Chapter 26 : Engaging the First Gears
Tian Heng wasted no time once he had regained some of his strength and clarified his next course of action. The knowledge gained from the data tablets was the fuel that ignited the cold engine of his ambition. It was time to act.
He stood in the center of the glittering cave, eyes settling on the three elves watching him with cautious anticipation. Then he turned to Lilith, who stood as always a short distance away, waiting for his command.
"We'll be building several improved aether condensers here," Tian Heng began in a tone that brooked no argument, distributing tasks with calm efficiency. "Lilith, your primary task is to guard the perimeter of this cave. Any 'crystal lizards' or other creatures that approach—deal with them swiftly and quietly. I want no interruptions."
Lilith nodded, a faint, nearly invisible smile touching her crimson lips as she turned and took up her post at the cave entrance.
Then he faced the elves.
"Ilara, the new schematics require precision in handling materials and sealing the containment unit. Your knowledge of minerals and stones may prove useful. Examine the materials salvaged from the guardian and the surrounding rocks. Report anything that shows good thermal resistance or energy insulation."
"Faelar," he continued, gesturing to some larger metal plates salvaged from the guardian, "we'll need your strength to transport and shape these into outer casings for the condensers. Follow the design I'll show you."
"Lyra," he turned to the sharp-eyed scout, "I want you to undertake a brief and cautious exploration. Look through nearby tunnels for any signs of fresh water leakage or side caverns that might contain other mineral or crystal resources. Don't go far. Return quickly with your findings."
As for himself, he focused on the most delicate and complex part: assembling the new regulation circuit based on the principles of harmonic resonance shown in the full blueprints, and carefully piecing together the core components. He sat for hours, using his precision tools and his growing power as a Mid-Tier Aether Gatherer to make minute adjustments or apply controlled pressure where mechanical tools failed.
This strange and primitive team worked together—not in perfect harmony, but with cold efficiency enforced by Tian Heng's authority. Tensions occasionally flared, particularly from Faelar, who chafed at taking orders from a human, but a glance from Ilara or a low hiss from Lilith was enough to return him to work. Ilara even offered some helpful insight, suggesting a type of mineral clay in the cave as an extra insulation layer for the containment unit. Lyra returned after a few hours with word of a side cave containing clear quartz deposits, potentially useful, though no other water source was found.
Thanks to their combined efforts and the full schematics, the first improved aether condenser (Version 1.1, as Tian Heng mentally dubbed it) was completed in less time than it had taken to build the prototype. It still looked primitive compared to Vault tech, but was clearly more solid and consistent.
Tian Heng activated it himself, channeling a fine stream of aether from his body. This time, the device whirred to life more quietly, with a steadier hum. The absorption crystals glowed with a consistent light, and shimmering silver droplets of condensed aether began to accumulate in the upgraded containment unit at a slow but notably stable rate.
[Core, evaluate condenser performance (Model 1.1).]
[Performance analysis: Condensation active at an estimated efficiency of 7.3% compared to theoretical maximum for components used. Operational stability within safe parameters. Condensed aether output rate: approximately 0.8 standard units per hour.]
Success! The efficiency was still objectively low, but it was a vast improvement over the first model. Most importantly, it was stable. Tian Heng immediately ordered the construction of two more condensers using the same design, taking advantage of the materials and temporary labor (the elves).
While the condensers worked slowly to collect precious aether, Tian Heng didn't waste time. He began studying and practicing the first part of the Starfrost Fusion Technique. The method was entirely different—and vastly harder—than the breathing style. It required immense mental focus and precise manipulation of aether within his body, attempting to compress and circulate energy in his dantian to form what the technique described as the "Starseed"—a dense, rotating core of energy.
The early attempts were painful and frustrating. The aether would scatter or build pressure painfully in his meridians. But he could sense the immense power hidden in the method. He knew it would be the key to his real advancement once he could master it.
After another day of work and training, Tian Heng summoned Lyra, the elven scout. He shared in her mind (via a faint neural link he had painstakingly forged using the core) a section of the map showing the location of the dormant Water Purification Unit—the nearest and most important of the functional modules.
"Lyra, I want you to scout this path toward the specified coordinates. Be extremely cautious. Your task is to assess the route, identify any major obstructions or clear danger signs around the unit's location. Do not attempt entry or activation. Just observe and return."
Lyra looked at the mental map, then at Tian Heng, and nodded silently. There was a flicker of hesitation in her eyes—perhaps from venturing into unknown terrain, or perhaps from the act of taking direct orders—but she turned and slipped away with silent grace. Ilara and Faelar watched her go with quiet concern.
Tian Heng stood silently, eyes on the three condensers now operating, producing a slow but steady stream of condensed aether. He mentally practiced the principles of Starfrost Fusion, and waited for Lyra's report.
He was no longer just a desperate survivor. He had become a builder, a resource manager, a primitive commander. He was now running an energy production system, advancing his personal power through an elite technique, and deploying a structured reconnaissance mission to expand his control over the vault's infrastructure.