Chapter 330: Phantom King

Chapter 330: Phantom King

Luo En stood silently at the center of the Workshop, feeling the subtle transformation in his body and spirit after advancing his class to Enchanter.

Though his spiritual energy had only increased from 5.58 to 5.68, and his mana from 4.8 to 5.0, these seemingly minor gains represented an exponential qualitative leap for him.

He slowly raised his right hand, lightly touching an ordinary iron nail on the workbench.

Under the special bonus of his newly acquired Material Perception ability, the nail revealed astonishing complexity beneath its simple appearance.

He could now "see" the microscopic flaws invisible to the naked eye and identify the natural pathways best suited for mana flow.

"This is the essence change brought by profession class advancement", Luo En mused, a flicker of satisfaction flashing in his eyes before returning to his usual analytical calm. "It’s not just numerical growth—it’s a total upgrade of my perception system. Like progressing from hearing raw noise to distinguishing every subtle nuance of each note."

What truly thrilled him, however, was the creative inspiration granted by the Creator's Blessing. In this unique state, his mind felt as if an invisible force had expanded its boundaries.

Previously unrelated fields of knowledge now interlinked ingeniously, with countless possibilities colliding and intertwining in his thoughts.

Luo En walked to the weapon rack and retrieved his Scattering Projectiles—small iron spheres the size of his thumb, marked with only basic activation runes. These had proven effective but underwhelming against chaotic wraiths. Simple explosions and disruptions dealt limited damage to such high-level Abyssal Creatures.

"Now let’s see what my advanced Enchantment Amplification skill can truly achieve."

Activating his new Guidance trait, the engraving tool in his hand seemed to gain sentience.

Complex runes that once required intense concentration to carve now flowed effortlessly, as fluid as water. As the blade traced the iron sphere’s surface, Luo En distinctly felt the subtle resonance vibrating through the metal.

This wasn’t destruction—it was a form of deep communication. Almost as if asking the material itself how it wished to channel mana.

Guided by Material Perception, he discovered details previously invisible: spiral-density structures ideal for mana circuits, impurities arranged in specific patterns, and even the iron sphere’s center of gravity hinting at exploitable physical traits.

"I see… Materials are never inert. Every metal fragment, every grain of sand, has its own 'personality' and 'preferences.' A true Enchanter doesn’t force compliance—we engage in dialogue, seeking mutual balance."

Selecting the path of least resistance and optimal conductivity, he began carving the first layer—mana conduction networks.

The Enchantment Enhancement ability immediately manifested.

What once created simple surface channels now extended into three-dimensional mana networks within the material, reorganizing its molecular structure.

Each rune line was no longer mere surface carving but a restructuring at the molecular level.

More remarkably, as Luo En carved, the iron sphere began spontaneous transformations. Natural mana channels realigned to complement the new Rune Network, while impurities rearranged themselves into organic mana nodes.

"Is this… the material’s active cooperation?"

Pausing, he observed this unprecedented phenomenon: "The Creator’s Blessing hasn’t just enhanced my creativity—it’s awakened the latent potential within materials. This transcends traditional enchantment. It’s a deeper act of creation itself."

Guided by this creative inspiration, Luo En designed an unprecedented rune combination.

Its brilliance lay in absorbing ambient environmental mana upon detonation, triggering chain-reaction amplification.

Multiple profession synergies began activating:

The Alchemist’s mastery over elemental balance allowed the runes to fuse seamlessly with the metal structure, eliminating technical conflicts;

The Potion Master’s precision in proportion ensured optimal mana distribution, maximizing each rune’s effect;

The Primordial Mage’s Radiation Field stabilized the enchantment environment, shielding against external mana fluctuations.

The second layer required intricate craftsmanship.

Luo En needed to add power amplification and precision guidance modules without compromising the first layer’s mana network.

This demanded extreme control—any minor mistake could collapse the entire system.

Yet with the Guidance trait, this high-difficulty operation became manageable.

His engraving blade seemed to gain foresight, automatically adjusting angles and pressure as flaws emerged. More astonishingly, it "perceived" the first layer’s mana distribution, instinctively choosing optimal paths for the second layer.

The third layer posed the greatest challenge.

