Chapter 12: In the Presence of the Ether Heart
Walking through the tunnels was different now. The silence was no longer complete; there was the soft rustling of Lilith's footsteps following him like a shadow, and sometimes a low, unintelligible murmur escaped her lips, an expression of her mysterious contentment with being near him. Tian Heng rarely looked behind, only doing so occasionally for a purely tactical assessment, ignoring the searing crimson gaze he could feel fixed on his back.
Lilith proved useful as a guide. At tunnel intersections that were not entirely clear on the core map, she would point the way without being asked, her voice carrying that strange tone that blended submission and ownership: "This way, my lord... the whispers of power rise on this path..." or "Avoid that branch... the shadows are sleeping there, and we do not wish to awaken them just yet." Tian Heng listened, comparing her words with his own information, taking only the useful details and ignoring any other implications.
They reached the third obstacle, the wide, unstable collapse that the core had warned them about. Before Tian Heng could begin a thorough assessment, Lilith spoke in a low voice: "Be careful... the stone here cries out unstable energy... it yearns to fall."
Tian Heng took her warning into account and performed a quick scan of the area with his etheric resonator. His readings confirmed slight instability in the ether field around the rubble. It wasn't necessarily an imminent collapse, but the risk was present. He decided not to exert force or attempt to move anything. Instead, he chose a path along the outer edge of the collapse, moving very slowly and cautiously, testing each step before putting his foot down. Tense moments passed as they crossed the dangerous area, with dust falling from the ceiling with every slight movement, but they made it safely to the other side.
After passing the third obstacle, the air began to change. It became charged with palpable energy. Even Tian Heng, with his low affinity, could feel the "whispers" of the ether more clearly now, like a gentle, constant pressure on his skin, or a faint hum reverberating in his bones. The etheric resonator in his hand began to glow brighter and steadier, and his mental readings showed a noticeable increase in the surrounding ether concentration. Beside him, Lilith seemed to draw energy directly from the atmosphere; her eyes glowed deeper, her wounds less visible, and her movements gained an added grace. She looked around with a kind of hunger and appreciation, but her gaze quickly returned to him.
After a few more minutes of walking through the now-glittering tunnel, scattered with small crystals glowing with a faint blue light, the tunnel suddenly opened into a vast cavern.
Tian Heng stopped, even he couldn't hide a brief flash of awe in his eyes before returning to his usual composure. The cavern was breathtaking. It wasn't entirely dark; the walls, floor, and even the ceiling were studded with massive, multifaceted crystals, ranging in size from a fist to large boulders. These crystals pulsed with a soft, wavering internal light, predominantly a sky blue with veins of white and silver, filling the cavern with a dreamy, etheric glow. The air itself seemed to shimmer and resonate with pure energy, so dense it felt as though he was swimming in a sea of hidden power. The ether concentration here was immense, incomparable to the faint vein he had been relying on.
He approached the nearest large crystal, about the size of his head, and felt the pure energy radiating from it like a gentle warmth.
He immediately began analyzing the situation. "Core," he directed his thoughts. [Core, analyze the concentration and purity of the ether at this site. Estimate the potential regeneration rate of the crystals. Suggest the optimal method of exploitation.]
As he awaited the core's response, Lilith approached and stood beside him, gazing at the glowing crystals. She didn't attempt to touch them this time, but her proximity was palpable. She spoke in her deep voice: "Heart crystals... They pulse with the deepest power here. Draw from them first, my lord... They will nourish your essence and the essence of this place."
The core's response came to his mind:
[Preliminary analysis: Ether concentration in the crystals exceeds level 7 (high purity). Regeneration rate appears stable and slow, indicating a deep source. The purity of the ether is suitable for direct use in vault systems after calibration.]
[Exploitation suggestion: The etheric resonator can be used to create a direct guiding link from the selected crystals to the core's energy receptors. However, the distance (about 100 meters) will significantly reduce transport efficiency. This may require the creation of relay stations or the use of more advanced etheric transfer technology (currently unavailable). Alternative: Extract small portions of the crystals and physically transport them to the core (requires proper tools and equipment). Another option: Begin personal training here to increase affinity more quickly before attempting transfer.]
Tian Heng had finally reached the source of power he so desperately needed. The pure, rich ether was here, pulsing with life around him. This place could nourish the vault, allow him to read the data tablets, open new doors. But, as always, it wasn't that simple. The next challenge was how to efficiently transfer this energy over the distance to the heart of the vault.
He stood there, in the heart of the glittering cavern, raw power pulsing around him, the obsessed demonic shadow standing beside him. He had achieved the goal of his journey, but this success had opened up an entirely new set of challenges and calculations. His cold mind was already assessing the options and prioritizing the next steps in his grand plan.