I was just fishing, how did I become a Great Old One?

Jianghai City, Deep Blue Plaza.

The chilly autumn wind swirled fallen leaves through the streets, but the entrance to Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant remained bustling with activity. Their newly launched Spider Silk Thermal Underwear had become a city-wide sensation; even Ao Bing, the dragon security guard responsible for maintaining order at the entrance, secretly wore one under his uniform, thoroughly enjoying its impenetrable warmth.

However, the atmosphere in the chairman's office on the top floor was somewhat heavy.

Jiang Li was looking at a long bill and worrying about it.

"What's going on? Why is this month's electricity bill so high? Five million? Did the power company install the meter at the nuclear power plant?"

Jiang Li slammed her hand on the table, her heart aching with pain.

Although he now earns a fortune and is worth hundreds of millions, his thrifty and frugal nature remains unchanged. In his view, money can be spent on food and gifts for his sister, but it should never be spent on "unnecessary" things like electricity bills.

"Boss, there's nothing we can do about it."

Liu Wei (Chief Engineer and Logistics Supervisor) explained with a bitter face, "The equipment in our shop is too power-consuming. Look, that ultra-low temperature cold storage for preserving the ancient sashimi is a real power hog; and that stabilizer that powers the Wind Agent (humanoid air conditioner) is also extremely energy-intensive; plus that newly built 'Deep Blue Weaving' textile factory, with dozens of fully automatic textile machines running day and night..."

"The most crucial thing is..."

Liu Wei pointed to the glass cylinder (Miguel G.'s brain) on the coffee table.

"This thing is currently undergoing some kind of 'Global Psionic Network Monitoring Upgrade,' with its computing power at full capacity. It's practically a supercomputing center; the meters are practically spinning out of control."

Jiang Li turned to look at the cylinder containing the brain.

"You idiot! Why are you upgrading for no reason? Graphics cards don't cost money, do they?"

A red light flashed in my brain, and a wronged electronic voice rang out: "Buzz... Boss, this is to better find ingredients for you... no, to find potential threats."

"Stop talking nonsense! Quickly come up with a way to save electricity!"

Jiang Li tapped impatiently on the glass wall. "You aliens have such advanced technology, don't you have any 'perpetual motion machines' or anything like that? Or light bulbs that can light up without being plugged in?"

"Perpetual motion machines... violate the laws of thermodynamics..."

The brain paused for a moment, seemingly searching its database, "However, if you need high-density clean energy, or some kind of self-replicating 'bio-battery,' I do have a recommendation."

"Oh? Tell me about it!" Jiang Li became interested.

"Deep in the Dabie Mountains, 500 kilometers away from Jianghai City, there is a place called 'Kujing Village'."

The brain projects a holographic map, marked with a red high-energy reaction point.

"Decades ago, a strange meteorite fell into the well there. Since then, the plants there have grown wildly and emitted an eerie light, but the animals and humans have gradually weakened."

"Based on energy spectrum analysis, it is an interstellar energy creature called [Starry Sky]."

"It is a pure life energy entity, without a physical form, yet possessing inexhaustible energy. If it can be captured and encapsulated, it would be a perfect, inexhaustible super battery."

"The Colors of Stars?"

Jiang Li stroked his chin, and images of vibrant colors and dazzling light flashed through his mind.

"Sounds like a neon light that's come to life?"

"It doesn't need electricity, it lights up on its own, and it can even be used as a battery... Isn't this the 'miracle light bulb' I've been looking for?!"

Jiang Li slapped his thigh and stood up excitedly.

"Okay! That's the one!"

"Our square's nighttime lighting project is lacking something special. If we hung this on the streetlights, it would definitely be the coolest thing ever!"

"Liu Wei! Get the car ready! We're going to get supplies! This time I'm going to borrow all the electricity... no, I mean all the light from that village!"

……

Kujing Village, as its name suggests, is a desolate village filled with a sense of death and the bizarre.

When Jiang Li's Unimog SUV rolled over the withered yellow weeds and stopped at the entrance of the village, it was already dusk.

The scene here is very eerie.

It was late autumn, yet the surrounding vegetation was unusually lush, the leaves a sickly grayish-green, and the enormous flowers bloomed in a flamboyant and distorted manner, swaying in the wind as if whispering secrets.

In stark contrast, the village was lifeless.

Most of the houses had collapsed, and the walls were covered with a thick layer of gray dust. There were no insects or small animals on the ground, not even birdsong, only a low-frequency buzzing sound that made your ears ring.

"Boss, this place... the radiation levels are off the charts."

Liu Wei looked at the Geiger counter in his hand, which was alarming wildly, and his face turned pale. "Moreover, this radiation is not nuclear radiation, but a kind of life-plundering force field that I have never seen before."

"What are you afraid of? We have protective suits."

Jiang Li jumped out of the car, wearing her own newly produced [Dark Blue Spider Silk Thermal Underwear] (fireproof, theft-proof, and radiation-proof version).

He took a deep breath.

"Cough cough! The air is full of dust, it's choking my throat."

