Chapter Five: Echoes in the Depths
The days in the "Vault of Origin" passed without any notable change in the scene, but they etched a monotonous, harsh rhythm into Tian Heng's existence. The eternal darkness was no longer felt as a mere absence of light but as a natural state of being. The cold became part of his skin. The bitter taste of the pale fungi no longer repulsed him; it was simply a necessary fuel. The faint hum of the core had turned into a constant background noise.
His routine was as precise as a clock: long, exhausting sessions to direct the ether from the secondary source to maintain the stability of the vault's fragile energy, interspersed with time dedicated to practicing the "Nine Cycle Etheric Breathing Technique," which seemed endless and futile, followed by trips to gather water with the makeshift pottery, scraping fungi from the damp walls, and finally, scheduled rest periods where he would lie in the dark, not quite asleep but allowing his body minimal recovery while his mind reviewed data and planned the next steps.
There was no room for despair or boredom in his mind. The situation was simply a complex multi-variable problem: the vault's energy, his personal strength, available resources, time. Each day, he gathered new data and adjusted his calculations. Perseverance was not an emotional matter of willpower, but a logical necessity to reach the desired solution.
After what he estimated had been two weeks of continuous practice with the Etheric Breathing Technique, he noticed something. During one of his meditation sessions, while focusing on drawing the surrounding ether into his body, he felt it – a very slight change. The sensation of the etheric tingling was no longer just an ambiguous annoyance; it seemed to carry a finer "texture" that he could now distinguish slightly better. The internal energy cycle, although still weak to the point of mockery, appeared to be stumbling less.
Tian Heng did not feel excitement, but rather a cold confirmation of his hypothesis. The method was working. Slowly, painfully, but it was working. He updated his mental estimates for the time required to reach the "Ether Collector" level – the second tier in the power system outlined by the core. The timeline was still enormous, perhaps years at this rate, but the direction was positive, even if slight. He recorded this observation as just another data point.
In his periodic assessment of the vault's condition, he noticed that the energy levels had become more stable, now fluctuating steadily between 7% and 8%. Perhaps it was due to a slight, unconscious improvement in his efficiency of directing the ether from his training, or perhaps simply a better understanding of how to manage the flow from the secondary source.
"Core," he thought, directing a new query. "What additional functions can be activated with this level of energy? Is a wider scan of the surrounding area possible? Is there access to additional records or databases?"
[At the current energy level (7.6%), the following functions can be temporarily activated:]
[Expanded Geological and Etheric Scan (100-meter range) - Estimated energy cost: 3.5% (temporary drop)].
[Detailed atmospheric analysis of connected passages.]
[Access to the main database index (Level 1 - Non-sensitive data, basic operational logs). Warning: Activating the expanded scan will cause a sharp and temporary drop in energy levels.]
An expanded scan. New information for a significant energy expenditure. Tian Heng quickly calculated the risks and benefits. Knowledge is power, and better planning requires more precise information. The scan could reveal a much better ether source, other resources, or even potential threats. It was a calculated risk worth taking.
"Core, begin the expanded geological and etheric scan with a 100-meter range."
The hum of the core rose slightly, and the lights of the central platform flickered more rapidly. Tian Heng felt a slight but noticeable drop in the faint "presence" he had grown used to from the vault. On his mental screen, the energy level dropped quickly: [7.6%... 6%... 5%... 4.1%]. The scan continued for several minutes that felt long, before the hum returned to normal, and the energy level slowly began to rise again as the ether continued to flow from the secondary source.
A new, more detailed 3D map appeared in his mind, displaying a network of tunnels and caves extending farther than he had imagined.
[The detailed layout of tunnels within range was identified. Many side passages were blocked by ancient collapses. Confirmation of no complex life forms or dangerous etheric concentrations. Various mineral deposits identified (iron ore, quartz, traces of unknown minerals) - their current usefulness is limited. Important Discovery: A highly concentrated and more stable etheric pocket was identified approximately 95 meters away, at the end of a southern tunnel network. Access requires bypassing three partial collapses. Additional Discovery: A small sealed side room was identified about 40 meters in a western passage. The nature of the room and its contents are unknown.]
A much better etheric pocket! This was the breakthrough he had hoped for. But it was far away and protected by obstacles. Gaining access would be a major challenge requiring time, effort, and perhaps more strength than he currently possessed. This became a medium-term goal.
The sealed room was closer and more mysterious. It could contain valuable resources, tools, or information, or it could be empty or even dangerous. Given its proximity, Tian Heng decided it was worth investigating first.
But he also realized his need for tools. Moving in the total darkness outside the faint light of the etheric resonator was dangerous. Dealing with collapses or opening a sealed room would require more than just his bare hands. He attempted to query the core about basic manufacturing capabilities, but the response was expected:[Current energy levels are insufficient to activate any manufacturing or material modification functions.] He would have to rely on what he could find or make himself.
He decided to investigate the sealed room. He took with him the empty temporary water vessel, the etheric resonator, and a sharp metal piece he had found earlier that might serve as a scraper or primitive wedge tool.
He followed the mental map through the dark, cold passages. The air here was thicker, and the dust more dense. He finally reached the site: part of a tunnel wall that looked different. It was not natural rock; it was a massive metal door, rust-colored, with no obvious handle or visible hinges, almost completely fused with the surrounding rock. It was tightly sealed, as though it hadn't been opened in ages.
Tian Heng stood before it, studying it with his sharp eyes in the faint light of the resonator. There was no clear locking mechanism. The surface was smooth and incredibly resistant. He tried pushing it, but it didn't budge an inch. Raw force was impossible.
He began examining the edges, where the metal met the rock. Was there a gap? A weak point? Could the sharp metal piece be used as a wedge? He spent a long time circling the door, touching it, tapping it lightly, listening to the echo, analyzing. His cold mind was breaking down the problem into smaller parts: how to apply force, where, with what tool.
He found no immediate solution. The door was designed to resist. But perhaps he noticed a very fine line where the door frame met the wall, a place that might be a weak seal over time. Or maybe he noticed a particular kind of corrosion in one corner that might indicate a structural weakness.