Chapter 13. Muyi's surprise
Lin Xiang stretched out his hand and placed the Inscription Symbol Paper on the table in front of Qin Xingxuan.
Qin Xingxuan curiously looked at the symbol paper and saw a crescent moon shaped inscription. Seeing Lin Xiang nod at her, she picked up the paper and curiously examined it with her soul force.
Her heart jumped - in this inscription the soul force couldn't surpass the third stage of body transformation!
She looked at Lin Xiang.
"It's an Inscription I made," Lin Xiang said.
Although Qin Xingxuan had already expected it, her eyes still widened.
She was also an Inscriptionist, so she knew! She knew that it was immeasurably difficult to become an Inscription Master at the tender age of fifteen!
In the entirety of Sky Fortune Kingdom's history the youngest Inscription Master was the current Inscription Association President Wang Xuanji who became an Inscription Master at the age of 18.
The truth is that Qin Xingxuan herself was not a proper Inscription Master yet. Although her skill and knowledge in inscriptions was very high considering her age, she isn't yet able to create working Inscriptions that meet the standard. She had a chance to beat the current record and become an Inscription Master at the age of 16, however, she was already completely overtaken by Lin Xiang.
Qin Xingxuan understood that for every mountain there would always be a higher one. Sky Fortune Kingdom was only a small state in the entirety of the Sky Spill Continent.
Even though she was talented herself and was considered the best here, if she had left for other lands, then perhaps she would only be one in any countless number of talents.
But Qin Xingxuan still had not left the country before. After all, even in the surrounding few countries she was the top number one talent; there was not a single contemporary around her that could compare with a tenth of her.
6th grade Martial Talent, in addition to an Inscription talent that was second to none in Sky Fortune Kingdom. Qin Xingxuan was truly blessed by the heavens and had not found a match in those of her generation. She had never felt a half ounce of frustration at her age, so she had grown up with a self-belief of arrogance.
But today, she knew she was defeated by a youth of the same age. Although Lin Xiang's cultivation was weaker than hers, his talent and ability, and accomplishments in Inscriptions had outstripped her by miles.
Concerning Inscription technique, it could be said that she was a little fledgling that hadn't learnt to fly, and he was a soaring eagle that rules the skies; the gap was simply too big!
She was frustrated, but Qin Xingxuan was not depressed or hopeless. She was actually excited, because now that she had found a goal, she could then strive to improve herself.
Lin Xiang faintly smiled upon seeing Qin Xingxuan's surprised expression and said, "The name of this Inscription is the Overwhelming Symbol. It should be considered to be a quite high level Inscription in the Sky Fortune Kingdom."
Qin Xingxuan raised her eyebrows. Silently, she then examined the symbol paper again, but it was impossible for her to tell how powerful this inscription really was.
Lin Xiang continued, "Apart from increasing the strength of a weapon, this inscription also grants a low-grade human-step martial skill called Violent Strike. With enough true essence concentrated into the weapon, the weapon can then erupt with a powerful close-range blow."
After hearing Lin Xiang's explanation, Qin Xingxuan was shocked. An Inscription that grants a skill? She had heard about inscriptions like his, but they have been nearly all lost in the Sky Fortune Kingdom! She was shocked that Lin Xiang was even able to create an Inscription like this.
Lin Xiang smiled at the young shocked girl and continued, "Like I told you earlier, my master is a bit eccentric. He doesn't give me any money and he wants me to rely on myself. I would appreciate it if I could get your help to sell a few copies of this Inscription."
"Oooh… It isn't a problem, I can help you," Qin Xingxuan quickly replied after a moment's lag.
"Thank you," Lin Xiang said. "After you test this Inscription on a treasure, you can then tell me the price. Your master might also be interested in this Inscription. I only hope that you can keep my identity and Inscription skills a secret from others."
"Yes, of course, you can leave it to me," Qin Xingxuan said, still holding the symbol paper in her hands, looking at the crescent-moon inscription.
"Mhm. After you manage to sell my Inscriptions, you can find me in the Grand Clarity Pavilion. I should be here most of the time," Lin Xiang said. He then took out four more symbol papers from his pocket and also gave them to Qin Xingxuan, saying, "I have five Inscriptions on me at this time."
"Alright, you can leave this matter to me. I'll give you a fair price." Qin Xingxuan received the other Symbol Papers. She then looked at Lin Xiang, smiled like a flower and said, "Lin Xiang, I have greatly benefited from our conversation. I hope we can talk more in the future."
Lin Xiang plainly smiled and said, "Mhm. I'll be busy with cultivation these next few months, but I should be able to find some time."
The one that mostly benefited from this conversation was Qin Xingxuan.
However, Lin Xiang certainly didn't care about spending some time and revealing some small secrets about Inscriptions to her. He had a very favorable impression of this girl so far.
