CG 117: Inner Eye

As they walked towards the crystal stall, Chen Wei looked at Kai curiously. "Senior Brother, why do you need Elemental Crystal Shards?"

“Elemental Crystal Shards are a key component in crafting a weapon with a specific elemental affinity. They help attune the weapon to a particular element, enhancing any techniques of that element used through the weapon."

 "Oh! So, you're going to use a lightning shard, right? That would be a strong combination with the water-attuned wood and steel."

Kai shook his head. "Actually, I'm planning to go for a pure water affinity weapon."

"But... why?" Chen Wei asked. "Wouldn't lightning be better, given your cultivation?"

"It's a good question," Kai said. "And you're right, a lightning and water combo would be powerful. But here's the thing: with my lightning element cultivation method, I can always channel my lightning techniques into the water staff for a powerful lightning-water combo when needed. But if I make the staff itself with mixed elements, it will decrease its overall efficiency."

"So, by keeping it pure water, you have more flexibility?"

"Exactly. It gives me more options in battle."

They arrived at the crystal stall, where an elderly man sat surrounded by glittering shards of various colors. Kai approached and bowed.

"Greetings. Tan Yifei sent us."

The old man's wrinkled face creased into a smile. "Ah, any friend of my granddaughter is welcome here. What can I do for you, young cultivator?"

Kai gestured to the crystals. "I need a Water Elemental Crystal Shard for weapon crafting."

The old man nodded. "A wise choice. Water is the element of adaptability and flow." He reached into a drawer and pulled out several blue crystals of varying sizes. "The larger the shard, the stronger the elemental attunement. But of course, the price increases accordingly."

Kai examined the crystals carefully.

Material: Small Water Elemental Crystal Shard

Rank: Uncommon

Description: A crystal infused with water elemental energy. Provides minor enhancement to water-based techniques.

Material: Medium Water Elemental Crystal Shard

Rank: Rare

Description: A crystal with concentrated water elemental energy. Significantly enhances water-based techniques and allows for basic water manipulation.

Material: Large Water Elemental Crystal Shard

Rank: Very Rare

Description: A crystal brimming with water elemental energy. Greatly enhances water-based techniques and allows for advanced water manipulation.

After careful consideration, Kai pointed to the medium-sized shard. "This one, I think. A good balance of power and cost."

"A wise choice indeed,” The old man nodded. “For you, 500 spirit stones."

Chen Wei stepped forward. "Respected Elder, while we greatly appreciate the quality of your crystals, perhaps we could come to a more agreeable price? After all, we were sent by your granddaughter, and we're sure to need more materials in the future..."

After several minutes of back-and-forth, they settled on a price of 400 spirit stones for the medium Water Elemental Crystal Shard.

As they left the stall, Kai turned to Chen Wei. "There's two more things we need. Chen Wei, do you know where we could find a rune stall?"

Chen Wei furrowed his brow. "A rune stall? I'm not sure. Why do we need runes?"

"There must be some runes I could apply during the crafting process to give the weapon some buffs," Kai explained. "It's always good to have every advantage I can get."

Chen Wei nodded. “Let me ask around."

As Chen Wei darted off to inquire about rune sellers, Kai took a moment to check his crafting menu again.

Crafting Menu:

[Azure Mist Pine] - Main Material

[Misty River Steel] - Secondary Material

[Silver Serpent Tendon] - Binding Material

Medium Water Elemental Crystal Shard] - Elemental Crystal

[Empty Slot] - Enhancement Rune

[Empty Slot] - Grip Material

Almost there. Just need a rune and something for the grip.

Chen Wei returned a few minutes later, slightly out of breath. "Young Master Kai, I found a rune seller. It's this way."

As they made their way through the crowded marketplace, Kai noticed the stalls becoming sparser and less well-maintained. Finally, they came to a small, rundown stall at the edge of the marketplace. A young inner disciple stood behind the counter, his robes slightly frayed at the edges.

"Powerful runes!" the young disciple called out, his voice tinged with desperation. "Strengthen your weapons! Enhance your cultivation! Runes for every need!"

Despite his enthusiastic cries, the area around his stall remained empty of customers. Kai approached, his curiosity piqued.

As soon as the young disciple spotted Kai, his eyes lit up with an almost hungry look. The intensity of his gaze startled Kai for a moment.

He looks... desperate, Kai thought. I've never seen an inner disciple in such poor condition before.

"Welcome, esteemed customer!" the young disciple said, his voice eager. "I have runes of immense power! Runes that can make your sword cut through mountains! Runes that can call down the very lightning from the sky! What kind of rune are you looking for?"

Kai held up a hand to stem the tide of words. "Thank you. I'm looking for something for a new weapon I'm crafting. Do you have any runes that can be applied during the crafting process?"

The young disciple's face fell slightly. "Oh, you don't have the weapon with you? If I could see it, I could give a better recommendation..."

