Chapter 56: Steam Core

Ta Ke, Ta Ke, here......

Just arrived at the foot of the Undead High Tower.

Ta Ke saw Amandi waving at him with her two Undead Knights.

Obviously, Amandi also received Instructor Aobuli's order.

"You don't give me any time to rest at all!"

Ta Ke rubbed his brow and slowed down.

The Shadow Ring Staff let Ta Ke's Shadow Form hover half a meter above the ground, making long-distance rushes very energy-saving.

It just consumes a lot of Source Energy.

However, the Primal Dark Sea that Ta Ke had previously opened up has now become his greatest reliance for being able to use the Shadow Ring Staff for a long time.

Ta Ke's own Source Pool's Source Energy is not small.

And the Primal Dark Sea, with Ta Ke investing resources into its development,

Although the level is Level 18.

But the reserves of the Primal Dark Sea are three times Ta Ke's own Source Pool.

That is to say, Ta Ke possesses four times the Source Energy of a Level 18 Mage.

The previous battle.

Ta Ke expended about 1.5 Basic Source Pools' worth of Source Energy.

Now he has roughly recovered 0.5 of it.

There are still 3 Basic Source Pools' worth of Source Energy, plus Ta Ke's astonishing Source Energy recovery effect.

He isn't too afraid of the impending battle against the Ashen Dark Tide.

"Ta Ke, they've already gone ahead, let's hurry over!"

Having said that, Amandi directly swung her leg onto the Undead Knight's mount—a stout Undead Warhorse that could still carry two people.

The others Amandi referred to are the other Undead Mage Students studying under Instructor Aobuli.

Ta Ke glanced at the other Undead Knight.

An unfriendly feeling came over him.

Ta Ke could feel that these two guys were the death-reborn skeletons and extraordinary traits of the two knights he and Tanilu had jointly killed before.

If he dared to mount up, that knight would probably throw him off right away.

"You…… aren't getting on?"

Amandi asked curiously.

"No…… I'm allergic to riding horses!"

Ta Ke said lightly.

"Huh? Amandi paused.

"Can one be allergic to horseback riding?"

Ta Ke just waved his hand.

"You lead the way ahead, I'll keep up!"

Ta Ke himself possesses the heart strength of an Elite Magic Wolf.

Combined with his Level 19 Wind-Striding Sprint,

plus his Shadow Form, he is naturally extremely fast, comparable to the Young Blood Clan.

Keeping up steadily, Ta Ke is still quite confident in that.

"Alright then!"

Amandi began leading the way ahead.

"Those three have already built an Undead Defense Line there."

"Those ordinary Undead pose no problem."

"I'm just worried that a large number of Elites, or even powerful Leader-level Undead, might appear."

"At that time, we'll need you to take action."

"No problem!"

Ta Ke nodded.

Deep underground.

Inside a dark, silent cave.

"Crack-crack......"

The cracking sounds of breaking chains rang out one after another.

A black sheep, its outline visibly breaking free from its bonds.

It completed the transformation from sheep to person.

This person was none other than Tanilu.

Ta Ke, who had mastered the Bastion Ritual, released Tanilu before taking action.

After arriving deep in the cave, Tanilu tried to break free from the Sheep Transformation Technique's bonds.

After several hours, he finally succeeded.

As a follower of the Anri Power within his body,

Tanilu had already sensed the turmoil arising in the Laomoer High Tower City-State.

He knew that, whether caught by the Laomoer Officials or the Anri Church, he would almost certainly die.

Therefore, Tanilu did not hesitate, decisively fleeing in the direction away from Lamorel High Tower.

But soon.

Tanilu then returned.

His speed was more determined and faster than when he left before.

Conscience? It doesn't exist.

At this moment, behind Tanilu, there was suddenly a large group of creatures the size of adult orange cats, with small red eyes, ferocious fur, full of madness and bloodlust—the 'Demonic Water Rats'.

Tanilu was very clear about this.

Anyone caught by these mad, bloodthirsty Demonic Water Rats who manages to keep even a single whole bone counts as blessed by the spirits.

"This damned bunch of rats, how did they grow so big?"

While cursing, Tanilu increased his power and fled toward the Undead High Tower.

Deep in the underground passage.

