Stars

The last section of the mountain road was repaired and was smooth and easy to walk on, without any hail-damaged branches blocking the way.

Lu Heng walked steadily and slowly, approaching the Cliffside Shelter step by step. After a whole day of exploring the outer crater, fighting hyenas, and clearing paths in the mountains, his muscles were stiff and his clothes were covered in dust and grass clippings, still faintly smelling of wild animal blood, which felt heavy against his skin.

Reaching the cave entrance, he reached out and grabbed the heavy curtain, pushed it aside, squeezed inside, and then fastened the curtain tightly.

The mountain winds and damp chill of the forest were completely shut out. The cave was sealed off and quiet, with only the lingering coolness of the earthy air from the rock walls, which firmly held one's heart at ease.

Lu Heng first tidied himself up. He splashed water on his arms, neck, and cheeks, wiping away the mud and tiny bloodstains from his exposed skin. He then removed his outdoor grime-stained clothes and put on clean clothes folded aside.

The dry fabric clings to the body, finally allowing the tension and vigilance that has lasted all day to be completely released.

He walked to the inner storage area and took out the two core ores he had obtained from the crater that day.

The moment your fingertips touch the Gravity-Pressing Stone, the sensation is immediately different.

This stone doesn't look very big, and its appearance is just a dark gray rock with a fine, frosted texture. But once it's freed from the constraints of the Storage Space, the surrounding air instantly feels heavier.

An invisible gravitational field quietly spread, and the stone ground beneath one's feet seemed to be slightly compressed, making even breathing a little more difficult. This pressure was not like the violent tearing of a sudden increase in gravity, but rather a uniform, dull, and spreading sense of heaviness. One's limbs and torso felt inexplicably sluggish, and lifting one's hands and feet was more strenuous than usual.

Lu Heng dared not leave it in the open space for too long.

The longer the Gravity-Pressing Stone is left outside, the more likely it is to cause unknown hidden dangers due to gravity disturbances, and even interfere with the stable structure of the Shelter. Without looking at it for long, he confirmed that the ore was intact by the brief touch, and immediately put the Gravity-Pressing Stone and the light-footed Falling Star Sand into the Shelter's Storage Space, quickly locking it shut.

As soon as the storage was closed, the oppressive feeling of gravity that had been pressing down on my body vanished instantly, the air returned to normal, and the sluggishness in my body disappeared completely.

After sorting through the two types of ores, the last Star Chest was revealed in the corner of the storage room.

The box is small and lightweight, with a surface covered in fine, star-like patterns. It feels smooth and warm to the touch, without the cold hardness of rock or the sharpness of metal, unlike any other resource in the wilderness.

Lu Heng stood still, clutching the treasure chest.

This trip to the crater was fraught with danger, including gravitational fields, beast hordes, and close combat. It was already a stroke of luck that he managed to bring back all the spoils. He didn't have any unrealistic expectations; he only hoped that this star resource would genuinely help with their future survival and the stability of their base.

After calming down, he loosened his grip slightly and quietly opened the box.

There were no flashy, spectacular bursts of light.

With a soft click, the lid of the box opened on its own, releasing a faint, silvery-white light that gently blanketed the ground before me. As the light faded, three items were neatly arranged inside.

A clear crystal bead, a small stone pedestal, and a thin scroll shimmering with a pale silver light.

The three items share a common origin, all carrying a very faint Star Force quality. They are gentle and clean, completely distinguishable from the supplies of ferocious wild beasts.

Lu Heng first reached out and picked up the crystal bead.

It feels slightly cool to the touch, has a translucent texture, and a round and regular shape. When rotated in the palm, the dim indoor light shines through the bead, casting fine and even spots of light.

He activated his Wristband and scanned the crystal bead.

A clear entry appeared on the blue screen:

[Star Tear | Bronze Tier]

It can autonomously absorb starlight day and night, and stably condense 100 milliliters of Star Water every day.

Star Water possesses the properties of dispelling evil spirits, purifying the body, and warding off bad luck.

Additional passive effect: Accelerates the growth rate of surrounding plants and inhibits uncontrolled and rampant vegetation growth.

Lu Heng stroked the surface of the bead with his fingertips, quickly calculating in his mind.

His Planting Room is equipped with Sunlight Pearl year-round to stabilize the crops' light and temperature during the day, and Moonlight Pearl at night to regulate humidity and environmental rhythms.

This Star Tear has just been painted.

Starlight purifies the air and dispels gloom, while suppressing excessive plant growth. Sunlight Pearl are responsible for daytime sunlight, Moonlight Pearl manage the nighttime environment, Star Tear mediate and control the balance. The three beads work together to maintain a balance between day and night, instantly making the small ecosystem in the Planting Room orderly and controllable.

After carefully storing the crystal beads, Lu Heng took out the miniature stone pedestal from the box.

The pedestal is about the size of a palm, made of fine and dense stone with simple and regular patterns. It feels heavy and stable in the hand. It has no ostentatious decorations and looks simple, but it has a solemn and calm aura.

After scanning with the Wristband, the following entries pop up:

[Star Altar | Level-less, Unique Item]

The survival of a nation depends on both sacrifices and warfare; the continuation of civilization cannot be achieved without rituals.

Various resources can be offered as star sacrifices, which will trigger a feedback from the star trails. Depending on the quality, type, and rarity of the sacrificed resources, corresponding equipment, materials, and special items will be randomly generated.

Lu Heng stared at the entry for a moment.

Unique and cannot be replicated.

This means he has a completely new and unique way of acquiring resources.

Ordinary hunting, mining, and gathering yield fixed rewards, but sacrificing at the altar is equivalent to having an additional, unknown channel of starlight rewards. Useless resources, surplus materials, and redundant resources that are difficult to manage can all be sacrificed in the future to obtain higher-value output.

He placed the altar on the open stone platform inside the house, making sure it was upright and stable.

Finally, he picked up the silver-patterned scroll from the box.

The moment my fingertips touched the paper, a faint silver light flowed gently along the lines, the texture light yet exceptionally refined.

The Wristband finally refreshed to display complete information, clarifying all traits:

[Starlight Meditation Method]

Abandon shallow breathing and use the Star Force to concentrate the mind and spirit.

Practicing this Meditation Method can slowly cultivate your own starlight Mental Energy, keeping your mind clear and lucid.

Spiritual power inherently possesses the properties of dispelling evil and suppressing spirits, capable of autonomously dispelling surrounding supernatural and malevolent energy, breaking through various illusions and illusions, and resisting mental intrusion.

When one focuses their mind, a faint starlight halo surrounds the body, which has a natural restraining effect on interference from evil spirits, entities, and illusions, stabilizing the mind and preventing external evils from disturbing the spirit.

Lu Heng held the book in his hand, quietly contemplating it.

Along the way, the wilderness is not only filled with wild beasts, hail, and gravity-related dangers, but also with inexplicable gloom, eeriness, and unknown supernatural phenomena.

In the past, he could only survive by relying on equipment and caution. Now, this Meditation Method has made up for his shortcomings in mental strength, warding off evil, and dispelling illusions from the root.

All three items have been inspected.

The Star Tear, placed in the center alongside the Sunlight Pearl and Moonlight Pearl, regulate the planting environment and purify the energy field; the altar opens up a unique path for resource acquisition; the Starlight Meditation Method stabilizes the mind and dispels evil interference.

A perilous journey through a meteorite crater, three profound insights into the starry sky.

Lu Heng composed himself and focused his gaze on the three new items, gradually clarifying the order of their placement, study, and trial use.