As the Rune formed, Su Chen was able to decipher the mysterious information it contained.
[Jingzhe] (Lv1): Thunder drives the breath of life to awaken one’s potential, granting a 100% boost to all physical performance for 0.75 seconds.
Synthesis Formula: Thunder + Thunder + Wood (Elemental Essence).
Promotion Requirement: Jingzhe Rune 0/1.
Runes Mastered: Water Mirror Refraction Lv1, Flame Burst Lv3, Jingzhe Lv1
...
’Not bad luck.’
After reviewing the information, Su Chen immediately realized the Jingzhe Rune’s effect was far better than he’d expected.
’This is one of the best possible outcomes!’
’Based on the description alone, it’s not just a support-type Rune; it also gives my body a major boost.’
Its only apparent drawback was the short duration.
’Time to test it out.’
With a flash of thought, the new Rune floating in Su Chen’s Sea of Consciousness suddenly erupted in light.
In an instant, he felt a powerful bio-electric current awaken his body’s latent potential. Every fiber of his being, down to his trillions of cells, lit up. His thoughts grew unbelievably clear, far more profoundly than when he entered the Heart Stream state.
Harnessing the boost to his muscles, he took a single step forward. His body blurred, leaving an afterimage, and he reappeared six meters away in a flash, as if a frame had been skipped from a film.
And then...
It was over.
His racing thoughts began to lag.
The brief, dream-like sensation of immense power vanished as quickly as it came.
’That felt amazing.’
Su Chen marveled internally. He had experienced the Heart Stream state while speed-skiing down a snowy mountain. In that state, the world would fall silent, his heart rate would slow, and his mind would become completely focused—it felt like he was flying just above the ground.
But the Jingzhe Rune offered far more than just that wondrous feeling.
He tried it again right where he stood, and could tangibly feel a dramatic improvement in his physical Power, movement speed, and reflexes.
If there was one downside, it was the short duration.
Furthermore, he noticed some physical discomfort after the effect wore off, a side effect he’d have to get used to.
’Overall, on a scale of 1 to 100, I’d give it a 90.’
Without a moment’s hesitation, Su Chen absorbed the remaining Wood Element Essence from the ground and fed it directly to the Jingzhe Rune.
The Rune’s information changed...
Promotion Requirement: Thunder (0/1) + Thunder (0/1) + Wood (1/1).
As he walked out of the house, this raised a question in his mind: did the synthesis formula for Elemental Runes require a strict sequence?
’For example, would ’Thunder + Wood + Thunder’ or ’Wood + Thunder + Thunder’ also create a Jingzhe Rune?’
’Not necessarily.’
It clearly wasn’t a factor when upgrading a Rune.
But what about the initial synthesis stage?
Based on his three experiences constructing Runes, the first Essence he picked up always went to the top of the triangular brand on his palm, the second to the bottom-left corner, and the third to the bottom-right.
’If someone else mixed up the order even slightly, the structure of this mysterious character would be completely different.’
’You couldn’t even apply the structural rules of written characters.’
Let alone these kinds of profoundly complex and esoteric characters, which were like three-dimensional Divine Talismans.
At this moment, the sound of human footsteps came from the street intersection outside.
"Quick!"
Along with a hurried shout.
Su Chen didn’t lower his guard, instead tightening his grip on the baseball bat.
Just then, a young man in red, drawn by the sounds of the fight, emerged from the intersection. The Compound Bow in his hands was aimed straight ahead. When he saw a human figure in the distance, his face went pale with panic, and he quickly lowered his bow.
"Sorry, holy sh—"
His gaze snapped forward to the sight of a dead tiger-leopard, its body taking up more than half the road.
To be clear, while the back street was narrow, it was still wide enough for a car. Judging by the tiger-leopard’s size, it had to be over three meters long.
The gaping, fatal wound in its midsection was even more shocking. It looked like it had been hit by a cannonball.
More than one person had arrived. A moment later, a refined-looking young man appeared. He wore a white Windbreaker, had a quiver on his back, and held an American hunting longbow.
Su Chen looked at the newcomer and recognized him. They had met once before—it was the man with glasses from the shop by the campfire.
Yan Ziqian explained, "Sorry, we mean no harm. We just heard the fighting and rushed over."
He also noticed the tiger-leopard’s fatal wound and could only imagine how ridiculously powerful the Rune that caused it must be.
"It’s fine."
Su Chen nodded, indicating it was fine. He knew the man’s mistake was unintentional—a small issue not worth blowing out of proportion.
He walked straight ahead, his eyes already fixed on two small, verdant orbs of light.
"The Grass Element is great," said Pang Peng, the young man in red. He was clearly an outgoing type, with thick eyebrows and large eyes that seemed to hold no guile. "It’s full of vigorous life energy. While it doesn’t offer much for offense, its Recovery Power is amazing."
"Someone on our team was once pierced through the waist by lightning—a clean hole from front to back—and it healed him right up.
"But the more serious the wound, the more Grass Energy it takes. It can’t bring back the dead, and it’s not great with severed limbs either. It’s not at the level of resurrecting the dead or regrowing flesh from bone, at least not yet."
Su Chen was already more or less aware of this information.
After all, the verdant mineral crystals, which were also a form of Plant Energy, had healing properties. It was easy enough to draw a parallel.
As for why the other man said "Grass Element" while his own Rune information showed "Wood Element," Su Chen considered it for a moment. He concluded that the esoteric information of the Elemental Runes was "unpacked" and interpreted according to each individual’s personal understanding.
It was similar to different translations of the same character.
Both Elements referred to this small verdant sphere.
However, Su Chen didn’t plan to absorb the Wood Element Essences now. That would only lead to the formation of another brand-new Rune. He wanted to save these two Wood Element Essences for Jingzhe Lv2.
A jack of all trades is a master of none.
Rather than mastering numerous low-level Runes, it was better to focus on leveling up one or two highly compatible Elemental Runes.
"Hey man, want to trade an Essence? We have a Thunder Element one." When Yan Ziqian saw Su Chen put down his canvas bag to store the Plant Essence, he subconsciously assumed Su Chen didn’t have an affinity for that element.
"Sure."
Su Chen didn’t refuse.
The man smiled and readily pulled a transparent glass liquor bottle from his waist pouch. Inside, a small electric orb crackled with light.
"Take the empty bottle, too. You can use it to store the Essence," Yan Ziqian said.
"Thanks." After taking the Thunder Element Essence, Su Chen put his other Wood Element Essence into the empty bottle.
It was a mutually beneficial exchange.
As Yan Ziqian absorbed the Wood Element Essence, the Jingzhe Rune in Su Chen’s mind began to glow. A drawing force emanated from his palm, instantly devouring the Thunder Element Essence he’d just received.
BOOM!!
Just then, a piercing hum came from a nearby villa. It was faint, but it sounded like the slicing of extremely compressed air.
"That’s the sound of a Wind Blade Rune. Ruoruo and the others must have found a monster."
Pang Peng, the young man in red, looked overjoyed and immediately took off running.
After running for just a few seconds, he glanced back at Su Chen and called out an invitation, "Hey man, wanna team up?"
"I’ll pass," Su Chen declined directly.
"Alright then, see ya around." Pang Peng smiled, not pressing the issue.
As he was leaving, Yan Ziqian gave a polite and friendly nod. "Stay safe," he said.
With that, the two unexpected visitors ran off to the right, bows in hand, and disappeared around a corner in the back alley.
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