42: Chapter 42 Energy Crystals

Wang Chen took in Mo Yufei's expression, watching his furrowed brows and that look of loss, sighing inwardly, subconsciously assuming he was worried about the road ahead.

Wang Chen softened his tone, his voice carrying a touch of comfort as he spoke softly: "Don't be too worried. Although this world has gone through the Great Tribulation and is no longer what it once was, there is still a glimmer of life."

"As long as we keep moving forward step by step, we will find a place to settle. There is no need to be trapped in fear for the future."

He assumed that Mo Yufei had just learned the truth about the world and, being in this dilapidated, strange land, was confused about where to go, which was why he looked so troubled.

Little did he know, what Mo Yufei was truly worried about was his homeland in another dimension, which ultimately could not escape the baptism of the Great Tribulation.

Upon hearing this, Mo Yufei was slightly stunned. Coming back to his senses, he looked at Wang Chen's concerned eyes, a warmth rising in his heart, though he offered no further explanation.

He shook his head slightly, his eyes still clouded with worry for his homeland, his voice calming down a little: "It's just that I suddenly feel the Great Tribulation of this world is too ruthless."

Turning his head to look at Wang Chen beside him, his gaze was firmly captured by his actions.

He saw Wang Chen reach into his inner pocket, his fingertips fumbling for a moment before he pulled out a palm-sized circular object.

The material was strange, neither gold nor jade, with a matte silver-grey surface. It looked smooth and delicate to the touch, and one could not tell what material it was cast from. There were no extra markings on it; it looked extremely minimalist yet exuded an inexplicable sense of technology.

Full of doubt, Mo Yufei watched quietly with wide eyes as he saw Wang Chen press his thumb against the surface of the circular object and give it a light tap.

The next second, a narrow ring around the edge of the object suddenly lit up.

Immediately after, the circular object slowly unfolded from the point of contact, its petal-like structures spreading out layer by layer, resembling a blooming flower with an exquisite and unique design.

Once the object was fully unfolded, a slender, semi-transparent tube-like structure stood in the center, resembling a straw. Inside the tube was a shallow amount of light green liquid. The liquid was clear and bright, and a faint, light scent of vegetation could be smelled as it drifted on the breeze.

Wang Chen made no extra moves; he lowered his head slightly, brought the tube-like structure to his lips, and took a gentle sip, allowing the light green liquid inside to flow slowly into his mouth.

In just a moment, he drank all the liquid, casually closed the unfolded flower-shaped object, and put it back into his inner pocket.

Miraculously, within a few moments, the tired expression Wang Chen had from recounting the long history and traveling all the way faded away at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The fatigue in his eyes dissipated, his tense shoulders and back relaxed, his previously pale complexion regained its rosy hue, and even his aura became steady and powerful. The exhaustion from before was swept away, and he instantly returned to a full state of vitality.

This series of events played out before Mo Yufei's eyes, and his gaze lingered on Wang Chen, filled with curiosity and confusion.

Wang Chen saw Mo Yufei's expression and naturally understood his confusion, so he curled his lips into a faint smile and spoke softly to explain.

"You don't have to feel surprised. This is a recovery potion, sealed in an energy storage container made of special materials. The container I just used is a portable model that activates upon touch. The potion is infused with spiritual plants and energy essence, which can quickly relieve physical fatigue and repair minor stamina loss."

Mo Yufei looked up at Wang Chen, his tone carrying a touch of eager curiosity as he took a half-step forward and asked: "The energy crystal mine you seized earlier is a high-level energy source, but how exactly do you use these energy crystals?"

Earlier, while listening to Wang Chen tell the history of the world, he had vaguely understood that in this world after the Great Tribulation, energy crystals were the core that maintained everything. However, he only had a partial understanding. Now that he had seen the miraculous effect of the recovery potion with his own eyes, he was even more curious about how this core energy source was used.

Wang Chen heard this and explained clearly: "Energy crystals are the most core hard currency in this The Apocalypse and the source of all high-level energy. There is far more than one way to use them; they are divided into three main categories: civilian use, cultivation, and equipment."

