Chapter 114: The Ring of Eternal Spiritlight

To solve this problem, Qi Xiao decided to redesign the patterns and pathways of the spatial inscriptions, making them finer and more stable. He also decided to add a protective layer made of Purplethorn Stone around the Spiritglow Stone, making it easier to control the spatial energy.

The most difficult aspect of creating a storage artifact was undoubtedly the construction of a relatively stable space. The other aspects posed no great difficulty. Since Qi Xiao had to reshape a spatial construct every week, his understanding in this field ran far deeper than that of most advanced alchemy apprentices. As long as he selected suitable spatial materials, the remaining problems would not be too troublesome.

There were quite a few spatial materials that could serve as the foundation for a storage space. The more common ones included Starcore Crystals, Eternal Dust, fragments of spatial magic crystals, and Voidillusion Gourds. Every one of them was worth a considerable sum—at least ten thousand magic crystals. Once the creation failed, the core material would be nearly impossible to salvage, and this was why spatial storage artifacts had always commanded such exorbitant prices.

Midir had prepared quite a large supply of spatial materials for Qi Xiao. His storehouse contained both Star River Crystals and Eternal Dust.

Starcore Crystal was a naturally occurring spatial material capable of forming stable spatial nodes on its own. It was an ideal material for creating storage artifacts, especially for alchemists who had not studied spatial magic in depth. Its ability to naturally form stable spatial nodes was invaluable.

Eternal Dust, meanwhile, could resist the erosion of time. It was commonly used to reinforce the boundaries of a space and prevent its collapse. It was said that a great deal of Eternal Dust would fall during the merging of planes, and his teacher’s notes recorded that this was indeed true.

For Qi Xiao, Eternal Dust was naturally the more economical choice. There was truly a great deal of it, and Midir had clearly collected quite a quantity. If he used Star River Crystal as the core of the space, the process would become far more complicated. He would also have to compress it until it was no larger than a fingernail before embedding it into the ring, introducing many unnecessary variables. Eternal Dust, on the other hand, only required him to select an appropriate amount.

Although he would have to arrange many more spatial nodes, that was hardly a great inconvenience for Qi Xiao. Compared with the uncertainties created by compressing space, he would rather endure a little extra trouble. After all, a single explosion could cost more than ten thousand magic crystals. He could not afford to play around with something like that.

Qi Xiao began redesigning the spatial inscriptions. He made their lines broader and more delicate, and adjusted their pathways to be more rational, ensuring that the flow of magical power would remain even and stable.

At the center of the ring, Qi Xiao used a small amount of Eternal Dust as the core node. This core node was the source of magical power for the entire storage space, as well as the key to maintaining its stability.

As usual, he set the Spiritglow Stone into place and arranged a protective layer made of Purplethorn Stone around it. This protective layer not only enhanced the stability of the space, but also provided additional buffering whenever the spatial energy fluctuated.

With Eternal Dust as its core, Qi Xiao carefully arranged a series of spatial nodes inside the ring. Each node was connected through inscriptions, forming a stable spatial network.

Once all the arrangements were complete, Qi Xiao began initializing the space. With utmost caution, he infused the nodes with magical power, gradually activating the entire spatial network.

After confirming that everything was functioning normally, Qi Xiao slowly poured magical power into the core node. The storage space gradually unfolded, and a stable space of five cubic meters successfully took shape.

Qi Xiao could sense that the spatial fluctuations within it were smooth and even. Though somewhat lifeless, this was a normal reaction for a newly formed space that had yet to establish a connection with the void. Items placed inside would therefore be much safer, and the space even possessed a preservative effect. A space formed through spatial magic, by contrast, might be invaded by certain void creatures.

Qi Xiao placed the ring in his palm and examined it closely. Its setting had been crafted with exquisite engraving, primarily using traditional spiral and wave-shaped lines, giving it a classical elegance and fluidity.

The Spiritglow Stone had been ingeniously set at the center of the ring, surrounded by the Purplethorn Stone protective layer and forming a striking visual focus. Under the reflection of the violet light, the Spiritglow Stone shimmered with subtle variations.

The Purplethorn Stone had been cut into small pieces and arranged around the Spiritglow Stone in concentric circles. Each piece had been finely polished, reflecting a faint purple radiance and lending the ring an air of mystery and nobility.

The patterns of the spatial inscriptions within the ring did not matter, but the external patterns had all been refined into decorative designs. Qi Xiao had used traditional geometric motifs such as the infinity symbol, triangles, and hexagons. These patterns were not only beautiful, but also suggested the boundless possibilities of space.

In addition to the Void Silver setting, Qi Xiao had incorporated several other materials, including rose-gold and platinum trim, along with a selection of gemstones, ensuring that the color scheme would not appear too monotonous.

Overall, Qi Xiao was quite satisfied with the spatial ring. It was not excessively large and fit perfectly when worn. It did not clash with his bearing, and its appearance was attractive enough that it would not drag down his image.

The ring’s name was not important. Qi Xiao casually combined the names of its two primary materials and called it the Eternal Spiritglow Ring. In any case, he would probably continue calling it a storage ring in the future.

After transferring everything from his spatial spell into it, the newly formed space inside the ring was instantly more than half full. If he folded the Azure Veil and put it inside as well, the ring would probably be filled to capacity.

Qi Xiao did not carry many things with him. Apart from some clothing, magic crystals, and a few small alchemical tools and instruments, most of what he possessed consisted of magic scrolls he had drawn while practicing inscriptions and spell patterns. There was no real need to carry so many. He could take the duplicates and those he was unlikely to use to an alchemy shop and sell them.

He had previously confirmed that doing so would not produce any feedback from the system, and at the time Qi Xiao had been genuinely disappointed. In theory, those scrolls could at least barely be considered related to alchemy, yet they had produced no response whatsoever.

His left hand rested on the Dragonflame Staff while his right hand rubbed his chin, and he began thinking about the Battle Tower.

At this point, Qi Xiao would find it difficult to learn anything new by continuing to participate in battles at the intermediate wizard-apprentice level. He might as well sign up directly for battles at the advanced wizard-apprentice level. The Battle Tower had never prohibited participants from challenging opponents above their level or outside their age group. Even in advanced wizard-apprentice matches, as long as he carried the Dragonflame Staff, the result would be no different: one swing per little wizard.

After considering the matter for a while longer, Qi Xiao released the hand gripping the Dragonflame Staff, rehung the Nether-Energy Elemental Gun at his waist, and prepared to head to the Battle Tower to register.

The Nether-Energy Elemental Gun had not been used since it was remade and raised to the Excellent grade. This would be a good opportunity to familiarize himself with it again.

Qi Xiao had not originally planned to enter the competition so soon. However, when he went to study under his teacher as usual the day before yesterday, he could clearly sense Midir’s mood. If he continued staying cooped up at home every day without finding himself a place to gain practical experience, it would probably be only a matter of days before his second trial began.

After all, his first trial had been cut short by an accident.