Chapter 33: Energy Gathering Rune

Chapter 33: Energy Gathering Rune

As soon as the Energy Gathering Rune was activated, it transformed into several streams of energy invisible to the naked eye, gathering the energy scattered in the air within this motionless space.

A gentle breeze began to stir, and the temperature dropped slightly.

It seemed as though something had been added to the air, but it was not visible to the naked eye.

But the Energy Gathering Rune alone was not enough to allow Mù Xīng to regain control of his energy.

Cang Cheng cut a small piece from a Cang Stone using the Blade of Wind and held it in his hand.

The Cang Stone, possessing immense energy and nearly zero resistance to energy flow, was the most suitable to be used as an external spirit core.

Cang Cheng tapped the small Cang Stone, about the size of a potato, with his index finger, focusing his mental energy.

Soon after, energy from the air rushed into the Cang Stone, gathering, absorbing, and emitting it outward.

The deep blue Cang Stone flickered with golden light on its surface, as if breathing rhythmically.

The connection between the Energy Gathering Rune and the Cang Stone was complete.

"Stand up, Mù Xīng."

Cang Cheng did not stop his movements, his voice calm and commanding. "Do not resist, Mù Xīng. It might be painful."

"Yes, master."

Hearing this, Mù Xīng rose to his feet, allowing Cang Cheng to continue his actions.

Cang Cheng's fingers grasped Mù Xīng's collar, and with a firm pull, tore open his clothes, revealing Mù Xīng's scarred chest.

Cang Cheng's expression remained unchanged as he placed his index finger on the skin in the center of Mù Xīng's chest. This was where the Awakened's spirit core had once been located.

His fingertip glowed with a fluorescent blue energy as Cang Cheng's finger moved from Mù Xīng's chest to his left shoulder, then down his inner arm, and finally to Mù Xīng's left palm.

On Mù Xīng's scarred skin, a light blue energy circuit appeared.

Cang Cheng infused a bit of energy into the energy circuit, and it began to activate, radiating a faint glow.

The energy circuits are complete!

And thus, a single energy circuit was forcibly and painstakingly opened by Cang Cheng.

The pain of having energy chains etched onto the body with spiritual power was no less than that of a scalpel slowly cutting into the skin.

But despite enduring this excruciating pain, Mù Xīng pressed his lips tightly together.

Except for his pale face and slightly trembling body, not a single sound of suffering escaped him.

As long as he could regain control of the energy, he was willing to endure anything.

Pain alone... The suffering he had endured before was a hundred, even a thousand times worse than this.

However, a single circuit was far from enough.

A single circuit was only sufficient for unidirectional energy transport; to generate a complete and robust energy flow, at least five circuits needed to be drawn.

Cang Cheng pressed his finger on Mù Xīng's chest again, the magic at his fingertip still undiminished.

"One circuit is complete, four more to go, Mù Xīng. Hold on."

Mù Xīng bit his lip and struggled to respond, "Yes..."

After 20 minutes, the five energy circuits were successfully completed. Afterward, both Cang Cheng and Mù Xīng appeared pale.

The former was exhausted from the high-precision work.

The latter was pale purely from the pain.

Cang Cheng pressed his temples and crushed a piece of the Energy Gathering Rune to restore his magic power.

After a short while, his color improved.

Cang Cheng began to observe the energy circuits he had just drawn.

He saw the five energy circuits extending from Mù Xīng's somewhat thin chest, neatly connecting to his left palm.

The five circuits occasionally emitted a faint blue glow, resembling the fluttering wings of a blue flash butterfly.

"Truly beautiful."

Sir Cang Cheng praised without reservation, referring to the circuit he had just finished drawing.

The five lines were neatly arranged, and the flow was smooth—truly perfect.

Behind him, Hilmeth impatiently patted his tail.

Finally, Sir Cang Cheng placed the Cang Stone, connected to the Energy Gathering Rune, into Mù Xīng's left palm.

Gentle energy flowed along the newly created energy circuits, transported from Mù Xīng's left arm to his chest, and from there to every corner of his body.

