Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 162: Book 3: Chapter 18: Roadside Barters

Read chapter 162 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 18: Roadside Barters Chapter 18: Roadside Barters //ANOMALY REVIEW REPORT: //ACCESS LEVEL: Administrator (Obfuscated) //REQUEST SOURCE: Internal Anomaly Monitor – Euclid //LOG CONTEXT: Progress Evaluation – Subject #0117–A ("Alex") //STATUS: Internal Flag: Pending Review START OF RECORD: ::://Event Flag: Meridian Imprint Activation// //Subject Identifier: Worldstrider [Alexander Pierce]//Core Status: Incomplete (Damaged)//Meridian Pathways: Unlocked [Resilience Imprint I]//Observed Technique: Integration Unique:: anomalous layering of external aether constructs with internal circulatory channels// //Performance Evaluated//Adaptive Innovation: Exceptional//Risk Tolerance: Extreme//Deviation from Predicted Behavior: +41%//Overall Rating: Good:: Rising Notability// //System Note: Subject continues to defy baseline progression models. Absence of Mage Core offset by irregular but effective integration of foreign constructs. Unlocking of Meridian Imprint at middle Adept-tier survival state is rare—probability <30.2%.//Likelihood of Future Trial Success: Rising (High-Variable)//Behavioral Compliance: 47% (Deviation accelerating)//Encouragement Measures: Elevated: Additional Monitoring: Imminent// //System Remark: Subject demonstrates unexpected ingenuity. Outcome potential—worth observing further.// :://LOG END// *** The cloth spread across the dirt, its surface covered with little piles of reagents, scavenged monster parts, dull-cut crystals, gems and stones, and a few other natural treasures, all laid out in messy clusters. Alex crouched over it, rubbing the back of his neck as if staring hard enough might convince the slices of basilisk heart and wolf-drake marrow to magically not cost so damn much gold, and instead let themselves be snagged up for sheer copper. He wanted to dive right back into the work, blast open another meridian, and earn another imprint, another boost. The high from yesterday’s success hadn’t left him motivated, but Obby had been annoyingly clear. Opening each new meridian was harder than the last. The first was not easy by any means, no, but when compared to the others… The first was like cracking soft clay. The second? More like chipping through half-set concrete. The Third? Boring through a sheet of iron. Every previous unlocked imprint caused the remaining meridian channels to stiffen, harden, basically to calcify. This increased the back pressure, making the next meridian even harder to force aether into, and thus harder to fill. And if he waited too long? Well, once he broke into Magus Tier, the window would slam shut. After Adept Tier, one’s aether quality changed, finishing the calcification process entirely. So at that point, the meridians froze completely, locked in their current state forever. Still usable, still flowing with aether in and out, but unchangeable. That was why most mages only managed two meridian unlocks, maybe three before moving on. More than that? It was doable, but rare. Opening five of the meridians, legendary. Alex wanted all six… Obby explained all this to Alex, convincing him to rest for the night and come up with a plan to further prepare at unlocking the following meridians. Which brought him to Henry and Allie the next morning, explaining everything he had done, and what he had learned. “Yes, of course I will help everyone with unlocking their meridians too. But you all need to get your intelligence stat to twenty before the option even opens up.” Alex explained. “I’m close, just a bit more.” Allie bit her lip and tsk’d softly. “You think you can do that [Lattice Spiral] enchantment for me?” “Uh, I don’t see why not.” “Me too.” Henry crossed his arms. Holly leaned in over Alex’s shoulder, her lips brushing softly against his ear. “Me three.” He smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her closer to him. “Of course, we can make it a whole thing, all four of us at the same time.” “At the same time? No, I don’t like sharing.“ She grinned at him, wi