Chapter 109: The Nebula That Filled the Entire Primordial Universe!

"Many thanks to you, Star Lord, for your hospitality. I must now borrow this quiet chamber for seclusion; having just broken through to the Star-Shine rank, I truly need some time to consolidate my cultivation." As the feast concluded and the host and guests were in high spirits, Lan Tian made this request.

"That is only natural. Cultivation must always come first. Please, follow me, Mr. Lan Tian." Seeing Lan Tian so devoted to his practice, the Star Lord of Lanque nodded in approval and led him toward his private meditation chamber.

The Star Lord’s meditation chamber was of a significantly higher caliber than that of City Lord Naba. A casual glance revealed that the room was filled with first and second-grade energy crystals. True to his status as a master of a star, his wealth was indeed staggering.

"Make yourself at home, Mr. Lan Tian. Should you need anything, feel free to send me a telepathic message," the Star Lord said. Sensing Lan Tian’s eagerness, he tactfully took his leave.

"Thank you, Star Lord. I shall begin my seclusion now." Lan Tian nodded, offered another bow, and once the Star Lord had departed, he sat cross-legged, eager to consolidate his Star-Shine rank cultivation.

In truth, it was less about consolidation and more about exploration, for he still had no concept of what the Star-Shine rank truly entailed or the extent of his current power.

"Is this cosmic star-force?" With a thought, Lan Tian drew a wisp of cosmic star-force from his primordial universe. Strands of energy swirled around his palm, looking quite magnificent.

"After cultivating to the Star-Shine rank, once the primordial universe is formed, it will continuously absorb cosmic energy from the heavens and earth. While transforming it into cosmic star-force, it also strengthens itself and expands outward," Bai explained, then asked, "By the way, is the reserve of cosmic star-force in your primordial universe substantial?"

"Well... given your terrifyingly massive primordial universe and the sheer amount of energy you absorbed during your breakthrough, the cosmic star-force should be nearing the formation of a nebula. Check and see."

"I wanted to ask... is the 'nebula' you speak of the gray mist that condenses after the primordial universe absorbs cosmic energy?" Lan Tian asked uncertainly, looking at the dense, sky-covering fog within his own primordial universe.

"That’s right. Why? Has your cosmic star-force already formed a nebula?" Bai asked, nodding in anticipation.

"Well... see for yourself..." Lan Tian didn't know how to describe it, so he used his spiritual energy to construct the scene within his primordial universe and transmitted it to Bai.

"..."

"You are a total monster..." After seeing it, Bai remained silent for a long time before finally blurting out an expletive.

"What do you mean? Is this not a nebula?" Lan Tian pressed.

"Other people's primordial universes are empty; to produce even a wisp of nebula is the sign of a heaven-defying genius. But you..."

"Your massive primordial universe is actually completely filled with nebula mist..."

"I really don't know what to say anymore..."

"Haha, so what is my strength exactly? I still haven't a clear grasp of it," Lan Tian laughed, asking for clarification.

"Setting aside your strength for a moment, once you truly comprehend secret techniques like the 'Soul-Suppressing Tower' or reach the higher levels of the Heaven-Severing Tower, your power will undergo another rapid growth phase. As for your current state, I can barely even estimate your cultivation level," Bai said, sounding at a loss.

"Usually, the Star-Shine phase is brief, but it depends on talent and aptitude. Those with poor talent need to keep absorbing cosmic energy and expanding their primordial universe to slowly condense a nebula. Those with high talent—those who possess a peak primordial universe—can condense a nebula almost immediately upon breakthrough, reaching the threshold of the Star-Nebula rank."

"But you... I truly don't know what to say. The nebula within your primordial universe has filled it completely. This is comparable to the peak of a high-level Star-Nebula rank. Even at that level, a typical expert’s primordial universe would only have grown to your size, and the concentration of the nebula within wouldn't even be as dense as yours..."

"Haha, so according to you, my strength is already comparable to the peak of the high-level Star-Nebula rank?" Lan Tian was overjoyed.

"Below the Planetary rank, the boundaries between realms are not absolute. You can now barely be considered to have the strength of a peak high-level Star-Nebula rank..."

"I’m speechless. You skipped nearly two major realms in a single breakthrough. You really are... a monster!"

"Once you comprehend the 'Soul-Suppressing Tower' and learn the techniques for utilizing cosmic star-force, you will likely be invincible below the Planetary rank," Bai concluded.

"Wait, what is this about techniques for utilizing cosmic star-force? Isn't this how you use it?" Lan Tian asked, puzzled.

"Of course not. Do you remember that little Yanze beast on Earth? At its peak, its strength was nearly at the mid-level Star-Nebula rank. You didn't have a concept of it back then, but you should now. If it hadn't been completely ignorant of how to channel its power, relying only on brute force and Scarlet Blood Star-Fire, do you really think you could have defeated it, even with the Scarlet Gold God Armor?" Bai shook his head.

"That's true... thinking back, that Yanze died quite miserably. It was so powerful but knew nothing of how to use it, resorting only to basic physical attacks or the Star-Fire. It probably didn't even unleash thirty percent of its true potential," Lan Tian agreed.

"Exactly! If it had known how to wield mid-level Star-Nebula power, you would have been dead before you could even activate the flight mode of your Scarlet Gold God Armor!" Bai looked at him as if to say he had been incredibly lucky.

"The way you all use power, tch—let me give you an analogy. Think of power as an ingot of steel. You are currently just throwing the ingot at people; it’s not only exhausting but extremely inefficient. In the hands of someone who knows how to use it, that steel is forged into a sharp blade, capable of killing with ease."

"The same ingot of steel, yet in different hands, the results are worlds apart. You should understand the gap."

Lan Tian’s eyes lit up. After Bai's guidance, everything suddenly became clear.

Possessing power is one thing, but knowing how to wield it is quite another.

"Your current use of cosmic star-force, including your spiritual energy, is essentially at its most primitive and inefficient stage. Even with the strength of a peak high-level Star-Nebula rank, if you were to fight someone who truly understands how to wield their power, I doubt you could even defeat a low-level Star-Nebula combatant," Bai said, showing him no mercy.

"Fine... then hurry up and teach me the methods of power utilization!" Lan Tian said impatiently. "Let me see... if there are any secret techniques for power manipulation in the manuals you passed on to me."