Stepping into the rune shop, filled with all manner of magical metals, Qian Jin couldn't help but gasp. This place was an absolute waste; even the royalty of the Zhence Dynasty would sigh at the sight of so many discarded, high-grade magical metals carved into ruins. Only in a place like the Endless World, where resources seemed inexhaustible, could one conduct all sorts of experiments without any regard for material consumption.

Aknash climbed onto her cute chair, which was carved with a large bear, and coughed twice: “Do you know why you must become a Master Blacksmith before you can learn inscription from me?”

Qian Jin shook his head. Inscription was an entirely unknown field to him. A truly intelligent person “would not pretend to know something they clearly do not understand.”

“Inscription is the noblest, the noblest of all…” Aknash paused, stealing a glance toward Uncle Black’s yard outside the door. Seeing that it remained quiet, she straightened her chest: “The noblest discipline!”

Qian Jin instinctively glanced back at Eulala’s Mysterious Potion Shop not far away, worried that this formidable woman might cause a fuss if she heard her own discipline wasn't deemed the noblest.

“Inscription encompasses many things, such as magic arrays, the meaning of runes, and the precise proportions of various magic arrays mixed with magic core powders…” Aknash rambled on: “Of course, it also includes the force applied during carving. If this force is slightly too great, the carved lines will be too deep; if it is too weak, the lines will be shallow—neither will have any effect. Moreover! A line shaped perfectly in a single pass is far more powerful than lines requiring repeated carving due to insufficient force!” Qian Jin nodded slightly, recording every word Aknash spoke.

“Naturally, different materials determine different effects and power.” Aknash frowned in thought: “When forging metal, blacksmiths must learn to control force and the precision of their strikes. Forgemasters have a stronger control than blacksmiths, and Master Blacksmiths already possess a considerably high standard. In terms of control alone, they still have ground to cover to reach the level of an Inscription Master. Of course—a—r—a—a—”

Aknash glanced toward Black’s blacksmith shop not far from the door, her usually lofty tone immediately softening: “Of course, the Master Blacksmiths trained by Uncle Black have special hammer techniques; their control level should be no less than that of an Inscription Master.”

Qian Jin looked down at his strong hands and smiled. Uncle Black really was amazing. Although his control level was equivalent to that of an Inscription Master, it didn't mean he was an Inscription Master himself, but at least learning would be much easier.

Aknash jumped off her tall chair and walked to the bookshelf. Standing on tiptoes, she wrapped both arms around a book two feet thick and two feet tall, pulling it forcefully from the shelf and dropping it heavily onto the ground at Qian Jin’s feet, kicking up a cloud of dust.

“As an Inscriptionist, you must first recognize enough materials. Although you’ve likely recognized many metals as a blacksmith, there are certainly many more magical metals and other materials you don’t know.” Aknash pointed at the large book at her feet: “This records all sorts of materials, marking the growth environment for each and any accompanying materials that might appear nearby.”

Qian Jin looked at The Compendium of Runic Materials (Volume I), a faint smile on his face: It seemed there had to be a Volume II of equal thickness, didn't there? This thick, he’d have to memorize it for ages.

“This is what you must memorize today. We Inscriptionists don't just need to recognize materials.” Aknash gestured to the bookshelf behind her: “Here are the principles of magic arrays, the coordination between runes and arrays, the theory of inlaying, and so on—all of which you need to study.”

“Of course, hands-on ability is also very important; execution is everything.” Aknash rummaged through a chest and produced a set of carving tools: small knives, tiny hammers, and chisels—dozens of different implements in total. “Here, I’ll first teach you the simplest Mana Gathering Ring. This is merely the introductory stage of runes, not even qualifying as true inscription.”

Aknash picked up a small bracelet forged from Starlight Silver. The tools in her hands danced over the beautiful metal like an excellent musician playing a marvelous, melodious piece. One circle after another interlocked, appearing on the surface of the Starlight Silver like ripples spreading across water.