"The most basic use is to purify them and turn them into portable energy blocks. Things like the recovery potion container I just used, personal communicators, emergency lighting equipment, and even the heating and water supply systems in our safe house all rely on low-level energy crystals for power. This is the usage that ordinary people can access."

"Going higher, there is the method used by cultivators like us. Energy crystals contain pure celestial energy. After being refined through special cultivation techniques, they can be directly converted into one's own cultivation base. Breaking through realms and healing internal injuries cannot be done without them. High-level energy crystals are even more rare and sought after; a single one can equal the efficacy of a hundred low-level crystals. This is also the reason why various factions fight to the death to seize energy crystal mines."

"Besides that, the defensive barriers of large bases, the propulsion of mechs and weapons, and even the repair of ancient equipment destroyed by the Great Tribulation all require massive amounts of energy crystals to support. Especially high-level energy crystals, which have extremely high purity and can drive strategic equipment like large-scale space teleportation arrays and heavy defensive cannons. The value of a single high-level energy crystal is comparable to half a year's worth of supplies for a small base."

Wang Chen paused, looked at Mo Yufei's thoughtful expression, and added: "But energy crystals cannot be used directly. The energy is too violent and must be purified through professional equipment or refined by cultivators using techniques. Otherwise, if absorbed rashly, the violent energy will destroy one's meridians, and if ordinary people are exposed to it for too long, they will be burned by energy radiation."

A question that had been lingering for a long time suddenly popped into Mo Yufei's mind. He looked up at Wang Chen, his tone filled with genuine confusion. "There is one more thing I can't figure out."

Mo Yufei stroked his chin in a thoughtful pose. "Whether it's the recovery potion you just used, the high-level energy crystals that everyone is fighting over, or even those treasures that can restore stamina and improve cultivation—why is it that whenever something is considered a good item, it is mostly hidden in secret realms rather than on this land outside?"

Wang Chen thought for a moment and said: "Many scholars of ancient texts speculate that the reason the world shattered and the structure of heaven and earth collapsed in the ancient era was the root cause of endless resource competition."

"At that time, spiritual energy was abundant, secret realms were everywhere, and treasures and high-level energy crystal mines were countless. But the more treasures there were, the more jealous various factions became. Sects, major clans, and powerful factions squeezed each other out. For a single spiritual vein or a crystal mine secret realm, they would often wage war with armies, fighting to the death over resource-rich areas."

"Powerful experts fought, tearing the sky apart; armies clashed, shaking the earth's veins. For years and months, they were constantly fighting. Endless conquest and destruction forcibly cracked and collapsed the originally intact foundation of the world. Spiritual veins were severed, space was shattered, and this in turn triggered the turbulence of the laws of heaven and earth, ultimately leading to the subsequent Great Annihilation and the arrival of the Great Tribulation."

Mo Yufei listened quietly to Wang Chen's words, falling silent for a moment, his brows filled with agreement and emotion.

Just as the two were sighing and feeling moved, Wang Chen's expression suddenly shifted, and he took out a small sample of an energy crystal from his inner pocket.

The crystal emitted a faint, deep blue luster. Its texture was pure and transparent, with regular edges and corners. A faint, gentle energy aura lingered around it, shimmering faintly in the dim twilight.

Wang Chen reached out and handed this energy crystal to Mo Yufei, speaking in a calm tone: "Take a look, this is an energy crystal."

Wang Chen's eyes carried a hint of inquiry and curiosity: "Sense it carefully. Doesn't this thing feel exactly the same as the spirit stones used for cultivation in your world?"

But Mo Yufei secretly found it funny, silently complaining to himself: Where had he ever actually seen any spirit stones? Those so-called spirit stones were only ever seen or heard of in novels and movies. In his impression, every one of them was crystal clear, colorful, and surrounded by five-colored radiance, looking miraculous and mysterious.

As soon as Mo Yufei's fingertips touched the energy crystal, a cool, gentle sensation instantly came through. Before he could examine it closely, a cold system prompt suddenly rang in his mind, without a trace of emotion.

[Ding! High-purity secret realm energy crystal detected. Can be used for secret realm space upgrade.]