Chapter 146: The Five Refined Streams

The tip of the silver surgical needle touched the outer crystalline lattice of the Ancient rank elemental core. A sharp, humming vibration echoed through the quiet stone laboratory as the compressed mana inside reacted to the metal.

Beneath his grey headband, Kale activated his energy vision, his green eyes shimmering with a cold light. The intricate elemental channels within the orb appeared in his mind like a glowing, five-stranded thread of liquid fire and condensed earth.

He poured a stream of his refined mana through the needle, using his unified Trinity Crafting skill to lock the outer shell in place. The volatile core resisted the intrusion, its ambient temperature surging rapidly.

Lazek Oberon stood nearby with his hands tucked into his coat pockets, his black eyes tracking every micro-movement of his disciple’s hand. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster kept his breathing measured, curious to see how Kale would handle the multi-elemental extraction.

Kale brought the first glass containment vial closer to the workbench, aligning its brass nozzle with the silver needle. His hand remained completely motionless, his Hexarion physiology providing absolute physical stability.

’Keep your energy steady, Neo.’

The three-headed hydra coiled tightly on the edge of the stone table, its six golden eyes fixed on the glowing orb with disciplined focus. Neo did not move, trusting its master completely.

Kale pressed the needle deeper into the central node, piercing the primary fire elemental channel. A brilliant, crimson stream of liquid mana flowed up through the silver tube, filling the first heat-resistant vial.

The laboratory air grew intensely hot, the sudden thermal spike making the wooden shelves creak. Kale did not flinch, his Flame Resistance passive trait insulating his nerve endings from the heat.

The crimson fluid settled inside the first container, its surface pulsing with a steady, fiery radiance. Kale immediately sealed the brass cap, shutting off the thermal leakage before it could affect the room.

Lazek let out a short, quiet breath of approval, nodding slowly as he watched the first element being secured.

’Your hand is remarkably steady, disciple.’

’The fire node was the most volatile, Master.’

Kale replied flatly, his eyes already shifting toward the second node on the crystal core.

’The remaining four streams require a different energetic frequency to extract cleanly.’

Kale picked up the second vial, aligning it with the needle before puncturing the earth elemental node of the core. A dense, dark grey fluid oozed through the silver tube, smelling faintly of crushed stone and mineral sap.

The Terra Shell within his pathways hummed in resonance, absorbing the stray earth vibrations before they could destabilise the workbench. Kale filled the second vial to the brim, sealing the container with a firm twist.

He moved to the third node without pausing, his focus unwavering as the clock on the wall ticked. The water elemental stream flowed into the third glass vial, a serene azure liquid that instantly cooled the surrounding air.

The sudden shift from extreme heat to a freezing draft caused small drops of condensation to form on the stone table. Kale wiped the moisture away with a fresh cloth, preparing the fourth container for the wind elemental stream.

The fourth node released a howling, light green vapour that swirled violently inside the glass tube. Kale used his Lesser Mana Manipulation to compress the gas, forcing it to condense into a concentrated, swirling liquid.

Finally, he targeted the fifth and final node, which contained the rare light elemental essence. A radiant, golden fluid poured into the fifth vial, illuminating every dark corner of the research chamber.

Five containment vials now sat in a precise arc on the stone table, each glowing with a distinct elemental light. The raw, Ancient-rank core on the central pedestal was now spent, its once-brilliant radiance reduced to a clear, hollow crystal.

Kale set his surgical tools aside, wiping his bloodless hands with a clean towel. He examined the five vials with a sharp, satisfied gaze, verifying the purity of each extracted element.

’You handled that extraction flawlessly.’

Lazek remarked, stepping closer to inspect the five vials on the table.

’Most Master Artificers would have required an assistant and a full stabilisation array to separate an Ancient core without triggering an explosion.’

’The Trinity Crafting skill allows for immediate energetic calibration.’

Kale explained, unrolling his research parchment onto the table.

’By isolating the five streams, we can now feed them to Neo without risking a genetic rejection cascade.’

Neo flapped its small green wings, hopping from the edge of the table to stand beside the five glowing containers. The hydra’s three heads nudged the crimson fire elemental vial, its six eyes begging for its reward.

Kale smiled faintly, picking up the fire vial and unsealing its brass cap. He poured a small portion of the crimson fluid into a glass dropper.

’Patience, Neo.’

Kale said, holding the dropper steady above the Ignis Core.

’We will begin with a single drop to measure your body’s absorption rate.’

Kale dropped the single crimson droplet into the Ignis Core vat sitting near the edge of the workbench. The neutral, orange slime chimaera absorbed the fire essence instantly, its body pulsing with a bright, refined light.

