Execute Options One and Three!"

"Command confirmed. Consuming Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot x3, Basic Psionic Fiber x1, and 15 points."

"Enhancement beginning."

A soft white light rose once more in the center of the platform, enveloping the Nine-Toothed Rake in Ning Chuan's hand along with the materials.

Within the white light, Ning Chuan watched the Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingots melt like liquid and seep into the rake's iron teeth and wooden shaft. The shaft in particular became covered in an extremely thin network of silver-gray metallic veins, while the Basic Psionic Fibers wound around it like nerves before ultimately merging into it completely.

The process ended quickly.

As the white light faded, a completely renewed rake appeared in his hand.

It was clearly more than half a meter longer, bringing its total length close to four meters!

The shaft's once rough surface had become smooth and comfortable to grip, possessing a unique texture that blended metal and wood. It seemed slightly heavier as well, but its weight was more evenly distributed.

The rake head and iron teeth gleamed with a cold silver-gray luster, looking far sturdier and more durable.

Most marvelous of all, when Ning Chuan instinctively injected a thread of Soul Power into the shaft, the silver-gray veins faintly lit up. His Soul Power truly flowed through the entire shaft without obstruction, reaching the tips of the rake teeth!

Though he could not project it outward, it raised his control over the rake to another level. It truly moved like an extension of his arm!

"Fine treasure!" Ning Chuan could barely put it down as he swung the enhanced rake once. Even the sound of it cutting through the air was more forceful.

His points had returned to zero, but his tool had been upgraded. The investment was worth it!

Filled with renewed drive, Ning Chuan turned his gaze once more toward the endless Junk Ocean beyond the platform.

With a weapon in hand, killing intent arose!