288: Chapter 288 Rune Array

Nie Ning had now truly felt the resilience of Brand Witchcraft.

If he wanted to use the same routines from the Third Rank, ordinary advancement potions likely wouldn't work anymore.

Even if he could start over, the current runic array diagram was already massive; his Spiritual Power was simply insufficient to support the workload of drawing something so large.

The more Nie Ning thought about it, the more something felt off. He deactivated the defensive barrier in the cultivation room and took out his spirit bracelet.

Returning to the Transcendent World, the first thing Nie Ning did was check if Qian Ning was online.

Seeing that Qian Ning was online, Nie Ning immediately sent a video call request, and Qian Ning's illusory projection appeared before him.

“Boss, is something the matter?”

Qian Ning asked with some confusion.

Since Nie Ning had hired him, the two of them had barely communicated at all.

Instead, it was Nie Ning—one couldn't tell who was actually the teacher—who had assigned him several difficult problems to solve.

“That array diagram you gave me last time...”

Nie Ning calmed his nerves, but before he could finish, Qian Ning cut him off.

“Is there a problem with the array I gave you? That shouldn't be. I supplemented the Runic Formula exactly according to your requirements, and I even had... personally design it.”

Qian Ning thought something was wrong with the array and hurried to explain.

However, after he finished speaking, a flicker of guilt flashed in the depths of his eyes.

“Array?”

Nie Ning didn't notice Qian Ning's expression, but he was baffled by the word 'array.'

He hadn't said he was making an array back then; he had only asked him to modify and complete the Runic Formula on it.

“It is an array, yes. To meet your requirements, I had to add high-rank runes; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so much trouble.”

Qian Ning looked at Nie Ning's somewhat sour expression and guiltily pulled out another blueprint.

“If that one isn't working well, I have a basic version here. The effect is a bit weaker, but I never had any issues during my experiments.”

This was the runic array diagram he had originally made, but fearing Nie Ning wouldn't be satisfied, he had created a more advanced one instead.

Nie Ning carefully examined the blueprint Qian Ning produced.

Compared to the previous Runic Formula, it simply replaced the original high-rank runes with other Runic Formulas.

Seeing this, Nie Ning went completely numb.

Clearly, the runic array diagram in front of him was the one he actually needed.

While its power might not be as great, at least he could use it, unlike the current one which he couldn't even activate.

“Boss, how about I help you modify it again?”

Seeing Nie Ning's vacant gaze, Qian Ning asked urgently.

Nie Ning waved his hand, his heart filled with complex emotions. This really wasn't Qian Ning's fault.

No wonder there were no problems during testing; the energy in the Elemental Pool was far denser than the energy in his body, so it could naturally drive the Runic Formula.

But how could he have known he needed to test the energy output power?

According to his understanding at the time, he just checked if it could run and if problems would arise after it started running.

Everything was normal during testing; how was he supposed to know the energy power was the issue!

Obviously, with his current energy reserves, he couldn't drive those high-rank runes.

Uh...

It seems it might not be impossible...

“Boss, should I just refund your money?”

Qian Ning asked cautiously.

“Go enjoy yourself. I have some things to attend to, so I'm logging off first.”

After speaking, Nie Ning logged off immediately.

On the other side, Qian Ning was left stunned, not even understanding what had happened or if there was actually a problem with his runic array diagram.

...

His consciousness returned to the cultivation room. Nie Ning rolled up his sleeves and looked at the two white rings.

The inability to activate the brand array diagram was nothing more than an energy power issue.

But besides his own crystal core, he had two backup energy sources.

As long as he could successfully drive it, it would prove feasible. If he couldn't use it in actual combat, he would just make a few more god-forbidden rings.

Although it would suppress his leveling speed, he had plenty of time, and it could increase his cultivation speed.

As long as he was strong enough, killing more high-rank exotic beasts would make up for the cultivation speed.

Thinking of this, Nie Ning activated the god-forbidden ring and began trying to drive the runic array diagram in his consciousness sea.

Unlike before, as the majestic energy circulated, the runic array diagram slowly lit up, and terrifying Elemental Power gathered around Nie Ning, forming an elemental vortex.

“It really is different!”

Nie Ning's face showed his astonishment.

Although the energy consumption was massive, this phenomenon alone made it worth the price!

Next, Nie Ning tried to use the Lightning Edge Blade skill. eightfold elements quickly gathered in his palm, forming a crescent-shaped blade of white light.

It was different from what Nie Ning had imagined.

Although the white light blade didn't look like it was condensed from lightning elements, white lightning-like energy constantly flickered across its surface.

Looking at the basement he was in, Nie Ning wanted to test it, but he feared the power would be too great and destroy the place.

He dispersed the energy in his hand, opened the door, and walked out of the room.

At that moment, Xiao Guang was lying on a small table next to a vase.

Seeing Nie Ning come out, Xiao Guang slowly raised its head to look at him.

Sensing Nie Ning's aura, a flash of annoyance appeared in Xiao Guang's eyes, and it grunted, turning its head away and refusing to look at him anymore.

Nie Ning shrugged, knowing Xiao Guang was jealous of his strength, then picked up Xiao Guang and tucked it into his robe.

When he reached the first floor, Saya was not there.

Because he had given Saya a few days off when he was advancing.

He and Saya weren't close, so naturally, he wouldn't leave a stranger in the room; if she caused trouble during his advancement, it would be disastrous.

...

After leaving the room, Nie Ning looked at the darkening sky.

As blood mist spread around him, Nie Ning transformed into a blood cloud and flew rapidly toward the forest where he had fought before.

After his strength increased, the power of the same witchcraft had improved as well. Nie Ning soon arrived at a lake in the small forest.

As he expanded his Spiritual Power, Nie Ning didn't sense anyone else around.

Seeing this, energy surged in Nie Ning's hand, and in an instant, a white fireball formed.

Under Nie Ning's direction, the white fireball shot into the lake before him like an arrow from a bow.

‘Boom!’

The entire surface of the lake exploded, and lake water was blasted into the sky by the shockwave.

The large tree behind Nie Ning extended its branches, its dense leaves shielding the space above him.

At the same time, a massive amount of water droplets fell from the sky, as if a torrential rain had begun.

As the lake water settled, Nie Ning looked at the lake; the water level was noticeably lower than before.

To this, Nie Ning had only two words of evaluation.

Very strong!

Compared to his strength at the Third Rank, the power of the Explosive Fireball had increased by at least double.

When using witchcraft, Nie Ning found that the basic Runic Formula of the witchcraft hadn't changed, or rather, a portion of Runic Formulas had been added to it.

Brand Witchcraft had changed from a direct release to a skill with a buff-like effect.

It could add extra damage multipliers to existing skills.

...