Chapter 58: The Forgotten Factory's Melodies
The quartet finally arrived at the large industrial hall that housed the basic manufacturing unit (Level 1). The massive machine sat in the center like a dormant metal beast, covered in centuries-old dust but still remarkably intact structurally. Faela, who had arrived before them using shadow techniques, met them at the entrance and confirmed that the area was secure with no unusual activity detected in the immediate surroundings. Elara arrived shortly after, looking fatigued from the quick return trip from the temporary base, carefully carrying additional condensed ether containers and the data logs she had been decrypting.
Tian Heng wasted no time in hesitation. His plan was clear, and the goal was now within reach.
"Elara, prepare the final activation protocols from the data and confirm the list of raw materials needed for the alternative alloy and their insertion points in the machine."
"Faela, monitor the surroundings of the hall and ambient energy levels. Any irregular readings or approach of anything, inform me immediately."
"Lilith, you're with me."
The final preparations began. Elara meticulously cleaned the main control panel, revealing a large screen and a complex array of buttons and symbols glowing in the Builder language. Tian Heng and Faela loaded the raw materials they had gathered and preserved—silver wires, high-purity quartz powder, and some other basic metals—into the designated input slots of the machine. Then, Tian Heng connected the condensed ether containers (now holding about 150 standard units thanks to continuous capacitor work) to the Delta-7 power port of the unit, using an enhanced connector he had previously crafted.
Tian Heng stood before the main control panel. He took a deep breath, not out of tension, but from utter focus. He was now a "Core Maker - Beginner," and his ability to control the ether, especially pure ice ether for the "Ice Star" technique, was on an entirely different level.
With steady, cold fingers, he began inputting the full activation sequence in the Builder language he had become proficient in reading and writing (at least mentally through the core). The panel responded immediately, and the main screen lit up in a sky-blue glow, displaying a series of complex diagnostic symbols.
The machine requested a stable energy flow at 11% to begin operation. This time, Tian Heng did not rely solely on the external condensed ether. He drew a steady, controlled stream from the "Frozen Core" within his Dantian, using his high-purity ice ether to precisely regulate the flow from the external containers and supplement it with his internal energy when necessary, maintaining the required energy levels with remarkable stability.
The manufacturing unit responded almost perfectly. Its mechanical hum rose with confidence, and internal lights revealed intricate mechanisms, with robotic arms moving smoothly through a full self-diagnostic cycle.
[Activating Manufacturing Unit Level 1... Initial systems stable... Micro-reactor operating at 92% efficiency... Energy stability at 10.9%... Ready for operation: 100%... Awaiting commands.] The core reported.
Tian Heng did not hesitate. Upon receiving confirmation of readiness, he uploaded the "Silver-Quartz Conductive Alloy" recipe and issued a priority manufacturing command.[Priority Command: Produce 5 kilograms of 'Silvartz Conductive Alloy' using available materials and Standard Manufacturing Program 7B.]
The machine sprang to life. One of its massive robotic arms moved with grace, selecting the required amounts of raw materials from the input slots and transporting them to an internal processing chamber, emitting a bright orange glow and intense heat that could be felt even from a distance. The sounds of grinding, melting, and shaping echoed loudly in the silent industrial hall, like an ancient metal heart coming back to life after centuries of slumber.
Elara watched the process with technical awe, Faela with cold curiosity, and Lilith with indifference, as long as her master was safe. As for Tian Heng, he watched the machine's readings and the quality of the process with an analytical eye, learning how this ancient technology operated.
After about an hour of continuous work, the grinding and glow from the processing chamber dimmed. Another robotic arm moved toward the final product slot and carefully placed several bright, silvery-blue rods and coils of metal.
[Manufacturing Complete. 5.0 kilograms of Conductive Alloy produced. Immediate quality analysis: Meets minimum specifications for repairing Regulatory Node Class 4/5 (Estimated conductivity efficiency 78%).]
Tian Heng stepped forward and picked up one of the new metal coils. It was still slightly warm. He felt a faint, responsive flow of ether from it. It was not as powerful as the legendary original alloy mentioned in the records, but it was far superior to anything he could have salvaged or gathered, and it was more than sufficient for the intended purpose.
They had succeeded. They were no longer mere discoverers and explorers in this forgotten vault; they were now makers.
"Very good," Tian Heng said, allowing a cold, satisfied smile to briefly flicker across his face. "Elara, Faela, start preparing this alloy and the necessary tools. Lilith, with me. We're returning to the Crystal Cave now. It's time to permanently repair the main energy artery."