The Cang Stone's energy nourished Mù Xīng's long-dried internal circuits like a gentle drizzle.

Blocked channels opened, and Mù Xīng, who had long been ordinary, once again felt strength return.

The Cang Stone in Mù Xīng's left hand emitted a faint glow, resonating with the fluctuating circuits on his body.

He could hardly believe the power surging through his chest, his brown eyes glistening with moisture behind his lenses.

He actually… truly felt the energy again.

Mù Xīng had thought it might take ten or twenty years, waiting until Sir Cang Cheng ascended to power in the Canglan Star Region, before he might have a chance to reclaim his spirit core and regain his strength.

But now… Mù Xīng had only just begun working for Sir Cang Cheng, having cultivated only a bit of insignificant nourishment, and yet he had already been granted strength again by Sir Cang Cheng.

A whirlwind of emotions and excitement surged through Mù Xīng's heart.

He sincerely knelt on one knee again, carefully taking Sir Cang Cheng's finger, which had just drawn the energy circuit on him, and kissed the tip.

Mù Xīng swore that he would develop biochemical weapons that would surpass all others in the Canglan Star Region, ensuring that Sir Cang Cheng's ideals could be smoothly realized.

"The Energy Gathering Rune absorbs external energy to offset the consumption of the Cang Stone, while the external energy circuit that was just drawn connects the Cang Stone's energy with your internal energy circuits."

Sir Cang Cheng helped Mù Xīng stand up and adjusted his clothes.

"I've temporarily created an external energy circulation system for you to use. It's somewhat crude, so bear with it for now. Your current level should be equivalent to that of a C-rank Awakened. I'll help you with an upgrade later."

"Yes, sir."

Mù Xīng adjusted his clothes, his left hand tightly gripping the Cang Stone, feeling the power it emanated, his emotions still surging.

With the assistance of mental energy, the experiments he had previously found difficult could now continue.

In less than half a year, no… three months, he would be able to present the initial results to the Lord.

He would not disappoint the Lord.

Just then, the curly-haired researcher brought Butler Philip to the 4th floor.

“Lord, it’s time for your meal. I’ve come to fetch you…”

Philip’s gaze landed on Cang Cheng and Mù Xīng. On his usually unflustered face, a crack formed for a moment.

In Philip’s eyes, Mù Xīng, who had always been neatly dressed and appeared as a refined researcher, now had a pale face, with light sweat-dampened bangs clinging to his cheeks. He gave off an air of weakness, as if after intense physical exertion.

Yet, Mù Xīng’s expression was one of contentment, showing no pain, and his clothes were disheveled, exposing a large area of skin below his collarbone.

In contrast, Cang Cheng was very close to Mù Xīng, beyond the distance of normal social interaction.

Cang Cheng also appeared slightly weak.

Could this be…

Philip controlled his trembling muscles, feigning calm: “Lord, it’s time for dinner.”

“Alright, I’ll come right away.”

As he spoke, Cang Cheng’s gaze rested on Mù Xīng’s chest: “If you feel any discomfort, come to me. Don’t hold back. You are the first subject I’ve experimented on.”

Mù Xīng: “Yes, my lord.”

Philip’s face went pale.

A distorted shape, like *The Scream*.

As he followed Cang Cheng out of the laboratory building, Philip looked much older.

My lord has grown up…

*

Cang Cheng had no idea what Butler Philip was imagining or thinking deeply about. Even if he did, he would probably just smile and dismiss it.

After all, his relationship with Mù Xīng was an entirely typical superior-subordinate one.

His preference was for beast-like, exotic beings; humans couldn't arouse any particular interest in him.

Cang Cheng started testing the new *Cang Stone Spirit Runes*.

His fingertips concentrated magic, drawing several traces of wind on the *Spirit Runes*. The B-grade *Chain of Wind Blades Runes* was instantly completed.

"Hmm... the flow of magic has increased by 30%. The circulation of magic is very fluid. This is how a magic vessel ought to be."

