Chapter 97: Meditation Aid Stone Alchemy

Chapter 97: Meditation Aid Stone Alchemy

That doesn’t make sense. Andie mentioned there were also Arcane Swordsmen and the so-called "Sun Crownknights", right?

Especially the Sun Crownknights—rumors claimed their combat strength rivaled Full Mages. Their knightly path must surely extend far beyond what’s publicly known.

Luo En kept flipping pages, hoping to uncover detailed records about Arcane Swordsmen and Sun Crownknights. However, the book’s accounts of these rare professions were unusually brief:

"…Arcane Swordsmen are considered an alternative breakthrough in the knight’s path, first pioneered by Bloodline Knight Abraham Silva."

"When facing his bloodline’s limits, he created an entirely new way of harnessing power by channeling spiritual energy through specially crafted spirit swords…"

"…Monarch Knights are even sparser in historical records, believed to be the perfect fusion of Special Bloodlines and mana-infused physiques."

"It’s said only those who awaken corresponding attribute ancient bloodlines and master the highest-tier breathing techniques have a chance to walk this path…"

【Monarch Knights】—a new term. Could this be equivalent to Andie’s 【Sun Crownknights】?

It seemed that mastering different types of top-tier breathing techniques might allow corresponding advancement, then collectively termed "Monarch Knights" by mages.

Interestingly, the most powerful transcendents among beastkin were also called "Monarchs." Was there any connection?

Yet what puzzled Luo En was that whenever the book mentioned specific symptoms or consequences of knight mutations, the passages abruptly ended, clearly edited or deleted.

"Why such taboo around mutation consequences?" Doubts swirled in his mind. "Could the aftermath be far more terrifying than imagined?"

The entire book emphasized prevention and control of mutations but never described what happened if one occurred, as if this were an unspeakable forbidden topic.

"It’s like an incurable disease—one can’t reverse it, only wait for death…"

Combining this with the spiritual pollution caused by meditation techniques, the cultivation path in this world might be far more dangerous than he’d realized.

Closing the book, Luo En felt a rare wave of gloom.

Returning the book to its place, he now carried more questions than when he’d entered the School Library—questions about the knight system, mage ascension, and most crucially, the true nature of mutations. All seemed deliberately hidden, accessible only to those with sufficient privileges and qualifications.

...

That afternoon, he arrived at the Academic District on time for Ai Li Ke’s "Mana Circuit Optimization" course.

The classroom already held over a dozen apprentices—mostly Elementary Apprentices, with a few Intermediate Apprentices reviewing fundamentals.

Luo En chose a front seat and pulled out his notebook, ready to jot down key points.

Ai Li Ke appeared punctually, clad in a deep gray robe with purple trim, his expression focused.

"Today, we’ll continue discussing cross-optimization of mana circuits." He dove straight in, fingers sketching a complex mana network in the air…

Luo En listened intently, scribbling notes as explanations flowed. Compared to his first class, he now grasped mana circuits far better—Ai Li Ke’s teachings felt increasingly clear.

"Luo En apprentice."

Ai Li Ke suddenly called his name, his tone noticeably warmer than usual. "Please demonstrate the 'Circular Flow' technique I taught last time."

Luo En rose, walked to the designated spot, and stood before Ai Li Ke without hesitation.

This time, he felt no confusion—only calm. Closing his eyes, he adjusted his breathing, guiding mana along the prescribed path.

A faint but steady mana current formed into a Circular Flow, each cycle purifying the mana further.

"Excellent." Ai Li Ke nodded, satisfaction evident. "Now share your insights—how does the mana transform with each circulation?"

Luo En paused, sensing the flow, then answered: "With each cycle, impurities get filtered out. The purified mana resonates with the circuits, making them both sturdier and more flexible. It’s like…"

He searched for the right analogy: "…like water carving a riverbed—clearing silt while smoothing the channel’s flow."

"Wonderful analogy!" Ai Li Ke clapped, his eyes gleaming with approval.

"This captures the 'Circular Flow's' core principle. It’s not just about purifying mana—it’s about strengthening the circuits themselves. Practice consistently, and your mana reserves and quality will improve significantly."

【Spell Construction Experience Points +1】

Returning to his seat, Luo En felt his classmates’ envious gazes. His rapid mastery of this course clearly surpassed expectations.

At class’s end, Ai Li Ke called him back: "Your progress rate is astonishing—faster than I anticipated."

He lowered his voice slightly: "If you’re willing, next week you could take a special exam to skip Phase One. Given your performance, there shouldn’t be an issue."

Luo En bowed gratefully: "Thank you for your recognition, Lord Eric. I’ll prepare thoroughly for the exam."

Ai Li Ke nodded: "The test covers foundational theory and practical application. The latter specifically tests maintaining stable mana flow under pressure. Practice diligently."

After leaving Ai Li Ke’s class, Luo En hurried to the third classroom on the fifth floor’s north side for Li Ya’s "Spiritual Energy Stabilization Technique" course.

Unlike the previous lecture, Li Ya’s class emphasized hands-on practice.

