When Zhang Ruochen spotted the Eighth Prince and Shan Xiangling, they also noticed him standing outside the Inscription Guild.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen, the Eighth Prince felt a surge of anger and sneered, "Ninth Brother, aren't you the martial prodigy now? What brings you to the Inscription Guild?"
Zhang Ruochen shook his head lightly, not wanting to engage with the Eighth Prince. He instructed Yun'er, "Sister Yun'er, please wait for me in the carriage. I'll go inside the guild to purchase some items."
After getting off the antelope-drawn carriage, Zhang Ruochen headed toward the guild's entrance.
A gentle and melodious voice came from behind him. "Ninth Prince, please wait a moment."
Zhang Ruochen paused, turned around, and looked at Shan Xiangling as she approached. "And you are?"
Zhang Ruochen had seen Shan Xiangling once before in Qingxuan Pavilion but didn't know her identity or name. He only knew she seemed to be the Eighth Prince's junior sister from a certain sect.
"I'm Shan Xiangling from the Fire Cloud Sect. I was impressed by the Ninth Prince's performance during the year-end assessment. To defeat a Yellow Extremity major stage martial artist with just a Yellow Extremity minor stage cultivation is truly impressive. If possible, I'd love the opportunity to exchange martial techniques with you."
Shan Xiangling gracefully approached Zhang Ruochen, exuding a faint fragrance, her eyes filled with anticipation.
As one of the four great beauties among the younger generation of Yunwu Commandery, Shan Xiangling was indeed stunning. Her eyebrows were like willow leaves, her long eyelashes curled upward, and her facial features were exquisitely delicate, like a masterpiece sculpted by the hands of a divine creator.
Initially, when she first saw Zhang Ruochen at Qingxuan Pavilion, she had dismissed him as a useless prince unable to cultivate martial arts. She even suspected him of being Qin Ya's lover and looked down on him.
However, during the year-end assessment, Zhang Ruochen showcased his terrifying martial talents: lifting a thousand-pound stone plate with ease, slaying a first-class upper-grade beast, and defeating opponents two minor stages higher.
Among young martial artists, achieving any of these feats was not easy.
How could a martial prodigy like Zhang Ruochen possibly be a mere plaything for a wanton woman?
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Shan Xiangling, surprised by her beauty and martial talent. "This girl isn't just beautiful; her martial skills are exceptional, too. She has already reached the Yellow Extremity major stage, surpassing both the Ninth Princess and Lin Ningshan."
In fact, the Ninth Princess, Lin Ningshan, and Shan Xiangling were all included in the list of the four great beauties among the younger generation because of their beauty and martial talent.
If they lacked martial aptitude, no matter how beautiful they were, they wouldn't be considered goddess-like figures admired by the martial community.
At seventeen, Shan Xiangling was older than the Ninth Princess and Lin Ningshan, so it was only natural for her cultivation level to be slightly higher.
The Eighth Prince, seeing Shan Xiangling showing such favor toward Zhang Ruochen, sensed danger and quickly approached. "Junior Sister, have you forgotten about the rumors surrounding the Ninth Prince and the owner of Qingxuan Pavilion? You should keep your distance from someone like him…"
Shan Xiangling raised her hand slightly, cutting him off, and smiled warmly. "How could a young talent like the Ninth Prince be involved in such things?"
The sense of danger in the Eighth Prince's heart grew stronger!
"Junior Sister, let's go! We can come back another time to seek a mentor!" The Eighth Prince grabbed her wrist, trying to pull her away.
"Whoosh!"
Shan Xiangling channeled her True Qi, emitting a powerful force that shook off the Eighth Prince, sending him flying backward.
"Eighth Prince, please mind the proprieties between men and women," Shan Xiangling said coldly.
"Junior Sister…" The Eighth Prince's fingers went numb, and he couldn't even lift his arm.
Shan Xiangling glanced at him and shook her head lightly.
When she looked back at Zhang Ruochen, her face softened with a gentle smile, and her voice was as sweet as ever. "Ninth Prince, I came to the Inscription Guild to seek a mentor and study artifact crafting. What brings you here?"
Zhang Ruochen had observed the entire exchange and replied calmly, "I came to purchase an inscription brush and spirit paper to study inscriptions."
"Really? That's wonderful! I've studied inscriptions since I was a child and can already inscribe some basic ones. I know a bit about inscription brushes and spirit paper, so if you need any help choosing, I'd be glad to assist," Shan Xiangling offered.
Zhang Ruochen realized that he indeed knew little about inscription tools, so he agreed to her offer.
As Zhang Ruochen and Shan Xiangling walked away, the Eighth Prince's mood plummeted to a new low.
