The Awakening Of The Preservation System

Chapter 188: The Awakening of the Preservation System

The warning recovered from the ancient recording formation remained in Aether's mind.

The final preservation chamber must not be opened while the central regulation system remains unstable.

It was a straightforward warning, but its implications were significant. Whatever remained inside that chamber was still being preserved, and the formation network was responsible for maintaining its condition.

Aether closed the System Archive and looked toward the Ancient Origin Earth Dragon. "We need to locate the central regulation system and understand why it became unstable. If we can identify the damaged sections, we might restore its operation without disturbing the preservation chamber."

The dragon nodded. "Agreed. However, I suspect the problem isn't simply caused by the passage of time. Some of the channels we examined were deliberately restricted. Their creators may have shut them down to prevent something worse from happening."

Aether considered that possibility before instructing his shadows to expand their search. He divided them into several groups, assigning different sections of the formation network to each. Some would trace the energy channels, while others would search for control structures and preserved records. He also instructed the System to compare the newly recovered information with the sanctuary's existing formation diagrams.

As they prepared to leave, the dragon suddenly spoke. "Young Master, I've settled on a name."

Aether glanced at him. "You've decided?"

"Long Zhentian."

Aether repeated the name briefly. "Long Zhentian. It suits you."

The dragon gave a satisfied nod. "Then that matter is settled."

Aether smiled faintly. "Come on, Long Zhentian. Let's see what this place has prepared for us."

Their investigation led them toward the northern region of the sanctuary, where the System had detected an unusually high concentration of Origin Energy. The architecture gradually changed as they advanced. The ordinary research buildings gave way to reinforced structures covered in protective inscriptions, and several sealed entrances remained intact despite the countless years that had passed.

Long Zhentian stopped before one of them and examined its surface.

"These materials were chosen to withstand considerable Origin Energy fluctuations. This isn't an ordinary storage chamber."

"Can you determine what's inside?"

"Not without examining the formation. However, I can tell you that whoever constructed this place expected its contents to remain protected for a very long time."

Aether instructed the System to scan the entrance.

[Ancient Sealing Formation Detected.]

[Condition: Stable.]

[Energy Source: Central Regulation Network.]

[Access: Restricted.]

[Purpose: Unknown.]

Aether examined the energy flowing through the inscriptions. It was steady, but the formation drew its power from a channel connected to the central network. Forcing the entrance open could interfere with the surrounding systems, so he marked its location and continued.

They eventually reached a large circular structure built into the side of a mountain. Twelve stone pillars surrounded a central platform, with several energy channels extending into the mountain itself. Unlike the smaller formations they had encountered, this structure clearly controlled a much larger area.

Aether approached the platform and studied its arrangement.

"This should be the central regulation structure."

Long Zhentian examined the pillars. "It is. Although its current condition is considerably worse than I expected."

The System began scanning the formation.

[Central Regulation Structure Detected.]

[Primary Function: Control and Stabilization of Sanctuary Formation Network.]

[Current Condition: Damaged.]

[Secondary Functions: Preservation Environment Regulation, Energy Distribution Control, Restricted Region Sealing.]

[Warning: Unstable Energy Circulation Detected.]

Aether examined the three major channels displayed by the System. One was functioning normally, another had suffered damage, while the third had been deliberately restricted.

He focused on the third channel.

"Why would the creators intentionally shut down a major energy route?"

Long Zhentian studied the arrangement for a moment. "Perhaps they wanted to isolate a particular section. But I wouldn't assume the restriction itself is causing the instability."

Aether glanced at him. "You think it's preventing the damage from spreading?"

"That is one possibility. In my time, some ancient formations used restricted channels as protective barriers. Removing them without understanding their purpose could turn a manageable problem into a disaster."

Aether looked at the diagram again. The damaged channel was connected to several preservation facilities, while the restricted channel led toward the sealed research section. The arrangement suggested that the latter was deliberately isolated from the rest of the network.

He was about to investigate further when a powerful fluctuation passed through the structure.

The twelve pillars illuminated simultaneously.

A deep vibration spread through the mountain, and the energy channels began circulating at an abnormal rate. Aether immediately stepped away from the platform while Long Zhentian released a controlled layer of Origin Energy around them.

