Rune engraving and magical tattoos both fall under the craftsmanship of enchantment art.

The former, however, is more advanced, being an improved technique invented by Wizards based on magical tattoos.

Magical tattoos involve imprinting magic in the form of tattoos on the surface of the human skin, activating them during combat to instantly release magic, akin to storing several spells for immediate release.

Rune engraving, on the other hand, is different. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

It involves inscribing specific enchantment traits onto the surface of the skin in the form of engravings, and although its form is similar to magical tattoos, the enchantment traits it can add, in terms of variety and effect, far surpass those of magical tattoos, to an extent beyond comparison with magic.

Moreover, it has the advantage of not being visible on the skin’s surface, so there’s no worry of it being recognized by enemies prematurely during combat.

Additionally, rune engraving occupies a smaller area of the skin.

A normal person can have six or seven magical tattoos on their body at most, but if replaced with rune engravings, it’s possible to engrave more than ten without issue.

In every aspect, rune engraving completely outperforms magical tattoos.

But comparatively, the requirements for engraving runes are more stringent.

Only Official Wizards whose spiritual and physical strength have reached a certain level can withstand the intense energy fluctuations produced when activating rune engravings, without any backlash.

"Rune engraving... "

Sunan showed a thoughtful expression on his face.

After advancing to Official Wizard, his power truly underwent a dramatic change.

But constrained by the environment, many combat methods seemed somewhat restricted in usage.

For example, the power of magic was weakened, and the spiritual power consumed was hard to quickly recover outside the Elemental Pool.

Magical items charged slowly, requiring a long time to recharge after a single use.

Bloodline imprints can no longer keep up with his power growth.

Unless he’s willing to consume more blood of bell tollers and multi-winged creatures to create more potent bloodline imprints.

This, however, is not possible.

Rather than using blood to create bloodline imprints, Sunan preferred extracting divinity energy to accelerate the growth and condensation speed of spiritual power.

High-level Rune Gemstones are also similar.

The principle of High-level Rune Gemstones is to use energy runes to attract nearby energy particles, unleashing massive elemental energy damage.

Therefore, in an environment where the concentration of energy particles is low, the damage will naturally decrease accordingly.

No matter how Sunan increases the synthesis quantity, the power of High-level Rune Gemstones still has an upper limit.

Although stronger than when he was still a Wizard Apprentice, it remains rather limited.

At least it falls far behind the power growth of a Wizard.

Upon considering everything, the only combat method Sunan can use without limitations is his talent ability of liquid metal.

Other combat methods either decrease in power or are too demanding in consumption.

Because of this, Sunan has been contemplating researching new combat methods lately.

Rune engraving is one of his choices.

Of course, pure rune engraving is definitely not enough.

Rune engraving, in essence, is still a form of magical item.

It absorbs energy particles during non-combat times for later activation in battles, transforming into enchantment effects and releasing them.

Like restricted zones and Black Thunder, rune engraving is essentially chargeable.

This means it will similarly be influenced by the current Starlight Continent environment.

To turn rune engraving into a viable combat method, this issue must be resolved first.

After careful consideration, Sunan finally came up with a solution.

Since charging is troublesome, why not just skip this step entirely!

Simply make rune engravings into single-use consumables like High-level Rune Gemstones, and there wouldn’t be any worry about charging!

To achieve this, the first step is to change the carrier of rune engravings.

For example, changing the carrier from the human body to gemstones.

Of course, even though it sounds simple, accomplishing this is not easy.

Pure gemstones cannot withstand the intense energy fluctuations when rune engravings are activated.

Even high-grade gemstones.

If the carrier’s endurance is too poor, it cannot replace the human body at all.

To this end, Sunan plans to improve it from two aspects.

One is to enhance the quality of gemstones.

Referring to the manufacturing principles of rune gemstones, selecting high-grade gemstones for enchantment treatment to enhance their adaptability and capacity for energy particles.

Another is to reduce the power of rune engravings.

With the power of rune engravings decreased, the load requirements on the carrier will naturally decrease as well.

Having spent over two months, Sunan finally succeeded in creating an engraving gemstone.

The gemstone bears a type of rune engraving called ’Ice Explosion,’ which, once triggered, rapidly releases intense ice cold energy, causing severe frost erosion to all beings within a certain range, and adding freezing delay effects.

Since it’s a weakened version of the rune engraving, its power naturally falls far short of the full version of the rune engraving.

Not even one-tenth.

But that’s okay, there’s still the synthesis cube.

Once an engraving gemstone is successfully created, the problem of power reduction can be completely solved through synthetic enhancement.

Eventually, Sunan synthesized eighteen engraving gemstones, resulting in a brand-new engraving gemstone.

The reason for not continuing to synthesize is that, like the previous High-level Rune Gemstones, the energy intensity exceeds his current limit of endurance.

Yet, even so, the power of this engraving gemstone is still much stronger than the original rune engraving, roughly three times or more.

Moreover, as his condensation of spiritual power increases, the synthesis quantity can gradually increase, further enhancing the power, with significant potential for improvement.

"Not bad!"

In the spell practice area, Sunan looked at the frost-covered ground and showed a satisfied smile after testing.

Thus, apart from his talent ability, he finally had another combat method that could be used without limitation.

Although the cost of engraving gemstones is somewhat pricey, one costing about four thousand seven hundred Gold Coins, it is undoubtedly worthwhile considering its power.

"It’s a pity that the books in the Star Tower don’t have the knowledge of Alchemy Engravings, otherwise I could research it."

Alchemy Engravings are an advanced craftsmanship of rune engravings, with power far exceeding the latter.

However, to engrave Alchemy Engravings, one must first transform their body into an Alchemical Body.

Sunan currently lacks materials and the level of strength, so even if he gains the corresponding knowledge, he cannot craft Alchemy Engravings. Though researching may improve the effects of engraving gemstones.

Shaking his head to dismiss such overly ambitious ideas, Sunan left the spell practice area and teleported back to the top-level control center.

The material from the Star Tower has been fully recovered, ending one matter.

The research of Secret Puppet and engraving gemstones has also been completed.

He doesn’t have many tasks left at hand now.

One is entering the Thunder Element Plane to collect Thunder Stones to manufacture more Black Thunder Witchcraft Artifacts.

But this matter is not urgent, it can wait until his strength increases further.

Another is synthesizing and crafting Legendary Puppets to expand more Golem Legions.

The vast region of the underground world requires ample military strength to occupy.

Though a portion of indigenous armies can be formed to alleviate military shortages, Golem Legions are still indispensable.

Sunan estimates that to unify the underground world, at least two to three large Golem Legions are necessary.

Fortunately, low-grade golems can be crafted by apprentices, and as the academy is established, and new students arrive, the workforce available for crafting golems will only grow, otherwise, he’d never be able to establish so many Golem Legions.

"Considering the time, the new round of aptitude testing should be finishing soon."

Sunan gazed towards the academy with a deep look.

Starlight Academy is his first step in establishing Wizard Influence, and in the near future, it will also be the leverage for his control over the entire Starlight Continent.

After a good while, Sunan withdrew his gaze, gathered his thoughts, and began training.

The growth and condensation of spiritual power always remain the most critical.

Unless matters are related to this, he doesn’t plan to waste too much energy on other tasks.