Chapter 149: The Next Threshold
The gold carriage rolled smoothly over the stone streets of the capital, the heavy oak doors insulating the cabin from the lingering roars of the Imperial Plaza. Kale Ardentis sat by the window, his light green hair resting against the high collar of his Master robes.
Beneath his grey headband, the subcutaneous gold runic mesh slowly cooled after the intense inspection. The white light of the Divine Mirror had tested the array to its limit, but the dual forces of the Terra Shell and Ignis Core had kept his black mark fully concealed.
Lazek Oberon sat across from him in the cabin, puffing quietly on his curved smoking pipe. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster blew a slow ring of grey smoke toward the carriage ceiling, his dark eyes carrying a rare glint of amusement.
’You handled the Inquisitor well today, disciple.’
Lazek noted, his voice low and functional as the carriage turned down a wide avenue toward the southern sector.
’Luke expected an easy target, but he ended up disgraced in front of the entire assembled crowd.’
’He was blinded by his own fanaticism, Master.’
Kale replied flatly, his green eyes scanning the passing stone buildings outside the carriage window.
’The mirror can only register what reaches the surface, and my biological mask was absolute.’
’Do not underestimate him now that he has been humiliated in public.’
Lazek cautioned, tapping his pipe against the wooden armrest to clear the burnt ash.
’A wounded Inquisitor is far more dangerous than a cautious one, as he will abandon official decrees and turn to covert measures.’
’Let him try.’
Kale said, his hands resting easily on his knees without a single trace of hesitation.
’The Association gates remain protected by imperial decree, and inside my private laboratory, I command the environment.’
The carriage entered the southern sector, bypassing the crowded public markets before pulling into the secluded lower courtyard of the Fleshcraft Tower. Ten gold-armoured guards sent by Prince Renard formed a tight wall around the carriage as Kale and Lazek stepped out into the shade.
Rando emerged from the shadow of an arched pillar, his dark hood pulled low over his face. The prince’s shadow offered a short, respectful bow toward both Fleshcrafters as they approached the entrance.
’His Highness sends his congratulations, Master Kale.’
Rando said in a low tone that barely carried beyond the golden perimeter.
’Your victory today has elevated the Prince’s standing among the noble houses, and the Church has suffered a severe political setback.’
’Tell the Prince that his imperial override was well worth the investment.’
Kale replied, adjusting his spatial pouch with a calm, steady gesture.
’My laboratory will continue to supply his faction with stable fire-attributed chimaeras as agreed.’
Rando offered another bow, stepping back to let them pass into the tower lift. The secret lift carried Kale and Lazek smoothly up to the fourth-floor research sector.
Kale unlocked the heavy steel door of his private laboratory, the protective runic arrays glowing softly before returning to standby mode. Lazek entered behind him, securing the iron bolts of the entrance with a heavy turn of the brass key.
The research room’s quiet atmosphere welcomed them, the soft orange glow of the Ignis Core pulsing steadily inside its glass vat near the central table. The ambient temperature was comfortable and stable, regulated by the slime catalyst.
Kale walked over to his stone workbench, unsealing his spatial pouch with a swift movement of his fingers. He retrieved the heavy iron chest containing the Zenith Competition’s grand prize and set it on the wood.
Lazek stepped closer, his dark eyes shining with intense scientific curiosity as Kale unlocked the brass latches. The lid swung open, revealing the pristine Ancient rank elemental core resting on a bed of dark velvet.
The orb emitted a brilliant, multicoloured radiance that illuminated every corner of the dark laboratory... five distinct elemental nodes pulsed within the crystalline lattice, radiating pure, uncorrupted density.
Neo emerged from Kale’s shadow without waiting for a command, hopping onto the stone workbench with fluid movements. The hydra’s three heads arched high, its six golden eyes fixed on the glowing catalyst with intense hunger.
’Patience, Neo.’
Kale murmured, stroking the central head’s scales to calm the beast’s excitement.
’We will not rush the integration process and risk genetic instability.’
Lazek leaned over the workbench, examining the internal channels of the orb with a trained eye.
’The core is in pristine condition, disciple.’
Lazek noted, his voice carrying genuine appreciation for the rare item.
’The five elemental nodes are completely balanced, holding an energy density that exceeds standard Master rank catalysts.’
’This catalyst is the exact key for the next phase of the Elemental Resonance Project, Master.’
Kale explained, unrolling a fresh sheet of parchment beside the open iron chest.
’With the Ignis Core and Terra Shell established, Neo can absorb these elemental nodes through the bond without triggering a rejection cascade.’
Kale activated his energy vision, his green eyes shimmering with a cold light. The complex internal structure of the Ancient core appeared clearly in his mind, showing the five glowing strands of condensed mana.
He brought out five glass containment vials and a silver surgical needle, arranging them in a precise arc on the stone table. His hands moved with absolute physical stability, guided by his Hexarion physiology and Trinity Crafting skill.
’We will extract the remaining elemental nodes one by one over the coming days.’
Kale stated, pointing his silver needle toward the orb’s surface.
’Each stream will pass through my auxiliary catalysts before reaching Neo, ensuring the integration remains smooth.’
Lazek nodded in approval, pulling his wooden chair closer to watch the extraction setup.
’You have built a solid foundation, Kale.’
Lazek noted, his dark eyes fixed on the glowing orb.
’With your Master rank registered and the Ancient core in hand, your path forward is open.’
’The next target is the Ravager rank breakthrough for Neo.’
Kale noted, his tone calm and precise as he brought the needle to the crystal.
’Once the elemental streams are anchored, Neo will possess the stability needed to advance.’
’And what of the second beast slot?’
Lazek asked, his dark eyes glinting with curiosity.
’You are a Master Tamer now, meaning you can bond with a second creature.’
’The second slot will be reserved for the elemental catalysts of the project.’
Kale explained, aligning the needle tip with the first node.
’I will tame specialised chimaeras directly, using our shared bond as a filter to pass pure elemental affinities to Neo.’
Lazek let out a short laugh, shaking his head in quiet admiration.
’A living network of elemental filters... You truly think like a mad scientist, disciple.’
Kale brought the silver needle closer to the crystal lattice, his focus locking entirely onto the work. The tip touched the outer shell, and a sharp, humming vibration echoed through the quiet stone room.
A brilliant stream of crimson fire essence flowed up through the silver tube, filling the first heat-resistant vial. Neo let out a low, satisfied trill from all three maws, its green wings fluttering as the research continued.