Cang Cheng was very satisfied with the new runes in his hand.

He walked to the window and activated the *Spirit Runes*, sending their power into the air.

The pattern on the *Spirit Runes* emanated a blue-green light, and in the next moment, seven wind blades, each 50 cm wide, shot upward.

The wind blades disturbed the calm air currents, creating a breeze in the small area.

After 15 seconds, the wind weakened, and the breeze ceased fluctuating, returning everything to stillness.

With the same amount of magic input, the new *Chain of Wind Blades Runes* created using the *Cang Stone Spirit Runes* increased the number of wind blades from 5 to 7, and the width of each blade from 30 cm to 50 cm.

This meant the new *Chain of Wind Blades Runes* was equivalent to one and a half of the original ones, with a marked increase in destructive power and lethality.

Cang Cheng was highly satisfied with the new *Spirit Runes*.

He leaned toward Hilmeth. "Mo, look! The power of the wind blades has almost doubled!"

Hilmeth, with his arms crossed, gave a silent nod. "I see."

He didn't seem particularly interested.

Cang Cheng blinked. "Mo, why do you appear unhappy? Did something happen?"

Hilmeth's amber eyes rested on Cang Cheng's puzzled face, and the tip of his tail, resting on his thigh, twitched irritably.

Cang Cheng blinked his dark eyes, which reflected only Hilmeth.

Being watched so intently always made Hilmeth's heartbeat become erratic.

Hilmeth averted his gaze and changed the subject.

"Cang Stone Spirit Runes are an extremely important strategic resource. If they had been discovered earlier, perhaps fewer people would have died during the Star Region Spirit Runes War."

Mentioning the Star Region Spirit Runes War, Cang Cheng remembered that Hilmeth's role was that of a soldier, and as an S+ class Spirit Warrior, he would have been deployed to participate in the war.

So… did he die in the Star Region Spirit Runes War?

Cang Cheng thought that he had reminded him of something sad, which was why he had gone silent.

He reached out to poke Hilmeth's well-defined cheek. Hmm… His finger passed through the air; the latter was intangible.

Cang Cheng pulled back his hand.

"Don't worry. Now that a new carrier for the Spirit Runes has been found, the Canglan Star Region will become even stronger."

Hilmeth nodded.

Originally, he thought that if he could return alive, he would have the research institute develop new Spirit Runes.

Now… he had independently found the new carrier and didn't need his help.

There were times when he wanted to do something, but the other party didn't require his assistance.

His furry tail drooped a little, losing its energy.

"You should avoid letting the Cang Stone Spirit Runes appear in the public eye until you can contact a trustworthy official, or until you become an S-class Spirit Rune Master."

Hilmeth explained, "Power always drives people to desperate measures. If someone with ill intentions discovers the purpose of the Cang Stone Spirit Runes, they will likely stop at nothing to claim credit."

If it were Hilmeth before he was injured, he would feel confident about protecting Cang Cheng.

But now… he was no longer certain.

"I understand. It's the same as the principle of a potato; an innocent man having a valuable object is a crime."

Cang Cheng smiled. "I'll keep a low profile and quietly amass wealth. You have to trust me, I'm definitely the cautious and obedient type."

Hilmeth looked at Cang Cheng's gentle and kind smile at the moment and recalled his performance in the arena as well as the outer district that had been recently destroyed.

Well-behaved and cautious?

Maybe...

Hilmeth chuckled inwardly and did not say anything more.

"But this Spirit Runes feels a bit fragile, not as hard as the current Spirit Runes. It can still be optimized a bit more."

As Cang Cheng spoke, he began to write the trial summary of the Cang Stone Spirit Runes, preparing to send it to Ming Bai later for additional adjustments.

Hilmeth stood quietly behind Cang Cheng, looking at the focused young governor, feeling peaceful, but also a creeping sense of restlessness.

Spirit Runes were Cang Cheng's area of expertise, where Hilmeth was unable to assist.

But he wanted to do something to help Cang Cheng.

He didn't want to merely watch Cang Cheng from the sidelines.

