Zhang Xiaoman gave a cursory glance through the gang store’s system upgrade modules, which could be described as highly varied; there was a bit of everything.
However, they all shared one thing in common: they required the consumption of a large amount of Star Dust, which was something he currently couldn’t afford.
"Forget it, I’ll look at these things later. For now, let’s get to know the other features of the Star Network..."
Muttering to himself, Zhang Xiaoman closed the store interface and then remembered the earlier topic, and couldn’t help but ask the Star Rank System:
"System, the Protection Barrier you mentioned earlier, what exactly is its function? Can we try activating it now?"
From the wristwatch, the voice of Star Rank sounded again.
"The Protection Barrier is defaulted to the activated status and was switched on at the moment it was successfully installed on the host. Its current level is 1, possessing ’Protective Shield’ and ’Space Stabilization’ two abilities. Would you like a detailed explanation?"
"It’s already on?" Zhang Xiaoman first blinked in surprise, then asked, "Is it alright for this thing to be running all the time? Wouldn’t it consume a lot of energy?"
"The energy used by the Star Network Host is drawn directly from the Star Core. Based on the current consumption, it can continue to operate at full load for about 4.9 billion years. If the Star Lord purchases the corresponding upgrade modules and elevates the energy conversion method to Dark Energy conversion, then there will almost be no need to worry about energy issues anymore."
Zhang Xiaoman’s mouth fell open at this.
Dark Energy conversion? No need to worry about energy issues? I feel like I couldn’t even use up the current 4.7 billion years...
"Well, alright... why don’t you tell me about the shield then?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the end of the wristwatch lit up with a ray of light, projecting a three-dimensional image in front of him.
It was a 3D map-like image, clearly showing the Seven-star Lake where he was currently located.
In the image, a large circular shield almost entirely enveloped the lake, leaving no part of the water uncovered.
Outside the shield was a strangely shaped spacecraft firing attacks at the shield.
Lasers, missiles, and the like were flung chaotically, as if they were free of charge, but all were blocked outside.
"This is the current level 1 shield, capable of resisting basic physical attacks. The basic reference attributes are as follows.
Radius: 50 kilometers.
Shield Strength: 50,000.
Shield Recharge Speed: 500.
The system listed a large amount of information, all detailed data. At first, Zhang Xiaoman was quite engrossed in reading it, but as it continued it became more complex, mentioning things such as deflection, reflection angles, replenishment rates, and so on, giving him a headache.
"Uh... alright, skip the data report stage. Tell me about the cloak—what’s this function, invisibility?"
The system inside the wristwatch immediately provided an answer.
"Yes, Star Lord, the current shield only possesses the most basic optical and signal invisibility abilities. It is recommended that you prioritize purchasing the ’Shield Magnetic Field Interference Module’ to enhance its concealment."
"Oh? What’s this module for?" Zhang Xiaoman asked curiously.
"The ’Shield Magnetic Field Interference Module’ has primary magnetic field interference ability. Once this module is fitted, the area extending up to 30% beyond the maximum range of the shield will experience magnetic interference effects, which will paralyze unprotected electronic devices..."
After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaoman nodded and said, "I see, isn’t that similar to the ’Gate of Hell’ outside Rebirth Island? Seems like a good thing."
As he spoke, he opened the gang store and looked for the ’Shield Magnetic Field Interference Module’ the System mentioned. After seeing the price, he couldn’t help but shake his head reluctantly.
"10 Star Dust, huh? Right now, I don’t even have one Star Dust. I just can’t afford it..."
On the other side, the Star Rank System began to introduce another function of the shield.
"The ’Space Stabilization’ function, when the shield is activated, the spatial structure within its range will be reinforced by the interference from the Star Network Host, preventing non-friendly units from teleporting into it."
In the holographic projection in front of Zhang Xiaoman, the small spaceship that had been continuously firing disappeared abruptly, replaced by a little figure in a long robe holding a staff.
After a series of frenetic gestures by the little figure, a Magic Array-like pattern slowly lit up under its feet. At the same time, an identical glow began to appear inside the shield.
However, in the next second, the light inside the shield suddenly dimmed and then vanished without a trace, leaving only the figure outside repeating the same actions over and over.
Seeing this, an idea suddenly popped into Zhang Xiaoman’s head, and he quickly asked:
"System, since the shield can stabilize the spatial structure, can it prevent the overlapping projection of monsters from other worlds?"
He held great expectations for this question; if the shield could indeed prevent monster spawns, then Rebirth Island would become a "safe zone."
However, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment, as the ethereal voice of Star Rank swiftly shattered his illusions.
"I’m sorry, Star Lord, the singularity fusion process is not a normal spatial overlap—it is based on rules of a higher dimension. The shield’s space stabilization feature is ineffective against it."
Zhang Xiaoman’s expression froze, and he was overwhelmed with a sense of deflation. However, before he could express his feelings, the next words of Star Rank ignited hope within him again.
"Star Lord, although the shield can’t resist the effects of singularity fusion, the Star Network Host itself can. However, this requires the purchase and installation of the ’High-level Dark Energy Application Module,’ ’Space Independent Stabilization Device,’ and ’Original Realm Projection Guidance Core.’ Using your gang territory—the Original Realm—to project into this area will forcibly interrupt its fusion with another singularity, effectively preventing Alien Species from appearing."
Hearing there was still a way to turn this place into a "safe zone," Zhang Xiaoman couldn’t help feeling happy.
Although he did not fully understand the items the System had mentioned, it was certainly better than being outright rejected.
"Star Lord, you don’t have to worry too much about the safety of Rebirth Island. Although the shield can’t directly isolate the fusion, within the shield’s range, the Star Network Host can detect Dark Energy Fluctuations when an Alien Species appears and notify you immediately, providing a significant preventative effect."
Zhang Xiaoman’s eyes brightened; this final statement was the most reliable of all he’d heard. If he could be alerted immediately upon the appearance of monsters, as Star Rank had said, the risk for members within the Star Alliance on the island could be greatly reduced, and he could deploy Unlimited Teleportation to support at any time.
However, despite saying that, Zhang Xiaoman still opened the gang store interface with a curious mindset and began searching for the items the System had just mentioned, one by one.
But upon seeing the prices of these items, words of exasperation instantly built up in his mouth, and he felt a need to let them out to feel better.
"God damn ’High-level Dark Energy Application Module,’ not to mention the outrageous price, there are also two prerequisite modules that need to be installed? Why do I feel like I’m playing another pay-to-win game? Star Rank, you’re like a bottomless pit, aren’t you!"
Zhang Xiaoman was utterly vexed. Initially, he thought he had gotten his hands on some black technology mainframe. Not to mention becoming instantly invincible, but at least connecting to the internet and becoming an unbeatable hacker should have been within reach, right?
Who would have thought this device could only connect to the Star Alliance’s intranet and needed special conversion modules to interface with electromagnetic signals? Such a blatant Star Dust scam.
Thinking about it, it seemed that of all his advanced tech gadgets, only the Anti-gravity Car could connect with electromagnetic signals; the rest, whether it was the wristwatch or the Star Network Host, were limited to neutrino communication for the time being.
At that moment, the ethereal voice of Star Rank from his wristwatch seemed to carry a hint of grievance:
"Star Lord, I am merely the main program of the Star Network Host, your assistive system. I am not the one who arranged these things."