CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: 2ND CIRCLE

As time passed day by day, the Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune, Fire and Earth Meditation Rune, and Small Meteor Rune in Lor’s Sea of Consciousness became increasingly synchronized.

Until a month later, the three were finally completely synchronized.

A faint line connected the three, forming a triangle in the Elemental Domain.

This also signified the successful second advancement of the Earth-Fire Meditation Technique.

"To advance to the second ring Meditation Rune requires two rounds of synchronization, which is much more difficult than at the first ring."

Lor pondered as he looked at the triangular structure in his Sea of Consciousness, "Next, I need to infuse Elemental Energy into the Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune for the second ring advancement, which will be much faster than the first ring."

He used his Spiritual Power to sweep over the three lines forming a triangle in the Sea of Consciousness, immediately restricting the Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune from outputting Elemental Energy externally, only absorbing the Elemental Energy infused by the other two runes.

Infusing one rune with two runes is naturally faster than one-to-one infusion.

It only took just over six days for the Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune in the Sea of Consciousness to become extremely radiant and begin to sublimely transform.

"Crack, crack—"

The elements in the Sea of Consciousness continuously infused into the body, reinforcing it once again.

After the infusion at the first ring, Lor’s tolerance for pain had increased significantly.

He hardly paid attention to the changes in his body, focusing all his attention on the Sea of Consciousness.

"Barrier Rune..." Lor looked at the radiant Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune model, filled with anticipation.

If this time the Spatial Barrier Rune could manifest, his weakness in defense would no longer exist.

"Crack, crack—"

Suddenly, the structure of the Adaptive Rock Barrier Rune model violently trembled, and the Sea of Consciousness began to rapidly expand.

At that moment, countless foundational runes emerged from the Rock Barrier Rune.

Lor tightly encircled the rune model with his Spiritual Power, carefully searching through the foundational runes emerging mystically.

Suddenly, a half-real, half-imaginary black rune like a cloud swiftly slid across the surface of the rune model.

"It’s here." Lor rejoiced inwardly, focusing his Spiritual Power at one point, immediately putting all his effort into memorizing it.

Two seconds later, the transformation of the Rock Barrier Rune model was complete, prompting the Meditation Rune and Small Meteor Rune to advance together.

"Buzz, buzz—crash—"

The Earth and Fire Elements in the Elemental Domain, expanded tenfold, were tumultuously restless.

Lor no longer paid attention to the turmoil in the Sea of Consciousness, repeatedly recalling every detail of the newly memorized Spatial rune.

"Click, click—"

The sound of two light clicks came from the Sea of Consciousness, as the Small Meteor Witchcraft Model and Earth-Fire Meditation Model ascended together to the second ring level.

From this moment, Lor officially became a second ring wizard.

However, at this moment, his focus was not here; becoming a second ring wizard was destined, but something seemed amiss with the Spatial Rune.

"This rune... seems a bit off?" After memorizing all the details of the Spatial Rune, Lor finally had time to reflect on the whole.

It was then he realized, the foundational Spatial Rune he just memorized seemed unrelated to the concept of a barrier.

Moreover, it didn’t belong to any type of Spatial Rune he knew; unsure if it was an undisclosed Spatial Rune from his past life or a completely new Spatial Rune.

Yet, what he wanted most was a Spatial Rune capable of enhancing defense, and this rune didn’t seem to fit that description.

"Alas, forget it." Lor sighed with a bit of frustration, "At least it’s a Spatial Rune, better to condense one to see its actual effect first."

He moved his Spiritual Power, guiding the Earth and Fire Element runes in the Sea of Consciousness to condense a thoroughly black, seemingly real yet illusory basic rune.

Then he condensed basic runes such as the Fire Element Burning Rune and Earth Element Heaviness Rune to collide with it, observing various reactions of this foundational Spatial Rune.

The more he tested, the stranger his expression became.

"This behavior... seems kind of interesting!" Lor’s initial gloom gradually dissipated.

From his earlier experiments, the rune’s behavior showed that it could virtualize and spread a portion of an attack.

For example, when the Fire Element Burning Rune touched this rune, it would absorb part of the attack and distribute the rest throughout the surrounding Space.

If it were integrated into the Rock Barrier Rune model, it might have unusual effects.

Although he didn’t obtain the desired Spatial Barrier Rune, having this rune seemed not too bad.

"Since I discovered it, I’ll name you Phasing." Lor’s mood improved, and he casually gave the unnamed Spatial Rune a new name.

Being able to distribute a portion of the attack into the surrounding Space is tantamount to preemptively reducing its attack power.

Phasing, the name was aptly chosen.

He felt an inexplicable sense that integrating the Phasing Rune into the Adaptive Rock Barrier would be more useful than incorporating it into a barrier.

Aside from these gains, his physique also received a significant boost,

Lor raised his hand, clenched his five fingers into a fist, and gently swung it forward.

"Boom—boom—boom—"

A thunderous explosion echoed endlessly within the bedroom.

Even causing a shockwave that only dissipated upon crashing into the wall ten meters away.

If it weren’t for the Wizard Tower, he believed he could pierce through a five-meter-thick wall with just that shockwave.

"I’ll exchange some Magic Crystals for now and research how to integrate the Phasing Rune into the Rock Barrier later." Not overly concerned with the changes in his body, Lor took out his Communication Board from the Space Ring and opened the distribution section.

After hesitating for a moment, he directly input an exchange of ten million Magic Crystals in the contribution point section.

Though having Levi with him and currently tasked with ocean exploration meant exchanging more Magic Crystals wasn’t an issue, exchanging most of his contribution points at once seemed too conspicuous and not very prudent.

Exchanging ten million, leaving twenty-eight million, seemed much more reasonable.

As for the remaining contribution points, he could return every six months to exchange them, extending the time period.

Until officially becoming a Fourth Ring Spatial Mage, Lor couldn’t afford to lose his cautiousness, even then, he should maintain it as much as possible.

...

On the 45th floor of the Cooper Wizard Tower.

Three Third Ring wizards wearing red and green Wizard Robes sat at both sides of a long table, each operating a Communication Board.

"How strange." Suddenly, an elderly wizard paused, turning to the two beside him, "Tammy, Connor, someone wants to exchange ten million Magic Crystals at once, but he’s just a stranger first ring wizard temporarily residing in the nineteenth floor third-class laboratory."

A temporary residence for a first ring wizard was odd enough, but to exchange ten million Magic Crystals at once was even odder.

A mere first ring wizard, where did he accumulate so many contribution points?

It’s worth noting that Lor hadn’t had the chance to report his breakthrough yet, so his personal information still showed him as a first ring.

"A temporary resident first ring wizard? Exchanging ten million Magic Crystals at once?"

"Really?"

Beside the elder, the stoic-faced male wizard Connor and the pretty female wizard Tammy both raised their heads curiously upon hearing this.

"See for yourselves." The elder tapped the Communication Board with his finger, causing a light screen to appear, displaying Lor’s information along with the contribution point exchange application.