Chapter 193: "Hand of All Crafts"

Chapter 193: "Hand of All Crafts"

In a spacious conference room within the Central Tower of Black Mist Jungle, five Candidate Mage Sequence members stood solemnly before Hayaek Fuyuanzhang and several Mentors.

"You five have been selected to participate in this Bloodline Altar Trial", Hayaek's voice was steady and authoritative. "This is both an honor and a challenge. The environment within the altar is complex and dangerous, yet it also holds immeasurable opportunities."

Luo En stood in a line with the other four - Cui Xi, Holt, and two Sequence members he wasn't familiar with. Their spines were straight, their expressions focused.

"Given the trial's unique nature", Hayaek continued, "the School has decided to provide each participant with essential equipment support."

With a wave of his hand, Soren stepped forward, holding five finely-crafted velvet pouches.

"These are the School's custom Storage Bags", Soren explained as he distributed them. "Each can hold approximately five cubic meters of material, far exceeding the capacity of ordinary spatial equipment."

Luo En accepted the soft, deep-blue pouch, immediately sensing the strange energy fluctuations emanating from it. Though palm-sized, this seemingly ordinary bag could hold an incredible amount of items - truly a rare strategic resource.

"Of course, these advanced devices are School property", Hayaek added sharply. "After the trial, the School will claim thirty percent of the value of any items retrieved as usage fees. This is a fair exchange."

Luo En examined the Storage Bag in his hand thoughtfully. The equipment was indeed valuable, but that thirty percent "tax rate" was substantial.

"There's another option", Soren continued. "You may choose not to use the School's Storage Bag and instead prepare your own equipment. Naturally, this means forgoing this convenience, but any items brought out from the altar will belong to you entirely."

After the meeting, the five candidates dispersed to prepare their equipment.

Luo En headed straight to the School's Trading Center with a clear plan in mind.

Located on the eastern side of the School, the Trading Center was a semi-circular white building where all sorts of resources changed hands frequently.

Navigating through the bustling crowds with practiced ease, Luo En reached a counter marked "Rare Material Exchange."

"I need Black Sand Essence", Luo En stated directly to the elderly woman behind the counter. "The smallest size available."

The woman, with silver hair and piercing eyes, sized up the young apprentice before her.

"Black Sand Essence?" She raised an eyebrow. "That's not ordinary merchandise, young man. Even the smallest size requires two complete Mana Stones."

"I'm aware of the price", Luo En calmly retrieved two complete Mana Stones from his robe. "I require perfect quality - no imperfections whatsoever."

After completing the transaction, Luo En quickly returned to his Workshop.

Spending two Mana Stones made him feel a pang of reluctance, but this investment was necessary for his upcoming plans.

"Spent so many Mana Stones again..." Luo En sighed as he examined the dark-red crystal the size of his thumb. "Mana Stones really don't last long."

Back in his Workshop, Luo En immediately entered his laboratory to begin crafting his own Storage Bag.

Black Sand Essence was a unique "abyssal material" found only in the first layer of the Abyss. It was also the core material for producing spatial equipment, containing inherent spatial folding properties.

The process involved extracting the spatial mana from the Black Sand Essence and fixing it onto a specific carrier.

He selected a piece of high-quality wyvern hide, cutting it into the appropriate shape according to a specific pattern.

"This process is simpler than I imagined", Luo En mused while skillfully inscribing complex runes onto the wyvern hide. "Even simpler than producing alchemy bombs."

The key lay in arranging the mana guidance circuits and constructing the initial space.

The Black Sand Essence inherently possessed spatial attributes. By establishing the correct mana pathways and activating it through specific alchemical reactions, a stable small-scale subspace could be formed.

Luo En's fingers deftly manipulated several rare alchemical materials, refining them into their optimal states before precisely placing them at critical nodes on the wyvern hide.

His "Material Transmutation" skill proved invaluable, allowing him to directly perceive interactions between materials and precisely control each reaction stage.

Three hours later, a deep-brown pouch lay quietly on the workbench, its faintly glowing runes visible on the surface.

Luo En carefully inserted his hand into the pouch, feeling his arm enter an invisible space far exceeding the bag's exterior dimensions.

