Rowan didn't hesitate for a moment. He took out ten pieces of the wooden crystalline ore and fed them all to the Devil Cloud Vine.
The crystals were a type of rare mineral meant specifically for nurturing plant-type life forms. As soon as the vine sensed them, its tendrils began writhing excitedly, the tips glimmering with emerald light. Rowan could clearly feel the emotion pulsing from the creature pure, unrestrained joy. One vine coiled forward, snatching up all ten crystals in an instant before wrapping them tightly and beginning to absorb their energy.
"What's next? Anything else in there?" Rowan asked calmly.
Babata, floating nearby, gave a smug grin. He produced two spatial rings and tossed one to Rowan and the other to Luo Feng. "These rings are spatial containers," he explained proudly. "By your Earth standards, the internal space measures six hundred twelve meters long, five hundred twenty-one wide, and one hundred eight high. Imprint your mental mark inside, and the ring will bind to your skin. You can wear it anywhere and even change its form by will alone."
Rowan accepted the ring expressionlessly, pressed his consciousness into it, and slipped it onto his finger. Beside him, Luo Feng's eyes went wide with astonishment. He fumbled to do the same, excitement clear on his face.
A portable space of that scale it was nothing short of miraculous.
"Next," Babata continued, puffing his chest out, "is a telekinetic weapon. The lineage of the Meteor Star specializes in mental power, and your master, Huyanbo, forged many spiritual weapons during his lifetime."
At his words, a nearby metal gate opened with a hiss. From within, a luminous disk floated out, glowing faintly blue, its curved edge spinning lazily in the air like a compass of light.
"This," Babata said, pointing proudly, "is a Tier-Three Psychic Arc Blade, the standard weapon for a third-tier telekinetic master. It's about equal in rank to your Escape Shuttle."
Rowan lifted a finger, his mental energy coiling around the floating weapon, pulling it toward him. It spun gracefully before stopping at eye level.
Beside him, Luo Feng could only stare in open admiration. Rowan already possessed the Escape Shuttle a weapon designed for spiritual manipulation and now he was being handed another of similar class. Luo Feng's envy was understandable.
But before he could dwell on it, Rowan casually tossed the Arc Blade to him.
"What…" Luo Feng blinked in confusion, catching it midair.
"Take it," Rowan said lightly. "I already have the Escape Shuttle. This kind of weapon isn't much use to me."
He meant it. While the Arc Blade was slightly more offensive in nature, the Escape Shuttle was superior in versatility both attack and defense in one. And besides, Rowan's long-term goals stretched far beyond these transitional tools.
What he truly sought were the nine great psychic weapons especially one that resonated with his core affinity for the law of fire. That would be his perfect match.
"You idiot!" Babata exploded, darting forward and hammering his tiny fists against Rowan's shoulder in outrage. "Do you have any idea what you just gave away? You're infuriating!"
Rowan flicked him lightly with a finger, sending him tumbling backward. "Don't play favorites," he said with an amused smirk. "Luo Feng is also of the Meteor Star lineage. Don't underestimate him. Someday, he might surprise even you."
"Hmph!" Babata crossed his arms, scowling, clearly unconvinced.
In his mind, Earth's genetic baseline was simply too weak. No matter how talented Luo Feng seemed, there were limits he would never surpass. The only reason Babata poured all his efforts into nurturing Rowan was that he hoped Rowan could one day inherit Huyanbo's secret techniques, perhaps even undergo rebirth through possession to attain a higher genetic lifeform one capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the late master himself.
"Is that all the rewards, or are you hiding something else?" Rowan asked, a faint glint of mischief in his eyes.
Babata's smirk returned. "Oh, there's one last thing. You've already stepped into the Star level. At this point, Earth can no longer contain you. Stay here too long and you'll stagnate. If you truly wish to grow stronger, you'll need to venture into the universe. Out there, opportunities and dangers walk hand in hand. Every risk brings potential power."
He hovered closer, his holographic form flickering as he spoke faster. "You're currently in the Silver-Blue Empire, which uses the Silver-Blue Credit as its base currency. However, the Empire is under the jurisdiction of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, where they also use Black Dragon Coins. Beyond that lies the Qianwu Universe Nation, where the Qianwu Credit holds far greater value than the others."
Rowan nodded patiently, already knowing most of this.
"Your master Huyanbo," Babata continued proudly, "created three bank accounts for you in the Galactic Bank. Each one unlocks at a different cultivation stage. Since you've reached the Star level, you can now access the first."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Rowan waved him off, smiling faintly. "Let's move on."
He already knew how much wealth those accounts contained. His attention shifted instead to the ship they stood in the Meteor Star.
Babata sighed, explaining how it had once been Huyanbo's personal vessel before suffering catastrophic damage during an escape. Now it could no longer take flight.