Here, Luo En carved resonance runes to synergize with his Spirit Burst ability. These runes needed to channel spirit attacks, amplify their effects, and convert pure spirit impact into physical destruction.

During this phase, the Creator’s Blessing revealed even deeper capabilities.

He found himself innovating rune combinations based purely on intuitive mana essence comprehension.

As the threefold enchantment neared completion, the distinct effects began fusing into a unified system. This was no simple compounding—it was organic integration.

The mana conduction runes ensured stable supply for amplification and disruption;

The amplification runes magnified the spirit disruption’s power;

The spirit disruption runes, in turn, guided the explosion’s mana for precision strikes.

Three once-independent systems now functioned like interconnected organs within a living organism—mutually supporting and enhancing each other.

Holding his breath, Luo En cautiously completed the final runes.

Inside the projectile, a complex structure akin to a biological neural network emerged. It could actively perceive hostile spirit fluctuations and adapt its attack patterns to target characteristics.

"The Creator’s Blessing exceeds expectations. If this fusion technology scales to larger projects…"

He stopped himself. An instinctive vigilance warned that some thoughts are best left unspoken.

The test results were staggering.

Luo En hurled the projectile at the testing dummy in the workshop corner—a specialized device for measuring weapon power.

The moment it left his hand, he sensed anomalies.

The trajectory subtly adjusted mid-flight, seeking the optimal attack angle.

More disturbingly, he felt the projectile "thinking"—a vague but undeniable consciousness fluctuation.

When the explosion erupted, its power had nearly doubled compared to the original design.

The true surprise, however, wasn’t just the increased power—it was the notable improvement in the complexity of the explosive pattern.

This wasn’t a simple mana release. It had evolved into a strategic, multi-tiered attack sequence:

First, the physical shockwave, shattering the outer defenses of the objective;

Followed by the spirit disruption wave, scrambling the objective’s consciousness and reaction capacity;

Finally, the mana erosion—sustained degradation of the objective’s defenses and vitality.

“This attack pattern…”

Luo En furrowed his brow while analyzing the test results:

“It inflicts damage across both physical and spiritual domains simultaneously, and even exhibits a primitive ‘learning’ capability.”

He began calculating the feasibility of mass production—not all iron alloys possessed this unique internal structure.

“It seems I’ll need to seek more materials with similar traits,” Luo En formulated his next plan internally.

Yet his greater excitement stemmed from his deeper comprehension of the “Trinity Convergence” effect.

If this composite technology could be applied to larger-scale projects—

Like the production of Vitality-Infused Mana-Forged Swords, or the comprehensive upgrade of the Mobile Workshop—what kind of impact would that create?

The sky darkened, but Luo En’s research fervor only intensified.

He glanced at the stars outside the window—the night of the Central Lands remained dazzlingly brilliant.

Those distant constellations seemed to celebrate his breakthrough, radiating encouraging light.

After organizing the newly produced projectiles, he began planning tomorrow’s schedule.

Cassandra’s granted associate professor privileges meant access to numerous previously restricted secret archives.

Information about the advancement conditions for “Ancient Alchemist,” and the strictly classified intelligence regarding the Deep Abyss—these were the urgent knowledge he required.

“I’ll head to the restricted knowledge section of the library tomorrow,” he plotted the detailed plan in his mind:

“First, review Ancient Alchemist-related materials to understand the class advancement requirements and risk assessments.

Then study advanced astrology techniques, especially how to safely conduct stargazing rituals.

Finally, if time permits, investigate detailed intelligence about the Abyss’ Seventh Layer and deeper regions.”

Thinking about Abyss exploration, Luo En recalled his Puppet Substitute deployed into the Darkless Sea.

That puppet had been independently existing in the Abyss for several days now.

If everything proceeded smoothly, it should have gathered vast valuable information and resources.

“Such an autonomous, remotely-controllable cloned body. It not only replaces me in executing hazardous tasks, but can also conduct research and exploration across multiple locations simultaneously.”

As night deepened, Luo En processed the final experiment records and prepared for rest.

Yet when he lay in the Sleep Pod, ready to enter rest mode, a subtle discomfort began stirring deep within his consciousness.

This wasn’t ordinary fatigue or stress. More precisely, it felt like a faint… pulling sensation.