"Success!" A triumphant gleam appeared in his eyes. "The capacity is even one-third larger than the School's version."

Checking his pocket watch, he confirmed he had less than twelve hours before the official opening of the Bloodline Altar. He needed to accelerate his remaining preparations.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the administrative tower, Thompson stood in Hayaek's office holding a thick document.

"This is my observation report on Luo En Lalf."

Thompson handed the file to Hayaek, his voice steady yet brimming with clear admiration. "I believe you should review this personally."

Hayaek skimmed the document, his eyebrows gradually furrowing as astonishment flashed in his eyes.

"Alchemy bombs? He successfully produced alchemy bombs?" Hayaek looked up, incredulous. "This technique typically requires at least ten years of alchemical study to master."

"Not only that", Thompson added. "He also successfully crafted a Storage Bag. According to my information, he recently exchanged a Black Sand Essence at the Trading Center. He must be planning to produce his own spatial equipment."

Hayaek fell silent for a moment before placing the document on the table.

"This young man's alchemical skills have already reached a professional alchemist's level, and his progress rate far exceeds normal standards." He mused, "This seems somewhat inconsistent with his recorded 'Resonant Physique Resonance' innate talent."

Just then, a soft knock interrupted them as Valen appeared in the doorway.

"Disturbing you, Hayaek", the Dusk Sun Rankmage smiled warmly. "I've come to retrieve some historical records about the Bloodline Altar."

"Master Valen, please come in." Hayaek immediately rose to greet him as Thompson discreetly exited through a side door. "Actually, there's something I'd like to consult you about."

Valen entered, his gaze falling on the document. He seemed to have already sensed something from Hayaek's expression.

"Is this about that young member of the Sequence?" he asked softly.

Hayaek briefly outlined Luo En's situation, particularly emphasizing his astonishing achievements in alchemy, spatial formulation, and other fields.

"Recently, he's not only mastered alchemy bomb production but also acquired the technology to create spatial equipment - all within just a few short months."

Hayaek summarized, “This progress rate is truly unprecedented in my teaching career.”

A rare flicker of surprise crossed Valen’s eyes. He accepted the documents, flipped through them once more, and his expression grew increasingly solemn.

“Fascinating… incredibly fascinating.”

The Dusk Sun Rankmage spoke slowly,
“This comprehensive, exceptional innate talent reminds me of some rarer innate talent classifications—‘Polyhistor,’ ‘Awakened Sage,’ ‘Eye of Wisdom,’ or even possibly ‘Hand of All Crafts’…”

“You mean… he might possess one of these innate talents rarer than ‘Resonant Physique Resonance’?” Hayaek asked, astonished.

“It’s very possible,” Valen nodded.
“Especially ‘Hand of All Crafts’—an innate talent that allows its bearer to rapidly master any skill upon contact. It’s one of the most precious second-tier innate talents.”

The room fell into brief silence as both men pondered the implications of this discovery.

“In any case,” Valen finally broke the quiet, “this is a genius we cannot afford to miss. Hayaek, I recommend placing him on the priority Observation List.”

“It’s already arranged,” Hayaek replied.
“If he truly possesses such a rare innate talent, the upper echelons of Crystal Spire will inevitably take interest.”

A sharp gleam flashed through Valen’s eyes.
“Precisely. Someone of this caliber deserves a grander stage.”

He paused, his voice growing deeper.
“I have a suggestion—when he approaches the threshold of Full Mage, don’t readily offer him the ‘Key Potion,’ even if his ascension potential surpasses those ranked first in their sequence.”

“I see…” Understanding dawned in Hayaek’s eyes.

“Exactly. Have him sign a Soul Contract binding him to Crystal Spire’s lifetime service in exchange for the ‘Key Potion.’”
Valen said calmly, “This kind of genius must be firmly tied to Crystal Spire.”

After a moment of contemplation, Hayaek nodded.
“I understand, Master Valen. I’ll monitor his development closely.”

………

The day of the Bloodline Altar’s activation finally arrived.

At the grand plaza in the School’s central area, an otherwise unremarkable circular stone platform had transformed into the ritual’s focal point.

