Chapter 371: Steam‑Chaos Seed! Steam Spirit!

Ta Ke knows that, as time passes.

More and more enemies will notice him.

Even with the protection of the Transcendent World, it is still not the protection of the origin.

Moreover… the Four‑tooth Elephant Realm Ship and the Blood Sea Sunken Ship Site share the same root.

There are still powerful Chao Shen Da Shi who can infiltrate.

Therefore, quickly strengthening one's power is the proper way.

The battle at the Chamber Realm Gate has concluded.

Ta Ke officially seized control of the Flame World Tree Chamber Realm Gate's entry and exit passes.

Ta Ke did not rush to expand the war situation.

Instead, he steadfastly defended the Chamber Realm Gate.

For a moment, the Four‑tooth Elephant Realm Ship area also entered a standoff.

Occasionally, Ta Ke can still obtain some battle reports from the Purple Magnolia Transcendent World.

And here at the Flame World Tree.

Since the Steam Empress has been exposed, she immediately began massive nest‑building.

One by one, the tiered domain tree nests were opened by the Steam Empress.

One after another, shark‑insect nests were created.

Large amounts of flesh‑blood crystals were stored deep within the nests.

Moreover, as the steam ecology of the Steam‑Flame World Tree gradually took shape, endless steam energy surged in.

The Steam Shark Insect Empress fully activated the troop‑spawning mode.

And the spawned units are still high‑grade, long‑life steam shark insects.

Meanwhile, Ta Ke, deep within the Chaos Master nest, is diligently forging his own master seed.

Master nest tower.

The surrounding viscous, heavy chaos origin, like a gelatin, envelops the entire tower nest.

Here… it feels like a cocoon nest.

Feeling the brand‑new silver‑gray "steam core" in his hand, Ta Ke ponders.

"This is already the thirty‑fifth steam core I've absorbed."

"Having absorbed so many steam cores, the ecology's craving for steam cores has not eased but intensified."

"Can this Chaos‑Steam Master ecology really absorb steam cores like this?"

He slowly completes the absorption of this steam core.

Ta Ke immerses himself in the chaos vortex, continues to absorb the chaos origin, and forges his own chaos master seed.

Since beginning to forge the chaos master seed, after the Tree of Sequences formed a "chaos vortex",

Ta Ke has found that his ecology urgently needs steam cores.

Thus Ta Ke began gradually delivering steam cores into his ecology.

Approximately every three days, his vortex can digest one steam core.

But by today, it has already been three to four months.

"The steam sequence and chaos origin have formed a perfect interaction here, creating my own 【steam‑chaos sequence】; the forged seed is a unique steam‑chaos seed, which is undoubtedly a good thing."

"But… I don't know when this bottomless steam core demand will ever end."

"Not to mention the current huge demand, after I ascend to Chao Shen Da Shi, the steam core demand will become even more staggering."

"At present, the Purple Magnolia Transcendent World is already experiencing a steam core shortage."

"Even when I contacted Senior Luo Mos last month, he had already begun borrowing resources from me."

Having failed to obtain resources, Ta Ke instead supplied over five thousand chaos ancient god stones and more than twenty‑million chaos blood crystals, which left him quite depressed.

"The war intensity over at Purple Magnolia is not to be underestimated."

"Always relying on others for steam cores is not a solution…"

With that thought, Ta Ke feels that half the world is suffused with the roaring steam and primal energy of the Steam‑Flame World Tree, and the ever‑expanding steam shark insect ecology!

"Perhaps…"

Ta Ke gently feels his palm.

"I should find a steam spirit to cooperate with, and produce steam cores myself!"

"After all, my steam power is no longer weak; to be blunt, it is already strong."

"Enlisting other steam spirits, where is the fragrance I have cultivated myself!"

After careful consideration, Ta Ke finds the plan quite good.

"Having steam spirits settle in my steam world can fully generate a sizable number of steam cores."

"At the same time, cooperating with steam spirits to build an entirely new steam world ecology within the Four‑tooth Elephant Realm Ship is definitely a sustainable development path!"

Steam ecology!

It is the power of a brand‑new natural ecology.

A long‑running ecology, with abundant life‑death cycles, easily gives rise to 'steam hero spirits'.

Steam ecology is based on steam factories, steam trains, various workshops, human towers, and assorted city‑state construction facilities, and so on.

It has already swept across the vast Transcendent World of humanity for centuries.

Within this, the powerful 'Spirit of Steam and Rail' gradually emerged.

With deeper study of steam ecology.

Ta Ke gradually learned that the "Steam and Rail Spirit" is the "Coordinating Body".

It is a spirit-body region where a great number of Steam Spirits gather together.

In essence, they are still a multitude of powerful Steam Spirits.

He follows the teachings of Teacher Mo Erman.

Ta Ke realized that although the Seven Gods and the Three‑Eyed God belong to the same camp, each also holds its own voice and is not in a purely subordinate relationship.

Therefore!

The many Steam Spirits within the Steam and Rail Spirit, like the world regions they belong to, each have their own inclinations.

Basically, each Steam Spirit can be seen as an independent entity belonging to its own regional faction.

