CHAPTER 925: CHAPTER 491: PILLAR OF STRENGTH (PART 2)

Rod scratched his head a little, knowing full well he made that up, but didn’t know how to explain.

However, as he thought it over, Starry Sky City, the Royal City of a powerful human nation, might indeed possess some lost ancient technology.

The bizarre creations in the Mechanical Research Institute were all acquired from the ruins, weren’t they?

Although they had little to do with his system, they were somewhat useful to humanity.

"Alright." Rod agreed without hesitation, "If you need any help, just come find me."

Amides nodded gently, "I will, when it comes to exploring ruins, there’s no team member more suitable than you, a strong combatant who knows knowledge, is proficient in ancient languages, and can navigate the dark narrow sewers smoothly, truly impeccable."

Rod nodded, turning his gaze to his side.

The courteous scholar stepped forward and bowed deeply to Rod.

"Hello, future Lord of the Fire Son, I have long heard of your name. I am Professor Barrett Wen, and together with Professor Bins, we represent the Royal City, the Jinwoosi Society, the Grey Ash Excavator School, the Elemental Historical Research Association, the Black Fog Analysis Society, coming to Starry Sky City to explore lost history, seeking the truth buried in the ashes of time."

Rod glanced at the massive team behind them, with a few familiar faces waving at him from the crowd.

Evidently, the Royal City placed great importance on the history of Starry Sky City; the Starry Queen, in just a few words, upended much of what they held as canonical history, and the information brought was still being digested by the Royal City.

"Hello, Professor Barrett."

Rod greeted politely.

"Hello, Professor Bins, long time no see."

Professor Bins said in a calm tone, "Little Rod, it’s been long indeed, you’ve truly become a pillar of humanity."

Rod humbly replied with a smile, "That’s right, my exceptional talent scares even myself as I grow."

Professor Bins revealed a faint smile, his cloudy eyes glimmering slightly as if seeing something rare.

"Little Rod, you know, history doesn’t lie, the roads of the past guide the future, the words of the Starry Queen gave us immense surprise and hope, but her words were too brief, our eagerness to further unveil the mist, to glimpse more truths, is palpable."

Amides added, "Besides history and knowledge, Starry Sky City might also uncover powerful ancient items, rare materials, or precious mineral deposits, yielding many unexpected findings beneficial to the Royal City."

Before Rod could respond, the Book of Knowledge shouted in his mind, "Master, Master, divinity! So much divinity!"

Rod’s heart jolted, immediately understanding the value of their actions!

"Understood, I will swiftly clear Starry Sky City. If there are locations you desire to explore, just tell me, I will prioritize clearing them."

Amides smiled, "I will."

After discussing briefly, Amides and the others bid farewell, having many preparations yet to complete.

Mina secretly winked at him, sending a gaze indicating she was waiting for him anytime.

Rod did not respond, having a lot on his plate and no time to tangle with his sister Mina.

——

Over the subsequent days, Rod was occupied with the clearing tasks for Starry Sky City, only returning at fixed times to the Holy Fire Sacrificial Ground to inject the soul’s essence into the Star Chart.

Additionally, he had to find time to learn combat skills for Transcendents.

Master Galen and other instructors had arrived at Starry Sky City, and the two clock hours before bed each day constituted his training time.

His learning included further Spiritualization, Spiritual Energy release, sky-walking, and Domain Control.

Spiritualization could boost his utilization of Spiritual Energy, and Spiritual Energy release allowed for accomplishing more, serving as a prerequisite for Domain.

Sky-walking was essentially flying, requiring mastery of Spiritual Energy release to use.

Domain was a crucial ability, primarily coming into play at the Commander stage.

These abilities involved deep Spiritual Energy skills, with a newly promoted Transcendent (official First Level Combatant) typically requiring several months to years to fully master.

Yet, with Rod’s Fifth Star [Divine Sense], he progressed rapidly, advancing at a phenomenal pace during his mere two clock hours, astounding many masters save for Galen.

It was their first time witnessing someone with such a strong innate talent, watching him absorb knowledge and master new combat skills like a sponge soaking up water, the masters were all eager for more time to teach Rod.

Of course, it was impossible.

Rod’s schedule was exceedingly tight, with those two clock hours making up an eighth of his day, he couldn’t possibly allocate more time.

Moreover, with substantial consumption of the soul’s spirituality, Rod felt considerably fatigued; learning activities couldn’t be overdone, or efficiency would plummet.

Clearing Starry Sky City was the top priority.

Although the Royal City deployed many High Rank combatants to Starry Sky City, most were Third Level combatants, barely any Second Level combatants marking the threshold of the strong, and even fewer First Level combatants, only Chucher and Gale were present.

The monsters within Starry Sky City were all at a Strong Super Rank, mostly above the Second Tier.

Third Level combatants aiming to battle Twelfth Level Spiritual Energy monsters required at least a battle cluster.