He went on for quite some time about the Meteor Star lineage, most of which Rowan already understood. Luo Feng, however, listened as though every word were divine revelation.
"Hey! You're not even paying attention," Babata snapped, flying up in front of Rowan's face. "Don't you feel even a little awe for your master's greatness?"
Rowan looked utterly unimpressed. No matter what cosmic marvel Babata described, his expression remained calm and detached.
It drove the little spirit insane.
"You ugh! You're hopeless!" Babata groaned, clutching his head. "If not for the master's orders, I'd never have chosen you as his heir!"
Rowan scratched his ear lazily. "You done yet? You sound like a flock of ducks."
That did it. Babata's holographic form flushed bright red with fury, his tiny hands beating furiously against Rowan's back. "If I could, I'd strangle you!"
Luo Feng could only laugh awkwardly at the spectacle.
Eventually, Babata calmed enough to continue. "Fine. There's one last thing. Put this on."
He produced a sleek black wristband set with a glowing blue crystal. "This crystal houses my core intelligence. Wear it, and I can accompany you anywhere. It also contains many wooden crystals and other supplies."
Rowan examined it briefly then tossed it to Luo Feng.
"Wha why me again?" Luo Feng gawked, clutching it as though it were a bomb.
Babata nearly exploded on the spot. "Rowan! What the hell are you doing?!"
"You'll teach him for now," Rowan said calmly, shoving Babata away. "I'll come back for you later."
Babata's shriek echoed through the chamber, nearly piercing glass. He was so furious that sparks flew from his holographic form.
"Luo Feng, if you don't understand something, ask her," Rowan added, already stepping onto his Escape Shuttle. "Focus on training. I've got things to handle."
Without waiting for a response, he shot upward like a streak of silver light, vanishing into the clouds in seconds.
"YOU INSOLENT BRAT! IF I EVER GET MY HANDS ON YOU !" Babata's voice faded into the distance.
Luo Feng just stood there, dazed. "Big bro… why'd you dump all this on me? What am I supposed to do with it?"
Breaking through the foggy skies above the island, Rowan darted northward. Many factions stationed nearby spotted him but didn't dare block his path. His emergence from the island meant only one thing the treasures inside were his.
Power ruled everything here, and Rowan's strength was unquestionable.
As he soared above the clouds on his Escape Shuttle, his thoughts grew quiet.
He hadn't refused Babata because the AI lacked value. On the contrary, Babata's intelligence was dangerously powerful. If allowed unrestricted access, he could easily infiltrate Friday Rowan's own advanced AI and uncover everything: his true origin from another world, and even the secret of the Infinity Stones hidden within him.
That secret had to remain buried until he was far stronger.
He needed to return to the Marvel World first to settle a few things. Natasha and his sister had to be secured and empowered. Once they reached planetary-level strength, he could focus on his journey in the Swallowed Star universe without worry.
On Earth, a planetary-level warrior was nearly untouchable. No one would dare threaten them.
After that, he'd wipe Friday's memory clean, purging every trace of his past life. Not even Babata could dig it up.
He had once told Babata he'd found another inheritance on Earth a convenient lie. Now it was time to make that lie believable.
As he sped through the sky, a sleek fighter jet appeared on the horizon. Rowan immediately recognized it as Hong's craft. They exchanged a quick telepathic greeting before passing each other. Hong, stunned for a moment, sent him a short message before heading toward the foggy island.
Rowan soon reached the Moonlight District. Entering his apartment, a familiar aroma greeted him a sweet, savory scent that made him smile.
He didn't need to use his mental power to know who it was.
In the kitchen stood Vanessa, wearing a short apron that did little to hide her long, flawless legs. She was stirring a pot, humming softly to herself.
Rowan walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Vanessa's cheeks flushed, though she didn't resist. "I'm cooking…" she whispered shyly.
"You taste better than anything you could cook," he murmured against her ear. "Dinner can wait."
What followed was a private feast of passion and warmth that lasted well into the afternoon.
Three hours later, Vanessa lay in his arms, her breathing slow and contented.
"So," she asked softly, "did your alliance send you here?"
Rowan smiled faintly. He already knew her family must have encouraged her to return to him. After his single strike on the island obliterating Mohanderson in an instant every faction on Earth had been shaken to its core.
No one would dare ignore a man like him.
Vanessa's family was no exception. Reuniting her with Rowan wasn't just sentimental it was strategic.
They knew power when they saw it. And Rowan, so young yet so strong, was an investment with infinite return.
Even Vanessa admitted she'd been shocked. To think the man before her had slain the third elder of humanity's upper council in a single blow his power now rivaled even the First Elder himself.
At least, that's what people believed.
For the rest of the world, Rowan was no longer just a warrior. He was a living legend.
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