Moreover, there are many free Steam Spirits.

What Ta Ke must do is cultivate the Steam Spirits willing to follow him.

Ta Ke, who had this idea before, now finds the timing ripe.

Ta Ke wastes no time and gets straight to it.

One hour later.

Ta Ke constructs a fairly decent steam ritual platform a little over two meters tall.

The steam ritual altar is built from this world's unique cang‑realm crystal wall bricks, sufficient for the willing Steam Spirit to reach it.

After the ritual is prepared.

In Ta Ke's mind arise numerous prayer incantations concerning the Steam Spirit ritual.

After reshaping them according to his own needs.

Ta Ke whispers at the edge of the altar.

"Great Steam Dimension's Steam Spirit."

"You are a friendly and loyal companion."

"You are a wandering spirit yearning for a home."

"You are a high‑rank spirit willing to forge a pact with me."

"..."

Ta Ke continues to whisper the incantations.

Soon, Ta Ke senses a not‑weak high‑rank Steam Spirit taking notice of his ritual.

However, these high‑rank Steam Spirits merely observe for a moment before departing.

Clearly!

Ta Ke's rank, his rather shabby ritual altar, and the content of his steam incantations fail to satisfy these high‑rank Steam Spirits in many respects.

Steam Spirit!

They are the "Ecological Spirit" and "Void Spirit" born within the steam ecology.

Unlike the "steam sprite."

Steam sprites are "ecological products" of the steam ecology.

Whereas Steam Spirits are "products of the steam ecology's will."

The essential form of a "Steam Spirit" is the "Spirit of the Steam Ecology's Will."

To put it figuratively.

Steam sprites are merely laborers.

Steam Spirits are born bosses.

Naturally, Steam Spirits do not easily cooperate with ordinary cultivators.

They hardly even glance at ordinary cultivators.

Regarding those who look upon them from a superior stance as "Steam Spirits."

Even if they descend, Ta Ke will drive them away.

"I am here to find strategic partners, to create value, not to feed the big shots."

"Those self‑important Steam Spirits, causing trouble for others is enough; don't come here to cause mischief."

After waiting a dozen minutes, when the power on the steam altar was about to dissipate.

Still, no Steam Spirit descended.

"Indeed! Strategic partners aren't easy to find!"

Ta Ke shakes his head, decides to shut down this wave of the steam altar's power, refine his prayer incantations, and launch the next wave of the steam ritual.

At that moment.

A rumbling tremor reverberates above the steam altar.

"Hm?"

Ta Ke raises an eyebrow.

"Even if you intend to descend, it shouldn't be this abrupt!"

The next instant.

A water‑blue figure staggers and plunges headfirst into Ta Ke's altar.

Immediately, the figure rolls, crawls, and darts out of the altar.

While running, it mutters intermittent groans like "Ow… it hurts so much…"

The steam figure finds a nearby steam nest and dives straight in, vanishing.

This scene makes the corner of Ta Ke's eye twitch.

"I'm conducting a holy and solemn summoning ritual, and you, a Steam Spirit that popped out of nowhere, just barge in without even a greeting."

The steam spirit here is far too impolite!

Ta Ke was hesitating whether to pull that steam spirit out.

The altar began to rumble and sway again.

At that moment, a massive, hefty steam spirit halted outside the phantom of Ta Ke's altar.

Even though this steam spirit did not match Ta Ke's ritual incantation.

Nevertheless, the ferocious steam spirit still forced its way toward Ta Ke's steam altar, trying to break through.

Clack clack clack…

The altar began to shake.

After two or three breaths.

Poof…

A large portion of Ta Ke's altar material cracked open.

And the fierce Ninth‑rank Steam Hero entered as it had wished.

The fierce Ninth‑rank steam spirit glanced around, paying no heed to Ta Ke.

A moment later, the Ninth‑rank steam spirit finally instructed Ta Ke through its nostrils.

"Mortal! Finish building the altar; I will depart later."

The tone sounded as if commanding a servant.

That overbearing attitude almost spilled onto Ta Ke's face.

For a moment, Ta Ke, lightly rubbing his fingers, fell silent.

Taking a deep breath, Ta Ke actually looked at the shattered altar, then at the Ninth‑rank steam spirit that was about to enter the steam‑gray mist in pursuit of the Sixth‑rank steam spirit ahead.

"Do you have a steam core on you?"

Ta Ke asked calmly.

Ta Ke's words made the Ninth‑rank steam spirit halt.

It turned to face Ta Ke, seeming to sense something.

As steam spirits, their perception remains quite sharp, especially toward extraordinary ones of the steam lineage.

"Steam Wizard, I am a steam spirit; your steam power cannot stir any ripple before me. I can easily lock your steam power and extinguish your steam flame."

"If you had not built the altar ritual here and opened the portal, I would have already captured that damned thief."

"Crushing your altar as punishment already serves as your forgiveness."

"If you intend to act!"

"I advise you: when facing steam spirits, those of the steam lineage must always maintain reverence."

Mid‑sentence.

The Ninth‑rank steam spirit gradually manifested the powerful aura of its Ninth‑rank flame crown.