The Ignis Core filtered the volatile energy, removing the raw, chaotic friction from the Ancient rank essence. Kale then guided the purified stream through his taming bond, passing it directly into Neo’s internal pathways.

The three-headed hydra let out a low, satisfied trill as the refined energy entered its chest. The orange scales on its neck glowed with a deep warmth, the half-flame core absorbing the essence smoothly.

Blue text windows flickered across Kale’s retina, displaying the rapid integration data. The system logged the increase in fire affinity and the stabilisation of the internal core.

[The Nemesis Hydra has absorbed refined Ancient rank Fire Essence.]

[Fire Affinity increased by 2%. Current Fire Affinity: 94%.]

[Half Flame Core stability increased by 15%.]

Kale nodded in approval as he read the notifications. The buffer strategy had worked perfectly, bypassing the genetic rejection risk entirely.

’The filtration method is effective, Master.’

Kale said, turning toward Lazek.

’Neo can safely absorb the entire fire stream over the next three days.’

’That will wake its dormant fire affinities completely.’

Lazek noted, his dark eyes shining with intense curiosity.

’However, you must be careful when handling the remaining four elements.’

’The earth and wind streams carry different structural densities.’

Kale noted, his voice calm and precise.

’We will construct specific auxiliary catalysts for each element before attempting their integration.’

Before Lazek could reply, a sudden, heavy knock echoed off the iron-reinforced door of the laboratory. The protective runic arrays on the entrance flared with a golden light, signalling the presence of an imperial messenger.

Lazek frowned, his pale face tightening as he walked toward the door. He unbolted the iron locks with a heavy turn of the key, pulling the door open a few inches.

Rando stood in the corridor, his dark hood pulled low to obscure his features. The prince’s shadow gave a short, respectful bow toward the Fleshcraft Grandmaster.

’My apologies for the late intrusion, Grandmaster Oberon.’

Rando said in a low, cautious voice that barely carried into the room.

’I carry an urgent message from Prince Renard for Master Kale.’

Lazek stepped aside, allowing the hooded messenger to enter the laboratory. Rando walked inside, his eyes scanning the five glowing vials on the workbench before locking onto Kale.

’What has happened, Rando?’

Kale asked, placing his hand over the Ignis Core container.

’High Inquisitor Luke has placed new watchers around the perimeter of the Fleshcraft Tower.’

Rando revealed, his tone serious and guarded.

’He was unable to break your legal registry, but he suspects your rapid growth hides heretical methods.’

’Let him watch the gates.’

Kale replied calmly, his green eyes remaining unblinking.

’He cannot enter this tower without an imperial warrant.’

’The situation is more complicated, Kale.’

Rando continued, taking a sealed scroll from his coat.

’Prince Renard has learned that Luke is preparing a formal petition to the High Cathedral to demand a second audit during the grand victory ceremony.’

’A second audit during a public ceremony would be difficult to avoid.’

Lazek interjected, his voice cold and analytical.

’The Church will attempt to use public pressure to force the Association into compliance.’

’That is why the Prince sent me.’

Rando explained, handing the sealed scroll to Kale.

’His Highness has arranged for your private escort during the ceremony, ensuring imperial guards surround you at all times.’

’In exchange, Prince Renard expects the first batch of Ignis Salamander Hounds to be delivered before the week ends.’

Kale accepted the scroll, his green eyes remaining calm and calculating.

’The hounds are already complete, Rando.’

Kale said flatly, gesturing toward the secondary holding chamber.

’You may take them with you tonight through the private lift.’

Rando’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he quickly recovered his composure, offering a deep bow.

’You execute your work with incredible speed, Master Kale.’

Rando said, his yellow eyes carrying genuine respect.

’The Prince will be highly pleased with your efficiency.’

Rando retrieved the three scaled hounds from the secondary holding chamber, storing them inside his spatial pouch before departing through the secret lift.

The heavy steel door locked once more, returning the laboratory to its quiet state. Kale stood by the workbench, his fingers resting on the remaining four elemental vials.

’Luke is becoming desperate.’

Lazek remarked, returning to his chair.

’He knows his time in the capital is running out.’

’Then we will give him no openings.’

Kale said, his voice steady and sharp as he looked at the glowing containers.

’I will refine the remaining four elemental streams and prepare Neo for the next breakthrough.’

Kale picked up the second vial containing the earth essence, his mind already calculating the next phase of his project. The Genetic Engineer brought the silver dropper closer to the glass, his hand steady as the research continued.