The design was complete – every single root connected to form an endless knot that looked both precise and organic.
“It’s done,” I smiled, holding up the lily.
“Yes, Master, your inscription speed has greatly improved,” Azure said. “Your first Fundamental Rune took a lot longer to perfect.”
The vine wrapped around my neck traced the pattern with a tendril then gave what seemed like an approving pat to my right shoulder. I had to admit, I had never imagined that I’d have a semi-sentient plant helper that would give me advice on runes.
“Wait!” Elder Molric shouted out as he came running from the opposite end of the lab. Several muffled growling sounds followed him, but he didn’t seem concerned at all. “Let me take a look.”
Elder Molric examined the practice rune, rotating the leaf of the lily this way and that to reflect the light, he then nodded.
”The integration points you’ve chosen are excellent; the energy flow pathways you created are well-designed.” Elder Molric looked at me as if curious. “Do you plan to attach it to your Fundamental Rune at this location?”
I pointed to the trunk of the tree emerging from the center of my chest where the Worldroot pattern began. “Yes, here, where the trunk emerges. This is where the vine recommended attaching it, it should create a more direct path for energy while not placing too much stress on the pre-existing branches.”
Elder Molric’s eyes widened. ”Oh? Well, speaking of the vine…” He stretched forward eagerly. “Wouldn’t it love to go back to its creator for some further experimentation?”
I saw the vine react instantly and dramatically. It tightened its grip around my neck and sent forth multiple thorny tentacles toward Elder Molric, emitting what sounded to me to be a hissing noise.
”Such ingratitude!” Elder Molric shook his head. “You should show your creator more respect.”
All the vine did was tighten its grip slightly tighter around my neck — enough to show it was displeased with the elder’s words but not enough to cause me discomfort.
“My own creation has abandoned me for a new master,” Elder Molric sighed. “You can keep him.”
“I don’t think either of us has much of a choice in the matter,” I patted the vine.
The thorns immediately retracted under my touch and the vine let out what sounded like a purring noise.
“Hmm, should we move on to the inscription process,” the elder’s expression turned serious which immediately put me on edge. “I should warn you though, adding an elemental rune to your Fundamental Rune is considerably more dangerous than anything you’ve done before.”
I raised an eyebrow. If Elder Molric, a man who treats exploding plants (plants which could easily kill a rank 2 Skybound) as a minor nuisance, was being cautious…
“How dangerous are we talking?”
“Oh, it’s not anything too terrible,” Elder Molric dismissed the concern, waving his hand. “Only a small chance your Fundamental Rune will destabilize and release all of the energy it stores at once. But don’t worry! I’ll be right here to contain any possible explosions.”
”Master,” Azure said, “I think he is trying to reassure you.”
Strangely enough, I found myself feeling somewhat reassured by Elder Molric’s expression. There was something in the way he was looking at me that told me he was going to do his best to prevent a disaster this time, instead of using them as an opportunity for study.
”No biggie,” I mumbled, removing my outer robe to reveal the silver tree pattern on my chest.
“Okay,” Elder Molric said, all expressions of distraction and scatter-brainedness now gone. “Now channel your energy through your Fundamental Rune. We’re going to need it to be active for the merge.”
I nodded as I tapped into the power of the great red sun in the sky, and sent that energy through the fine-tuned pathways of my Fundamental Rune. The tree pattern began to glow softly with a silver light, and its branches rippled beneath my skin.
”Master,” Azure said, “begin by placing the Meridian Lotus leaf exactly three centimeters above the base point we identified.”
I moved my hands with care to press the Meridian Lotus leaf against my chest.
As soon as the two made contact, the Worldroot pattern began to glow.
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It appeared to come alive, its lines flowing like liquid as it merged with my Fundamental Rune. The tree pattern’s branches expanded and shifted to create new pathways that perfectly aligned with our integrated points.
”Excellent,” Elder Molric murmured, watching the entire process intently. “Now, let’s activate the elemental rune. Try channeling your energy through both patterns.”
I took a deep breath and knew that this was usually the point where things typically went catastrophically wrong for cultivation world protagonists. Still, no sense in hesitating, if I’m going to blow up, better to get it over with.
I sent my energy through the merged patterns. I felt a brief moment of resistance, and then… nothing.
No explosion. No burning. Just a slight change in the quality of my energy.
Before, it was simply pure, refined red sun energy. Now, it had a definite wood element quality.
I exhaled a breath I hadn’t known I’d been holding.
”HAHAHAHAHA!” Elder Molric laughed loudly as he pounded my back so hard that I almost fell. “It worked! Perfect integration! Although your Fundamental Rune doesn’t currently store nearly as much red sun energy as typical Rank 2 Skybounds, your true capabilities won’t differ by much. The most important thing is how efficiently you convert energy at this juncture.”
