Chapter 14: Where to Buy Spirit Runes

The electronic voice echoed throughout the space, and gilded victory text appeared before everyone’s eyes, announcing the winner of the challenge.

A few seconds later, thunderous applause broke out.

The wide-eyed crowd couldn’t hide their excitement as they raised their arms and cheered.

"ANKEN! ANKEN! ANKEN!"

"What were those Spirit Runes? So cool!"

"Can Spirit Rune Masters also fight?"

"ANKEN with wings looks like a fairy!"

"ANKEN, you're the greatest!"

……

Cang Cheng flapped his wind wings twice and landed in front of Yi Moshang, who was already sitting on the ground.

His steps were light, his posture tall and straight. His masked eyes held a smile.

His blue-patterned white cloak was spotless.

"Are you alright?" Cang Cheng asked.

Yi Moshang's face was pale, still clearly shaken from the fear of nearly being sliced by the Wind Blade.

His heart still raced.

Who would have thought that ANKEN, who looked so gentle and frail—despite being able to take on ten at a time—would attack so ruthlessly.

Truly, appearances can be deceiving.

Of course, his defeat was partly due to underestimating his opponent.

Yi Moshang never expected that a Spirit Rune Master, who is a support class, could wield new Spirit Runes with such power.

"I'm fine. The Wind Blade didn't cut me apart. You won."

Yi Moshang replied.

He looked dejected and a bit lost.

As the top student in his first year at the Central Academy, Yi Moshang considered himself a one-in-a-million prodigy and believed his abilities placed him among the best in the entire star system.

However, a bronze-tier promotion match woke Yi Moshang up and brought him back to reality.

The star region is vast, yet his knowledge is limited.

Previously, he had been overly confident.

"Yes, I did."

Cang Cheng replied lightly.

Yi Moshang took a moment to recover before his legs regained some strength.

He got up from the ground and looked at Cang Cheng with a complex expression. "Those Spirit Runes were truly astonishing."

Pleased by the praise for his magically conjured Spirit Runes, Cang Cheng felt gratified.

"Did you find them impressive?"

Yi Moshang nodded honestly. "I did. I've never seen wind-themed Spirit Runes that are so powerful and have such strong offensive capabilities. I never imagined wind could be used like that."

Whether it was the offensive Wind Blade, the defensive Wall of Wind, or the supportive Wind Wings...

Prior to today, after 20 years of education in the Canglan Star Region, Yi Moshang had never imagined that such significant damage could be dealt without thermal weapons, nor had he thought that Spirit Runes could be used independently without needing physical weapons, and he certainly hadn't expected Spirit Rune Masters to be so formidable in combat.

His preconceived notions were overturned.

Yi Moshang took the initiative to suggest, "Would you like to add me as a friend? If you create any new Spirit Runes in the future, feel free to come to me to test them."

Cang Cheng didn't refuse. "Sure."

They both sent friend requests in the Canglan World, and Cang Cheng’s once-empty friend list now had one more entry.

Yi Moshang felt he was fortunate to have connected with such an imaginative Spirit Rune Master. It was a win for him.

Cang Cheng, however, saw the benefit of having a free sparring partner and a free tester for his Spirit Runes. This person seemed pretty decent.

Regardless, both benefited.

After a brief exchange, they bid each other farewell and logged off.

Once back in reality, Cang Cheng rubbed his tired eyes.

The strain on his magic supply made Cang Cheng feel drowsy.

"Feeling tired?" Hilmeth asked.

Cang Cheng nodded and yawned.

"By the way, did you watch my fight just now? How was it? Was it impressive, huh?"

"Impressive."

Recalling the battle from just moments ago, each of the four Spirit Runes Cang Cheng used left Hilmeth impressed.

It wasn’t just the effects of the runes, but also Cang Cheng’s decisive and fluid battle style.

Hilmeth had thought that someone who had just awakened as a Spirit Rune Master, with little actual combat experience, would be flustered in battle. For example, freezing up and not knowing which rune to use, or making mistakes out of nervousness.

But Cang Cheng was the opposite.

Whether it was the timing of his runes, his relaxed posture, or his calm demeanor, Cang Cheng demonstrated great skill in battle.

It was as though Cang Cheng had fought many battles before.

But Hilmeth knew this was impossible.

Otherwise, he would have heard of such an unconventional Spirit Rune Master.

Seeing Cang Cheng’s nodding head and innocent look, Hilmeth’s thoughts drifted.

Who exactly is Cang Cheng?

"However, this time you were able to take them by surprise because they hadn't seen your Spirit Runes and didn't know their effects. If others knew about your Spirit Runes, or if they managed to get close to you, it wouldn't have been so easy to win."

Cang Cheng covered his ears and adopted a 'I’m not listening' stance.

"Not listening, not listening, I'm tired, let's review it tomorrow!"

No matter how surprising Cang Cheng was on the battlefield, in reality, he still displayed a somewhat whimsical and carefree attitude.