Powders made of unknown materials were sprinkled sequentially onto the connected grooves. The dim Starlight Silver pulsed with a faint red glow.

“Did you see clearly?” Aknash held up the beautiful bracelet: “This Mana Gathering Ring can restore a mage’s mental energy to full capacity in three seconds. If used ten times repeatedly, it will lose its effect.”

Four degrees? Qian Jin raised an eyebrow, clicking his tongue as he examined the Mana Gathering Ring. A First-level mage has between one and four degrees of mental energy, a Second-level mage between four and eight degrees. Could this ring instantly restore a mage’s full mental energy in just one second?

“Today, you will learn how to make this Mana Gathering Ring; the rest of the time, just read the books.” Aknash put down the ring and the tools, turned around, and stretched, saying, “I have research to do; I must craft a divine artifact this time! If anything comes up, figure it out yourself; if you can’t manage, look up the information.”

Qian Jin fiddled with the Mana Gathering Ring. Such a small object could restore a First-level mage’s mental energy to full capacity in three seconds, and it could be used ten times repeatedly. No wonder people said Inscription was a marvelous discipline. He just wondered if there was a Mana Cultivating Ring to restore Battle Qi.

The skin of his fingers felt the uneven depths of the lines carved into the Mana Gathering Ring, and a faint smile touched the corners of Qian Jin’s lips. This runemaster teacher wasn't old, but she was certainly sly. If one hadn't carefully touched the carved lines and only looked at them, they might have mistakenly assumed the depth and force were identical, leading them to suffer some unknown setback during carving.

“It seems I really can’t look down on this young teacher.” Qian Jin picked up the carving tools and an uncarved Starlight Silver bracelet: “Luckily, I’ve met Eulala, Adams, and Uncle Black; otherwise, I might have been tricked.”

Clang... The first sound of carving echoed. Aknash’s small ears twitched. After listening to over a dozen strikes of carving sounds, a hint of astonishment appeared on her face.

“He discovered the trap so quickly?” Aknash secretly looked back at Qian Jin, who was wholly absorbed in carving: “No formal carving lessons, just watching once, and he learned this much? Although it’s rough, relying on the control of a Master Blacksmith, he hasn't gone off track…” Boom! A roar like a collapsing house sounded in Aknash’s rune shop.

Aknash shrugged and smiled. It finally exploded. Luckily, he hadn't mastered it on the first try, or she’d have feared the man would become too arrogant. Qian Jin wiped the soot caused by the explosion from his face, sighed, picked up a new bracelet, and continued carving.

Two more explosions followed. It was only on the fourth attempt, after spending a solid two and a half hours carving until his fingers were stiff, that Qian Jin finally completed a finished Mana Gathering Ring. "Obtained Mana Gathering Ring, Runic Inscription proficiency increased, gained the title of Runic Apprentice."

The stiff system voice slowly sounded. Qian Jin quickly flexed his rigid fingers. The door to Aknash's rune shop was suddenly pushed open. Eulala stood there with her hands on her hips, radiating imposing energy: “It’s time for my class now.”

Aknash looked at Eulala, frowning slightly. Her eyes swept over the bottle rolling and boiling at the Mysterious Alchemist's waist. The loftiness in her eyes turned cautious. She waved a small hand at Qian Jin: “You go to her class. Remember to come back early tomorrow.” “From now on, he attends my class first,” Eulala said, tapping the bottle at her waist lightly. Aknash glanced again at the boiling, unknown liquid and nodded once more: “Fine.”

Qian Jin looked at Aknash, then at Eulala, nodding lightly. He cautioned himself inwardly: In this era, the most insane indeed turned out to be the Mysterious Alchemists.

Eulala’s Potion Shop was as pungently unbearable as usual. After sampling the newest Volcano Potion, Qian Jin climbed up from the floor and stood beside Eulala, watching her research. In Eulala’s words, watching an expert at work was a very important part of learning.