Moments later, determination returned to his eyes. "Once I become Master Zorn's disciple, Junior Sister will undoubtedly return to me."
...
"Inscription brushes and spirit paper come in five grades: basic, intermediate, advanced, heavenly, and divine, corresponding to the five levels of inscriptions."
"To inscribe basic runes, you only need a basic-grade inscription brush and spirit paper."
"Those with spiritual power below the 30th tier can only inscribe basic runes. The higher one's spiritual power, the more types of basic runes one can inscribe, and the greater the stability and success rate."
As Shan Xiangling introduced the tools, she explained, "I've been cultivating my spiritual power and studying inscriptions since childhood. My spiritual power has reached the 16th tier, and I can inscribe a few basic runes, but my success rate is quite low. I succeed only once out of every twenty attempts."
"Someone like Master Zorn, on the other hand, has a much higher success rate. He succeeds seven or eight times out of every ten."
The Chiyun Sect also had artifact craftsmen who cultivated spiritual power, but as a martial sect, their highest-level craftsman's spiritual power was only at the 18th tier. That craftsman had already reached his limits and couldn't further guide Shan Xiangling.
This was why she had come to the Inscription Guild in the capital, hoping to become Master Zorn's apprentice and further her studies, aspiring to become a first-grade craftsman herself.
"Your spiritual power has reached the 16th tier!" Zhang Ruochen remarked.
In truth, reaching the 15th tier before the age of twenty already marked one as a prodigy. Shan Xiangling's spiritual power level was remarkable among girls her age.
Proud of her spiritual power level, Shan Xiangling felt a sense of superiority. "In general, having spiritual power at the 15th tier is sufficient to qualify as a first-grade craftsman."
She paused, her expression turning slightly dejected. "Unfortunately, my skills in artifact crafting and inscribing are lacking. I've failed the first-grade examination twice. If I could learn from a second-grade craftsman, I'm sure I could become a first-grade craftsman quickly."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "Is there any real benefit to becoming a first-grade craftsman?"
"The benefits are numerous! Firstly, becoming a first-grade craftsman allows you to formally join the Inscription Guild and access its resources. You get the chance to study advanced spiritual cultivation manuals and attend lectures by spiritual masters."
"Additionally, as a first-grade craftsman, you receive a special robe crafted by the Inscription Guild. Wearing it symbolizes your status. Unless it's a personal vendetta or you initiate the conflict, the Inscription Guild will intervene if anyone tries to harm you."
"Of course, becoming a first-grade craftsman earns you the respect of most martial artists. Generally, no warrior would dare offend a craftsman or alchemist."
Zhang Ruochen felt tempted. The Inscription Guild had a long history, existing even before the Middle Ages era, over hundreds of thousands of years ago. The First Central Empire, founded by Empress Chi Yao, had a mere 800-year history.
Even the current ruling empire couldn't compare to the Inscription Guild's deep-rooted power.
No one knew the true extent of the Inscription Guild's influence, but no one dared provoke it.
It seemed becoming a member of the Inscription Guild was indeed beneficial. Zhang Ruochen nodded thoughtfully.
Inscription brushes and spirit paper were extremely expensive.
A basic-grade inscription brush cost 1,000 silver coins.
A single sheet of basic-grade spirit paper cost one silver coin.
The prices alone were enough to make ordinary warriors turn away.
Learning inscription techniques was an expensive endeavor, affordable only to wealthy clans and large sects. Even then, they would carefully select only those with great spiritual potential.
If they failed to nurture a first-grade alchemist or craftsman, they would lose a fortune.
Zhang Ruochen bought ten brushes and 10,000 sheets of spirit paper, spending a total of 20,000 silver coins. Even though he wasn't short on money, he felt the expense keenly.
After purchasing his tools, Zhang Ruochen accompanied Shan Xiangling to meet Master Zorn. He knew nothing about inscribing runes and had been relying solely on his intuition.
If he could receive guidance from an expert, his progress might be much faster.
From afar, they heard a voice.
"Congratulations, Eighth Prince. Your spiritual power has reached the 12th tier. You've never trained in spiritual cultivation before?" Master Zorn remarked in amazement.
For someone of the Eighth Prince's age to reach the 12th tier without training indicated extraordinary innate talent.
"Indeed, I've never trained my spiritual power before."
Seeing Zhang Ruochen and Shan Xiangling approaching, the Eighth Prince's eyes lit up with pride. Raising his voice, he said, "Master, does this mean I'm a naturally gifted spiritual powerhouse?"
Having received Master Zorn's approval, the Eighth Prince was thrilled and eager to show off his talent to Shan Xiangling.