Star Essence

Noticing its Host was preoccupied with his thoughts, the System solemnly advised:

'Congratulations, Host. You have acquired a second recipe. I hope you use it well. However, I recommend to begin absorbing Celestial Energy first. The stronger you become, the safer you will be in Harmony City.'

After hearing the System's sudden voice in his head, Lucian woke up from his thoughts. 

*Guruguru*

Frowning, Lucian momentarily contemplated whether he should absorb Mana to satisfy his stomach. For Mortals, Mana could be used as a replacement for food. However, most chose not to, simply because Mana lacked the flavor that food provided.

Who would choose to absorb flavorless Mana when they could gorge themselves on a juicy, delicious, mouth-watering steak?

Yet, surprisingly, the answer was many Mages, especially the powerful ones, would choose to absorb Mana over food. They would rather not go to the effort of eating just to satisfy their stomachs when they could absorb Mana, which both filled their stomachs and helped them increase their Mana.

For them, it was a win-win.

However, Lucian was different from them. Even though, because of his limited Mage Rank, the System had to remove the Mana from the dishes he ate, so he would not explode and die, he would rather eat to fill his stomach.

After picking up Lily's plate and utensils, Lucian walked into the kitchen, emptied the dishwasher, and loaded it before turning it on.

Noticing there were no ingredients on the countertop, Lucian indifferently said.

'System, give me one set of Siren's Melody Poached Egg ingredients.'

For a moment, the System was speechless. Its Host was truly unique. Instead of cultivating as soon as possible, he wanted to eat first. After a sigh, it summoned the ingredients on the countertop and then tiredly replied:

'Host, please do not forget to cultivate after eating.'

Lucian smirked. 

'Don't worry.'

Lucian had wanted to cook the Sous Vide Filet Mignon dish; however, time was limited. The entire process from start to finish would have taken approximately two hours and thirty minutes. 

Just the sous vide process took two hours. 

Therefore, Lucian decided to cook the SIren's Melody Poached Egg. He swiftly and expertly prepared the dish. Soon, the kitchen was filled with a mouth-watering aroma. Within a few minutes, he had prepared a steaming plate of Siren's Melody Poached Egg.

Lucian carried the plate to the dining area, sat down, and began eating.

Lucian ate with a satisfied smile.

After a few bites, Lucian finished his meal, feeling satisfied and rejuvenated. He cleaned up his table and the other two tables that Lion's Liver and Lily used, placed his plate and utensils into the sink, and made his way to the balcony of his room.

Lucian sat cross-legged on the comfortable lounge chair, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath to concentrate.

After three minutes, Lucian indifferently said in his mind:

'I'm ready, System. Start the process.'

Even with the Celestial Mana Control Technique, Lucian was too weak and 

The System solemnly replied:

'Okay, Host. The System will release a droplet of Celestial Energy from my Storage system. Please remain focused on your breathing and spread your Mana Sense as far as it can reach.'

Celestial Energy, was also known as Celestial Mana and Celestial Element. It was the purest form of Mana, without a thread of impurities contained within.

Lucian nodded in acknowledgment and spread his Mana Sense. Within seconds, it reached ten feet around his body and then stopped.

Unknown to Lucian, a Soul Power beyond even what an Ancestral God could release, unleashed from his Soul into the distant atmosphere and drove itself into the sun's core, one hundred eighty-six thousand miles deep.

When it reached the sun's core, a powerful suction force latched onto the blindingly bright, dense plasma.

Soon, a fragment of Star Essence oozed out and was pulled back to Arcadia.

Yet, the Soul Power went unnoticed by all Beings in the Celeste Universe.

Time seemed to lose all meaning as Lucian remained motionless like a statue, only periodically would his nose flare.

The blazing sun above Arcadia slowly descended, and the evening sun dyed the world red.

The hustle and bustle of the people walking on the streets below began to lessen as they went home to their families.

After what felt like an eternity, Lucian sensed a familiar Energy entering the radius of his Mana Sense.

A smile graced Lucian's lips as he thought about how he was probably the only person in Celeste Universe who had sensed what Celestial Energy felt like.

Because the System had been using his body as a medium to infuse Celestial Energy into his food, Lucian understood what Celestial Energy felt like. Otherwise, he would have remained clueless.

Not even Ancestral God Lucian had known what Celestial Energy felt like.

Lucian theorized it was an Energy above even the Gods.

That thought made him rethink just how strong the creator of the Gourmet Chef System really was. 

At the very least, he should be stronger than Lucian had initially thought.

But for now, none of that mattered. 

Lucian followed the method he learned from the Celestial Mana Control Technique and with his Mana Sense, focused on the precious fragment of Star Essence. 

If the System had not wrapped the Star Essence Fragment in its Soul Power, as soon as it reached close to Arcadia's exosphere the entire planet would have instantly turned into nothingness.

But Lucian did not know that. Since the System had been using artificial Celestial Energy from its Storage, he had thought it would do the same once again. But that was far from the truth. What was in front of Lucian now was a real Star Essence Fragment.

Following the Celestial Mana Control Technique, Lucian opened his mouth and brought the 'Celestial Energy' into his mouth and down his throat to an inch to the right of his heart.

Once the 'Celestial Energy' settled there, a burst of Energy erupted within him and rapidly spread throughout his body.