Kai smiled awkwardly. "Actually, I haven't made it yet. I'm gathering materials for the crafting process."

The inner disciple furrowed his brow, thinking hard for a moment. Then his eyes lit up. "Ah! I think I have just the thing." He ducked behind the counter and rummaged around for a bit before emerging with three small, glowing symbols etched onto pieces of parchment.

"These are special runes," he explained. "They're designed to be incorporated into a weapon during the crafting process. I don't have many of these - they're quite difficult to make. Runes that can empower a weapon long-term are not easy to come by."

Kai leaned in, intrigued. "Where did you get these?"

"My master made them,” The disciple puffed up with pride. “He's a renowned formation master."

If these really were made by a formation master, they could be quite valuable.

"There's a catch, though," the disciple continued. "It's likely that only one rune can be applied to a weapon. These runes... they don't work well together. You'd need a higher-level formation master to make them compatible."

Hmmm, maybe I should have learned formations before alchemy. After a moment, Kai shook his head. No alchemy is far more valuable, short term and long term.

"Can you tell me what each rune does?"

The inner disciple nodded eagerly. "Of course! This one," he pointed to a rune that looked like a stylized shield, "is the Rune of Unyielding Fortitude. It increases the durability of a weapon by 40%."

He pointed to the second rune, which resembled a gust of wind. "This is the Rune of Swift Strikes. It increases a weapon's speed by 30%."

Finally, he indicated the last rune, which looked like a clenched fist. "And this is the Rune of Overwhelming Force. It increases the power of a weapon by 30%."

Kai nodded, checking the system messages for each rune.

Rune of Unyielding Fortitude

Rank: Rare

Effect: Increases weapon durability by 40%

Rune of Swift Strikes

Rank: Rare

Effect: Increases weapon speed by 30%

Rune of Overwhelming Force

Rank: Rare

Effect: Increases weapon power by 30%

Well, at least he's not lying about their effects, Kai thought. He considered his options carefully. Durability could be useful, but my build focuses on speed. And I don't plan on joining the front lines of a war, so raw power isn't my priority right now.

"I'll take the Rune of Swift Strikes," Kai decided.

The inner disciple's face lit up. "Excellent choice! That will be 500 spirit stones."

Kai's eyes widened at the price. Even Chen Wei, standing beside him, let out a small gasp.

The disciple, noticing their reaction, hurried to explain. "I know it seems high, but you have to understand - these runes are far above my level. I was lucky to get any from my master. They would typically cost more than 500 spirit stones, but I'm willing to offer a discount."

Chen Wei stepped forward, ready to negotiate, but Kai raised a hand to stop him. Something about this disciple's desperation made Kai pause. He pulled out 500 spirit stones and handed them over.

"Thank you," Kai said. "May I ask your name?"

The disciple blinked, surprised that the Legacy Disciple even cared to ask. "Yan Fan. My name is Yan Fan."

As soon as Yan Fan spoke his name, a system message appeared in Kai's vision.

Name: Yan Fan

Age: 20

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Stage 2

Qi: 1200/1200

Strength: 130

Agility: 130

Durability: 128

Special Ability: Inner Eye

 

Name: Inner Eye

Description: Allows the user to perceive Qi with unusual clarity.

Kai's eyes widened slightly as he read the message. A special ability? And one that's perfect for rune crafting... This Yan Fan could be very useful.

"Yan Fan," Kai said slowly, "I think I'd be interested in working together sometime. Your skills are... intriguing."

Yan Fan's eyes widened in surprise, then hope. "Really? I... I would be honored, Senior Brother."

Kai nodded, his mind already working on how to incorporate Yan Fan into his plans. "One last thing - do you have anything I could use for handle wrapping? Something to provide a good grip?"

Yan Fan nodded eagerly, reaching under the counter. He pulled out a roll of silvery fabric. "This is Spirit Silk. It's soft yet incredibly strong, it gives you a comfortable grip while letting you manouvre  the weapon with ease. It also has the ability to slightly adjust its texture based on the user's grip, so there’ll be no slips in combat."

Material: Spirit Silk

Rank: Uncommon

Description: A cultivated silk with minor adaptive properties. Provides excellent grip and comfort.

"How much?" Kai asked, reaching for his spirit stones.

Yan Fan shook his head. "It usually costs 20 spirit stones, but... please, take it as a gift."

Kai smiled, accepting the Spirit Silk. "Thank you, Yan Fan. I look forward to working with you in the future."

With that, Kai and Chen Wei made their way back to the Legacy Disciple quarters.

Crafting Menu:

[Azure Mist Pine] - Main Material

[Misty River Steel] - Secondary Material

[Silver Serpent Tendon] - Binding Material

[Medium Water Elemental Crystal Shard] - Elemental Crystal

[Rune of Swift Strikes] - Enhancement Rune

[Spirit Silk] - Grip Material

Time to get crafting!