Chapter 170 – The Guardian Core

Chapter 170: Chapter 170 – The Guardian Core

The following morning, the underground chamber was already active with researchers.

Several instruments had been arranged around the Origin Spring, and the collected samples were being examined individually. Orion wanted to understand how the natural energy circulated through the cavern before allowing the expedition to collect larger quantities.

Azrael and Seraphina arrived shortly after breakfast.

"Good morning," Seraphina greeted the researchers.

Orion looked up from his instrument.

"Perfect timing. We’ve finished examining the Guardian Core."

He placed the pale golden crystal on a nearby table.

"Unlike the Origin Spring, this core contains energy that has already been refined by a living creature. Its structure is considerably denser, and it retains some of the Guardian’s elemental characteristics."

Azrael examined the crystal.

"Can we absorb it?"

"Not directly. It needs to be refined first. Otherwise, the residual energy inside could interfere with your cores."

Orion picked up the crystal and placed it inside a circular apparatus.

"The good news is that we’ve identified its primary properties. It contains concentrated Origin Energy, along with traces of Water and defensive energy. Once refined, it should be useful for strengthening your Transcendent Energy control."

Seraphina looked at the crystal.

"Will it benefit both of us?"

"Yes, although your bodies may absorb the refined energy differently."

Orion activated the apparatus.

Several runes illuminated around the crystal, and a stream of golden energy began flowing through the surrounding channels. The residual energy gradually separated from the core, leaving behind a clearer crystalline substance.

After several minutes, the apparatus stopped.

Orion carefully removed the refined material.

"Here we are."

The crystal had become smaller, but its light was considerably brighter.

Azrael received a private notification.

Resource Identified

Refined Guardian Essence

Quality: High

Properties:

Origin Energy Reinforcement

Elemental Energy Adaptation

Energy Control Enhancement

Compatibility:

Azrael Ashbourne: High

Seraphina Ashbourne: Excellent

Seraphina smiled.

"Excellent compatibility?"

Orion nodded.

"Your Genesis Bloom bloodline naturally responds well to the purified energy. Azrael’s compatibility is also high, but his Aetherion bloodline will process it differently."

He divided the refined essence into two portions.

"Let’s begin with a small amount."

The twins entered their cultivation positions.

Azrael swallowed his portion and immediately circulated his Transcendent Energy.

The essence dissolved within his body, releasing a concentrated wave of energy that travelled toward his core.

His Aetherion bloodline responded by drawing the energy inward. The silver-black energy circulating through his pathways became denser, and his control over its movement improved.

Unlike the Origin Spring, which primarily nourished his foundation, the Guardian Essence seemed to strengthen his ability to manipulate energy under pressure.

He focused on maintaining a steady circulation.

His System appeared.

Guardian Essence Refinement

Energy Control: Improved

Transcendent Energy Density: Increased

Aetherion Resonance: Increased

Trait Development: Transcendent Aetherion Body

Azrael continued refining the essence until the energy had been completely absorbed.

Across from him, Seraphina’s reaction was considerably more noticeable.

Golden energy spread around her cultivation platform, forming several luminous flowers. Each flower released tiny particles that entered her body and gathered around her Genesis Core.

Her core absorbed the essence rapidly, converting its energy into a more refined form of Genesis Energy.

Seraphina adjusted her circulation, preventing the energy from accumulating too quickly.

Her System appeared.

Guardian Essence Refinement

Genesis Energy Control: Improved

Transcendent Energy Density: Increased

Genesis Bloom Understanding: Increased

Trait Development: Origin Nourishment

After several minutes, the golden flowers gradually disappeared.

Seraphina opened her eyes.

"That felt different from the spring."

Orion nodded.

"The Origin Spring nourishes your overall foundation, while the Guardian Essence is more concentrated. It helps refine the way your energy responds to external forces."

Azrael stood up.

"My control feels smoother."

"That’s precisely what we wanted."

Orion looked toward the training area.

"There’s another test I’d like you to perform. Your new realm has improved your energy control, but I want to see how effectively you can maintain it while moving."

The twins followed him into the larger chamber.

Several reinforced targets had been placed around the platform, and the researchers had prepared a number of moving training mechanisms.

Orion pointed toward them.

"These mechanisms will release energy attacks at irregular intervals. Your task is to move through the chamber without allowing your energy circulation to become unstable."

Marcus looked at the machines.

"That sounds unpleasant."

Ryan grinned.

"Good thing we’re only watching."

Orion activated the first mechanism.

A blue energy projectile shot across the chamber.

Azrael moved immediately.

He activated Flashstep and appeared beside the first target, avoiding the projectile by a narrow margin. Another attack came from his right, but he deflected it with Astraeus.

The machine increased its speed.

Several projectiles appeared from different directions.

Azrael moved between them, using his improved perception and combat experience to identify openings. His Transcendent Energy remained stable throughout the exercise.

After several minutes, the mechanisms stopped.

Orion examined the results.

"Your control is excellent. Your movement and sword techniques are adapting well to the new energy."

Azrael returned Astraeus to its sheath.

"There’s still room for improvement."

"Of course. You’ve only recently entered the realm."

Seraphina took her position next.

The mechanisms activated again.

She raised her staff and immediately summoned several golden petals.

"Genesis Bloom."

The petals moved around her like a defensive formation. Whenever a projectile approached, they intercepted it or altered its direction.

When the attacks increased in number, Seraphina created several golden barriers, moving them around the chamber while maintaining her own position.

She then shifted to offence.

"Genesis Spear!"

A golden spear shot forward and destroyed one of the moving targets.

The remaining mechanisms stopped.

Orion smiled.

"Very good. Your Genesis abilities have become much more versatile. You can maintain several effects simultaneously without exhausting your core."

Seraphina lowered her staff.

"That’s useful."

Azrael approached her.

"Especially when we’re fighting together."

She smiled.

"Naturally."

Their training continued for another hour before Orion finally dismissed them.

The researchers were pleased with the results. Both twins had adapted to their new Transcendent Energy, and the refined Guardian Essence had further strengthened their control.

However, there was still something they needed to investigate.

The ancient regulator.

Orion gathered the expedition members near the central platform.

"We’ve completed the initial examination of the Origin Spring and confirmed that its energy supply is stable. Before leaving, I want to understand how the regulator distributes energy throughout the valley."

He pointed toward the six pillars.

"The formation is connected to several channels extending beyond this cavern. If we can map them, we may discover additional resource locations."

Azrael examined the formation.

"Some of the channels extend deeper into the mountain."

Seraphina placed her hand against the nearest pillar.

"And others lead toward the surface. I can feel the surrounding roots responding to them."

Orion nodded.

"Then we’ll divide the work. The researchers will examine the upper channels while the combat members secure the lower passage."

Marcus sighed.

"More underground exploration."

Ryan laughed.

"You really do hate this place."

"I hate not knowing what’s around the next corner."

Seraphina smiled.

"Then stay behind us."

The group began preparing their equipment.

Azrael looked once more toward the ancient regulator. His perception followed the channels running through the stone, revealing a network much larger than the cavern itself.

Whatever the original builders had created, it had remained active for an extraordinarily long time.

But the expedition’s immediate priority was clear: investigate the remaining channels, collect the resources they could safely recover and continue developing their abilities before venturing deeper into the Eastern Origin Wilds.