Post-Apocalyptic Survival Modpack

Chapter 61: Studying the Constellations
"These insects are invaluable treasures, from their shells and flesh to their internal fluids."

At Imperial Capital University, a master of magical arts muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming.

Before him lay the insect's body, flesh, and internal organs, dismantled into pieces.

He began taking notes on paper.

"This stomach pouch, which can store acid, has excellent properties: it is corrosion-resistant, has high elongation, and is highly elastic, and can replace many expensive alchemical raw materials."

"This shell... is not only hard and tough, but also very active, possessing certain contradictory characteristics, making it a rare and excellent material."

"And flesh and blood."

The wielder's pupils dilated uncontrollably as he looked at the black liquid extracted from the insect's flesh and blood.

"It is rich in energy and highly versatile. With just a few simple processes, a few drops of extract can be transformed into a large amount of magic."

"Let's call it 'Magic Energy Element'."

"These aren't pests that gnaw on the ground and eat stones, they're treasures!"

The magician excitedly recorded the experiment, and a moment later, rushed out the door and headed straight for the upper floors of the academy.

In the end, the report was handed over to a high-ranking sorcerer.

"Oh?"

"really?"

He immediately began his own experiment.

Clearly, this high-level magician discovered something more.

"It's truly a gift from the earth!"

"Go catch the bugs! Send people to catch them, catch as many as you can, and extract all of them to generate magical energy!"

"Breakthroughs in alchemy require them!"

With an order issued, the empire launched a massive hunt.

A few, or rather a very small number of individuals, expressed their opposition, but this tiny voice was utterly insignificant and no one paid any attention to it.

A large number of people were sent south to kill the insects.

Meanwhile, the post-disaster recovery efforts in the capital were delayed once again.

Many corpses were not properly disposed of, and as they rotted, they bred numerous germs.

Soon.

The plague began to spread among the lower classes of the capital.

However, few people paid attention; amidst the ruins and the streets filled with wailing, only a few busy figures could be seen occasionally.

"Cough, cough..."

An elderly man coughed and frowned as he handed out the medicine in his hand.

"This illness is really difficult to treat."

"Ugh--"

With a sigh, the old man suddenly remembered a child he had let go in Tieshi Town many years ago.

"I wonder how that child is doing."

"I heard that the Baggett family was destroyed by their enemies, so that child probably doesn't need to run away anymore."

"That's someone born with the ability to warp reality. If another great mage could emerge..."

"Sigh, I'm daydreaming again. I'm really getting old."

The old man shook his head and sighed heavily again.

As he watched the flies flying overhead, he suddenly thought of the decree issued by the empire some time ago targeting the extermination of insects in the south.

"It is foolish to act rashly without understanding something."

"I don't even know if anyone has read my proposal."

The answer is obvious.

...

"If they like to eat it, then let them eat it."

Near the southern border of the territory, a large number of stone-making machines were built, producing a continuous stream of stones, which were then fed to the insects.

In the newly established 'Underground Insect Research Institute', Wang Ji watched as the insects ate him until he was stuffed, then stopped eating and began to create a soft crystal.

Don't worry about how it was manufactured.

Importantly, this thing, with some simple processing, can be used to extract a large amount of energy, including but not limited to magic.

This extract was later called 'Magic Element'.

The insects suddenly seemed to have become useful.

As for the specifics of how to do it, we still need to discuss it.

Some people expressed their concerns, saying that these insects have great potential, as they eat almost anything and could potentially devour the world if left unchecked, thus proposing a military extermination effort.

Wang Ji waved his hand dismissively and then said the same thing he had just said.

If you like it, then eat it.

Not enough to eat?
Let's talk about my stone-generating machine and automatic farm.

How could this thing be missing?
Let them eat as much as they want, so they can produce more crystals.

However… “it’s not really that useful.”

Looking at the pitch-black magical energy in his hand, Wang Ji shook his head.

Due to various characteristics, perpetual motion machines have already been developed in several forms, energy is inexhaustible, and all kinds of basic resources can be obtained through grinding.

The only advantage of this magical element is its relatively high magical density and strong explosive power.

Even if we take a step back, the efficiency of obtaining magical energy by feeding insects is not low at all, so there is no need to exterminate them.

