"Dior, since you haven’t cultivated Elemental Magic before, there’s something important you need to know."

Tom said seriously, "Each Elemental Mage can refine multiple Seeds of Magic Power into the Sea of Spirit, forming a common Magic Core. However, these Seeds of Magic Power must be kept balanced to avoid any Rarity crush situation, or else magic power could easily run amok."

The consequences of runaway magic power are severe. A single incident of runaway magic power at the minimum results in being bedridden for months to gradually recover. In extreme cases, it might even lead to an explosive death.

This is common magic knowledge Bai Pu learned from the Secret Collection Hall.

Tom continued, "The elemental attributes of the Seed of Magic Power determine your specialization attribute type. For instance, I use the Magic Core of the Wind Attribute demon beast ’Cyan Sky Elephant Bird,’ which has been refined into a Wind Attribute seed of magic power. My specialization in elemental attributes is therefore Wind. I can also cast magic of the other three elemental attributes, but neither the casting speed nor the power matches Wind Attribute."

"Can you still cultivate other attribute Seeds of Magic Power then?" Bai Pu asked.

"Yes, but I must first reach the level of an Advanced Mage and at the same time prepare another Elemental Magic Core of the same level as the ’Cyan Sky Elephant Bird Magic Core.’

Tom said, "A Super Elemental Mage, also called a ’Controller,’ is capable of mastering all four elemental magics."

Bai Pu nodded, "So if I choose the Earth Dragon Bead now, it means Earth Element Magic specialization. But I can still cultivate other elemental attributes later?"

"That’s the idea, but Magic Cores of the Earth Dragon Bead level are extremely rare. You might search for ten years without finding a second one of the same grade!"

Tom sighed, "If you want to be a specialist in Earth Element Magic, you could use the Earth Dragon Bead - starting at a higher point than most mages! However, you also have the Wind Mystical Arts, meaning you could become a dual-specialization mage in Wind and Earth. Perhaps consider using the Sandstorm Core. After all, your Fighting Qi foundation is so strong, cultivating magic is mainly for support, with the primary combat method still relying on Fighting Qi..."

Bai Pu understood Tom’s meaning.

"Can the Seeds of Magic Power be upgraded later?" Bai Pu asked.

"Of course." Tom understood Bai Pu’s intent, "In the future, if you find another top-grade Magic Core similar to the Earth Dragon Bead, you can replace it for an upgrade. By then, your magic will already be established, making upgrade easier."

"Alright then... I’ll use the Sandstorm Core for now."

Wind Magic greatly enhances Bai Pu’s combat abilities, especially since Bai Pu’s Agility wasn’t a Special Attribute, making it tough to keep up with powerful opponents who aren’t affected by the "Blood River Territory" slowdown.

With Wind specialization, Bai Pu could quickly enhance himself with Acceleration Skills like "Wind’s Breath," making it easier to deal with Awakened with dual Special Attributes like power and agility similar to Celestial Wolf.

The Sandstorm Core itself is already considered an Advanced Magic Core, certainly high-grade, although it doesn’t compare to a top-grade Magic Core like the Earth Dragon Bead.

As for the Earth Dragon Bead, Bai Pu intends to keep it reserved. Later, once other top-grade Elemental Magic Cores are found, Bai Pu plans to use them to upgrade his Seed of Magic Power.

Bai Pu has an ambition to gather top-grade Magic Cores of the four great elemental systems—Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind—refining them all into Seeds of Magic Power! Specializing in all four elements might even allow him to advance to an Elemental Super Mage—Controller.

There’s no need to speak much of Fighting Qi; at least Bai Pu aims to become a "Sword Saint," with top-level Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation, able to walk unchallenged in the Advanced Spirit Realm.

...

That night, Tom went to sleep early, exhausted by the desert journey, needing rest.

Bai Pu, on the other hand, began attempting to cultivate the Seed of Magic Power according to the guidance of the Magic Scripture from the Secret Collection Hall.

The Sandstorm Core sat in Bai Pu’s palm, looking quite unremarkable with its grayish hue.

However, Bai Pu’s Spiritual Perception could clearly sense the pure elemental energy contained within.

Such pure and strong elemental energy operated methodically in a small core.

"Every Magic Core, is a small world."

"A Magic Core might be small, but every magic component constituting it is complete, representing the source of the vast magic power within every mage."

"Apprentice Mages, when absorbing a Magic Core, especially need to pay attention to choosing a suitable attribute Magic Core that synchronizes with their own Magic Circuits. While most Apprentice Mages complete the task successfully, a rare few careless beginners failed to choose the right attribute, leading to Magic Core destruction and collapse of their own Magic Circuits, leaving them bedridden for three weeks..."

"Don’t ask me how I know the consequences..."

In Bai Pu’s mind, he recalled a Magic Theory work by the Great Mage Winstein.

Said synchronization refers to selecting an Earth Element Magic Core as the core for one’s Magic Circuits when one possesses Earth Attribute Magic Circuits.

Fortunately, Bai Pu’s Sandstorm Core is dual-elemental, so there’s less worry.

He focused his awareness inward, conducting an internal view of his Magic Circuits, first activating the Earth Element Magic Circuits, then placing the Sandstorm Core toward his brow.

Magic power cycled around in circles, passing dangerously through the brow area into the Sandstorm Core, before continuing along the Magic Circuit.

If anyone were present, they would witness a wondrous sight. The solid Sandstorm Core was embedding, inch by inch, into Bai Pu’s brow without causing any damage.

Ultimately, the Sandstorm Core merged into Bai Pu’s brow, leaving wispy bits of sand drifting away with the wind.

That was the external material structure of the Magic Core, transformed into windblown sand, with the essential inner power of the core now existing as an energy form within Bai Pu’s Sea of Spirit.

This is the "Seed of Magic Power." The Sea of Spirit, where the Seed of Magic Power is stored, is called the "Magic Core," akin to a mage’s engine of magic power, while also serving as storage for magic power.

Simultaneously, Bai Pu activated the Wind Element Magic Circuit.

The brow’s Sea of Spirit is the necessary hub for all Magic Circuits in Elemental Mages, enabling specialization in all four elements. Without such a "central station" serving as a Magic Core, mages could only cultivate single-element magic.

Magic power itself has no attribute. When aligned with Earth Element Circuits, it’s expressed as Earth Magic Power; when aligned with Wind Circuits, it’s expressed as Wind Magic Power.

Under Bai Pu’s Spiritual Power command, strands of magic power surged into the central hub, quickly filling the Sea of Spirit.

[You have gained the temporary sub-profession: Elemental Mage through independent cultivation.]

[Current Mage Level: Level 6. Total Magic Power: 900/900]