27: Chapter 27 Ecological Feedback

Lin Muchen sat cross-legged on the wooden bed of his Outer Sect residence and let out a long breath.

His Realm at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining Stage had completely stabilized.

He sank his consciousness into his Dantian and looked at the Origin Star.

Compared to yesterday when he had just introduced the new species, the changes were already quite apparent.

In that small river, the ten grayish Stream Fish Fry had already grown two sizes larger, swimming quite vigorously; occasionally, bubbles they blew could be seen on the water's surface.

In several main plant growth areas, the soil color had darkened a bit, looking much softer than the compacted earth nearby.

Although the Earthworms underground were invisible, their effects were solid and real.

On the forest edges and the grasslands, the Wind Chime Grass seeds scattered yesterday had actually sprouted dense, tender green tips.

This growth speed was much faster than Lin Muchen had anticipated.

“System, how is the Fusion of the new species going?” he asked in his mind.

[Scanning Origin Star ecological data...]

[Scan complete.]

[Stream Fish Fry: Have adapted to the aquatic environment and begun natural reproduction. Population is expected to double within thirty days. Aquatic ecological activity increased.]

[Earthworm: Have burrowed deep into the soil, continuously improving soil quality. Current soil looseness increased by 15%, plant root growth efficiency +10%.]

[Wind Chime Grass: All seeds have sprouted. Growth speed is affected by the Origin Star's trace Spiritual Qi and improved soil, accelerated by 300%. Expected to bloom within twenty days.]

[Comprehensive Evaluation: New species have stably integrated into the existing food chain.]

[Ecological Chain Stability: Elementary Stability → Intermediate Stability.]

[ecological completion: 11% → 15.3%.]

[Feedback Efficiency: 1% → 1.2%.]

[Prompt: ecological completion has broken through the 15% threshold for the first time. Feedback spiritual power purity increased, providing a slight acceleration effect on the Host's circulation.]

“1.2% already?” Lin Muchen's eyes lit up. “Even mosquito legs are meat, and this meat is getting fattier and fattier.”

He immediately began to circulate the Basic Breathing Technique.

Spiritual power flowed through his Meridians, and this time, it really did feel a bit different.

The warm current fed back from the Origin Star in his Dantian was 'cleaner' than before, with fewer Impurities, making the process of merging it into his own spiritual power much smoother.

After one full circulation, the time seemed to have shortened by just a tiny bit.

Though the improvement was very slight, Lin Muchen could feel it.

“Is this the benefit of ecological diversity?” He was delighted. “It seems I should stuff more random things into the Origin Star in the future. The livelier it gets, the faster I Cultivate.”

“What do they call it? When one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs rise to heaven... No, it's that I attain the Dao, and the whole family helps me Cultivate.”

[Current points balance: 595 points.]

[Prompt: Origin Star star iron refinement progress: 45% → 46% (natural refinement speed).]

[Detected that the Host has sufficient points. Would you like to consume points to accelerate the star iron refinement process?]

[Acceleration Options: Invest 100 points to immediately increase refinement progress by 5%. Invest 500 points to immediately complete all remaining refinement.]

“It can even be accelerated?” Lin Muchen thought for a moment. “Invest 100 points, let's see the effect of a 5% increase first.”

[points -100.]

[Current points balance: 495 points.]

[Acceleration command executed.]

[The Origin Star vibrates slightly; the light in the star iron enrichment zone intensifies.]

[star iron refinement progress: 46% → 51%.]

[Refinement progress has surpassed the 50% milestone.]

[Origin Star Feedback: Trace Star Power released, strengthening the Host's Physical Body.]

[Physical Body strength +0.1.]

A familiar, cool energy with a sense of starlight surged from his Dantian and flowed through his entire body.

Lin Muchen clenched his fists, his knuckles making a slight 'crack' sound; his strength had increased a bit more.

“These points were well spent.” He was quite satisfied. “I can accelerate resource acquisition and strengthen my body at the same time. System, once this star iron is finished refining, what will I get?”

[After star iron is fully refined, the Host can obtain:]

[1. A sufficient amount of 'Star Iron Essence,' which can be used to forge higher-level Magical Artifacts or directly strengthen the 'star dagger.']

[2. The Origin Star will permanently increase its 'Star Power Enrichment Level,' providing bonuses for the subsequent introduction of star-related species or the cultivation of star-type Cultivation Techniques.]

[3. Unlock related achievements, potentially earning additional points rewards.]

“Got it, basically good stuff.” Lin Muchen nodded. “So for the remaining progress, how long will natural refinement take?”

[At the current speed, it will take approximately six more days to fully refine the remaining star iron.]

“Six days... I can afford to wait.” Lin Muchen didn't plan to throw in any more points; he needed to keep some in reserve. “Then let it refine slowly.”

He withdrew from internal vision, got off the bed, and stretched his limbs.

Under the dual strengthening of ecological feedback and Star Power, his body was indeed a bit sturdier than when he had first broken through.

His skin and flesh were firmer, his strength was greater, and his five senses seemed a bit sharper.

The sounds of other Outer Sect Disciples walking and talking came from outside the window.

Lin Muchen walked to the window and looked out.

It was still early; many Disciples were already up, preparing for morning practice or to take on missions.

“I should go out and show my face,” Lin Muchen thought. “Hiding in my room all the time will only arouse suspicion.”

“The Ore Vein is being watched by the Stone Puppets and Iron-toothed Ants, so I don't need to worry for now. As for those Secret Realm coordinates from Senior... there's no rush; I shouldn't even think about going there until I'm at least at the Foundation Establishment Stage.”

He straightened his clothes and pushed the door open to step out.

“Good morning, Senior Brother Lin!”

“Morning.”

He encountered a few familiar-looking Outer Sect Disciples on the way, and they nodded to each other in greeting.

Lin Muchen was now at the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining Stage, after all, so he wasn't at the bottom among the Outer Sect Disciples anymore. Plus, word of what happened at the Ore Vein had vaguely spread, so many people treated him with a bit more courtesy.

After walking around for a while, Lin Muchen returned to his dormitory.

Lin Muchen sat cross-legged on the bed, feeling that spiritual power with its starlight-coolness smoothly complete a few more circulations.

His cultivation was still increasing.

He sank his consciousness into his Dantian and peered at the Origin Star.

The small sprouts of the Wind Chime Grass had grown another notch higher and were a vibrant green. The fish fry in the river seemed to have gotten another round fatter.

Everything was great, except...

“System, pull up the detailed data panel for me to see,” he muttered in his heart.

[Command received.]

[Host: Lin Muchen]

[Cultivation Realm: Mortal Realm · Fifth Layer of Qi Refining Stage (1/9)]

[Current points: 495 points]

[Origin Star Status: Ecology stable, Spiritual Qi concentration (Low+), Star Power enrichment (Trace, continuously rising)]

[ecological completion: 15.3%]

[Feedback Efficiency: 1.2%]

[star iron refinement progress: 51% (Natural refinement in progress)]

[Analysis Report: The terrestrial portion of the current ecological chain has initially stabilized, but the aquatic ecology is extremely singular, consisting only of basic freshwater fish.]

[Recommendation: Introduce a marine environment and corresponding species to significantly enhance ecological completion and Feedback Efficiency.]