Chapter 10: Runes
Chapter 10: Runes
Crackle!
A small storm of energy erupted on the paper, arcane energy roared, and streams of fire scattered.
“Failed again!”
He cursed softly. Li Yi leaned back to avoid the lingering energy waves, then thumped his own head in frustration, looking thoroughly annoyed.
Another month had passed.
During the first week, the paper used for drawing runes was Mist-Haze Sandalwood Paper from Yunmeng Marsh. This paper was moist, containing the true essence of rain and dew, and could enhance rune effects by a full twenty percent!
But in the second week, it was changed to Radiance Silk. This paper was balanced and peaceful, friendly with elements, and was also an excellent carrier for runes.
The third week saw Peach-Heartwood Tablets, an older medium used for rune drawing in earlier years. It was less than satisfactory, yet still quite valuable.
And this week, it was the most common, the most ordinary… hemp paper.
While someone beside him saw their status rise step by step, clearly on the path to becoming a direct disciple, his own treatment was constantly shrinking.
However, Li Yi had nothing to say. For a whole month, he had not succeeded in drawing a single rune!
Not even the simplest “Drip Gathers into a Stream” drip rune!
A month ago, although his skill had astonished everyone, he was utterly defeated in the assessment.
The essence of being an Armament Master lay in three points.
First, it required extensive accumulation in runes, seals, alchemy, and Rune Matrices. Moreover, one needed deep knowledge in areas like bloodlines, talents, planar creatures, and magical materials. Second, it required genius-level creativity and inspiration, to thread all theories into a cohesive whole with a single line. Third, it required a pair of hands as stable as a mountain, as agile and soft as water, and in perfect sync with the mind!
The first point boiled down to the word ‘accumulation.’ The second point was hard to judge; some were born with it, some might achieve Sudden Enlightenment in a moment. The third point was the easiest to test and was the foundation for all Armament Masters.
In the assessment, both Yan Zhao and Zhangsun Shenji failed to last until the end, while the unassuming Su Xuan’er unexpectedly rose to prominence.
Her Bloodline Ability — “Spirit-God Aperture” — shone brilliantly!
Her fingertips could actually gather a strand of mana with her thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger separately, then shift them in a rotating fashion like a lantern carousel. Her control was so strong it seemed divinely aided!
As for Li Yi, even the most basic exercise of spinning a silver coin on the back of his fingers was full of mistakes.
His proud right hand, single for twenty years, was utterly and completely defeated!
After accepting Su Xuan’er, Wu Yi hesitated for a long time but still accepted Li Yi.
However, there was a condition: if he still failed to meet the basic requirements after a year, he would be expelled.
“Li Yi, you should practice drawing runes in the sand with a bamboo pole first. Don’t waste the rune ink anymore.”
A cold, clear voice of reprimand came from behind him. Beautiful yet icy purple eyes showed disdain.
Su Xuan’er naturally couldn’t stand this backdoor entry guy, especially recently, seeing him waste countless magical materials. Her deep disgust grew heavier by the day.
“Rune ink is very precious… The money of the Butian Pavilion doesn’t come from the wind either.”
Her voice was icy.
“She’s right!” Yan He agreed, his face stern and serious, like a knight of justice. “Li Yi, as your senior brother, I still advise you: don’t mislead others and yourself! With your mediocre talent, stubbornly staying here is not only a waste of your own time but also a waste of the Butian Pavilion’s precious resources…”
He paused, giving Li Yi a deep look, his tone malicious.
“If you still have any sense of shame, please leave on your own.”
“The Rune Matrix in your hand has two obvious flaws.” Li Yi said calmly, suddenly speaking up.
“Which two?” Upon hearing this, Yan He’s expression changed dramatically, his breath suddenly becoming rapid. “Don’t talk nonsense!”
“First, the seal at the elbow needs to add ‘Arcane Energy Throttling’ and ‘Element Separation’ function blocks. Otherwise, this spot is very likely to become the next explosion point. Second, the revolving mana lines on the palm surface need to be finer. For every bit of fineness, the power increases, and it’s exponential growth!”
Yan He had thick skin. Just moments ago he was being rude, but now he shamelessly took notes, the paper rustling.
“Oh, right, don’t think about claiming my work as your own again.” Li Yi walked toward the door. Reaching the doorway, he suddenly turned back. “Master Wu Yi would never believe your blockhead suddenly gained insight.”
Leaving that casual remark, he turned and left.
