42: Chapter 42 Stabilizing the Fire Vein

Lin Muchen kicked open the door to his small shack and leaned his back against the door panel, letting out a long breath.

"I'm finally back."

He pulled the jade box containing the chiyan fruit from his robes and felt his deflated coin pouch—no, it was the point balance in his mind that now only had 277 points remaining.

"System, hand in the mission. Hurry up, let's see how much hard currency I can get for this."

[Command received.]

[Submitting Mission: Ding-73, Collect chiyan fruit.]

[Mission completion confirmed.]

[Rewards issued: 80 Sect contribution points, one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone, 100 Sect points.]

[System conversion: contribution points and Spirit Stones can be exchanged for some basic Cultivation resources; Sect points can be exchanged in the Sect Treasury for low-rank Magical Artifacts or Medicinal Pills.]

[Total value is approximately equal to 180 System points.]

[Prompt: Host's current System point balance is 277 points. Including the indirect gains from this mission, total resource value is approximately 457 points.]

[However, it is still insufficient to exchange for the 'Micro Spiritual Vein Prototype' (1200 points).]

"I know, I know, stop rubbing it in." Lin Muchen tossed the jade box onto the table and sat on the bed. "Putting that aside for now, the volcano at home is still erupting. I just set up the Fire Attribute Node; is it stable?"

He quickly closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his Dantian.

At the crater on Origin Star, smoke was still 'puffing' out, but the lava flow was much more orderly now, following the newly formed channels toward lower ground.

On a rocky platform beside the volcano, the crimson node Formation was rotating steadily, converting the fire-attribute energy drawn from underground into gentle Spiritual Qi.

The red portion of the tricolor hub light cluster was glowing as bright as a miniature sun, but it was no longer flickering erratically.

The faint light of the world will transmitted emotions of being 'comfortable' and 'full.'

[Fire Attribute Node is operating stably.]

[Energy overload risk has been eliminated.]

[Current Feedback Efficiency: 7.0%, maintaining stability.]

[Please note, the node requires a continuous absorption of fire-attribute Spiritual Qi to maintain operation.]

[Currently relying solely on remote power supply from the small Spiritual Vein node beneath Chiyan Valley. The energy level is low, belonging to a 'barely fed' state.]

"Barely fed is fine, better than starving to death." Lin Muchen breathed a sigh of relief. "So what's next? Just let it keep spinning like this?"

[Suggested action: Perform 'Stabilization Reinforcement'.]

[Exchange for 'earth fire crystal' (300 points). It can be fused into the node core to increase its energy storage limit and conversion stability, as well as slightly enhance the resonance strength with distant fire-attribute Spiritual Veins, improving remote energy extraction efficiency.]

"Three hundred points?" Lin Muchen's lip twitched. "I just got a bit of savings..."

[This is a necessary investment.]

[The Fire Attribute Node is a key link in the Origin Star's four-element energy cycle. Its stability directly affects overall Feedback Efficiency and ecological safety.]

[If energy supply instability leads to node fluctuations, it could cause the volcano to lose control again, destroying the existing ecological chain.]

[At that time, the cost of repair will be far higher than 300 points.]

"...Fine, you win." Lin Muchen admitted defeat. "Exchange, exchange, exchange!"

[Exchange for 'earth fire crystal' successful. 300 points consumed.]

[Current point balance: -23 points.]

[Item has been issued.]

"Holy crap! It's negative?" Lin Muchen almost jumped off the bed. "System, are you screwing with me? points can go negative?"

[Based on the Host's credit and the potential value of Origin Star, this System provides a small overdraft service.]

[Overdraft limit: 50 points.]

[Please obtain points to cover the deficit as soon as possible, otherwise some exchange functions will be suspended.]

"..." Lin Muchen was speechless. "You really are a 'considerate' schemer."

In his hand was a palm-sized, entirely crimson crystal that felt as if lava was flowing inside it. It was warm to the touch.

"How do I use it? Just throw it in?"

[Please use your consciousness to guide it, casting it into the Origin Star's volcanic region to fuse with the Fire Attribute Node core (Crimson Crystal).]

"Understood."

Lin Muchen concentrated his spirit, holding the earth fire crystal as his mind sank into his Dantian once more.

He 'watched' as the earth fire crystal turned into a streak of red light, flying toward Origin Star and landing precisely in the center of the node Formation beside the crater.

Hum—!