Eulala’s expression today was even more focused than usual. Before her lay an iron box about three feet square. She tossed various mutated medicines into the cauldron. From a box made of green jade, she took out an eyeball!

Qian Jin’s heart hammered several times. His pupils narrowed to pinpricks as he stared at the [eyeball] in Eulala’s hand! It was a real eyeball! Although he had killed people before and was accustomed to bloody scenes, seeing someone holding an eyeball in their hand still made him feel uncomfortable for a moment.

The eyeball rolled into the water, was fished out again, and Eulala opened the iron box. Inside lay a cat! Its eyes were vacant and dull; for some reason, the cat had already gone blind!

“Today, I’m performing an eye transplant.” Eulala’s expression was intensely focused. She dripped the liquid from a test tube onto the cat’s blind eye, then fed it some strange concoction. The cat let out a soft whimper and fell asleep.

The mixing of Mysterious Potions also required control. Eulala held a scalpel and tweezers: “This is the eye of a Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture. If the eye transplant is successful, this cat will not only regain its sight but also possess the eyes of a Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture.”

Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture? Qian Jin looked at the eyeball in Eulala’s hand in surprise. Birds of prey have vision exceeding a thousand meters. The rumored Eagle Eye technique of mages was reportedly developed after studying Golden Crystal Fierce Vultures, though their vision still couldn't match that of the vulture.

Eye transplant! Qian Jin remembered reading in a book that an Alchemy Master once tried to do something similar, but that master used eyes from the same species for replacement, stating that eyes from different species had strong mutual rejection, making a successful transplant impossible.

That Alchemy Master died mocked by other alchemists because he never succeeded in an eye transplant in his lifetime. Transplanting an eye from a different species—the difficulty level was...

Meow! The cat let out a sharp cry and convulsed several times but couldn't stand up, clearly subdued by Eulala’s medicine. The eyeball in its right socket had been removed. For some reason, a particularly unusual thin strand connected behind the eyeball. Upon closer inspection, it was a blood vessel!

How was this possible? These hair-thin vessels, which would snap with a slight tug, were still firmly connected to the eyeball! Qian Jin stared at Eulala in astonishment; the methods of this Mysterious Alchemist were truly bizarre!

The usually frantic and erratic Eulala was now watching every single blood vessel with intense concentration. A test tube of green liquid was dripped onto the eyeball, emitting a sizzling sound like frying oil. White gas drifted from the eyeball, which began to shrink continuously, eventually becoming dry and shriveled. A single, tiny vessel detached from the eyeball and gently pulsed as if possessing a life of its own.

Eulala placed the Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture’s eye into a red liquid with a pungent odor, swirling it once. Then, she moved it toward the empty socket. The end of the vessel adhered entirely to the eyeball!

Qian Jin saw clearly how the position where the eyeball touched the vessel seemed to melt, the two sides tightly bonding together bit by bit! It was like a tree root burrowing into the earth. The pupil, which had been still, began to move, contracting slowly!

Qian Jin stared dumbfounded at the bizarre event unfolding before him. A cold, chilling sensation spread through his limbs. This matter was truly…

Bang! The cat’s body suddenly jumped. The Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture’s eye, just inserted into the socket, swelled momentarily before rapidly shrinking back to its original size. The eye, which had just brightened, dimmed again, and a small trickle of bright red blood seeped from the socket.

“A—a—a—a—a—a—it FAILED—a—a—a—a—a—” Eulala’s cautious expression suddenly slackened. “Although the cat gained sight, the Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture’s vision was rejected... If it were the same type of creature—if it were the eye of a Shadow Demon Cat, the chance of success would likely be much greater.”

Qian Jin watched the cat jump off the table, evading the mess on the floor, and walked out of the room. He was completely stunned—the eye transplant had actually succeeded! It just hadn't inherited the Golden Crystal Fierce Vulture’s special vision—a—r—a—a—

“Ah! I understand why!” Eulala slapped her forehead: “After the transplant, the eyes should have been bandaged. The newly formed eyes cannot withstand even the slightest bit of light; this light is the most terrifying poison to the eye.”