Not only did he not mind helping her improve because she might possibly be his girlfriend in the future, but he knew that all of this Inscription knowledge would be completely useless to him in the near future. In turn, if he's able to acquire True Essence Stones at this time thanks to her, then it would be a tremendous help to his own cultivation.
Qin Xingxuan then asked Lin Xiang for his sound transmitting talisman information, and the two exchanged contacts.
After chatting for a bit more, Lin Xiang bid his farewell and left the room first, smoothly leaving the bill in Qin Xingxuan's hands.
…
After leaving the Grand Clarity Pavilion, Qin Xingxuan stepped into the carriage and set her course directly to Marshal's Quarters to meet her Master, Mister Muyi.
Although she had examined Lin Xiang's Inscription for a long time inside the carriage, she was still unable to see the intricacies of it. She was curious about her master's opinion and the Inscription's effect.
Mister Muyi was the resident guest Inscriptionist of the Marshal's Quarters. At that time Qin Xongxuan found him in his study room.
"Oh? So there is someone like that out there? Even you were humbly defeated by him?" an elderly man asked as he sat behind his desk with a book in front, peacefully looking at Qin Xingxuan. It was Mister Muyi.
"Mm." Qin Xingxuan politely nodded. She then recounted the events that had happened in more detail, repeating some of the things that Lin Xiang said.
After the old man listened, his expression grew increasingly dignified. At first he assumed that his young student was in love and was excited and modest in regards to a boy she liked, but it seemed that she really was inferior.
Moreover, that youth's knowledge was too rich and experienced; it wasn't likely to come from someone in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, but instead some ancient master from a different more developed land.
Qin Xingxuan then described how Lin Xiang drew the foundation lines and symbols with incredible ease and fluidity. It wasn't something that she was capable of doing.
"Being able to draw the foundation lines with true essence, but also not stopping and still being able to grasp the intricacies of the energy of each point… what is this? Not only that, but he's also an Inscription Master already?" Muyi said with surprise.
"Well, when he drew the runes, it was flowing incredibly smoothly. As for his grasp of the amount of energy in each part... it was like... it was like... it was as if it imprinted in his mind and formed in an instinct. He should also be an Inscription Master already. This level is beyond the reach of Xingxuan."
"Hmm…" Muyi took a deep breath. Being an Inscription Master at 15 was shocking enough, but it was impossible to develop this so-called instinct without practicing drawing runes millions of times. Did this young boy start practicing while he was still kicking around in his mother's womb?
"You're really sure that he is really 15 years old?"
"Yes," Qin Xingxuan replied with certainty.
"Marvelous, marvelous! So young and he is already this accomplished. It truly is amazing; this is the first time in my life seeing such a young talent! I thought I'd only hear of geniuses like this in legends. But I'm even more curious about who this boy's master would be."
Muyi thought in vain. In his mind, he considered the entire Sky Fortune Kingdom, and even several nearby countries, but he could not think of any hidden inscription master who could compare with this elder.
Even though Muyi could not think of anyone, in terms of inscription knowledge he was considered the forefront expert in the Sky Fortune Kingdom, and even in neighboring countries he would be well compared to their own Inscription Masters. But compared to this mysterious elder, he could not say that he had any chance of winning!
Muyi said, "I cannot think of anyone who is capable of teaching such a talented disciple. But if I ventured a guess, then the young boy's master might have come from an ancient sect."
"An ancient sect?" Qin Xinghuan was startled.
The Sky Spill Continent was vast and had many thousands or millions of years of traditions of large sects. These sects have incomparably deep and profound heritages and legacies.
Let alone those that are far away, just the closest to the Sky Fortune Kingdom main sect of the Seven Profound Martial House, the Seven Profound Valleys sect, had an unimaginable number of masters.
Twelve years ago, the Seven Profound Valleys' elders arrived at Sky Fortune Kingdom, and even the Imperial Family had to be respectful. Qin Xingxuan's master, Mister Muyi, was considered the top Inscription Master in the country, but to the large clans he wasn't anything special.
Qin Xingxuan then said, "Lin Xiang briefly mentioned his master and said that his master is a recluse."
"A recluse, hmm? That would explain things," Muyi said, entering a deep thought.
Qin Xingxuan then faintly smiled and finally pulled out Lin Xiang's Symbol Paper. She said, "Master, this is an Inscription that Lin Xiang made."
"Oh. Really?" Muyi became interested. He cautiously picked up Lin Xiang's symbol paper and held it like a treasure.
He felt the true essence fluctuations that came from the paper, and then sucked in a breath of cold air; his eyes were filled with bewilderment.
"How is it, Master?" Qin Xingxuan asked.