*

Six light-years away from Luo Ri Star, Simon, carrying Cang Cheng's Flowing Water Spirit Runes, was preparing to negotiate with Sha Star's governor, Sha Builo.

Sha Star was a Class C planet, with more than 95% of its surface covered in sand and less than 1% in water resources.

Moreover, due to frequent acid rain, the already scarce water resources became even more limited.

Sha Star produced a type of rock called Lilarock, which was resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, making it essential for crafting armor.

However, this rock required acid rain to form, leading to the planet not preventing the acid rain but actually encouraging its frequency.

The lower district of Sha Star lived in dire conditions.

Simon passed through the lower district of Sha Star.

The landscape was a light yellow, with dry winds carrying sand everywhere, and under the scorching summer sun, Simon felt like he was being baked dry.

In a dilapidated adobe house, a child with flushed cheeks, barely conscious, whispered, "Mom... I want water."

"Sleep for now, my baby, there will be water when you wake up."

...

A half-alive person on the bed let out a painful groan; “Water… water…”

...

A gaunt male had a fawning smile: “Sir, why is there only 100ml of water today? There are three of us in our family. Could you spare a bit more?”

An arrogant Guard kicked him: “You should be thankful there’s any water at all. Do you want more? If you ask again, your family won’t receive any ration next time!”

...

This wasn’t Simon’s first time witnessing the living conditions in the lower district of Planet Sha. However, compared to a few months ago, the water shortage in the lower district seemed to have worsened even further.

That’s odd.

Even if Planet Sha were short on water, it shouldn’t be so bad that they couldn’t give 100ml per household.

As Simon entered the upper district, he realized where all the water had gone.

To his surprise, the people in the upper district were carrying wooden buckets, basins, or even water guns, splashing water on each other!

They were actually participating in the Water Splashing Festival!

“The Water Splashing Festival was so much fun. Let’s have it again next week!”

“I agree! Besides, the people in the lower district don’t use much water. We might as well use it all here!”

Simon felt a chill down his spine.

What kind of people live in the upper district of Sha Star...

Simon entered the administrative hall of Sha Star with a dark expression.

Heh... The administrative hall was also celebrating the Water Splashing Festival. The entire venue was filled with water, which turned into steam when it met the high temperatures, causing the entire space to become uncomfortably warm and humid.

After applying a cooling patch to the back of his own neck, Simon took out the Spirit Runes board and negotiated with Sha Builo, the assistant to the executive official: "This is a Flowing Water Spirit Runes made by Spirit Rune Master ANKEN, capable of creating a tsunami and supplying abundant water resources.

A challenge video featuring Spirit Rune Master ANKEN and President Mark Xin is available on the Awakened Forum, where the practical application of the Flowing Water Spirit Runes is demonstrated. I believe you will find it to be of interest."

As soon as the Water Runes first appeared, Sha Builo had been closely monitoring this Spirit Rune.

Upon learning that rune distributor Simon would be visiting today, he canceled all his meetings for the day, persuading Administrator Tata Luo to allow him to meet with Simon, just for a good discussion with him.

He was determined to obtain the rune.

Sha Builo didn’t waste time and directly said, “I’m very interested in this rune. But if Mr. Simon only has a couple of pieces... it won’t be of much use to Planet Sha.”

The suggestion was that Planet Sha was hoping for a long-term supply.

Simon nodded, “Of course. Spirit Rune Master ANKEN can sign a long-term rune supply contract with Planet Sha, or alternatively, authorize the people of Planet Sha to be trained in how to draw this rune.”

Sha Builo laughed loudly, “That’s great! What do I need to pay?”

Simon said, “Set up a stellar transport route with Luo Ri Star.”

Luo Ri Star? The border planet Luo Ri Star?

If he remembered right, it was the planet of the ineffectual fifth prince Cang Cheng.

Set up a stellar transport route with Luo Ri Star?

What is there to trade on that useless planet?

Sha Builo let out a scornful laugh, and anger flashed across his face, “Are you kidding?”