Chapter 7: The Calculations of the First Journey
In the hours following his discovery of the locked room, Tian Heng did not allow himself to rest for long. He first examined the new tools he had acquired with greater attention under the faint light of the etheric resonator. There were five tools in total, made of a dark, matte metal, surprisingly lightweight yet incredibly solid. One resembled a precise pair of tongs with sharp tips that could be controlled with light pressure. Another was a thin, adjustable metal rod with a small, multifaceted head at the end, which could be a screwdriver or a specialized key. A third tool resembled a small, extremely sharp cutting blade. The fourth was a slightly heavier rod, perhaps a pry bar or a small moving lever. The last was a small flat device that emitted a faint buzzing sound when certain points were touched—perhaps a diagnostic or scanning tool whose function he had yet to understand.
These tools represented a significant leap compared to the sharp piece of metal he had been relying on. He carefully cleaned them of the dust of ages and placed them in a safe spot near the central platform. They were valuable assets that needed to be preserved.
Now, the most urgent goal was to reach the best etheric pocket revealed by the last survey. This was the key to reading the data slabs, activating more advanced functions in the vault, and possibly even speeding up his slow personal training.
Tian Heng summoned the 3D map from the core again, focusing on the path leading to the etheric pocket, about 95 meters away in the southern tunnel network.
"Core, provide a detailed analysis of the three obstacles discovered on the southern path."
[Analyzing survey data...] Obstacle 1 (at approximately 30 meters): Partial ceiling collapse, accumulation of medium-sized rocks, the path is still partially passable but requires caution. Obstacle 2 (at approximately 65 meters): Near-complete blockage from a collapsed side wall. Mostly composed of large rock blocks and building debris. May require removal or finding an alternate route. Obstacle 3 (at approximately 85 meters): Widespread ceiling collapse, soft and unstable debris. High risk of further collapses. Warning: Structural stability of the tunnels decreases as you move farther from the central core area.]
Tian Heng studied the information carefully. The first obstacle seemed passable. The third was dangerous but might be navigable with caution. The second was the biggest issue—it might require significant effort to remove using the new tools, or he might need to search for an undiscovered route not revealed by the initial survey.
He then considered his resources. "Core, estimate the expected energy consumption for the etheric resonator to function as a continuous light source for, say, six hours?"
[Estimated energy consumption for continuous resonator lighting for 6 hours: approximately 1.8%.]
This was reasonable, but it meant that his current energy reserve (about 5% now) would not be enough for a safe round trip, considering any potential additional energy consumption. He also needed to leave the vault running while he was gone.
His decision was clear: he would need to spend some time "charging" the vault, raising its energy level as much as possible above the current threshold before setting out. This meant more long, tiring etheric guidance sessions.
Before that, there were immediate needs. Water was still a concern. He took one of the new tools—the one resembling a precise hand drill—and returned to the water cave. Carefully, he used the tool's tip to clean and widen the rock fissure from which the water dripped. He couldn't significantly increase the flow, but he removed some debris and directed the droplets a little better, making the collection process marginally faster. Every improvement, no matter how small, was important.
As for food, the quick survey he had conducted earlier revealed no alternatives to the foul fungi in the nearby tunnels. He decided to postpone the search for better food until after securing a richer energy source. Survival now depended on tolerating the bad taste.
Over the next two days, according to his internal sense of time, Tian Heng dedicated himself to a strict and intense schedule:
Long sessions of etheric guidance from the second source, slowly pushing the core's energy level upward with painful difficulty. He barely managed to reach 9.2%, a minimal safety margin, but better than nothing.
Practicing the "etheric breathing method for nine cycles" with the same discipline. He didn't feel any qualitative leap, but he clung to the hope that every cycle added an imperceptible amount to the foundation of his future strength.
Collecting and storing enough water and fungi for his planned journey.
Using the sharp-bladed tool to carve simple, hidden directional symbols on the tunnel walls near the main hall exit, pointing the way to the correct southern path. It was a simple but necessary precaution in the utter darkness.
Finally, the moment arrived. Tian Heng stood at the entrance to the dark southern tunnel. The etheric resonator in his left hand cast a faint circle of light in front of him, revealing the beginning of the dusty corridor. In his right hand, he held the small metal pry bar—the tool most likely to assist in clearing debris. The rest of the tools were securely fastened to a temporary belt he had made from scraps of leather found in the room.
He took one last look at the central platform, which pulsed with a faint blue light at the heart of the vault, the repository of his hopes and burdens. Then he turned, his eyes gleaming with cold determination in the darkness. There was no hesitation. Only calculations, the plan, and the next step.
He took his first step into the southern tunnel, leaving behind the relative safety of the main hall, heading toward the unknown, toward potential dangers, and toward the prize that could change everything: a true energy source for his vault, and perhaps for himself. This was his important first exploratory journey, the first real step on the path to empowering the "Eternal Creator."