Jiang Li waved her hand dismissively, "But the plants here are really growing well, they're all quite big. Look at that apple, it's as big as a watermelon."

He pointed to a dead old tree by the roadside, on which hung several enormous, pale apples.

"It looks quite thirst-quenching."

Jiang Li was a woman of action. She walked over, picked one, wiped it on her clothes, and took a bite.

"Boss! Don't eat it! It might be poisonous!" Liu Wei exclaimed.

"Snap!"

Jiang Li had already taken a bite.

Then, his face instantly scrunched up.

"Ptooey! Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey!"

He spat out the fruit from his mouth.

"What a lousy apple! It tastes like chewing ash! It's completely dry and terribly bitter!"

Jiang Li angrily threw the apple on the ground, and it shattered into ashes upon landing.

"All that glitters is not gold; it's rotten inside! This village's farming skills are terrible; they're all just superficially impressive!"

He shook his head, losing interest in the local "specialties".

"Big Yellow, get to work! Find that glowing thing!"

"Woof!"

Wearing a specially made protective suit (like an astronaut dog), Dahuang twitched its nose twice and then ran straight towards an ancient well in the center of the village.

The vegetation around that well was the most lush, yet also the most twisted. Vines coiled around the well curb like snakes, their leaves emitting a faint glow.

"In that well?"

Jiang Li walked over and peered down into the well.

The well was very deep and pitch black.

But in the deepest darkness, there seemed to be a color that could not be described in words flowing slowly.

That wasn't red, blue, or green. It was the color of the starry sky—brilliant, eerie, yet brimming with a deadly allure.

【The Color Out of Space】

It is currently in a dormant period, waiting for the moment of maturity to fly into the starry sky.

"Wow! What beautiful neon lights!"

Jiang Li's eyes lit up. "This color is so pure! If it were on a signboard, it would be visible even during the day!"

"And look at this light, it moves! It's shimmering with iridescent colors!"

The more he looked at it, the more he liked it.

"I'm taking this battery! Liu Wei, get a bucket! We need to fetch water... no, we need to fill it with water!"

"Boss... this thing looks alive..."

Although Liu Wei was scared, he still handed over a specially made lead bucket (originally used to store nuclear waste).

"Live better! Living means you have plenty of energy!"

Jiang Li tied the bucket to the rope and slowly lowered it down.

"Hey! You down there! Wake up! Wake up! Come with me to the city and enjoy a life of luxury! Food and lodging included, and no electricity bills!"

Just as the bucket was about to touch the water's surface (or rather, the smooth surface).

"Buzz—!!!"

The patch of color at the bottom of the well suddenly erupted.

It sensed a threat, or perhaps it sensed... the immense, coveted life force within the creature above.

A dazzling beam of light shot out of the well and instantly enveloped Jiang Li!

"Boss!" Liu Wei was so startled that he fell to the ground with a thud.

That's life being absorbed!

Any creature illuminated by this light will have its life force instantly drained, turning it into a dried-up corpse!

however.

In the center of that blinding light, Jiang Li remained standing steadily.

He even stretched and yawned.

"Hmm? This light... it feels warm and cozy on my body, kind of like I'm having a physical therapy session?"

Jiang Li felt his cells cheering, as if the light was not only not draining his life, but was actually recharging him.

(Actually, it was because Jiang Li's energy level was too high. When Xing Zhicai tried to absorb him, it was like trying to suck up the ocean with a straw. Not only could she not absorb it, but she was also filled up by the high pressure from the backflow.)

"Sizzle sizzle—"

The beam of light emitted a hissing sound as if it were struggling to keep up with the strain, and its color flickered, as if it were experiencing some kind of... indigestion?

"Is that all you've got? It looks impressive, but it's just a facade?"

Jiang Li was somewhat disappointed. "The voltage isn't very stable. Will this even work?"

He reached out and grabbed directly at the ball of light.

"Freeze it!"

Jiang Li's palm was covered with an invisible force of rules—[Everything can be grabbed] (a concept he learned from claw machines).

He actually managed to grab that invisible energy ball in his hand!

It felt smooth to the touch, like grabbing a handful of jelly, or like grabbing a clump of electrified cloud.

"squeak--!!!"

The Starry Night emitted a scream that could only be heard on a spiritual level.

It was horrified to discover that it could not escape from the human's grasp! That hand was like an insulator, or a black hole, firmly locking its body in place.

"Why are you running around? I already told you I'd take you to enjoy life!"

Jiang Li squeezed hard.

"Pfft!"

The star's color was shaped into a sphere.

"This feels so relaxing, like squeezing popping boba."

Jiang Li, feeling playful, began to knead the terrifying creature that struck fear into the hearts of cosmic civilizations like dough.

"Alright, stop fooling around, go inside the bucket!"

He stuffed the starlight into the specially made lead bucket, then slammed the lid shut and welded it in place.

"Done! We're done!"

Jiang Li clapped his hands and lifted the heavy bucket.

"This battery is quite heavy; it should last a long time."

Liu Wei watched in stunned silence.

Grab an energy body with your bare hands?

You're complaining about the voltage being unstable?