The Crimson Crystal brightened suddenly, like a hungry wolf seeing meat, instantly sucking the earth fire crystal inside.

The Fusion process was very fast.

A few seconds later, the light emitted by the node Formation became more solid and stable, and its rotation speed became much more even.

The energy input channel, which had barely been maintained, seemed to thicken slightly.

[Fusion successful.]

[Fire Attribute Node stability increased to 'Good'.]

[Energy storage limit +20%]

[Conversion efficiency +15%]

[Remote energy extraction efficiency +10%.]

[Fire vein energy overload risk has been basically eliminated.]

[Feedback Efficiency remains at 7.0%, but output stability has significantly increased.]

"Done!" Lin Muchen opened his eyes and wiped away non-existent sweat. "It should be stable now, right?"

[Initial stabilization complete.]

[However, the long-term operation of a single Fire Attribute Node still carries the risk of 'imbalance'.]

[The Five Elements emphasize mutual generation and restraint, an endless cycle.]

[Suggested next step: Find and construct an 'Earth Attribute Node'.]

"Earth attribute?" Lin Muchen paused. "Why Earth? Shouldn't it follow the order of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth?"

[Five Elements Generation: Fire generates Earth.]

[Once the Fire Attribute Node is stable, its dissipated pure fire Spiritual Qi can nourish and catalyze the birth of Earth Attribute Spiritual Veins.]

[Constructing an Earth Attribute Node can both consume part of the excess fire energy to further balance the System and open the next link of 'Earth generates Metal'.]

[This is the most efficient and safest evolutionary path.]

"Fire generates Earth, Earth generates Metal..." Lin Muchen pondered. "I get it, it's like playing a crafting game; you have to follow the recipe."

"So where do I find an Earth Attribute Spiritual Vein? Is there one in the back mountains?"

[Scanning Sect map and known information...]

[According to Mission Hall records and information circulating among Outer Sect Disciples, there is a 'Thick Earth Rock Forest' in the northern part of the Qinglan Sect's back mountains.]

[The earth and stone in that area are hard, and the Spiritual Qi leans toward being heavy and steady. There is a high probability of nurturing an Earth Attribute Spiritual Vein or related spiritual materials.]

[It is suggested that the Host go explore.]

"Thick Earth Rock Forest..." Lin Muchen noted the name. "Alright, I'll go check it out tomorrow."

He lay back on the bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling.

His Dantian felt warm; the 7% stable feedback was like a small furnace, continuously recharging him.

"System, does this mean I've officially stepped onto the path of a hardcore 'Five Elements Collector'?"

[That is one way to understand it.]

[A complete Five Elements Cycle is the foundation for Origin Star's promotion to a 'Small World'.]

[With every attribute Spiritual Vein collected and corresponding node constructed, the Host's strength and Origin Star's potential will experience a leap.]

[Current progress: Fire (1/5).]

"A long way to go." Lin Muchen sighed, but his eyes were bright. "Still, it feels pretty exciting. Just like collecting cards."

"By the way, is there anything to watch out for at the Thick Earth Rock Forest? Don't let another Rank Two Earth-Scaled Python or something pop out."

[Insufficient data to provide a precise assessment.]

[However, earth-attribute Yao Beasts usually have extremely high defense, move slowly, and are skilled at manipulating rock and soil.]

[It is suggested that the Host prepare means to deal with binding or cave-in type attacks.]

[Consider exchanging for 'Weightlessness Runes' or basic earth-System protective Talismans.]

"points again..." Lin Muchen smiled bitterly. "I already owe you 23 points, big brother."

[Therefore, please plan to obtain points as soon as possible.]

[Mining Ore Veins, new high-reward missions, and exploring unknown areas to obtain resources are all feasible paths.]

"I know, I know. I'll scout the Rock Forest tomorrow to see the situation." Lin Muchen rolled over. "If I can find an Earth Attribute Spiritual Vein, maybe the System will give me another 'discovery reward'."

He closed his eyes and began to circulate his Cultivation Technique.

Spiritual Qi flowed through his Meridians, carrying that newly added sense of warmth.

Fire had been successfully established.

Next stop, Earth.

He wondered what kind of surprises... or scares were hidden in that Thick Earth Rock Forest.

A slight curve appeared at the corner of Lin Muchen's mouth.

"Whatever, I'll deal with it when I get there."

"I'm going to finish this Five Elements collection!"