He attempted forced awakening, only to realize his consciousness was uncontrollably sinking—dragged downward by some invisible, immense force into the Abyss.

Reality around him began twisting and morphing.

The Sleep Pod’s metallic walls flowed like melting wax, the Rune Sticker’s patterns writhed frantically like living serpents struggling to break free.

The very air thickened, each breath feeling like swallowing a living liquid.

Finally, reality completely dissolved.

In its place emerged a vertigo-inducing alien landscape.

Countless floating islands of varying sizes slowly rotated within iridescent light, each displaying radically different, reality-defying ecological environments.

Some islands basked in eternal spring, their flowers sprouting human eyes that blinked ceaselessly;

Others consisted purely of crystal formations, their interiors pulsing with glowing blood in rhythmic beats;

Some appeared as massive living organs, their surfaces covered with breathing skin that undulated to an incomprehensible heartbeat.

“Welcome to my Domain—Fairyland, young trinity cultivator.”

A voice suddenly erupted within his consciousness—not through ears, but tearing straight through his spiritual core’s defenses.

Merely this form of contact made Luo En feel as though a mountain pressed upon his soul, each thought slowing into painful sluggishness.

More terrifyingly, he sensed his consciousness structure being “examined” by some indescribable entity—like a bacterial specimen under a microscope.

But thanks to The Murmuring of the Star Devourer and Time Hound’s training, he’d already mastered remaining calm under ultimate pressure.

“You are…”

Luo En struggled to maintain rationality, his spirit nearly crushed by this overwhelming contact, yet still attempting analysis:

“Establishing consciousness linkage through dreams, possessing an independent dimensional Domain… You must be the ‘Phantom King’ mentioned in Lance’s notes.”

“You’ve deduced my identity. To maintain logical thought under such oppressive aura—your spiritual resilience exceeds my expectations.”

Phantom King’s voice carried an ambiguous tone—whether admiration or amusement, it remained unclear:

“When I perceived the ‘Creator’s Blessing’ awakening within you, I knew a direct conversation was necessary.

After all, you’re the first young mage in centuries to cultivate all three primary magecraft branches to such heights.”

The voice carried a trace of weariness, as if having witnessed endless cycles of rise and fall.

Luo En sensed its weight of time—a profound, ancient essence only beings of immense age could possess.

The surrounding oppression eased slightly, the entity clearly regulating its aura intensity.

Even so, this interaction remained agonizingly uncomfortable.

Like an ant forced into dialogue with a human, the colossal life-tier disparity made every consciousness contact perilous.

“‘Creator’s Blessing’…”

Luo En struggled to organize his chaotic thoughts:

“What is the source of this power? Why did it awaken through this Trinity Convergence?”

Phantom King’s voice grew profound, as if echoing from time’s origin:

“When the ‘Creator’—second among the Four Cornerstones—issued the ‘Boon’ decree after Primordial, They established certain operating rules for this universe.

One such rule: When sentient beings reach sufficient heights in creation domains, they receive the universe’s blessing.”

At the mention of “Creator,” the entire Fairyland exuded a near-reverent aura.

The surroundings began subtle fluctuations, those sinister islands seemingly responding to this ancient, primordial name.

“The Alchemy, Transmutation, and Enchantment Trinity Convergence signifies mastery over creation, transformation, and refinement—the achievement triggering this ancient blessing mechanism.”

At this revelation, Luo En’s heartbeat accelerated.

If Phantom King spoke truth, this power’s potential value… was nearly incalculable.

“But one warning I must issue.”

Phantom King’s tone suddenly sharpened with dire warning:

“There exist ancient entities in this universe—

They remain exquisitely sensitive to any fundamental alterations of reality.”

A more terrifying vision suddenly descended, Luo En’s consciousness nearly shattered completely.

Within the vision, he “saw” fragmented memories from time’s depths—

Flickering images of ancient beings beyond comprehension.

They lacked fixed forms, or rather, their forms themselves represented reality’s twisting.

Some resembled geometric constructs—colossal machinery whose every movement rewrote physical laws across entire spaces;

Others were pure conceptual conglomerates—merely “being observed” by them could cause an observer’s consciousness to collapse.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end