Chapter 99: Artifact Patterns and Spell Patterns

“This late-stage Qi Refining Sun Master has abysmal control over his spiritual sense.” This was Wang Yu’s thought at this moment.

Although the black-robed elder’s spirit-art manipulation was extremely refined, his spiritual sense being so easily disturbed clearly meant he couldn’t maintain stable control over his mental energy for long.

Wang Yu, long accustomed to the “overclocked” mode where he could precisely micro-manage his spiritual sense, found this quite surprising.

In fact, this Sun Master’s mental energy was far weaker than his own.

Thinking about it, it was normal.

After all, the first layer of Star Mind Force could instantly double his spiritual sense, while a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator—even if three or four levels higher—could only gain limited increases in spiritual sense per level.

At this moment, the elder failed again. After the earth fire cleansed the incomplete spirit pattern, he tried once more—but just as the second spirit pattern was nearly complete, he failed again.

Seeing this, the elder clearly lost confidence in completing the second spirit pattern within the remaining time. He sighed, retracted his inscription needle, and said calmly to the three:

“Success in inscribing spirit patterns depends not only on the alchemist’s technique, but sometimes also on timing, geography, even harmony among people. The alchemist’s mood and confidence can be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

“That’s enough for today. We’ll resume at noon tomorrow.”

After speaking, the Sun Master activated the ceiling mechanism with a spell, retracting the stand, then gathered his circular bowl and other artifacts and left.

In the afternoon.

In the outermost stone chamber of the cave, Wang Yu was watching two blacksmiths hammering a glowing red ingot, occasionally smiling and chatting with them.

The two mortal blacksmiths naturally answered every question respectfully.

That night, while the short-haired woman and the pale-faced youth were meditating in their bedroom.

Wang Yu went to another alchemy chamber, swung a hammer like theirs, and hammered an ingot himself. His posture and technique resembled those of the two blacksmiths from noon—and grew increasingly skilled.

On the third day at noon.

After completing his breathing cultivation, Wang Yu joined the other two in the Stone Fire Chamber to assist Sun Master.

As usual, the Sun Master casually mentioned a few alchemy essentials, then released his inscription needle to continue inscribing the second spirit pattern.

This time it went smoothly: after two consecutive failures, the third attempt successfully completed the second spirit pattern.

The Sun Master was delighted. He immediately stopped trying to inscribe the third pattern, instead explained several alchemy concepts to the three, then left satisfied.

That afternoon, Wang Yu and the pale-faced youth were together in one stone chamber, asking questions of a tall, gray-haired middle-aged blacksmith.

The middle-aged blacksmith was slowly grinding crimson ores into powder using a black stone mill.

Wang Yu and the other youth both looked as if they had gained much.

At the same time, in another alchemy chamber, the short-haired woman was carefully inscribing something onto a one-meter-long greatsword resting on a furnace, holding a pale-gold chisel-like artifact, her expression intensely focused.

……

More than half a month later.

Laughter rang out from the Earth Fire Chamber—the white small sword above the great cauldron now shimmered with six glowing inscription patterns.

This unfinished Fire Dragon Sword artifact clearly needed only one final pattern to be complete—no wonder the Sun Master was so delighted.

“You three have done well. Old man is in a good mood today—I’ll answer one alchemy question each. Who goes first?” The black-robed elder smiled at Wang Yu and the others after retrieving his inscription artifact.

After half a month of interaction, Wang Yu had learned the short-haired woman’s name was Xiao Wei, and the pale-faced youth had introduced himself as Ning Yuan of the Ning family.

“Master, I recently attempted to forge a three-pattern artifact. The first two patterns were fine and already completed, but the third always gets disrupted by the first two and won’t finish. Could Master Sun offer any advice?” Xiao Wei didn’t hesitate—she was the first to speak the moment the elder offered.

“You can forge an artifact core independently? Do you use spiritual sense manipulation or hand inscription?” The Sun Master was surprised, studying her intently before asking.

“I possess a special bloodline—my physical body is strong, so I inscribe directly by hand.” Xiao Wei replied without hesitation.

“Ah, you’re a physical bloodline awakeness. Hand inscription is indeed a good choice.”

“The difficulty in inscribing spirit patterns lies in two things: first, mastery and understanding of the patterns; second, stability and responsiveness during inscription. Stability means your hand or spiritual sense is steady enough to avoid errors. Responsiveness means reacting quickly enough to neutralize interference.”

“The former requires insight and time to accumulate; the latter depends on your talent and auxiliary secret techniques.”

“There are secret techniques to assist inscription?” Xiao Wei blinked in surprise.

“Of course. Otherwise, a three-pattern artifact would leave you helpless. If I were forging six- or seven-pattern artifacts without them, I’d have no hope of success.” The Sun Master spoke frankly.

“Then these secret techniques…” The short-haired woman hesitated.

“Heh, don’t even think about it. These techniques are the foundation of our alchemists’ craft. We never teach them to anyone except our lineage disciples—not even for endless spirit stones.” The Sun Master chuckled.

Hearing this, not just Xiao Wei, but Wang Yu and Ning Yuan also changed expression.

The Sun Master’s words seemed to mean the opposite—perhaps if enough spirit stones were offered, everything could be negotiated.

“Master Sun, I’d like to ask: must earth fire be used to forge artifacts? Can other flames substitute?” Ning Yuan spoke up now.

“Earth fire isn’t essential, but when forging artifacts primarily from metal, earth fire is best—it’s both hot and stable. Most artifacts are made from metal.”

“But for special materials like wood or ice attributes, other methods must be used, or forging simply won’t succeed.”

“Of course, for an alchemist, the ideal is to directly assimilate a celestial spirit flame—artifacts forged with such flames have a high chance of inheriting the flame’s unique properties.”

“But I’m only speaking hypothetically. Celestial spirit flames are incredibly rare. In the entire Four Symbols Sect, only the Flame Ancestor seems to have assimilated one.” The Sun Master replied without hesitation.

“Thank you for your guidance,” the youth said, though disappointment showed on his face, and he bowed respectfully.

“Elder, I once read some alchemy notes in the Scripture Library and noticed they recorded very few artifact patterns, and those with pattern diagrams were much more expensive. I wonder—are artifact patterns that enhance the core’s properties rare? Where can one find them?” Finally, it was Wang Yu’s turn—he voiced the question he’d long held.

“Heh, artifact patterns are naturally uncommon. At least, the alchemy notes in the Scripture Library won’t record many. Even if they do, only the most common ones.”

“In truth, the two most precious things in an alchemist’s lineage are: first, the secret techniques I just mentioned, and second, the unique artifact patterns an alchemist develops over a lifetime.”

“For example, a common artifact pattern known to all might increase core toughness by only ten percent. But a unique pattern from an alchemist’s lineage might increase it by fifteen or even twenty percent. Or another similar unique pattern might not only boost toughness but also slightly reduce weight, making it easier to control with spirit-art manipulation.” The Sun Master explained.

“Then what about spell patterns used in forging? Can any spell diagram be inscribed onto an artifact?” Wang Yu’s eyes lit up with understanding, but he couldn’t help asking.

The black-robed elder frowned slightly, then slowly replied:

“I said I’d answer only one question each. But since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll make an exception and answer one more.”

“Theoretically, as long as you forge a suitable artifact core, most spells can have their power forged into the artifact. But the more complex and high-level the spell, the higher the demands on the core’s material and forging process.”

“Otherwise, even if you force it into existence, the artifact might break after just a few uses. Many consumable or single-use artifacts exist for exactly this reason.”

“I see,” Wang Yu realized fully.