Sam split his attention in two directions, using half of it to create the "True Primal Chaos Formula" to speed up the absorption of the true spirit and the other half to maintain the integrity of the rune symbols.
This conflict between the two competing goals ultimately caused him to fail in the inscription.
Sam was forced to face the reality that he lacked the energy to complete the inscription before draining his true essence after five repeated attempts resulted in five heaps of burnt pieces. The time he wasted on these pointless activities weighed heavily on him. These were his hard-earned earnings that were being burned.
While he hadn't anticipated immediate success, the loss of so much gold was a harsh blow. The one consolation was that he hadn't yet reached the stage where he had to employ his most precious and costly material, the Starlight Worm Silk.
With just enough material remaining for roughly ten more attempts, Sam faced a grim ultimatum. If he couldn't succeed within this limited margin, he would be bankrupt and unable to forge ahead.
Any seasoned inscription master would probably choke on their breath if they heard Sam's resolve. Do you want to succeed in ten more attempts? Such an idea seemed almost fantastical! Even making a single immaculate line would be difficult for a novice in inscription, never alone achieving success in the next 10 undertakings.
Sam gently gathered the fragments, retracing his steps from before. The wisdom he gained from the elder was sound, but the chasm in soul energy between them was too great. Completing even a modest inscription seemed impossible.
Though these techniques appeared rudimentary to the elder, in the expanse of the Starlight Spill continent, they were considered profoundly complex and divine arts. Once etched, even local masters would be astounded.
After dissecting the causes of his failures, Sam set out to formulate a strategy.
While he couldn't substantially augment his own soul force in such a short span, he could minimize mistakes.
Each misstep squandered precious soul force. By reducing errors, he would not only conserve more materials and thus money, but also enhance the reserves of soul force at his disposal.
With this notion, Sam forwent the use of materials, focusing solely on wielding his soul force repeatedly, akin to a tireless automaton.
His approach was straightforward. Using soul force incurred no cost and was gentle on the body. By mastering the 'True Primal Chaos Formula', he stood to gain without any loss. This symbiotic relationship felt like a match made in heaven.
As long as he didn't squander any funds, he harbored no fears.
It didn't matter if he practiced a hundred times. If that proved insufficient, he'd practice a thousand times.
And if even that fell short, he'd persist with ten thousand, a hundred thousand, or a million repetitions, until the process became second nature. Then, he refused to believe failure was an option!
Starlight Haven City. Warlord's Haven.
In Starlight Haven City, two architectural marvels reigned supreme: the Imperial Palace and the Warlord's Haven nestled in the northwest corner of the city.
Stretching three miles in length and a thousand steps in width, it boasted cascading waterfalls, vibrant flora, and meandering corridors. It was nothing short of breathtaking.
An old guy in a regal robe clutched a gilded bird cage within the Warlord's Haven' library pavilion. He was flanked by a peaceful white maiden named Hen Portia.
"Ah, so there exists such a figure out there? Even you, my dear disciple, were bested by him?" inquired the old man.
"Yes," Hen Portia affirmed with deference. This elder was none other than Starlight Haven City's most esteemed and renowned inscription master, Mister Jonas.
Hen Portia's memory was impeccable; she recounted every detail of her encounter, every word exchanged with Sam.
Jonas, listening intently, grew increasingly solemn. Initially dismissing it as a youthful infatuation, he now recognized the depth of her inferiority.
Moreover, the youth's wisdom and expertise were beyond the ken of someone from Starlight Haven Kingdom; they emanated from a far more ancient source.
She went on to describe Sam's deft execution of foundational lines and symbols. It was a feat she herself could not hope to replicate.
"To wield soul force in the drawing of foundation lines, and to grasp the energy of each point without pause... what sorcery is this?" Jonas mused with astonishment.
"Mm..." Jonas inhaled deeply. He had yearned to master this instinctual technique, but it would take millions, if not billions, of attempts. Did this young boy start his practice while still nestled in his mother's womb?
"Are you absolutely certain he's only fifteen or sixteen?" he pressed.
"Yes," Hen Portia affirmed with conviction.
"Wondrous, wondrous!" Jonas sighed.
"To achieve such mastery at such a tender age is truly extraordinary. I've never before encountered a talent so heaven-defying! Legends speak of such prodigies, but to witness one in my lifetime is a marvel. I am curious, however, about the identity of this young boy's mentor."
"His mentor?" Hen Portia inquired, wide-eyed.
Starlight Spill Continent was vast, with ancient clans boasting legacies spanning thousands, if not millions, of years.
Jonas ventured, "If I were to hazard a guess, this boy's master may hail from one of those ancient clans."
"Ancient clans?" Hen Portia gasped. These clans, with their profound and enduring legacies, were the backbone of Starlight Spill Continent.
For instance, the most recent clan in Starlight Haven Kingdom—the Seven Profound Valleys—boasted its own secret masters and heritages.
The elders of Seven Profound Valleys arrived in Starlight Haven Kingdom twelve years ago, and even the Imperial Family bowed to them. Mister Jonas, Hen Portia's mentor, was at the height of the nation's inscription skill, but to the big clans, he was ordinary.
Master Jonas concluded, "Portia, should you cross paths with him again, do invite him to stay. I would like to extend a personal introduction. This youth is no ordinary figure. Even if he is under the tutelage of a master from an ancient clan, his proficiency is beyond compare in this day and age. Treat him with respect and courtesy, for his master wields a skill that commands both awe and deference throughout Starlight Haven Capital."
"Yes, Master "
As days slipped by, Sam tore another page off the calendar. His daily routine consisted of unyielding practice in inscriptions. Every conceivable symbol, line, and rune had been etched countless times, each imprint eternally etched in his memory.
Using soul force incessantly took its toll, leaving his eyes permanently bloodshot. True essence had long since been depleted. He was like an oilless light, but he gleaned benefits. Sam discovered that as he improved his lettering skill, his perception had improved dramatically.
Even the anatomy of a second-level nasty beast unfolded before him like an open book as he continued to dissect the Great Clarity Pavilion. He expertly maneuvered his knife past bones, slipping lightly through the meat. He finished the task in less than an incense stick's worth of time.
Such astonishing speed reduced the staff at the Great Clarity Pavilion to wide-eyed incredulity. Sam's status was elevated, granting him flexible work hours, even during peak periods. His wages surpassed those of master chefs.
Such preferential treatment would have gratified any employee, but Sam still dedicated two hours each day to deboning. It was, in essence, another form of practice—a way to economize soul force usage.
However, Sam soon discovered that there weren't enough vicious beasts in the entire Great Clarity Pavilion to fulfill his two-hour quota.
Even the stockpiled goods in the storehouse had been transformed into neatly arranged piles of meat and bone.
Sister Lan, responsible for the kitchen, stood flabbergasted as she surveyed the once-stocked ice storehouse.
This young boy was nothing short of a marvel!
Finally, the last ten days of the first month arrived. Sam had readied both his mind and his materials. It was time to attempt the inscription once more!