Today, Sam had prepared himself diligently, leaving no stone unaffected in tracing lines and symbols. His passion and accuracy were on pace with the most renowned masters of this ancient profession.
Harnessing the essence of the Starlight Wind Grass, Sam extended his hands, each fingertip shimmering with intent. A solitary drop of emerald fluid levitated into the air, suspended in a delicate ballet of balance and control.
Sam closed his eyes slowly, his fingers moving with an elegance born of countless repetitions, with the green jewel-like droplet remaining before him. The intricate seals flowed effortlessly into his inner being, engraved into it by the shard of ancient wisdom embedded within him.
Inhaling deeply, Sam embarked on his mission. His ten fingers danced in a storm of motion, sometimes colliding in the frenzy of his swift seal formation.
Another drop of liquid climbed into the air, separate from the first. Sam masterfully constructed the captivating and intriguing inscription symbols while his soul power surged. He began working on another material before the first was finished to save his valuable soul force.
As the inscription neared its halfway point, fatigue began to weigh on Sam.
By the time two-thirds of the inscription adorned his canvas, Sam felt his soul force teetering on the brink of depletion. He initiated the 'True Primal Chaos Formula,' a technique that extended and enhanced his dwindling reserves.
However, the possibility of failure grew more prominent with each passing moment. He gritted his teeth and continued. The remaining ingredients awaited his mastery, requiring exact incorporation into the final rune.
"Starlight Worm Silk... completed!" Sam's tension ebbed, replaced by a sigh of relief. Starlight Worm Silk had been his scarcest resource; now, he could afford no mishaps.
"Five runes..." Sam counted silently as his soul force approached its limits.
"Four... Three... Two..."
"Success!"
At that very moment, Sam completed the inscription. The shimmering runes coalesced into a symbol the size of a square inch, hovering in the air like a celestial gem.
Sam's body trembled with exhaustion, but a profound sense of joy overwhelmed him as he gazed upon the completed inscription.
This diminutive symbol represented a month of unwavering dedication, an investment forged through trials and tribulations.
The elderly sage had bestowed upon it the name 'Overwhelming Symbol.' Although Sam found the title somewhat ostentatious and unsophisticated, his deep respect for the sage prevented him from altering it. It would forever be the 'Overwhelming Symbol.'
With fifteen of the most affordable symbol papers in hand, each costing one to two gold per dozen, Sam gently urged the 'Overwhelming Symbol' onto the parchment.
Golden lines converged, fashioning archaic runes on the plain surface, rendering it unremarkable to the casual eye.
In the final moments of creation, Sam employed his soul force to imprint an outward design, crafting it into a fiery motif. Such personalized plans served as the signature of an inscription master, distinguishing their work.
Sam selected flames as his symbol, representing rebirth through the crucible of fire. The path of martial cultivation was a relentless trial by fire, a journey fraught with pain and danger.
Only those with unwavering resolve could emerge from the flames reborn, ascending like a god into the heavens.
Carefully, Sam secured the precious symbol paper, allowing the fresh air and sunlight to invigorate his tired body. His eyes, bloodshot from exhaustion, gleamed with satisfaction.
The Seven Profound Martial House's examination lasted two months and ten days away.
Sam meticulously transcribed his last inscription onto the symbol paper in the subsequent five days, depleting his resources entirely. Four copies of the 'Overwhelming Symbol' now graced his possession.
As Sam studied the symbol papers, an overwhelming sense of accomplishment enveloped him. Now, he was determined to sell these four creations.
During the previous trade fair, Master William's inscribed creation had commanded a price of 1500 gold, primarily influenced by the esteemed reputation of the inscription master.
Sam, a newcomer to this trade, had yet to gain recognition, but he possessed unwavering confidence in his work. The 'Overwhelming Symbol' hailed from the Realm of the Gods, its effects eclipsing those of Master William's creation by a chasm as vast as the heavens themselves.
The ' Overwhelming Symbol ' in the elder's memories constituted only the rudimentary inscriptions. Still, it sufficed to enhance a superior-grade item, a third-grade piece of equipment, with exceptional results. When applied to lower-grade items, its efficacy surged by at least sixty per cent.
Moreover, the 'Overwhelming Symbol' bestowed an additional skill upon the equipment.
Elite inscription techniques could infuse equipment with supplementary skills.
These ranged from energy-based attacks, augmented defensive measures, illusory tactics to dark and arcane abilities and beyond.
In the case of Sam's inscription, when etched onto a weapon, it conferred the skill 'Instant Violent Strike.'
The seemingly modest inscription symbol concealed a complex array.
When the wielder channeled a substantial surge of soul force into the weapon, the inscription absorbed, compressed, and unleashed this energy in a fraction of a second. In close combat, this technique exhibited unparalleled lethality.
Sam refrained from assuming that his inscription equaled the feats of those recounted in the elder's memories.
Moreover, at his current level, expecting a 60% power boost was unrealistic.
As for the 'Instant Violent Strike,' its efficacy remained an enigma due to the intricacies of the inscription technique.
After the symbols were condensed into the final inscription, even the creator struggled to gauge the final product's potential.
A multitude of structural variations and potential pitfalls existed, including the catastrophic possibility of the weapon exploding. Any minor flaw would necessitate a significant discount when selling the inscription.
After a well-deserved night of rest, Sam awakened refreshed and invigorated.
His soul force and energy peaked, poised for the challenges ahead. He sought trade fairs and auction house addresses from Alex before setting out with his symbol papers.
Dressed in new attire, including a hooded cape that concealed his visage, Sam prioritized caution.
While the trade fairs and auction houses boasted reputations for confidentiality, prudence was essential. After all, if these four symbol papers sold for a substantial sum, the risk of robbery and violence loomed ever larger.
Sam's first destination was the prestigious Starlight Haven City Auction Hall.
Among the numerous auction houses in the city, none held preeminence, so he opted for one with a slightly superior reputation.
As he approached the auction house, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were far too straightforward.