Hilmeth laughed to himself and gave a nod of approval.

Cang Cheng dropped his hands from his ears.

"Then I’ll go take a shower."

Hilmeth stretched his tail out in front of Cang Cheng.

Cang Cheng leaned back slightly, putting some distance between himself and the tail.

His eyes widened. "What are you up to?"

"You did well today." Hilmeth wiggled the tip of his tail. "Would you like to pet my tail? As a reward."

Cang Cheng immediately shook his head.

"Get away, I don’t want the tail. I don’t want to have anything to do with you... whatever that means."

With that, Cang Cheng detoured to enter the bathroom, his steps still a bit unsteady.

Hilmeth retracted his tail and coiled it around his thigh.

It seemed he had found a way to deal with Cang Cheng.

*

The case of Spirit Rune Master 'ANKEN' using innovative Spirit Runes never seen before to easily defeat a top player’s alternate character in the arena caused a stir on the Awakened Forum.

"Discussing whether the Blade of Wind or the laser gun is more impressive."

"'ANKEN' just got lucky. If I had been prepared, I would have definitely won against him!"

"Is the Spirit Rune world about to change?"

"I predict ANKEN will be the innovator of the Spirit Rune world!"

"Spirit Warriors are all being slaughtered by ANKEN."

……

"What ANKEN created are just low-grade B and C runes. They just look intimidating. If he encounters A-grade runes or better equipment in the future, his runes won't be effective at all!"

"ANKEN isn't that impressive, okay?"

"Since when are Grade B runes considered low-grade? Can you even dodge the Chain of Wind Blades?"

"No matter how impressive the Chain of Wind Blades seems, it's still just a B-grade rune. If the opponent wears exoskeleton armor, they'll remain unharmed. What good is the Chain of Wind Blades?"

"Do you think everyone can afford exoskeletons?"

"Runes that can't penetrate exoskeletons are useless. In high-level battles, the Chain of Wind Blades is just for show!"

……

The forum is deeply divided.

Some believe that although ANKEN's runes are interesting, they lack lethality. They're just a novelty and won't make it to top-tier battles.

Others believe ANKEN has great potential and will eventually dominate high-level battles with his unprecedented runes.

Amidst the heated debate on the forum, someone asked, "You can argue all you want, but I just want to know where I can buy the runes ANKEN uses. I'm eager to get my hands on them."

That’s true…… How do you even buy those wind-series runes?

I searched the entire Star Net and found none available.

ANKEN, show yourself!

You dared to compete! You dared to tempt us with your new runes, so why don’t you dare to sell them?

Get online and speak up!

Tell us how to buy those strange and unusual Spirit Runes of yours!

We have the money, ANKEN. Come out already!

*

Unaware of the uproar on the star network due to his deep sleep, Cang Cheng slept soundly, not knowing that the awakened individuals were nearly going crazy because they couldn't find anywhere to buy wind-type Spirit Runes.

When it was time to wake up, Cang Cheng stuck to his usual routine, first rubbing his cheek against the soft pillow.

The bedding had been replaced with new ones, soft and smooth to the touch. Even Cang Cheng, accustomed to luxury, found it hard to criticize the current bedding.

"Hmm... no..."

His pale pink lips parted slightly, murmuring discontentedly as he had to get up.

Cang Cheng rolled around on the bed twice, hugging the blanket, until the cool air at his waist, where the hem had lifted, finally roused him.

Although it was July summer, the indoor temperature was kept at a constant 24 degrees or so, feeling slightly chilly.

Rubbing his eyes and running his fingers through his messy black hair, Cang Cheng then went to the bathroom to finish washing up.

If people knew that ANKEN, who dominated the arena yesterday, was actually so dazed and confused in private, they would probably burst out laughing.

When he emerged, Cang Cheng was once again radiant, with the corners of his eyes slightly upturned, as if smiling.

He confidently changed out of his pajamas and into his newly tailored clothes.

The outfit was in the style Cang Cheng was accustomed to wearing on the Siaxi Continent, a shirt with a white hood over it, and fitted pants below.

This attire closely resembled what Cang Cheng wore in the Canglan World; clothing in the Canglan Star Region was often too tight, which Cang Cheng didn't quite like.

Hilmeth stood by the door, arms crossed.

As Cang Cheng changed, he instinctively looked away, returning his gaze only when the rustling of clothes ceased.

"Good morning, Mo~"

Cang Cheng greeted him with a warm smile.

"Morning."

Hilmeth's expression was neutral as he paused for a moment.

"Your left side hair is messy."

"Ah... It must have gotten messy while I was changing clothes."

Cang Cheng reached out to smooth his hair out. "Is it better now?"

Hilmeth said, "Better."

Cang Cheng leaned closer to Hilmeth, causing the latter's breath to catch slightly.

"Thankfully I have you, Hilmeth. Otherwise, my reputation would have been ruined."

Hilmeth pursed his lips, his gaze lingering on Cang Cheng's smiling eyes for a moment, before finally saying, "You're welcome."