Surrounding the stone platform, intricate magic arrays glowed with an eerie blue light, their ancient, mysterious energy fluctuations filling the air.

Valen stood at the center of the stone platform, flanked by Hayaek and several other mages. Around them gathered dozens of apprentices—spectators to the ceremony.

Luo En and the other four candidates stood at designated positions along the magic array’s edge. Before each stood a small magic array node, all interconnected to the central formation.

The ten Crystal Spire apprentices were already in place, their attire clearly distinct from Black Mist School’s apprentices:
Their robes bore elaborate runes stitched in fine detail, and they wore various exquisite alchemy apparatuses.

One’s skin shimmered metallically; another’s eyes pulsed with strange runes; yet another’s arm appeared capable of stretching and reshaping.
These were manifestations of bloodline aberrations, indicating varying degrees of self-modification.

Though these central region apprentices maintained polite decorum, Luo En detected an innate sense of superiority in their bearing and speech—the confident ease of those long accustomed to resource-rich environments.

“Don’t be nervous,” Cui Xi’s voice came from beside him.
“We’ve already agreed—we’ll find each other inside and form a team.”

Luo En simply nodded. “I’m fully prepared.”
He patted his production Storage Bag, filled with potions, alchemy artifacts, and emergency supplies.

Holt approached as well, his expression grim.
“I’ve heard this trial differs from previous ones. There might be deeper Abyssal influence. Everyone must be cautious.”

Valen’s voice suddenly rang across the plaza—clear, powerful, requiring no amplification spell to reach every listener.

“The Bloodline Altar originates from a captured fragment of special spatial essence.”

The Rankmage’s voice carried a calming power.
“Due to dimensional collisions, it maintains certain connections with the Abyss—yet remains distinct from it. This unique property makes it an ideal location for bloodline purification and trials.”

Stepping toward the magic array’s center, Valen continued,
“Upon entering the altar, you will be scattered to different regions. There, you will face various challenges—vengeful spirits, Abyssal Creature attacks, and weaker Abyssal curse effects.”

His gaze swept over every participant.
“Your objective is to overcome these obstacles and reach the Bloodline Altarworld’s central region to complete the final trial. Only passage through this trial opens the exit, or activates the insignia teleportation I’ve provided—if you use it prematurely, you’ll forfeit the trial. Each iteration’s trial content differs—this time will be no exception.”

Luo En listened intently, memorizing every detail.

“You may wonder why Full Mages don’t personally participate in these trials.”

Valen seemed to read many minds.
“This stems from the Archmage who captured this spatial fragment—a rule he established: The Bloodline Altar only accepts apprentices not yet reaching Full Mage level.”

He explained,
“Firstly, the bloodline enhancement effects within the altar are practically negligible for Full Mage-tier individuals.
Secondly, it’s a gift to younger generations—a manifestation of ancient rules.
Thus, those who’ve achieved Full Mage status cannot pass through the spatial channel connecting to the altar.”

Luo En pondered—this explained why such precious resources were specifically reserved for apprentices.
It represented both lineage and investment in the young generation’s future. The Archmage could thereby continually accumulate “boons.”

“Now,” Valen’s voice turned solemn. “The Bloodline Altar trial begins!”

As his words fell, the stone platform at the magic array’s center erupted with blinding blue light.
Mana pillars surged outward from the center, linking to each participant’s node.

Luo En felt sudden vertigo as his vision twisted and distorted.
His consciousness stretched, warped, then hurled into an endless void.

Within this void, he glimpsed a massive crack—deep, dark, exuding a terrifying aura.
This was the Abyss’s entrance, its dark, chaotic energy tendrils coiling outward like countless limbs reaching toward him.

Luo En felt an indescribable pressure as if invisible forces sought to infiltrate his spirit and bloodline.
This was the Abyss’s curse, attempting to brand him.

“Resist… you must resist…”

Luo En murmured inwardly, channeling his spiritual energy to form a defensive barrier.
As darkness nearly consumed him, a sudden beam of light emerged from the void’s far side—a lifeline guiding his path.

Without hesitation, Luo En rushed toward the golden glow, feeling his consciousness yanked violently—then…

After a dizzying whirl, his feet finally met solid ground.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end