Ye Ting's first target in reforming the Draenei technology tree was Arkenite Crystal.
Arkenite Crystal was indeed a remarkably magical creation. It possessed two distinct states: [Growth State] and [Activated State].
Newly formed Arkenite Crystal existed in [Growth State]. In this state, it could continuously draw magic power from its surroundings while replicating itself. As long as Arkenite Crystal was planted somewhere magic power existed, it would endlessly gather the ambient magic power and begin growing exponentially, like a living creature.
After establishing a settlement, the Draenei would seek out magic-rich nodes nearby to "plant" Arkenite Crystal as an energy source. They carefully maintained the crystals to prevent their growth from spreading out of control and affecting the local environment—after their spaceship crash-landed on Draenor, Arkenite Crystal accidentally lost by the Draenei had once affected the entire planet's environment and Magic Web.
When they had gathered enough Arkenite Crystal and were ready to use it, the Draenei would transform it from [Growth State] into [Activated State]. This process was irreversible. Arkenite Crystal transformed into [Activated State] lost its ability to grow by gathering energy, but could then serve as both an energy source and an energy storage device.
Such a magical crystal possessed power almost comparable to Azeroth's Well of Eternity.
The Titans were the ultimate embodiment of arcane power, while the Well of Eternity was essentially the Titans' blood. Ye Ting even suspected that Arkenite Crystal was simply another manifestation of the Well of Eternity.
To the Draenei, Arkenite Crystal was the source of all their energy. It was to them what oil and electricity were to modern humanity.
Compared to oil, Arkenite Crystal possessed considerable advantages. It required no secondary conversion, could be recycled, caused no pollution—unless the crystals were allowed to spread freely—and so on.
But in