Chapter 49: The Fruits of Engineering Patience
Two more weeks passed in the temporary cave near Oakhaven. The group had settled into a harsh, disciplined routine under Tian Heng's strict command. The enhanced aether condensers—five now operating at full capacity—hummed day and night, drawing in the relatively rich ambient aether around the cave and slowly but steadily converting it into drops and small shards of high-purity condensed aether. Tian Heng carefully stored this precious output in insulated crates he had salvaged, regularly monitoring the growing stockpile.
[Core, report current condensed aether reserves.][Current stored condensed aether: 68.7 standard units. Current production rate from five condensers: approx. 20.5 units per day.]
Over 68 units. They had just surpassed the minimum threshold needed to attempt activating one of the large dormant modules.
During these two weeks, Tian Heng had not been idle. In addition to closely overseeing the condensers' operation and assigning tasks to his four subordinates (Ilara for precise technical assistance, Lyra for essential resource gathering and perimeter security, Faila for decryption of complex runes, and Lilith as ever-present guard), he devoted every free moment to his personal training and study.
He had now mastered the early stages of the "Frozen Star Forging Style" impressively. The "Star Seed" within his dantian had become denser and more radiant, and his control over cold aether had grown unnervingly precise. He had not yet broken through to the Core Forger level, but he felt his foundation as a Peak Aether Collector had become incredibly solid.
More importantly, through careful collaboration with Faila and Ilara—and using the partial Builders' language key—he had deciphered large portions of the schematics for the Purification Unit, the Regulation Node, and most crucially, the activation protocols and blueprints for the Basic Manufacturing Unit (Tier 1) shown on the infrastructure map.
Now, with enough condensed aether to activate at least one unit, he faced a strategic decision:Should he begin with the Water Purification Unit to secure a vital resource, or the Basic Manufacturing Unit to produce the tools and materials necessary to repair the Regulation Node and secure a major power source?
For Tian Heng's cold, pragmatic mind, the choice was clear—even if less comfortable in the short term. Securing a stable, powerful energy source was the foundation of everything else. The manufacturing unit would be the first step.
He gathered his team of four women.
"We've collected enough condensed aether to activate one unit," he announced calmly. "Our next goal will be the activation of the Basic Manufacturing Unit."
When Ilara voiced concern about the need for clean water, he cut her off coldly:
"Water is important, but power is more important. The manufacturing unit will allow us to build the tools and materials needed to repair the main power system in the Crystal Cavern. Once we have stable, high energy, we can activate dozens of water purification units if we want. Priority goes to the power source."
Ilara didn't argue further. Tian Heng's logic—though harsh—was strategically sound.
He began planning the next mission. He showed them the manufacturing unit's location on the mental map—it was in a slightly deeper sector of the original central hall, but much closer to the Crystal Cavern and accessible through an old maintenance tunnel network.
"We move out at dawn tomorrow," he said. "We'll bring all stored condensed aether, essential tools, and the relevant data tablets. The team will be myself, Lilith, Faila, and Ilara." He looked at the latter. "Your growing theoretical knowledge of the Builders' language and tech might be key in analyzing and activating the unit."Ilara nodded, a mixture of fear and responsibility clouding her pale, grey-tinged face.
"Lyra," he turned to the once-proud elven scout, now eerily quiet and withdrawn. "Your task will be to stay here and secure this temporary base. Don't leave the cave unless absolutely necessary to fetch water. If we don't return within three days, assume we've failed, and act however you see fit for your survival."It was a cold command, but Lyra nodded immediately without expression—like a machine receiving its programming.