Translator: AnubisTL
Thanks to his material sorting duties in the lower storage chambers and his tireless research in the intermediate laboratory—comparing "refining concepts" with wizard materials day and night—Jieming's knowledge of alchemical material properties and energy structures far surpassed that of his fellow wizard apprentices. He could even rival some low-ranking formal alchemy wizards.
This solid foundation of knowledge allowed him to construct his alchemy witchcraft model with remarkable ease.
His first Witchcraft Model—Alchemy—took shape significantly faster than those of his peers.
Now, riding the peak of his true essence and mental power after breaking through to the third layer of qi refinement, Jieming fully immersed his consciousness in his mental sea, making final, meticulous adjustments to the nearly complete Alchemy Witchcraft Model.
This unique model was born from his understanding of Wizard World materials, his mastery of artifact forging principles from the Great Dao Library Pavilion, and his nascent grasp of the power of "concepts." It was a Witchcraft Model entirely his own, unlike any other.
Having only recently been constructed, the core effects of this "Alchemy" Witchcraft Model were similar to those used by ordinary wizard apprentices: it could analyze the composition of matter and exert a degree of control and reconstruction over it.
The greatest advantage of constructing this Witchcraft Model at this stage was that he no longer needed to rely on external tools like alchemy plates or specialized laboratory benches to cast alchemy spells, unlike other wizard apprentices.
With sufficient mental power, his "Alchemy" Witchcraft Model could be cast barehanded, just as Mentor Clark had demonstrated.
Moreover, although alchemy was classified as Logistics-type Witchcraft, it didn't mean it couldn't be used in combat.
After all, the essence of alchemy lay in analyzing and controlling the composition of matter.
In theory, with a high enough level of alchemy mastery, he could freely manipulate and distort the physical structures of living organisms!
Furthermore, if he combined alchemy with the Basic Witchcraft Analysis Technique from rune studies, even if a lifeform's surface was covered in powerful protective energy, he could use alchemy and the analysis technique to directly analyze, control, and manipulate that energy!
The enemy's energy shields and physical bodies would become mere playthings in his hands.
At that point, whether it was elemental attacks, physical strikes, or other special attacks, once they entered the alchemical control range, their composition and energy would be completely dominated by the wizard, granting him absolute control.
As long as the wizard's computational and mental power could keep up, it would be virtually impossible for any attack to penetrate his defenses!
This would be true "invulnerability to all methods"!
Of course, organic matter's complexity was far too great, requiring an exponentially increasing amount of knowledge. For his current alchemical model, such mastery remained a distant prospect.
The newly formed "Alchemy" Witchcraft Model could only relatively easily control metals with simple structures.
When facing more complex inorganic materials, he needed to expend significantly more mental power, and the control effect was limited. Organic matter was entirely out of the question.
As for the rune studies' analysis technique, it remained a distant dream.
"Still... this level of alchemy is sufficient for now."
For Jieming's next endeavors, not only was the completion of the Alchemy Witchcraft Model essential, but reaching the third layer of qi refining in immortal cultivation was also a prerequisite.
Having reached the third layer of qi refinement, Jieming's true essence was now abundant.
For him, this wasn't just an increase in power; it marked the unlocking of new immortal cultivation techniques.
The Great Dao Library Pavilion recorded that only after reaching the third layer of qi refinement could one begin to attempt another crucial immortal cultivation art: talismans.
Talismans actually consist of two parts. The first part, the "insignia," serves as proof of identity.
The second part, the "talisman," is a method of solidifying magical spells onto specific mediums for rapid deployment.
Its core comprises two main components: the medium and the talisman seal (or rune).
The medium is the material that carries the talisman seal, typically specially crafted talisman paper, jade, or metal. The talisman seal, on the other hand, consists of specific characters or symbols that form the core of the spell, containing the methods for attracting and manipulating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.
Following the guidance of the Great Dao Library Pavilion, Jieming began his first attempt at talisman refining.
First came the medium.
In the immortal cultivation world, talisman paper made from specific spirit plants is most commonly used, being lightweight and easily capable of conducting spiritual energy. However, he had yet to find suitable substitute plants in the Wizard World.
Fortunately, alchemy offered him another option.
Jieming retrieved some refined adamantium and mixed it with essence of otherworld metals he had found in the lower storage chamber, which possessed excellent energy conductivity and malleability.
According to the Great Dao Library Pavilion's records, such metallic substrates were typically used for crafting insignia, not for any particular reason, but simply because adamantium was the most fundamental material for refining talismans. However, since talismans were consumable items, using pure adamantium for their production would be prohibitively expensive!
The simplest artifact forging methods recorded in the Great Dao Library Pavilion required at least the late qi refining realm to execute. Therefore, Jieming had to rely on alchemy to refine and fuse these materials at his current stage.
Fortunately, through diligent practice, Jieming's alchemical skills in metalworking had become quite proficient. He successfully refined a metallic talisman paper with moderate flexibility and energy-bearing capacity.
Though heavier and more costly than genuine talisman paper, it at least solved the substrate problem.
Next came the talisman seals.
Initially, Jieming had no intention of innovating. Following the Great Dao Library Pavilion's records on flame talismans, he carefully inscribed the intricate seals onto the metallic talisman paper with true essence as his brush, meticulously replicating each stroke.
Each stroke of the brush carried a specific frequency and rhythm, requiring the precise infusion of true essence and mental power at varying frequencies.
Thanks to the formidable mental power cultivated through meditation and qi refining techniques, Jieming executed the movements flawlessly, even without prior practice. He completed the talisman with machine-like precision.
As the final stroke was etched, a faint glow emanated from the metallic talisman paper.
Eager to test its power, Jieming rushed to the laboratory's designated testing area for wizardry. The mid-level laboratory's testing area could withstand the bombardment of a third-circle wizard, allowing Jieming to experiment without reservation.
Activating the testing area's recording system, Jieming retrieved the newly crafted talisman. Following the cultivation method, he infused a wisp of true essence into it and activated the talisman seal.
"Command!" he whispered.
He anticipated a roaring flame, capable of engulfing a large wooden stake, just as described in the ancient texts.
Instead, the metallic talisman paper merely trembled slightly, and then...
With a soft poof, a tiny flame, no larger than a thumb, flickered weakly from the talisman paper, wavering twice before extinguishing.
Jieming stared in disbelief. "...?!"
What the hell was that?!
(End of the Chapter)
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