Chapter Forty-Nine: Guardians of the Stars and Moon

He ultimately decided to use a lightweight alloy called “Starlight Steel” as the primary material for his alchemical armguards. This was not only because Qi Xiao had crafted numerous alchemical devices related to the power of the stars and was quite familiar with them, but also because Starlight Steel itself was an alloy that combined rare metals with fragments of meteorites from beyond the sky. It possessed exceptional magical affinity and could absorb and disperse energy when struck, making it one of the ideal materials for defensive alchemical items.

Starlight Steel could absorb external magical and physical impact energies, reducing harm to the wearer. At the same time, the alloy was both light and sturdy, imposing no extra burden on the user. Its excellent magical conductivity even allowed it to serve as the main material for magic wands, and when used in defensive alchemical devices, it helped enhance magical effects. Additionally, Starlight Steel was highly resistant to corrosion, maintaining its properties in any environment. Its bluish-silver hue also matched Qi Xiao’s attire well, complementing his belt pouch beautifully.

Qi Xiao heated the Starlight Steel to the appropriate temperature using a fire-refining technique, preparing it for forging. This time, he did not employ shaping spells; instead, he used a forging hammer and anvil, slowly creating the outline and form of the armguard. Starlight Steel contained many impurities, and simply shaping it with magic without forging would result in inferior quality. For most dedicated alchemists, such details were essential; otherwise, the final product would always feel lacking.

After repeated forging, Qi Xiao was finally satisfied upon examining the texture and purity after the last round, believing he had achieved flawless perfection. While the armguard was still malleable and not yet solidified, he hurried to carefully inscribe sensory and shield-related magical patterns inside, and slowly infused his own magic into the Starlight Steel.

Infusing the material and the finished product with the forger’s own magic during the alchemical process naturally made the item attuned to its creator, both during crafting and after completion. Most alchemists did this when making equipment for themselves, as there were countless benefits and almost no drawbacks. The only real disadvantage was that such alchemical devices were difficult for anyone but the creator to use.

But that was of little concern—Qi Xiao had never intended it for anyone else. The previous pistol was merely a practice piece, soon to be replaced; this armguard, however, he intended to use for a long time, even considering infusing it with the mysterious aura of that Gu Si. Yet, he only entertained the idea—lacking the strength and support, he dared not risk it.

He used fine polishing stones to smooth the armguard, removing burrs and preparing the surface for magical inscriptions. The earlier magical patterns were engraved inside; now Qi Xiao inscribed additional patterns on the exterior, strengthening and reinforcing its defensive properties. The armguard trembled throughout, but endured the pressure of the two different magical patterns, and after the final stroke settled into calm.

Choosing crystals compatible with Starlight Steel, he crushed them and embedded them at key points of the magical patterns, serving as energy foci. As the first armguard gradually took shape, Qi Xiao rested in meditation for a night, then prepared materials for the second.

As a reflection, he named the first armguard “Starlit,” and intended to call the second “Moonbright,” gathering materials mostly associated with the moon. The main material was Chilled Moon Silver, a silver forged at low temperatures, capable of absorbing and transforming moonlight energy, and only forming under the crescent moon.

In this world, the moon was mostly full, but in March and September each year it appeared as a crescent for a time, its light intensifying and its color shifting from pure silver to blood-red. Thus, the crescent moons of March and September were called “Blood Crescent Moons.” Legend held that the moon was originally purely blood-red, but after the ascension of a certain ancient hero, it gradually became silver.

Qi Xiao also prepared Nightglow Crystal, which contained trace fluorescent substances, glowing softly in darkness and emitting the scent of osmanthus during the crescent moon—quite magical. As for Moonshadow Stone, it was nothing particularly special, a semi-transparent gem shining with silver under moonlight, believed to contain some mysterious power of the moon.

This time, Qi Xiao used a special cold-forging technique, since Chilled Moon Silver would lose its extraordinary properties if exposed to high heat. He kept the material at low temperatures, slowly shaping the armguard’s form and details.

He engraved decorative inscriptions and special patterns to enhance protection around the Moonshadow Stone’s setting and along the armguard’s edges.

Qi Xiao also used fine cold-forging tools—chisels, carving knives—meticulously etching the details he had designed onto the Chilled Moon Silver armguard. He carved crater-like textures reminiscent of his former world’s moon, which, rather than seeming ugly, resonated with a certain law, deepening its connection to the “moon.” This surprised Qi Xiao; he had only intended to use these cratered textures to create moonshadow magical patterns, a way to reminisce about his homeland’s moon, but he found unexpected delight.

Originally, cold-forging made it difficult to inscribe magical patterns inside, so to ensure balance between the two armguards, he had prepared to forcibly engrave two magical patterns on the surface. But with the moon’s blessing, there was no need for such extreme measures.

After dividing the Nightglow Gem and embedding the pieces, Qi Xiao lightly inscribed auxiliary magical patterns around them, enabling the gemstones to integrate more easily with the metal’s magical structure at low temperatures. These patterns would gradually fade and not burden the armguard.

During cold-forging, Qi Xiao also continually polished the armguard with fine tools, removing any burrs to ensure comfort and smoothness. Once the details were complete, he attuned the armguard’s energy, ensuring all magical patterns and embedded Moonshadow Stones harmonized with his own magic.

Under cold light, he inspected every detail to confirm both the visual and magical effects met his expectations. Qi Xiao seldom used cold-forging, and was pleasantly surprised by the results. This method allowed him to craft armguards with complex structures and rich details, preserving the material’s integrity and magical potential. It was especially suited for items whose materials were sensitive to heat, particularly those requiring fine workmanship and magical enhancement.

The two armguards drew upon each other, relying together.

Qi Xiao named the whole set “Star and Moon Guard.”