At the same time.
Like countless writhing tentacles stretched out by an octopus, the radiant tendrils condensed behind Xu Fu's back, shooting outward in all directions.
The shimmering clusters of light, like dandelion fluff drifting through a spring breeze, floated gently—only to be caught by those tentacles and drawn into Xu Fu's body, vanishing completely.
At that exact moment, the crimson mountains of the green planet around him began to fade visibly before the naked eye.
Even the outermost mountain ridges collapsed and crumbled, turning into mounds of dust and gravel.
"Is this… the conversion of cosmic energy?"
Xu Fu opened his eyes, watching the changes around him, a knowing glint flickering in his gaze.
He murmured softly to himself,
"It seems that at this stage, the energy conversion only absorbs a certain range of mineral energy bodies…"
"For higher forms of bio-energy, there's little reaction."
Indeed—because the surrounding mountains contained rich mineral energy, they were directly absorbed by Xu Fu's newly acquired Cosmic Energy Connection Machine.
The green grass beneath his feet, however, remained untouched.
It was clear: Xu Fu had yet to fully comprehend this cosmic-level artifact.
If his control deepened, not only mineral energy—but light, life force, and even the vital essence of living creatures could all be devoured by it.
But for now, he had only just obtained it.
Even so, Xu Fu was more than satisfied.
The corners of his mouth curved upward as he lifted his gaze toward the vast sky.
"At least for now…" he smiled faintly, "with this Cosmic Energy Connection Machine, whatever comes next—at the very least—I'll never have to fear anything again."
The first thought that entered Xu Fu's mind after obtaining the Cosmic Energy Connection Machine was simple:
Do nothing rashly.
Then came the crisp mechanical chime.
[Ding! Host's strength has broken through—power increased tenfold from previous critical value!]
Hearing this, Xu Fu frowned slightly and opened his System Panel, feeling the shifts within his body.
[Host: Xu Fu]Age: 19Strength: 4Constitution: 3314Spirit: 3075Energy: 3208
Location: [Fishpond - Milky Way - Chai Su Star]
Items:Dark Divine Book, Time Gem Fragment, VIX Fishing Rod (Transcendent Fishing Rod), X-Factor Inhibitor, Sealed Green Lantern Ring (5th Layer), Nitrogen Starship, Superhuman Creature Suit, Supreme Magic Book, Cosmic-Grade Fishing Bait
Skills:Superhuman Body (Silver Stage), Pupil of the Nine Realms, Clown Thinking Network (Ascending Dimension 5), Portal (Galaxy), Frozen Breath, Flight, X-Ray Vision, Heat Vision, Nabu's Divine Power (Level 4), Cosmic Energy Connection Machine (Beginner)
Abilities Pending Unlock:Nabu's Divine Power Extension, Super Speed, Telepathy, Object Levitation, Danger Prediction, Immunity to Disease
Xu Fu smiled faintly as he read through the stats.
"So this Cosmic Energy Connection Machine actually broke the bronze bottleneck of my Superhuman Body… pushing it directly into the Silver Stage."
"Even if it's only the early stage, it's still a real leap forward."
All his attributes had improved dramatically.
He chuckled softly.
"Heh, my first interstellar voyage and I already gained such a breakthrough. Seems like I'll have to come out and 'play' more often in the future."
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Mental Power +166]
After examining his newly strengthened abilities, Xu Fu returned to Chai Su Xing and resumed fishing.
This time, unlike his quick trip to Kamar-Taj, the system took more than two or three days to refresh the fish pond coordinates.
A faint premonition grew in Xu Fu's heart.
Judging from the system's usual temperament… it seemed that the situation on Chai Su Star wasn't over yet.
And the one most likely to stir up trouble again—was none other than the Devourer of Planets, master of the Silver Slider.
Thus, Xu Fu continued fishing on Chai Su Xing for over ten days.
But aside from the cosmic octopus and the Cosmic Energy Connection Machine he'd caught earlier, everything else he reeled in was basically air.
Fortunately, since this was a cosmic-level fishing pond, each daily sign-in still granted him hefty rewards—each one adding hundreds of attribute points at a time.
Swish!
Xu Fu skillfully lowered the bait into the tranquil pond, sitting on a small stool while his trusty maid Monday gently massaged his shoulders.
Compared to Jarvis, who had been reborn as Vision, or Friday, who could only respond with limited commands—Monday was perfection itself.
And more importantly, Monday wasn't just intelligent—she could multitask.
While Xu Fu relaxed and fished, Monday was already using her built-in abilities to create several small mechanical followers to handle various chores.
A few of these robots were busy catching prey and roasting them over makeshift fires nearby.
The materials for these robots came from the wreckage of the Guardians of the Galaxy spaceship.
After all, inside that ship was a raccoon who loved collecting mechanical parts—so spare limbs and weapons were abundant.
With the combined databases of Stark Industries and the Zirita AI, Monday's capabilities far surpassed ordinary AIs.
She had even integrated fragments of Ultron's consciousness technology, allowing her to distribute thought and control multiple units simultaneously.
"Tick!""Tick!""Tick!"
Suddenly, Monday—who was gently rubbing Xu Fu's back—froze.
Her left eye flickered red, emitting a faint digital chirp.
"Master," she reported, "that silver egg has pressed the panic button…"
Xu Fu's eyes narrowed slightly.
That "silver egg" referred, of course, to Norrin Radd, the Silver Slider, whom Xu Fu had imprisoned in the underground cell of the Guardians' ship.
To show some "humanitarian spirit," Xu Fu had left him an emergency contact line—just in case he wanted to report or confess anything.
"Let him through."
Xu Fu nodded calmly, continuing to watch his fishing rod.
"Yes, Master."
Monday's left eye flashed again.
In the next moment, a holographic projection appeared in front of Xu Fu.
On-screen, the silver-skinned man—stripped of his surfboard—was shouting in panic toward the camera:
"Blue Star human! My master—the Devourer of Planets—has awakened! He's coming!!"