Chapter 22: Decoding the Silence
The central hall once again became Tian Heng's operations base. The days that followed—measured by his internal rhythm—passed in a blur of slow recovery and intense study. He would sit for hours, eyes closed, yet his mind fully absorbed in analyzing the data fragments he had acquired: the partial schematic of the "Prototype Aether Condenser" and the fractured maintenance logs of the "Regulation Node."
He constantly interfaced with the Core, comparing incomprehensible symbols against the basic database, trying to deduce the components' functions through their context and design.
**[Core, search Database Level 1 for any matches to these geometric symbols or similar design principles in other operational or maintenance records.]**
Gradually, some pieces began to make sense. He gained a clearer understanding of how the resonance chamber was supposed to amplify aether vibrations, and how the crystal lens should focus the flow toward the containment unit. But the flaws in his original plan now stood out starkly. The rudimentary regulation circuit he had crafted from gears and wires was a clumsy imitation of a function likely requiring precise energy-field control—something achievable only with advanced components or a much higher level of aether manipulation. The containment unit, made of brittle black glass, was a ticking time bomb—incapable of withstanding condensed aether pressure even if the circuit worked perfectly. He realized that constructing a truly functional condenser with his current resources was nearly impossible without deeper knowledge and better materials.
As for the Regulation Node repair logs—they were even more frustrating. He found references to "realigning the aetheric flow matrix" and "purging residual charge before replacing the conduit seal," but without context or knowledge of what the seal or matrix even looked like, these were little more than meaningless words. The logs confirmed his critical need for that "low-resistance aether-conductive alloy" to fix the damaged circuits, and a "stable, precisely directed power source" of at least "Core Crafter" grade to perform the crucial "calibration" procedure.
The core problem was now painfully clear: knowledge and fabrication. Both required full access to the data panels, which in turn required the central Core to reach a power level of 15%. All paths seemed to lead to that impassable wall.
In a desperate attempt to glean anything more, he turned to Lilith, who was—as always—sitting nearby, watching him with her obsessive silence.
"Lilith, you mentioned the 'First Builders' before. Do you remember anything about how they *calibrated* these energy nodes? Or what materials they used as *seals* to close energy conduits?"
Lilith tilted her head, her crimson eyes staring into space as if reaching for echoes of faded memories.
"Calibration...?" she whispered, her voice distant and hazy. "They… sang to the glowing stones… made the energy dance and obey… it wasn't just repair… it was art."
Then she added about the seals: "Seals… woven from light frozen in time… and the breath of cold shadows… Materials that no longer exist… lost… like them."
Her words were poetic and cryptic as always, offering no practical solutions. *"Singing to stones"? "Frozen light and shadow breath"?* These were not engineering terms he could work with. If Lilith's knowledge was accurate at all, it belonged to an age and paradigm far beyond his current comprehension.
During these days of study, Tian Heng did not neglect his training or recovery. He continued practicing the *Aetheric Breathing Technique* regularly. Progress here was far slower compared to the crystal cave, but he could still feel a small yet steady accumulation of energy, and his foundation as a "Novice Aether Gatherer" was slowly growing more solid. His side wound had also begun to heal well and no longer hindered his movement much.
In a moment of frustration with his slow theoretical progress, he decided to run a small experiment. He returned to the disabled guardian, and this time used his finer tools to examine the damaged mechanism in its left shoulder joint with utmost care. Perhaps understanding how this complex component had failed would give him ideas on how to construct simpler regulatory mechanisms himself. He spent an hour studying the delicate gears, scorched wires, and miniature servo-motors, trying to grasp the intricacies of their design. He reached no definitive conclusion, but the process sharpened his focus and deepened his grasp of precision mechanics.
After days of studying, recovering, and thinking, Tian Heng reached an inescapable conclusion. Staying here and training slowly until he reached the level of a "Core Crafter" could take far too long—time he might not have. Attempting to build an effective condenser or repair the node now was a waste of his scarce resources. The key still lay in the data panels, and that meant reaching 15% Core energy.
There was only one logical option left, risky though it was: returning to the Aether Cave. But this time, not just for training—this time to attempt another energy transfer, perhaps in a more controlled or sustainable way. Maybe with his improved understanding of aether flow and slightly enhanced capabilities as a Gatherer, he could regulate the draw more effectively. Or, as he had considered before, perhaps he could build several primitive condensers *in* the cave itself, use them to collect small "charges" of condensed aether, and physically transport them to the Core. The latter idea seemed slower but safer than attempting another direct surge.
Tian Heng rose to his feet. Lilith lifted her head immediately, as if sensing his decision.
"Get ready," he said simply. "We're going back to the crystal cave."