— “Fingers can be trained, but your brain? Heh—”
Hearing this, Yan He’s face turned green then white. He was speechless.
After a long while, his eyes turned fierce, his face filled with indignation. “So what if he has some crooked ideas? Without a pair of stable hands, even if he talks the sky down, he’s just an empty talker, a tree without roots… Does he really think he’s someone special?”
Su Xuan’er remained expressionless, giving him a scornful glance, a thoughtful look on her face.
Li Yi’s words had touched her.
She suddenly remembered an ancestor in her clan once said a profound philosophical phrase: — “The biggest difference between the strong and the weak is their way of thinking.”
“Could it be the direction I chose has problems?”
Watching the young man’s leisurely, unhurried back, ripples formed in her heart.
“He is weak, but he has something I don’t have… and it’s not just theory. It’s something else!”
…
For Li Yi, the month at the Butian Pavilion was not entirely without gain.
Those two flaws he mentioned just now didn’t rely on the Heavenly Prophecy Ring; he figured them out entirely on his own.
In his previous life, he was an electrical engineer. Researching, thinking, solving problems — it was an instinct that seemed innate.
During this month, he read, thought, read again, thought again. Many things were like seeds sown into his soul.
These theories didn’t show their significance yet, but they took root underground, their roots gradually flourishing. Once they sprouted, they could grow into towering giant trees!
At the same time, his cultivation hadn’t been neglected either; he was already half a step into the fifth level.
His cultivation speed still surpassed all his peers. Many people gritted their teeth in resentment toward “Zhangsun Shenji.”
Furthermore, within the Turtle Hibernation Art, he had actually condensed a trace of pale mana resembling dragon power. Compared to other mana, its color was deeper, and when it flowed, it seemed to carry the sound of a dragon’s roar!
Its quality was more than ten times that of ordinary mana!
Moreover, its property was unique, dominating all other attributes, unrivaled under heaven and earth!
He noticed this kind of mana was refined during the illusion of transforming into a Dragon Turtle, carrying the Luo Scroll on its back.
This mana might be Dragon-Turtle Qi!
Also, within the Heavenly Prophecy Ring, the stored Magic Crystals had returned to ninety in number.
“Four days, just four more days!” Li Yi calculated in his heart.
The Alligator-Resting Art was right before him again!
Though he didn’t know if it would affect the Dragon-Turtle Qi.
…
“Feixue, I’m here!”
In the deep, dark cavern, a crimson red shadow flashed through the air, pouncing on Li Yi and knocking him to the ground.
Li Yi rubbed its head. Over the past month, his bond with Feixue had deepened. However, except for a small area on top of its head, other parts remained off-limits, absolutely not to be touched.
“So? Today, what story do you want to hear?” A relaxed and doting expression appeared on his face as he smiled and spoke. “Yesterday was the conclusion of ‘The Legend of the Condor Heroes.’ This time, how about ‘The Return of the Condor Heroes’?”
Feixue crossed its front legs, comfortably lying on the ground. Its huge head gave a slight nod — this motion counted as granting permission.
Li Yi had long had a vague feeling, understanding that the academy’s purpose was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface.
Think about it. The prestigious Dawn Cliff wouldn’t act aimlessly, spending huge manpower just to soothe a magical beast’s mood?
His role, to put it bluntly, was “spiritual opium.”
Transcendent Magical Beasts grew slowly, with extremely long dormancy periods, often dreaming for a thousand years. In their sleep, they grew step by step, advancing sluggishly.
Stories stimulated their spirits, making their souls excited, accelerating their mental metamorphosis.
And those extravagant, lavish rare treasures? Their use was to supplement the consumption of growth, ensuring steady progress step by step.
This was… defying the heavens!
Li Yi couldn’t help but marvel. The person who thought of this method was simply a genius!
However, figuring this out didn’t bring any pleasure.
He knew that in chicken farms, lights were kept on 24 hours, making the chicks think it was always daytime, so they kept eating. From hatching to slaughter, it reportedly took only two weeks!
Li Yi felt secretly displeased, even somewhat disgusted.
Once he understood this, he stopped telling horror stories and began telling more peaceful, serene tales instead.
The much-anticipated treat time!
“Devil’s Heart? That thing is too gamey and fishy, the taste isn’t good…” Li Yi said with a shameless smile, putting on a bold face. “I remember, in your stash, there’s still a Balor’s Skull?”
Feixue’s furious roar seemed capable of piercing the clouds!
A hint of triumph floated on Li Yi’s face. Knowledge truly was power!