"Something has activated the formation," the dragon said.

The System notifications appeared rapidly.

[Unexpected Energy Fluctuation Detected.]

[Central Regulation Structure Responding.]

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[Preservation Facility No. 4: Energy Circulation Failure.]

[Preservation Stability: Declining.]

Aether looked toward the northern side of the mountain. "The damaged channel connects to that facility."

Before Long Zhentian could respond, a second fluctuation passed through the formation. A section of the central platform released a wave of unstable energy, and several inscriptions began flickering.

Aether immediately noticed something unusual.

The restricted channel remained completely stable.

It was the damaged channel that was causing the fluctuations.

"Wait," he said. "The restricted channel isn't part of the failure. The formation is attempting to redirect energy through the damaged channel because another section has lost its supply."

Long Zhentian looked at the diagram again. "You believe the system is compensating for the failure?"

"Yes. It's trying to maintain the preservation facilities by increasing the energy flow through the remaining channels. But the damaged channel can't withstand the additional pressure."

The dragon gave a thoughtful nod. "A reasonable deduction. If you're correct, we need to stop the unstable redistribution before the formation damages itself further."

Aether immediately instructed the System to isolate the affected channel temporarily.

[Command Accepted.]

[Warning: Direct Control Restricted.]

[Ancient Authority Verification Required.]

Aether frowned. The System could analyze the formation, but it couldn't simply take control of an ancient structure whose authorization mechanisms remained intact.

Long Zhentian examined the central platform. "There should be a manual regulation mechanism. The creators wouldn't have relied entirely on an automatic formation, especially one responsible for preserving valuable research."

He moved toward the eastern pillar and inspected its inscriptions. After several moments, his golden eyes narrowed.

"Here. This isn't an ordinary energy channel. It's a regulation point."

Aether approached and examined the markings. The System immediately began translating them, identifying a sequence of symbols that controlled the distribution of energy between the different facilities.

However, the sequence was incomplete.

Aether studied the remaining symbols before looking at the dragon. "Can you activate it?"

"I can, but the sequence must be correct. I won't risk damaging the entire network because we're impatient."

Aether gave a faint smile. "I wasn't planning to ask you to."

He instructed the System to compare the symbols with the preserved information recovered from the recording chamber. Several seconds later, the missing sequence was reconstructed with sufficient confidence.

[Regulation Sequence Reconstructed.]

[Confidence: High.]

[Potential Risk: Moderate.]

Aether examined the sequence one final time before giving Long Zhentian permission to proceed.

The dragon placed his palm against the regulation point and released a controlled stream of Origin Energy. The ancient symbols illuminated one after another, and the unstable energy circulating through the chamber gradually began to settle.

The damaged channel was isolated, preventing further pressure from spreading through the network. The preservation facility's energy supply remained weakened, but the immediate fluctuations stopped.

Aether watched the System's notifications.

[Central Regulation Network: Temporary Stabilization Achieved.]

[Preservation Facility No. 4: Critical Fluctuation Stopped.]

[Overall Preservation Stability: Declining Slowly.]

Aether exhaled quietly. "At least we stopped the immediate problem."

Long Zhentian withdrew his hand. "You identified the cause. I merely helped activate the regulation point."

"Your experience saved us quite a bit of time."

The dragon gave a small, dignified nod. "Then perhaps you should continue listening when I tell you not to rush into ancient formations."

Aether glanced at him. "I'll consider it."

For a brief moment, Long Zhentian looked as though he wanted to say something more, but he eventually gave a quiet chuckle.

The stabilization of the central network had produced another result. Several previously inactive symbols began illuminating across the formation, revealing additional connections within the sanctuary.

Aether examined the updated diagram.

One of the connections led toward the sealed research section, while another pointed toward a facility located deeper beneath the mountain. The System identified the latter as a preservation resource chamber.

[New Location Identified.]

[Ancient Preservation Resource Chamber.]

[Access: Partially Available.]

[Stored Resources: Unknown.]

Aether was about to examine the location further when another notification appeared.

[Hidden Mission Updated: The Forgotten Bloodline Records.]

[New Information Acquired: Central Regulation Structure Located.]

[Mission Progress: 2/3 Requirements Identified.]

