Archmagos Cawl chose to travel via a transport ship, and Zeke tagged along for the ride.
The Elysion Pylons were not far. Back when Zeke and Dance rode Cow, it had only taken them a single morning to arrive.
The transport ship was massive. Besides Zeke and Archmagos Cawl, Creed had insisted on cramming in a squad of Cadian soldiers as a precaution against any accidents.
The road to the Elysion Pylons had already been cleared by Creed's orders. After all, research into Blackstone was a matter of critical importance, and he intended to ensure Cawl's journey was as smooth as possible.
Aboard the ship, Zeke gave Archmagos Cawl a brief introduction to "Mechanical Power."
Perhaps because he had seen so much of the galaxy, the Archmagos was far calmer than Zeke had expected. He asked many incisive questions, which Zeke answered based on his own understanding.
Cawl expressed regret in his tone; with the pressing matter of the Blackstone at hand, he lacked sufficient time to study the mechanical power Zeke described.
However, if everything this human said was true, Archmagos Cawl believed this incredible technology would surely bring further innovation to the Cult Mechanicus. For the first time in a long while, he felt filled with passion.
"Zeke, are you interested in visiting my forge base? I mean, after this is over." Cawl pointed toward the ground of Cadia below.
Cawl had established his own forge bases on many planets, places where he frequently conducted his personal experiments. The Primaris Space Marines had been produced in one such facility.
"There, I would have ample time to converse with you," Cawl extended the invitation.
Finishing his conversation with Zeke, Cawl turned to his servitor, Qvo.
"This plasma generator needs replacement. Qvo, install a new one. Ensure the power supply is sufficient."
Qvo dismantled a harness-like component from the Archmagos's body, removed the three cores inside, and replaced them.
As for the old ones, judging by Qvo's actions, he seemed ready to discard them.
"That's a waste," Zeke said, gnawing on a chicken leg he had pulled out. Through Jade, he could see the items were called Fuel Rods, and they still had 20% durability left.
"T'au technology," Archmagos Cawl explained. "These have been largely depleted, and the power supply has become unstable. If a problem were to occur during combat, it would cost me my life."
"Why don't you combine the three old ones into a new one?" Zeke blurted out.
In Minecraft, identical equipment and tools with low durability could be combined to create one with higher durability. Although he didn't use this trick often, it came in handy sometimes.
Combine three old ones into a new one? What is this guy talking about? Archmagos Cawl's thoughts.
Zeke slapped his forehead; playing too much Minecraft did that to you.
He asked for the fuel rods. Examining them in his hand, he saw the durability bars were red, leaving about 1/5 remaining.
If placed in the crafting grid, three rods at 1/5 durability could be combined into one with roughly 1/2 durability.
"If I combine them into a new one, you have to give that fuel rod to me."
"Certainly, if you can do it."
Zeke gathered all the used fuel rods and, right in front of Archmagos Cawl, synthesized a fresh one on the spot. He waved the new fuel rod triumphantly in front of the Archmagos.
"Alright, this new one is mine now."
Zeke decisively pocketed the fuel rod. Free stuff always tasted best.
Archmagos Cawl was speechless. He made no move to ask for the rod back; he simply stared at Zeke's hands.
What had he just witnessed? Two objects of the same type, merged through some inconceivable method to restore their original state.
Archmagos Cawl leaned closer to Zeke, his voice revealing a thirst for knowledge.
"If there were two Titans of the same model, damaged by enemy fire, do you have a way to combine them into a new one?"
Zeke nodded. "You could detach the most critical parts from those Titans, and I could collect them individually to combine them into a new one."
"Or," Zeke added, "I could restore their durability directly on an anvil using the corresponding materials."
Regarding the fuel rod he just acquired, Zeke saw through the crafting recipe that he could use a material he had never seen before to fully repair its durability on an anvil.
Archmagos Cawl's thoughts raced. The Adeptus Mechanicus possessed many archaeotech weapons recovered from digs. They didn't know how to manufacture or repair them themselves, but Zeke's skill could perfectly bridge that gap.
"You absolutely must visit. I believe we will have much to share."
"Of course," Zeke replied.
The transport ship skimmed over the ridgeline of the Rezlah Mountains, and the familiar Axel Sea of Trees came into view below.
Zeke perked up. They were almost there.
The ship circled and descended, its thrusters kicking up clouds of dust.
The crashed merchant ship was still there. The thick smoke from before had long since extinguished, leaving it looking dead and silent.
Zeke, Archmagos Cawl, and the servitor Qvo stepped onto the soil.
"The Blackstone array lies below." Cawl released several servo-skulls. Like small reconnaissance drones, they began to patrol the perimeter.
Cawl received the visual feedback. "There are signs of recent activity in this area."
"It could be Chaos forces. Abaddon will not turn a blind eye to the Blackstone on Cadia. His claws are likely prowling here as well, with the same goal as ours."
Listening, Zeke began to search the ground for the hole he had used to escape.
"Over here," Zeke called out. He performed a water bucket drop, leaping into the vertical shaft.
Archmagos Cawl's massive frame could not enter directly. He leaned over, sending multiple servo-skulls diving in to transmit real-time internal visuals.
Below the series of narrow, square tunnels was a cavern filled with many Promethium barrels.
Finally, a face appeared on the feed. Zeke held a servo-skull up to his own face. "Hello? Archmagos, can you receive this?"
After getting a reply, Zeke pointed the servo-skull at a block of black rock underground. This was the Blackstone he had dug out previously.
"It is indeed Blackstone." Archmagos Cawl confirmed his target, though he now faced a dilemma.
The hole was too narrow; he couldn't go down.
"That's easy," Zeke's voice came from below. "Give me a moment."
Zeke pulled out his enchanted pickaxe and shovel to widen the entrance.
Cawl ordered the accompanying Cadian soldiers to set up a perimeter at the entrance, then led Qvo into the passage Zeke had carved out.
Archmagos Cawl walked slowly, stopping frequently to examine the tunnels composed of perfectly uniform cubes.
He had watched the entire process of Zeke's excavation. Faced with such distinct methods, Cawl chose to observe, record, and attempt to analyze while the group made their way to the exposed black rock.
This time, with Jade installed, Zeke could see the detailed information of the stone.
[Blackstone]
[Harvest Level: Netherite]
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Next Goal: 600 Powerstones (Only 100 remaining)