He turned and began digging through piles of scrolls and books on his workbench, grumbling to himself. “Ah, yes, where did I put… no, that’s the one that melts your flesh… Ah ha! Here it is!”
He proudly held up a large, thick scroll. “These are the wood element runes that I have compiled personally. Took decades to develop these designs.”
”Are those the techniques used by the Academy?” I asked.
“Oh no, no,” Elder Molric waved his hand dismissively. “Academy-approved techniques are far too… structured. These are my own refinements. They are far more efficient, although sometimes they produce unforeseen side effects.” He paused. “Not usually too severe.”
Why did that not fill me with confidence?
The elder continued as if he was unaware of my scepticism or was choosing to ignore it. “The runes have a special property – when activated while thinking about a particular type of plant, they will enhance and control that plant. However, if there are no plants present – such as in your fight with young Tovel – the runes will create temporary constructs.”
I nodded slowly. That could be very helpful, but… “I assume that constructs cost more energy?”
“Exactly! And at your current level, any plants you create will be essentially dead matter — you won’t be able to adequately infuse them with life force until at least Rank 5.” Elder Molric grinned. “Although based upon your natural affinity for manipulating plants, you might be able to achieve that earlier.”
That fit perfectly into my plans. I was already planning to carry seeds and small vines with me. That would be far more efficient than constructing them from scratch. Still, having the option to create plants in emergency situations could be the difference between life and death.
“Well then,” Elder Molric unrolled his scroll across his workbench, showing me dozens of runic designs. “I’ve picked out three that I believe will work exceptionally well for your combat style.”
He gestured to the first design – a series of curved lines that reminded me of a coiled whip. “Vine Whip rune. Produces long, whip-like vines for range attacks. The more energy you apply, the more vines you can control at once.”
I studied the design carefully. It was basically a refinement of what I was doing instinctively. Using a proper rune to accomplish this would increase both speed and efficiency.
“The second,” he pointed to a compact design that somehow looked explosive even in its static state, “is the Explosive Seed rune. Creates seeds that detonate either upon impact or after a short delay.”
”Master,” Azure whispered, “those could be versatile. Use them as traps. Use them as distractions. Even add them to other seeds for surprise attacks.”
He was right. We could use them in so many different ways, especially when paired with the Vine Whip rune for delivery.
“And finally,” Elder Molric pointed to an elegant design that resembled interwoven tree bark, “the Woodweave Seal. Temporarily creates a patch of woven wood fibers that can close and mend wounds.”
That was certainly interesting. My battle with Kiran showed how much value healing skills could bring to a battle. While this rune could not regrow lost limbs or fix damaged organs, it would be perfect for dealing with the numerous cuts and puncture wounds that occured in battles.
”The inscription process is the same as your enhancement runes,” Elder Molric explained. “However, considering how long we spent on the Worldroot Conduit, perhaps I should inscribe these to save time? Then we can move directly to practicing.”
I was not going to turn down professional inscriptions, especially after I saw how fast and precise he cut the Aegis Mark.
”Thank you, Master. I want the Vine Whip on the back of my right hand,” I said, lifting my right hand to show him the spot. “The Explosive Seed on my right index finger as small as possible.”
Elder Molric nodded in approval. “And the Woodweave Seal?”
“On the left side of my chest,” I decided. “Accessible, yet out of the way of the rest of my runes.”
”Good choices,” Elder Molric said, pulling out his crystal knife. “Now, stay still.”
The next couple of minutes consisted of another demonstration of Elder Molric’s skill. His movements were so fast and precise that the cuts hardly had time to hurt before he was moving to the next spot. Before I knew it, all three runes were carved and ready for activation.
”Channel your energy,” Elder Molric instructed. “Let’s check to ensure everything works as expected.”
I did as he said, and sent red sun energy through my Fundamental Rune and into the new patterns. All three activated perfectly, and the markings changed from bleeding cuts to dark red tattoo-like designs.
New Enhancements:
1. Vine Whip
- Type: Wood Element Combat
- Location: Right Hand, Back
- Effect: Generates and controls vine constructs
- Duration: Maintained
- Explosive Seed
- Type: Wood Element Combat
- Location: Right Index Finger
- Effect: Creates detonating seed constructs
- Duration: Until detonation (maximum 15 seconds)
- Woodweave Seal
- Type: Wood Element Healing
- Location: Left Chest
- Effect: Creates healing wood fiber patches
- Duration: 1 hour or until naturally healed
"Excellent!" Elder Molric clapped his hands together. "Now we can move on to the fun part, learning how to use them effectively!"