[Remaining Objective: Locate and recover the original bloodline research records.]

Aether checked his System Points. His current balance remained at 60,000, and the Favorability System still required another 40,000.

He dismissed the display. The mission was progressing, but he wasn't going to chase rewards at the expense of more important discoveries.

"Let's inspect the resource chamber first," he said. "We might find something useful for restoring the damaged facility."

Long Zhentian nodded. "That is a better idea than attempting to repair the entire network with insufficient information."

Meanwhile, Mu Qingxue had reached the lower section of the structure she had discovered earlier. The vegetation became increasingly sparse as she moved forward, but the natural energy beneath the ground was considerably denser.

She eventually entered a chamber containing several stone tablets surrounded by unusual plants. Their roots had grown around the tablets without damaging the inscriptions, and faint green energy circulated between them.

Mu Qingxue carefully examined the arrangement. Her Verdant Binding Physique allowed her to sense the relationship between the plants and the surrounding formation, and she gradually realized that the plants weren't merely being preserved.

They were supplying something.

Following the energy flow, she discovered a small formation beneath the central tablet. Unlike the larger structures she had encountered, this formation appeared to collect the natural energy produced by the surrounding plants and refine it into a concentrated essence.

A small jade container rested in its center.

Mu Qingxue approached cautiously and examined it. The container was protected by a weak formation, but the surrounding inscriptions provided enough information for her to understand its purpose.

It contained Verdant Origin Essence, a resource produced through the preservation system to nourish rare plants and strengthen compatible bloodline characteristics.

Her eyes widened slightly.

This was a valuable discovery.

However, she didn't immediately take the container. Instead, she studied the formation and carefully followed its energy circulation. After understanding how the mechanism worked, she deactivated the protective formation without disturbing the surrounding plants.

The jade container slowly rose from the platform.

Mu Qingxue examined the container with genuine satisfaction. This discovery was valuable not only because of the resource itself, but because she had managed to understand and operate an ancient preservation mechanism independently.

She stored the container and copied the remaining inscriptions.

For the first time since entering the sanctuary, she felt that she had uncovered something that could meaningfully influence her own cultivation.

Elsewhere, Jiang Rui received another message from the Azure Mountain Family. His earlier report had attracted considerable attention, and several powerful elders were now discussing the sanctuary's discoveries.

The information about Aether's dragon had also reached them. A creature capable of defeating an Origin Domain Realm guardian with such ease was not something they could ignore.

One of Jiang Rui's companions approached him. "Young Master, our elders want us to continue monitoring Aether Draven. They believe his discoveries may lead to something important."

Jiang Rui nodded. "Then keep gathering information. Don't provoke him without a reason."

He looked toward the northern mountain, where the formation's earlier fluctuation had attracted the attention of several nearby groups.

The sanctuary was becoming more complicated by the moment, and he intended to make sure his family benefited from whatever happened next.

Back at the central regulation structure, Aether examined the newly stabilized formation one final time. The System had preserved the reconstructed regulation sequence, along with the information about the damaged channels.

However, one detail continued to bother him.

The preservation stability was still declining.

Stopping the immediate fluctuation had prevented further damage, but it hadn't repaired the underlying problem. Something was still wrong with the network, and the sealed research section remained inaccessible.

Long Zhentian noticed his expression. "You don't seem satisfied."

"We've stopped the system from worsening, but we haven't solved the actual problem. The damaged channel is only one part of it."

"Then we'll need to find the source."

Aether nodded and looked toward the newly revealed route beneath the mountain. "Let's start with the preservation resource chamber. If the ancient system needs energy or specific materials to repair itself, we might find them there."

Long Zhentian followed his gaze. "And if we don't?"

Aether smiled faintly. "Then we'll find another way."

The dragon gave a quiet laugh. "That sounds more like you."

Together, they headed toward the newly revealed passage. Behind them, the central formation continued operating, its twelve pillars glowing steadily for the first time in countless years.

Yet deep within the sealed research section, an ancient preservation mechanism registered the change.

A faint notification appeared across an otherwise dark chamber.

[External Regulation Activity Detected.]

[Preservation Cycle: Continuing.]

[Subject Condition: Unchanged.]

[Awaiting Further Authorization.]