Chapter 34: Unlocking the Seals of Knowledge
[15.0%... Required energy threshold reached! Maintaining stability...]
The words flashed through Tian Heng's mind like a beacon in a storm. He had reached it. But maintaining the massive and stable energy flow from the distant crystal, through the resonator and the psychic link, was like trying to hold back a raging river with bare hands. He felt his mental focus tearing apart, the cold aether and the dark draconic force within him struggling together to maintain this fragile balance. Cold sweat soaked his pale forehead, and the wound at his side began to throb with sharp pain under the strain.
There was no time to waste. While part of his consciousness fought to keep the fragile aether bridge intact, the other surged toward the central core.
[Core! Energy level 15% stable, temporarily! Immediately begin decoding the high-priority data tablet – previously marked for technical and engineering information! Extract everything you can as fast as possible!]
The core responded instantly. Tian Heng felt a torrent of information flood into his mind through the link – like a dam gate opening into his memory. Complex engineering schematics intertwined and shifted, data tables in incomprehensible symbols, long texts in the ancient "Builder's" language filled with strange runes, energy flow charts, material specifications he had never heard of... It was disorienting and overwhelming, like having an entire library poured into his head in seconds. His analytical mind fought to grab and anchor the most important pieces amidst the flood.
But the dual effort – maintaining the massive energy flow and decoding data simultaneously – came at a steep price. The aether bridge began to shake violently. The resonator glowed with a searing blue light and started emitting a high-pitched whine. The crystal from which he was drawing energy began to pulse erratically.
"The crystal is unstable! The flow is collapsing!" Ilara cried out suddenly, her emerald eyes wide with real concern as she watched the fluctuating aether field.
Vaila moved quickly, stretching out her hands as shadows spilled from them, wrapping around the glowing resonator and the unseen energy conduit, trying to absorb and dissipate the violent ripples. "I can't hold it for long, human! It's about to break down!" she shouted, her voice laced with urgency Tian Heng hadn't heard from her before.
He realized he had only seconds left. He had obtained a great deal of data—perhaps enough. Continuing now meant risking everything – the core, the resonator, perhaps even the entire cavern.
[Core! Save everything decoded! Cut the tablet link!] he commanded swiftly. At the same moment, he summoned all his newly forged control to sever the aether flow from the crystal sharply and cleanly, like slicing a taut rope.
Everything stopped instantly. The blinding glow from the crystal and resonator dimmed, Vaila's absorbing shadows faded, and the immense pressure of energy that had filled the cave vanished. Tian Heng collapsed backward onto his knees, panting heavily, feeling as if both his mind and body had been wrung dry. His side wound reopened, dark blood seeping from it. For a moment, he nearly lost consciousness, but his iron will forced him to stay alert.
He immediately checked the core's status.
[Energy level dropping rapidly… Stabilized at 10.5%. 8.7 gigabytes of encrypted data successfully saved from the designated tablet before disconnection. Warning: Moderate stress detected in sub-core systems (data processing, energy regulation) due to transient overload. A recovery period is recommended before any intensive processing attempts.]
He had succeeded. He had acquired a vast amount of data, albeit at the cost of core fatigue. The energy level had dropped, but was still far above what it had been before the attempt.
Lilith rushed to him first, her crimson eyes filled with obsessive concern as she saw the blood. "Master! You're injured again!" A dark aura began to form around her hands, as if preparing to heal him in her own way.
"Stop," Tian Heng said in a calm, firm tone, halting her with his gaze before she could touch him. "It's not serious." He then looked toward Vaila, Ilara, and the others who approached cautiously. "It's over… for now."
Lilith helped him sit with his back against the crystal again, while Lyra offered a relatively clean cloth from her small pack to press against his wound. Vaila merely watched from a distance, her face still showing traces of shock and caution—but also deep curiosity. Ilara, after confirming the main crystal had stabilized, sighed with cautious relief.
Once he had caught his breath, Tian Heng ignored the pain and fatigue and began accessing the new data saved in the core's memory. It felt like opening a real treasure chest.
There it was! Not just full schematics for several aether condenser models of varying efficiency, but also:
A partial key to the Builders' language: Not a full dictionary, but a collection of essential symbols, basic grammar rules, and comparison tables aligned with standard engineering and energy runes. It was enough to begin deciphering other schematics and records!
Detailed activation and repair protocols for a Class VI water purification unit: Including alternative methods to re-activate dried catalysts, precise membrane filter specifications, and even an emergency control circuit design that could bypass the need for the amber capacitor if necessary (though with less efficiency).
Repair analysis for Class IV and V aether regulation nodes: Featuring explanations of "flow field calibration" principles, and a detailed description of how to craft acceptable substitutes for the "Iridium-Arcanite alloy" using materials possibly found in the vault (especially from remnants of other fallen guardians).
Parts II and III of the Ice Star Refining Style: The stages focused on condensing the "star seed," purifying it, and expanding its capacity to store and process cold aether with unparalleled precision.
A wave of cold satisfaction washed over Tian Heng. It had been an enormous gamble, but it had paid off beyond expectations. He had obtained knowledge. He now possessed the keys needed to unlock the true potential of the vault—and dramatically accelerate his own growth.
He looked at his wound, which had begun to slowly heal under the influence of the surrounding aether and his enhanced physiology, then at his mismatched companions. The road ahead was still long and perilous, and the core itself needed rest. But the bottleneck had been broken.
"We'll stay here a while longer to recover and study this information," he announced quietly. "Ilara, Vaila—I want you to help me interpret this ancient language based on your knowledge of myths or similar symbols. Lyra, Vailar—keep guarding the entrances and securing the cave perimeter. Lilith—stay with me."
A new phase had begun. No longer a desperate search for solutions, but a methodical study—and a precise plan for execution.