Chapter 31: Accidents Always Happen
Battle Qi, refined and converted from life force through special breathing techniques, is unlike the psychic energy or mana that mages transform through mental power. It lacks complex and varied properties, being a pure form of energy. Unless one reaches Silver High-rank, it cannot even be released from the body to affect the physical world. However, it possesses an extremely potent ability to enhance life itself, comprehensively strengthening all of the owner's capabilities, including but not limited to muscles, tendons, and the five senses.
The natural energy within the Steel Crystal, however, is different.
Elements, mana, and all forms of energy existing in nature naturally react with other matter and energy. In areas rich with fire elements, Flame Crystals form; where water elements are dense, Deep Sea Orbs coalesce. In regions poor in elements, even Legendary-rank magical equipment will gradually self-destruct due to the natural dissipation of energy.
"According to my calculations, given the dissipation rate of this Steel Crystal, it should vanish into nothingness within two hours. Yet, it shows no sign of shrinking at all."
A golden light bloomed in Moria's eyes. Flowing patterns and textures resembling molten lava moved across his hands. The old dwarf spoke gravely, "I haven't detected any peculiar energy within it yet, but there is a faint sensation related to Chaos... Just this point alone warrants serious attention."
Hearing this, things became a bit interesting.
Joshua stood to the side, watching Moria use various methods to examine the black-red crystal. He stroked his chin and thought, "Nostradamus, Claire, myself, and now this old dwarf—four people, using different methods, have arrived at four similar but distinct conclusions... Damn it, where the hell did Ying find this thing?"
Regardless, their conclusions were consistent on one point—without a doubt, this Steel Crystal came from some world on the verge of doom, tainted by Chaos.
"Space-Time Gate."
The term suddenly popped into Joshua's mind. He mused thoughtfully, "This crystal must have flowed out from that Space-Time Gate I destroyed. I was too exhausted back then and rested on the spot for a long time. Ying must have picked up the Steel Crystal during that time."
As for why she picked it up without any caution... Even he couldn't tell what the crystal was at first glance. How could Ying possibly know? The girl probably just thought it was a pretty stone.
"Visual inspection alone can't figure out its internal structure." Placing the Steel Crystal back into the box, the old dwarf squinted, deepening the wrinkles on his face. "Looks like I'll have to use some heavy-handed methods... Do you mind, Joshua?"
"Not at all." Joshua had no way to deal with this thing anyway. His knowledge of ancient artifacts and curiosities wasn't sufficient to identify the origin of this Steel Crystal. Since the old dwarf had a way, he might as well go along with it.
What the dwarf's heavy-handed methods were, no one knew, but they could all guess. So when Moria pulled out a large Mana Resonance Detection Device commonly found in alchemical workshops from who knows where, no one was surprised.
He slammed the massive machine—three meters tall, trailing a semi-transparent energy conduit behind it—onto the ground, causing the entire forge to tremble. Moria flexed his arms, then took the Steel Crystal out of the box again and said, "I've deliberately increased the power of this machine. It's connected to the Black Steel Core in the central forging area. Theoretically, at full output, any substance can be completely analyzed."
"Of course, everyone be careful." The old dwarf added a warning. "I ordered this instrument from those goblins in the west. It's worked fine for two years, but there's no guarantee it won't explode."
A goblin product?
Hearing this, everyone present instantly perked up and heightened their vigilance. They watched Moria place the Steel Crystal into the instrument, then press the start button, instinctively preparing their defenses.
Goblin alchemy and engineering technology are indeed top-notch in the world, but their restless minds are filled with countless surging inspirations and ideas. They can never calm down enough to perfect a product to its utmost. The consequence is that the vast majority of their products come with a built-in self-destruct function.
"Hmm."
Joshua could sense a massive surge of pure energy transforming into the finest energy waves, continuously sweeping back and forth inside the instrument, completely analyzing the substance placed within. Everyone stood at the observation port, staring seriously at the various phenomena occurring inside, observing the traits and information the Steel Crystal displayed under this high-frequency energy scan.
Several minutes passed.
"It is indeed somewhat abnormal. In this high-energy environment, ordinary energy aggregates, like Flame Crystals, would have started rapidly decomposing and resonating long ago. But this Steel Crystal doesn't interact with the outside world at all. It's incredibly inert, only unilaterally releasing a large amount of Steel Force."
Moria frowned and asserted, "The power is still insufficient." With that, the old dwarf moved his finger and turned the power up significantly.
"BUZZZZ!!!"
Accompanied by a violent hum, a terrifying surge of energy—enough to astonish even Joshua—roiled wildly. The lights on the Mana Resonance Detection Device instantly turned red. The intensity of the energy waves scanning internally grew stronger, and the depth of the detection was further enhanced.
No matter how inert this Steel Crystal was, refusing to react with external energy, under this level of stimulation, it inevitably underwent some changes.
"CRACKLE."
Countless fine cracks appeared on the surface of the black-red crystal. Before the old dwarf operating the control panel could react, the Steel Crystal suddenly shattered on its own, collapsing into a pile of fine powder.
"What?!"
Immediately, Joshua and Moria, who had some understanding of the situation, cried out in shock. They shouted almost simultaneously, "Impossible!"
Unlike the Divine Mechanism boy and the Elf Druid, these two knew clearly that the Resonance Detection Device would at most cause pure energy condensates like Flame Crystals and Steel Crystals to gradually dissolve. It could never make them 'shatter' like ordinary matter.
At that moment, a rotating gray vortex appeared right where the crystal had been. It frantically absorbed the surrounding energy waves, drawing in power and expanding its own volume. At the same time, a strange aura emerged from the center of the vortex, releasing a hazy light.
The speed of the light was unavoidable. In an instant, everyone present was enveloped by it.
Joshua felt exactly as he had before in the main city of Moldavia, when he actively touched the strange power within the crystal and was pulled into an illusion. His vision went black. Although his consciousness remained clear, he could no longer perceive any information from the outside world.
A strange force affected his brain, surging into his soul.