"This inscription symbol…. In this Inscription true essence indeed cannot surpass the third stage of body transformation! So it was really created by that boy?"
Qin Xingxuan nodded. "Lin Xiang's cultivation is only at the early 2nd stage, but his true essence is incredibly dense. I believe this Inscription was really created by him."
"Second stage? Ah, I see. So it's like this," Mister Muyi said, nodding.
Mister Muyi thought, 'It's very unlikely that an Elder would intentionally suppress his true essence. Not only is it immeasurably difficult to suppress, but it may also cause harm to themselves. Not only is there no need or benefits to doing so, but it would also lower the quality of the inscription symbol.'
Qin Xingxuan then explained what she knew about the Inscription and the reason why Lin Xiang had given it to her.
"So it's an inscription with a skill! Incredible, incredibly! Quickly, let's test it!" Mister Muyi exclaimed in surprise and stood up.
It's only possible to test the effectiveness of an Inscription after it's placed on a weapon.
Because of this Lin Ming had faced a problem of being able to sell his Inscriptions in the novel - no one could confirm their efficacy.
In the study room, Muyi quickly pulled out a treasure sword from his collection. This treasure sword was a low-grade human-step treasure worth three thousand gold teals, which was priced in the middle reaches of low-grade human-step swords.
After placing the Inscription on the treasure sword, Muyi sent his soul force into the sword to examine the effect of the Inscription.
He was astounded and called out immediately, "The true essence increase is at 33%, maybe even 34%!"
Qin Xingxuan's eyes widened in shock. If an inscription symbol's increased strength amounted to about 32%, then it was the standard of a Master-class Inscriptionist. Even an inscription with 20% improvement was difficult to make and might cost up to 1,5 thousand gold taels.
"Now, let's test the skill." Muyi quickly walked to the training grounds at a speed that betrayed his old age, while Qin Xingxuan followed closely behind.
In the training square, Muyi gripped the treasure longsword with both hands. He could feel thick fighting intent emanating from the sword as if calling him to use it.
Muyi then poured a considerable amount of true essence into the longsword.
The true essence in the blade had been compressed to its very limit. A moment later, it then suddenly erupted with an overwhelming strength as Muyi swiped out!
A dazzlingly bright light emitted from all degrees as a volcanic true essence erupted from that sword. It turned into a brilliant rainbow that shot forward like a blazing meteor straight at the practice dummy.
Overwhelming all opposition, overwhelming all enemies, overwhelming all creation!
This was the skill of the 'Overwhelming Rune' - Instant Violent Strike!
Boom!
There was a huge explosion and the training dummy was cut cleanly in half while a huge three feet deep gush formed on the stone floor; it had to be said that it wasn't an ordinary stone that was used in that training room.
Muyi's facial expression was riddled with amazement. He held out his hand and gently stroked the one inch wide crescent moon inscription. A stream of fighting spirit continually transmitted from the inscription, and Muyi felt a very close, almost familial bond with it.
"True essence manifestation, amazing! Not only is it a martial skill, but it's also one that can condense true essence into reality to perform a ranged attack," Muyi evaluated.
Muyi tested the Violent Strike skill once again and said, "My true essence flows through this low-grade human-step treasure so smoothly as if it were a much higher grade treasure, incredible. As for the martial skill, it's certainly a decent low-grade human-step martial skill. For someone who doesn't know any martial skills, this Inscription is great!"
As Qin Xingxuan heard this, she felt her heart tremble. 33% improvement! And it also included a human-step martial skill, one that condenses true essence into reality! If this Inscription was really created by Lin Xiang, then the term 'genius' was insufficient to describe him; he could only be described as an once-in-a-lifetime monstrous talent!
"Master, can I see it?" Qin Xingxuan asked.
Muyi nodded and passed the treasure sword to Qin XIngxuan. It was impossible for her to tell anything from it, but he only wanted her to be able to broaden her horizons.
Qin Xingxuan held the sword to her body and let her soul force sink into the flame engraved symbol. Because she was so focused, her pair of elegant eyebrows couldn't help but gently twitch.
"What do you think?" Muyi asked Qin Xingxuan.
Qin Xingxuan replied, "Xingxuan's talent is too poor. I only sensed that it was full of incomparably mysterious symbols and lines."
She was slightly depressed. If she didn't know that this Inscription was created by someone with cultivation not surpassing the 3rd Stage of Body Transformation, she would have thought that it came from the hands of a great master.
Muyi nodded. "It's normal for you to not be able to tell. After the inscription is finished, the secret symbols and runes will be hidden in the treasure. It is difficult to see, especially with an inscription this complex and intricate. Lin Xiang gave you five of these Inscriptions to sell, right? I will buy all of them. Let's go meet him!"
"Now?" Qin Xingxuan was startled.