Chapter 57: The Mundus Crystal

Hey fella come here. We have the results of the stones inspection.

Excellent.

Situated in the Skyfire Underground, the library stood as it always had. The Keeper sat upon his rattan deck chair with his fingers playing over the clay teapot in his hands. He looked at ease.

Lan Jue had come directly from his jewelry store after sending Zhou Qianlin to the base of her mountain-top home. It had been a full day, one that had filled him with a sense of contentment, and now that hed heard from the Keeper he was beginning to think today was indeed his lucky day.

What was the result? Lan Jue stuffed his hands in his pockets and moved to the Keepers side.

The Keeper shut his eyes for a moment. Ill start simply by saying that if you found the vein this come from, youd make an unimaginable fortune.

Oh? Lan Jues eyes lit up. What did you discover? For the Keeper to even start with this sort of evaluation, he must have found something significant.

The Keeper continued. I wont go through the entire analytical process, you wouldnt understand anyway.

Lan Jue smiled as his elderly counterpart went on. As for the results, we did discover that were this ore to be refined, it would create a particularly special crystal. The crystals capabilities would be immense, and beyond that it would be possessed of a truly astonishing peculiarity in energy transformation.

Simply put, energies injected in to the stone will have its impurities extracted, releasing only energy in its purest form. I call it Mundus Energy. If you were to incorporate it with some sort of procedural structure, you could create an astounding energy purification system. And the mundus energy it exudes could be used in any form of modern scientific pursuit.

What about conversion speed and power grade, Lan Jue inquired.

Conversion is exceptionally fast, the old man responded. You could charge a tenth-class mecha from empty to full in ten minutes. I went through my databanks, and no power gem like this has ever been recorded. It is quintuple the capabilities of the closest equivalent gem. It had to be recorded, so I called it the Mundus Crystal. Were we able to find a suitable means to develop this, it would catapult human science and technology in to a new era.

Even Lan Jues trademark composure was shaken following the Keepers explanation. It took all he had not to gape like a moron.

However, The Keeper proceeded despite Lan Jues stupefaction, make no mistake that this Mundus Energy isnt without its dangers. Converting energy at its quickest rate gradually causes the gem to weaken. Through my experimentations Ive determined that were this stone of yours refined in to a Mundus Crystal it would enervate a top-level mecha three times before being irreparably damaged, and rendered useless. As a result I thought it cannot be classified as an A-level stone a C at best, though of course a very special C. The analysis shows its stored energies arent any different from a normal A-ranked stone. It has no capability of self-repair or other function simply its one special quality.

Lan Jue was not disappointed by the Keepers designation of C-rank. On the contrary the fire in his eyes only grew as the old scientist went on. He had no shortage of stones to compress energy, strengthen attack or harden defenses. But this stone, with its ability to restore energy so quickly, was something altogether different, something he needed.

Another interesting aspect we uncovered, however, is the energy it produces is pure enough that even our Disciplines can absorb and assimilate it. This caused my original C assessment to be upgraded to a B. Regrettably the sheer enormity of its energy output means only seventh-degree Talents or higher would be capable of using it. Otherwise it would likely be A-ranked.

Ive already submitted the results and the name to the Power Gem research association. I hope you dont have any objections? The Keeper looked at Lan Jue.

None, Lan Jue replied. A history making power gem with a name they patented, certainly it would be beneficial to him. Once it became known to the populace everyone would want to mine it for themselves. Theyd be bound by the rules of the patent, and would need his authorization. It was a policy adopted by all of the great alliances to incentivize exploration and public benefit. And with the Keepers help, the whole process was sure to go off without a hitch.

Youd better hurry and find the vein, then. When you do youll be a rich man. Ill be fine with thirty percent of the final sales. The Keeper had sat up at this point, his eyes glimmering.

Eeeeeeeee! At that moment the harsh resonance of an alarm blasted through Skyfire Underground.

Hm? Lan Jue and the Keeper shared startled expressions.

It was an alarm rarely heard, a red alert indicating a conflict the Skyfire Enforcement Team couldnt handle. It meant the Skyfiire Council itself had to intervene, requiring at least one member to make their presence felt.

It was the responsibility of a Council member to drop what they were doing immediately and tend to the problem.

Ill check it out, Lan Jue growled. There was a flash of electricity, and suddenly the Keeper was standing alone.

A blazing halo of crimson fire stormed around Mika, but it was a fire devoid of heat. The Zeus Jewelry Store of Skyfire Underground rose behind her.

Beside her stood a dozen officers of the Enforcement Team. Several more in uniform lay scattered on the ground.

Opposite them stood six figures. Five were clad in silver leather, their faces concealed with hoods. They appeared to be lead by a man in similar uniform, though his was gold.

Hand over the ore. Well pay ten times your asking price. We have no interest in causing trouble in Skyfire Avenue, but if you continue to deny us I cant promise well remain so polite. The rumbling voice of a silver-clad assailant wafted towards the others.

The ridicule on Mikas face was clearly apparent. The nerve! You dare to cause trouble on Skyfire, in our shop. If you want the stone youll have to deal with me.

A chilling voice hissed from beneath the golden hood. If that is the case, then this establishment holds nothing of interest to us.

This toads halitosis is making my eyes water. Lan Jues lackadaisical voice matched his easy stance, having appeared without notice. He placed a hand upon Mikas shoulder, and immediately her roiling fires extinguished.

Boss. A look of pleasant surprise dawned on Mikas features. She grinned as she greeted him. What are you doing here. Its nothing I cant handle.

Lan Jue sighed. How could I not! When a tiger sleeps too long others forget he has claws.