The strategy was set: eat and drink as usual, and have no interesting interactions with the insects.

[Global awareness: 20%]

After completing this part of the research, Wang Ji continued to work on his new project.

Starlight Magic.

This module primarily uses constellations as its power source, storing the stellar energy emitted by constellations through minerals born from stellar energy, such as aquamarine and crystal, in order to obtain various mystical powers.

A month has passed since the module was materialized.

Since then, Wang Ji built a place to develop starlight magic on the spot in the square that was hit by the meteorite, and then discovered newly formed minerals beneath the earth.

After this period of development, graduation was also the time to begin.

The greatest benefit of Star Magic to Wang Ji is its 'Star Power'.

On a night when the constellation of the zodiac was particularly dazzling, Wang Ji stood on the resonance altar and infused the power of the constellation into his body.

This completed the activation of Star Power.

The condition for upgrading the Archer's Formation is simply to be attacked; that's quite simple.

Wang Ji quickly maxed out his Star Ability level, illuminating stars along the way. In addition to gaining hidden resistance attributes, he also unlocked an ultimate passive effect:
The Phoenix's Blessing

"To have a chance to be reborn from the ashes."

Once this star ability is activated, Wang Ji can revive on the spot once unconditionally when his health reaches zero, with a cooldown of only half a minute.

Only half a minute!
In other words, if Wang Ji can survive for more than 30 seconds after each resurrection, then he is an immortal being.

After unlocking the resurrection option, Wang Ji allocated the remaining points, gaining several noteworthy special effects.

【Arc Chain + Arc Light Chain】Attacks generate chain lightning (the latter effect: the lightning bounces four more times).

[Life Drain] Converts 1.5% of damage dealt into health.

[Infinite Power] Infinite +1 (Automatically adds an 'Infinite' enchantment to any weapon you are holding).

【Cursed Touch】When attacking, there is a chance to inflict poison, decay, or greatly weaken the enemy.

In addition to his star power, Wang Ji also crafted another piece of equipment.

Starry Cloak.

This cape can gain different abilities by drawing on the power of different constellations.

For example, the constellation of Arcanism, after absorbing the power of this constellation, can form a barrier every 30 seconds that can be immune to one attack, and can be stacked up to 3.

For example, the Life-Giving Seat can automatically restore satiety and turn weeds under its feet into crops and saplings.

Many of them are very useful, but Wang Ji is most envious of one.

Clock Stand

"When attacked or in a dangerous situation, freeze everything around you for 9 seconds. Cooldown: 50 seconds."

Time to stop!

This is time stop, and a full nine seconds of time stop!
Upon seeing this special effect, Wang Ji was practically drooling.

It's a pity that this star-studded cloak can't be worn together with the cloud-patterned robe; you have to choose one or the other.

The former is inferior to the latter in both armor value and functionality.

Therefore, Wang Ji simply calculated the time and made one of each of the star-patterned cloaks he could at night as a backup plan.

A powerful astral energy swirled around the cloak, flowing through it like an electric current, but its source could not be found.

Although you can't wear them together, it's good to switch them up depending on the situation to trigger the function.

At certain moments, these cloaks can surely give the enemy a big surprise.

Starlight Magic has now graduated.

Wang Ji is now terrifyingly strong.

Any attack, whether it's a punch, a bare hand, or a spell, will immediately summon a bunch of arcs of electricity that jump around among the enemies, up to four times.

As the electric arc jumps, the enemy will be weakened or have multiple poison/wither buffs applied.

While fighting, Wang Ji will also absorb blood to restore his life.

Even if you really can't win, you can put on the Clockwork Cloak and trigger a full nine seconds of time stop.

For nine seconds, Wang Ji couldn't think of anything that could stop him.

With this time, whether you pile up a super high density of attacks to instantly kill the enemy, build a portal on the spot to escape, or do both one after the other, it's all good.

Even if you don't make good use of those nine seconds, you still have one more chance to be reborn on the spot and start over.

If you can survive for even half a minute, you can be revived.

At this moment, Wang Ji felt exceptionally at ease.

Who can kill me now?
Who can kill me?
(End of this chapter)