Qian Jin suddenly realized that the science of Mysterious Potions was truly marvelous! And incredibly powerful! Although it contained countless potential dangers—one careless moment could result in no potion being made, but life disappearing—this couldn't negate its wonder. They could even switch eyes!

Leaving Eulala’s Mysterious Potion Shop, Qian Jin distractedly browsed through potion books at Adam’s shop for several hours. "Player Qian Jin, please note, your daily game time is about to expire—please prepare to log off."

The familiar system prompt sounded. Qian Jin quickly opened his status panel and, in the warping vision of the world changing, barely managed to see the data he wanted.

Unknown Battle Qi: Level Nineteen, Proficiency 113D, Qi Volume 1, Battle Qi Quality Excellent—a—r—a—a—

Qian Jin exited the Endless World and lay quietly on his bed, recalling everything that had happened in the Endless World not long ago: Master Blacksmith! Runic Apprentice!

In the short span of just over ten days in this ruin, he had actually become a Master Blacksmith and a Runic Apprentice!

Since the failure of his bloodline awakening, he had long lost control over his destiny. Now, starting from the moment he was struck by that sledgehammer, the ability to control his own fate, long lost, was gradually returning, bit by bit, into his hands.

“It is just as I felt,” Qian Jin jumped to the floor and swung his fists in the air a few times, the air cracking like a whip: “Judging by the numbers provided by the Endless World, my Battle Qi from the Nine Demon Subduing Battles is indeed approaching its peak. But the closer I get to the peak, the harder it feels for my Battle Qi to advance, as if a heavy stone is pressing down hard... If I hadn't exploded into combat so fiercely these past few days, my Battle Qi might not be this dense.”

Ten days, then another ten days. In the quiet environment of the ruins, time always flew by quickly.

Qian Jin exited the Endless World once more and sat on the edge of his bed, reflecting on the ten days since he became a Runic Apprentice. The vast amount of knowledge he had learned surpassed what he gained in several years at the Warrior Academy.

In the eyes of many runemasters, runes were simply countless continuously changing magic arrays formed by materials and carving techniques.

However, under Aknash, Qian Jin encountered an extremely alternative classification method: no matter how complex a magic array, it could never escape the twenty-four letters.

Aknash called these the Runas Script, divided into three groups, with eight letters in each group. Each letter had its own specific meaning and was also called the Eight Letters of Frey, the Eight Letters of Hakaar, and the Eight Letters of Tivaz. No matter how complicated any runic magic array, its foundation never strayed from these twenty-four characters.

The twenty-four characters—Qian Jin had spent ten days and still hadn't fully memorized them. He had barely managed to memorize the Eight Letters of Frey, and fully grasping their meaning and skillfully combining them was impossible. The only one he could use clumsily was a single character: Fiefu: Power and productivity, enhancement, destruction. Representing the myth: The creation of the original world from the merging of ice and fire.

One character represented several meanings and could even unleash the mythical power it represented! Qian Jin carefully contemplated the usage of every meaning contained within [Fiefu]. Just this one character, the variations it could bring, the magic arrays it could self-generate, were enough to scare a person to death. "Comrade—■■■■■■"

At the same moment that Duan Feng Bu Er’s voice sounded, the door to Qian Jin’s room was heavily banged upon. A good deal of dust was shaken loose from the door latch. The powerful impact indicated that the warrior who had been severely injured days ago had now fully recovered.

Qian Jin opened the door and was immediately hit by the smell of tobacco. He saw Duan Feng Bu Er walking in without any invitation, a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He plopped down heavily onto the wooden chair and grinned: “I profited quite a bit from that last injury.”

Fen Tu Kuang Ge walked into the room, nodded lightly, and maintained a look of complete agreement: “The Battle Meridian seems sturdier than before...” .mF