Steadily following behind Amanti and the Undead Knight.

Take moved forward while examining this haul.

"A second-tier Earth Rune Ring Staff is stronger than my Shadow Rune—at least several hundred demon gold, possibly up to a thousand."

"Using this Earth Rune Ring Staff to initiate the Bulwark Ritual sorcery is simply perfect."

"The defensive coating that comes with this Earth Rune is also quite good—it just… slightly conflicts with my Shadow Cloak, but it's not a big problem."

"If there were a rune alchemist who could solve this issue, that would be absolutely perfect."

"Next, there's an astonishing amount of Life Potions and Source Energy Potions, all high-grade goods that could sell for hundreds of demon gold."

"Tsk tsk… as expected of a wizard family member, their wealth is astonishing."

"Other miscellaneous materials that came in bit by bit are somewhat contaminated with Darksun pollution."

"That guy himself is a Darksun follower, which is easy to digest, but for me it's quite troublesome."

"If there were an alchemist, that would be even better."

"There are still quite a few alchemists inside the tower; if we have time, we can visit them."

Thinking of an alchemist, Take couldn't help but lightly probe his fingers.

"Alchemy relies on precise control and grasp of materials."

"Moreover, I've basically digested Eden Gladstone's alchemy books."

"As far as theory goes, I can still count as a half-fledged alchemy apprentice; I lack the Alchemy Sequence, but I can possess the Steam Sequence, combined with SSS-grade 【Precision-Correction】."

"Even if I can't become a powerful alchemist."

"Being able to normally repair extraordinary equipment and materials is enough."

After examining all the materials.

Take calmed his mind.

He looked at the most important haul—the Steam Core!

Within the near‑condensed source‑energy steam, an object about the size of two fists, with a faint silvery‑gray metallic luster, was sealed inside.

Its surface is highly irregular, yet every line of texture and vein possesses a wonderful rhythm.

In several deeper parts, complete rune markings are clearly visible.

In other words, powerful rune power is merely one component of this item.

Take glanced at it and immediately felt an extremely dense and thick network of lines rushing toward him.

Besides that, the densely packed texture lines are extremely regular and full of strong 'Steam Sequence' characteristics.

Take had never before seen such a high‑density sequence of lines on any object.

Take couldn't help but sigh.

This is the indescribable peculiar product of the roaring steam age—the Steam Core!

With steel and rails as the blood vessels of life.

With the burning of source‑energy steam as the wellspring of life.

The roaring steam‑driven mechanical factories and the steam‑rising furnaces are His organs.

The passengers aboard the steam trains are His followers.

The transported cargo is His offering.

The prosperity and wealth brought by the arrival of the steam train station is His faith.

The accumulation of centuries of this era.

Finally, in the transcendent steam age, humanity's greatest miracle was born—the 'Spirit of Steam and Rails' and its crystallized product, the 【Steam Core】.

Having obtained the Steam Core, Take now qualifies to ascend to become a powerful 【Steam Mage】.

Just as Take was about to praise the Steam Core with more words.

A discordant disturbance appeared.

At the point where the side passage converged ahead, a figure emerged.

It was none other than Tanilu, whom Take had previously let go.

This guy not only ran back, but also bumped into the two of them.

It has to be said, this guy's luck is extraordinarily good!

Upon seeing Amanti and her Undead Knight, Tanilu felt a surge of joy.

He instinctively glanced backward.

Then his smile froze on his face.

Oh, damn it!

Tanilu began to curse in a low voice.

Since you're back, let's go guard the defense line together.

After all... the dual-sequence genius of the Lamorel High Tower City-state, the fact that he killed an A-level genius of the Evil God Organization, will soon be known to everyone.

Take looked at Tanilu, speaking with a long breath.

What?

Tanilu was first startled; he actually really killed that A-level genius of the Evil God Organization.

Then came anger; he dared to frame me.

Finally came fear; he could even kill the Evil God Organization's heavily protected genius—does he want to kill me?

Countless feelings of resentment surged to his lips, but Tanilu could only swallow his anger.

This damned demon!

They were still marching forward.

Take suddenly felt something, then looked toward the rear.

A large number of water rats—Take could naturally sense them.

And within the water rat colony, there seems to be a hidden special existence.

(End of chapter)