Ninth‑rank realm.

Flame Crown.

Plus the steam spirit's suppression of the steam lineage.

To ordinary extraordinary beings, it is indeed quite deterrent.

But as Ta Ke examined closely, he only saw two words—'weak chicken!'

Ta Ke suddenly thrust out his palm.

At the same time, the Ninth‑rank steam spirit, enraged, also struck.

It intended to give a proper lesson to this reckless, steam‑lineage extraordinary who dared to provoke a steam spirit.

The next moment.

A dull "Bang!"

The ground trembled slightly.

The Ninth‑rank steam spirit "Ao Mo La" was pressed heavily to the ground by Ta Ke's spirit‑walking hand, unable to move.

"This..."

Ao Mo La's mind boiled with rage and shock.

Before the steam spirit Ao Mo La could resist.

The whole world pressed on him like a heavy mountain.

And the surrounding source‑steam, as if not recognizing him, gave him no response at all.

"Steam spirits indeed restrain the steam lineage, but... that's relative."

"In fact, the competition between the two lineages is mostly about their response to the steam ecology."

"However, steam spirits align with the steam ecology better than ordinary steam‑lineage extraordinary beings."

"Thus steam spirits appear to suppress steam‑lineage extraordinary beings."

"But... excuse me!"

Ta Ke spread his hands.

"The steam ecology's response to me far exceeds its response to you."

"In other words, I am your true natural enemy; this is the correct way to open it!"

At this moment, the steam spirit Ao Mo La was both terrified and angry.

No matter how it struggled, it lacked even the right to stand.

Ta Ke walked over and probed with one hand.

"You..." The startled, enraged Ao Mo La hadn't spoken before Ta Ke sealed its mouth.

Before long, when Ta Ke withdrew his arm, fifteen or sixteen steam cores had already fallen into his hand.

Ao Mo La's aura noticeably weakened a notch.

At this moment, Ao Mo La, whose steam cores Ta Ke had forcibly taken, felt not only anger but even more fear.

This steam‑sequence transcendent could kill him with ease.

Until now, he had never encountered such a terrifying steam‑sequence transcendent.

Looking at the ninth‑rank Steam Spirit, which was once so arrogant and now trembling, Ta Ke shook his head.

He originally intended to kill this ninth‑rank Steam Spirit.

But releasing this creature back would, first, deter the Steam Spirit that just entered, making it not dare to run out casually.

Second, in case this creature brings others for revenge.

Then Ta Ke could even wake up laughing.

The free‑delivered steam cores shouldn't be turned down.

In no time, he slightly repaired the steam altar.

Ta Ke kicked the ninth‑rank Steam Spirit into the altar with a single foot.

The ninth‑rank Steam Spirit realized it had come to a place it shouldn't be, faced a tough opponent, and didn't even dare to utter harsh words, curling its tail and scurrying away.

"No backbone at all."

Ta Ke shook his head, wearing an expression of iron that failed to become steel.

"You throw a couple of harsh words and I don't kill you; you still expect to bring other Steam Spirits over… ahem, looking for a fight."

"But being able to scavenge sixteen steam cores from this creature is not bad."

Feeling the steam cores he had taken from the other, Ta Ke nodded with satisfaction.

"Now every place is locked in battle; as steam cores dwindle, demand soars, and getting steam cores is profit!"

After securing the steam cores,

Ta Ke looked toward a hidden corner of the nearby steam nest.

"Stop hiding, come out!"

As Ta Ke's words fell, the Steam Spirit in that corner, completely unaware, still thought it was well hidden.

Ta Ke, like a shadow, slipped silently behind it.

And now!

The Steam Spirit hiding in the steam‑gray mist timidly poked half its head out at the nest's edge, looking outward with fear and curiosity.

This steam entity was overall similar to a "Heroic Spirit Body", but its interior contained a denser, viscous steam state.

It wore a water‑blue robe, its long hair tied at the back of the head with a hemp rope, hanging down to the waist.

"Probably… a Steam Spirit born in the impoverished, harsh steam industrial district."

Ta Ke pondered.

"Why did that creature capture you!"

Ta Ke suddenly spoke softly.

"Ah!"

The water‑blue steam entity's scream, like a steel awl, pierced deep into Ta Ke's soul.

If Ta Ke's soul state didn't occupy the transcendent sequence's ecological slot, this high‑decibel soul roar would probably have directly stunned Ta Ke's soul.

Ta Ke seized a massive clump of steam and forcefully stuffed it into that screaming mouth.

He directly blocked the scream at the source‑energy level.

The water‑blue Steam Spirit stared with a pair of watery, luminous eyes, whimpering in its mouth as it still tried to flee.

Ta Ke drew a light circle in the air with one hand.

In the steam world, a drawn circle becomes a prison, tightly trapping the water‑blue Steam Spirit that tries to escape.

This is Ta Ke's steam ecological world.

Even a Chao Shen Da Shi who comes over can be crushed by Ta Ke, let alone a tiny sixth‑rank Steam Spirit.

And moreover!

This newly born Steam Spirit is obviously cute and timid… hmm… very malleable.

And it even came of its own accord, so it can't be let off!