The moment he entered, apprentices were already at specialized crystal orbs, training to stabilize their spiritual energy output rhythm.

Luo En took his seat, hands resting lightly on the orb’s sides, and closed his eyes.

Soon, the orb glowed with soft blue light. As he channeled spiritual energy, the brightness steadily increased but remained within a consistent range.

"Good work, Luo En apprentice." Li Ya stopped beside him, observing the orb’s state.

"You’ve already grasped the principle of 'Steady Output.'"

【Spiritual Energy Stabilization Technique Experience Points +1】

At class’s end, Li Ya extended the same special exam invitation…

“Since Ai Li Ke has already recommended you for the exam, I have no objections. Your innate talent in spiritual energy control is equally impressive.”

She withdrew a small, transparent Crystal Stone from the inner folds of her robe:

“A little gift for you. This is a Meditation Aid Stone, a minor product of my secondary cultivationalchemy. It isn’t worth many Mana Stones, but it can help you perceive spiritual energy fluctuations more clearly. Practice diligently before the exam—I believe you’ll excel.”

“Thank you deeply for your trust and generosity, Lady Li Ya.”

After expressing his gratitude, Luo En accepted the Crystal Stone and took his leave.

As he departed the Academic District, curiosity about Li Ya’s “Meditation Aid Stone” burned in his mind. His relentless curiosity toward new things, a habit forged during his past life as a student, had never faded.

This tiny, transparent Crystal Stone shimmered faintly under the afternoon sun, pulsing like a living thing. While caution remained his default, his herb identification skills—on the verge of breaking through to mastery—now granted him basic discernment abilities for non-medicinal transcendent items. The Crystal Stone bore no traps or hidden dangers, its gift genuinely well-intentioned.

“Since I’m already at the Academic District, why not test this Crystal Stone’s effect in the Meditation Chamber?”

Musing thus, Luo En turned toward the registration hall.

The Meditation Chambers of the Academic District charged per hour, their special arrays completely sealing mana leakage at a rate of one Mana Shard Fragment hourly. For his earlier days as a struggling candidate apprentice, this would’ve been a significant expense. Now, as a professional Potion Master, such costs were mere pocket change.

Placing a Mana Shard Fragment on the clerk’s tray, he watched as the time was logged with practiced efficiency. A guide soon arrived—a middle-aged man with a sapphire badge on his gray apprentice robe marking him as an Intermediate Apprentice, though he seemed stuck in this menial role.

Luo En pondered: how many Intermediate Apprentices like him, having survived probationary periods and the two elimination rounds of Elementary Apprentice trials, remained trapped in endless trivialities, their advancement hopes long dimmed?

Perhaps this was the Black Mist School’s siphoning effect—a beacon for the region’s finest, much like first-tier cities draining talent from smaller towns.

Inside the Meditation Chamber, soft light bathed walls lined with low-luminosity Luminescent Stones. The floor’s thick soundproof panels absorbed sound, while incense—a blend of calming herb and winter dream flower—wafted subtly, easing tension.

Settling cross-legged on the meditation cushion, Luo En placed the Crystal Stone in his palm and closed his eyes. Three deep breaths later, he began adjusting his spirit state according to The Murmuring of the Star Devourer.

Unlike the serene tranquility of the Basic Meditation Manual, this technique immersed him at the universe’s edge, gazing into a starry abyss brimming with hidden dangers—awe-inspiring, yet laced with unfathomable peril.

As his consciousness sank into the living sea of stars, the Crystal Stone activated silently.

“This sensation…”

Luo En realized the Stone amplified his spirit waves, sharpening the once-blurred spiritual energy lines into clarity. Like a distant lighthouse piercing darkness, it didn’t illuminate the entire ocean but offered crucial guidance.

The Murmuring of the Star Devourer demanded intricate Stellar Runes, far more complex than basic manuals. Previously, one misstep could collapse the entire formation. Now, with the Crystal Stone’s aid, every rune line’s trajectory became precisely graspable.

Within his Spirit Sea, star-like energy threads wove a double-helix structure under his will. The process remained arduous, requiring extreme focus, yet flowed with newfound ease.

【Star Devourer's Murmuring (Proficient) Experience Points +1】

The Crystal Stone’s effect wasn’t dramatic, but tangible. The rune he constructed felt steadier, purer, its spiritual energy flowing more smoothly.

“This is alchemy’s allure?”

Opening his eyes, he studied the Crystal Stone, a fresh spark of interest igniting. Though simple, it revealed alchemy’s boundless possibilities—using the right materials and techniques to create transcendent items with specialized functions. This creative path shared similarities with cultivation while carving its own distinct course.

Recalling fragments of alchemy knowledge from Madame Ellen’s shop and Andie’s insights, Luo En reflected: unlike direct mana-spells, alchemy solidified mana into permanent mediums. Originating from matter’s essence exploration, it evolved into branches like foundational alchemy (altering materials’ base properties), alchemy construct (combining materials for new functions), and the forbidden Vital Alchemy rumored to manipulate life itself. Among these, Alchemical Explosives stood out—transcendent items unleashing terrifying destruction.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end