Boss, you're the real human nuclear power plant!

"By the way, there seems to be something at the bottom of this well?"

Jiang Li didn't rush to leave; he looked into the well again.

Although Xingzhicai was captured, a faint light still emanated from the bottom of the well.

"Big Yellow, go down and check! Are there any more 'power banks' or 'minerals' or anything like that?"

"Woof!"

Big Yellow plunged down.

After a while.

It leaped up, carrying a fist-sized stone that emitted a strange color.

The stone's surface was pitted and uneven, yet it had a metallic texture and felt slightly hot to the touch.

【Starry Meteorite Core】(S-grade energy ore).

This is the vessel from which the Starry Night descends, and also its egg, containing an extremely high concentration of radiant energy.

"Wow! This stone is nice! It looks like a large luminous pearl!"

Jiang Li took it and tossed it in his hand.

"This thing is warm, it would be great to keep it close to your body as a hand warmer in winter."

"Besides, this color is so festive! Putting it on the cashier counter will definitely bring good fortune!"

He casually stuffed the meteorite into his pocket.

"This trip was worthwhile; we not only got batteries, but also found a gem. Let's go home! We'll treat everyone to a nice meal tonight!"

……

Back in Jianghai City.

The Deep Blue Plaza was graced by a spectacular "lighting ceremony" that captivated the entire city at night.

Jiang Li installed the special container containing the [Starry Color] on top of the [Star Pillar] in the center of the square.

"Power on!...No, consecrate!"

As the container's gate opens.

"Buzz—!!!"

A dazzling, indescribable, multicolored light instantly illuminated the entire square and even reddened half of the night sky over Jianghai City.

The light was not dazzling, but rather had a dreamlike softness.

Pedestrians bathed in this light did not have their life force drained; instead, they felt invigorated and their fatigue vanished.

(Because Jiang Li added a layer of [rune filter] to the outside of the container, only allowing light to pass through, thus filtering out the harmful absorption properties.)

Wow! It's so beautiful!

"What kind of lighting technology is this? Is it a holographic projection?"

"It felt like watching the aurora borealis!"

Citizens took out their phones to take photos and check in.

Deep Blue Plaza has once again become a trending topic.

Meanwhile, in one corner of the square, Jiang Li was drinking celebratory wine with Wang Ergou and others.

"Boss, this light is really good, it's bright and saves electricity."

Looking at the enormous "magic lamp," Wang Ergou exclaimed in admiration, "This will save us millions in electricity bills every month!"

"That's right, it's clean energy."

Jiang Li took a sip of the Moon Tree Wine and was in a great mood.

"but……"

He took out the meteorite core he had brought back from the bottom of the well.

"I always felt that this stone must have other uses besides shining and generating heat."

Jiang Li stared at the stone for a while.

"Look at this thing, won't it change color if it's soaked in water?"

He had a sudden inspiration and threw the meteorite into a glass of water.

"Sizzle—"

The water boiled instantly, then turned into a dreamy, starry blue, still bubbling.

A scent similar to that of an energy drink wafted out.

"Hmm? This smell..."

Jiang Li took a bite.

"Sweet and sour? A bit like... a sports drink?"

"And after drinking it, I feel full of energy! Isn't this just an enhanced version of Red Bull?!"

Jiang Li's business radar is activated once again.

"Ergou! Stop drinking! Write this down!"

"We're developing a new drink! We'll call it—'Starry Sky Energy Water'!"

"Main effects: Refreshing, anti-fatigue, and even makes your body glow (although only temporarily)! It's guaranteed to be a bestseller!"

Wang Ergou: "..."

Are they selling nuclear-radiated meteorites soaked in water?

Boss, you're pushing the boundaries of legality!

But seeing the certainty in Jiang Li's eyes, he could only nod: "Okay... okay, boss. As long as it doesn't kill anyone."

"Don't worry, I've tried it all. It won't kill you. At most, it'll just make you a little excited and unable to sleep at night. Perfect for those who work overtime or are into cultivating immortality!"

Jiang Li was very confident in the results of testing the poison on himself.

……

Just as Jiang Li was busy planning the launch of new products.

Across the ocean.

Miskatonic University, restricted book section of the library.

An elderly professor (not Miller, but another, even more old-fashioned one) who was studying ancient books suddenly saw a news report from the East.

The accompanying photo in the news article is of the dazzling "Starry Night Streetlight" in Deep Blue Plaza.

"puff--"

The old professor sprayed a mouthful of coffee onto the precious parchment scroll.

"My God...that's...that's the color of the stars?!"

"That terrifying cosmic creature, capable of destroying a town... is being used as... a street lamp?!"

"What's wrong with this world? Is this still the Cthulhu universe I know, full of despair and the unknown?"

The old professor trembled as he took off his glasses.

"No, I have to go to the East! I need to find that old man Miller and get to the bottom of this!"

"I heard he's having a great time working as a waiter there? Is there some kind of magic to it?"

A seed named "curiosity" and "foodie" has quietly sprouted in the hearts of many more people.

The legend of Deep Blue Seafood Restaurant is spreading throughout the world.