Chapter 37 This charm has no place to be

From the completion of the runes, light blue is the basic standard, while dark blue represents perfection. This time, it was a success.

Succeeding on the second attempt is an impressive achievement for a first-order rune master still learning the basics.

"Amazing! Yin Fu, you're incredible!" Mo Tong led the applause, making sure to give his cousin due respect.

"The techniques are distilled from the wisdom of predecessors, indeed a form of essence, but over-reliance isn't always beneficial. It's too rigid. Ultimately, flexibility and forming your own style are key." Li Sitan praised, "Yin Fu, you have great talent and grasp concepts quickly. The best way to maintain this inspiration is to not constrain your thoughts."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li Sitan. Yin Fu will remember that!" Yin Fu was genuinely delighted.

Back in the Eight Tribes, her teacher always emphasized that various engraving techniques were foundational, insisting that beginners must perfect their techniques, even down to their body posture during rune engraving. She was never allowed to make any mistakes, yet despite mastering these steps, she could only succeed after five or six attempts, unable to improve her success rate.

But in just over a month at Rose Academy, Senior Brother Li Sitan's approach was the opposite. He said techniques could be set aside initially, focusing instead on the feeling of formation as the true entry point. Previous foundational teachings were merely guides, not rigid frameworks.

At first, she was conflicted, but today, she succeeded on her second try, knowing it wasn't a coincidence. She could replicate it immediately!

This was real progress, likely the difference between human rune masters and those from the Eight Tribes. Yin Fu finally understood the distinction between essence and appearance.

Senior Brother Li Sitan was truly remarkable.

"Senior Brother, let me try too! Let me try too!" Mo Tong's eyes gleamed with excitement, feeling he had finally found confidence.

Unlike Yin Fu, who knew all sorts of engraving techniques, Mo Tong only knew flat engraving. But he realized that flat engraving alone could also work for rune engraving.

This was simple; he could do flat engraving too! Besides, he had memorized the patterns of Liqibao's witchcraft over the past few days.

Who said Mahoraga only knew how to fight? Today, I'll prove Mahoraga's worth! Even in brains, we Mahoraga are the best!

With the rune engraving pen in hand, Mo Tong recalled the pattern he had practiced dozens of times, brimming with confidence. However, before he could start, Luluto on the table didn't cooperate.

Luluto lay on the table, its bloated belly deflated, wings slightly raised, adopting a defensive stance, eyeing the man warily, filled with caution.

Unaware of this, Mo Tong eagerly approached with the soul engraving knife: "Come on, show me your belly, quick!"

"Lulu! Lulu!"

Feeling threatened, Luluto retreated a step, raising its wings higher.

This was awkward. Li Sitan chuckled, "Luluto is close to humans and sensitive to human emotions. They prefer peaceful souls. Junior Brother Mo Tong, this is also part of extended training. Learning runes requires maintaining a calm mind, not rushing."

"Yes, yes, sorry, I got too excited. Cough, little Lulu, come here, I'll take care of you..."

Mo Tong switched to a 'gentle' voice, which made Old Wang shudder.

After much coaxing and persuasion, Mo Tong took nearly three minutes to get Luluto to flip over, with Yin Fu's help.

Mo Tong took a deep breath; it was time to show his skills!

The infusion of soul power was powerful and forceful,

causing the soul engraving knife to shine instantly. Mahoraga had plenty of soul power! The flat engraving technique was straightforward, and the rune pattern was drawn quite conventionally, showing that Mo Tong had practiced it secretly. Unfortunately, drawing a pattern without understanding each line's significance and infusing it with soul was meaningless. It was just a waste of soul power.

This wasn't about drawing well; it was about not understanding what runes truly were. All his efforts were in vain.

Li Sitan shook his head slightly, Old Wang yawned, and Yin Fu couldn't help but chuckle.

A seemingly complete pattern was drawn, but when he tried to activate it with soul power, there was no response, not even a flicker.

"Senior Brother, let me try again. This time, it'll work. I was too rushed earlier!"

Li Sitan hesitated but, seeing Mo Tong's anxious face, did not stop him.

Mo Tong's forehead flushed red, knowing he had missed some detail. This time, he drew more carefully, but slower. Damn it, he couldn't afford to lose face in front of Wang Feng.

Luluto, tickled by the prolonged process, stretched its claws, disrupting the half-drawn pattern, forcing Mo Tong to patch it up.

But runes cannot be patched; the more he tried, the worse it became. The more frustrated he got, the harder he pressed.

Luluto started wriggling, trying to escape.

"Good, good, don't move, don't move." Mo Tong held its limbs and body, sweating profusely, struggling to draw and hold it simultaneously.

Luluto disliked him even more now. Everyone else finished quickly, but Mo Tong dragged it out, talking and touching.

The more Mo Tong held it, the more Luluto struggled, and the harder he pressed.

"Lulu, lulu!"

Luluto screamed.

"Damn it!" Mo Tong, finally losing his temper, pointed at Luluto, raging, "I told you not to move! Don't think I won't hit you because you're a blob of meat!"

"Pfft!" Yin Fu burst out laughing.

"Junior Brother, talk is cheap," Old Wang remarked calmly.

But Mo Tong didn't give up, "Senior Brother, it's all Luluto's fault. Give me another one, and I'll succeed!"

"Alright," Li Sitan quickly grabbed the terrified Luluto and put it back in the cage, unwilling to risk further trials. Cultivating a cooperative Luluto in the lab was challenging. Number Seven had served for six months and performed well, earning everyone's affection.

"Just focus on the theoretical foundations of runes when you return. Engraving isn't just copying patterns. Of course, I see your progress. As for practical experiments, maybe next time."

Without giving Mo Tong a chance to argue, Li Sitan changed the subject, "Junior Brother Wang Feng, why don't you give it a try?"

"Maybe I'll pass," Old Wang waved his hand, pointing to the bruise on his arm from the principal's hit, "Look, I fell a few days ago, and it's still swollen."

"Fell? Are you a child?" Mo Tong, who had been dejected, suddenly regained courage, "What's a little injury? Are you even a man?"

"Ah, Junior Brother, you know, I didn't want to say this, but the other day when I sparred with Principal Karida, I sustained some internal injuries..."

"Bragging again. Lady Karida could take you down with one finger. Here, this is our Mahoraga's Spirit Jade Ointment. It doesn’t matter whether it’s an external or internal injury; it will heal immediately!"

"Really?" Old Wang took it and sniffed. This kid always tries to harm me.

"That's Mahoraga's sacred medicine," Yin Fu said with a smile. "It's highly effective for ordinary injuries. Even Hei Wukai couldn't get Mo Tong to share a bit of it, yet he’s being so generous with Senior Brother Wang Feng."

Yin Fu was delighted. Even someone as stubborn as Mo Tong had finally changed his opinion of Senior Brother Wang Feng.

Indeed, Senior Brother Wang Feng is remarkable. Everyone around him eventually gets influenced by his noble character. That’s true charisma.

Mo Tong pursed his lips. This wasn’t the time to argue; he had to expose this person’s true nature.

Wang Feng had already smelled the faint fragrance from the bottle, a slight bitterness that confirmed it was indeed Mahoraga's sacred medicine for bruises and injuries—a truly excellent remedy.

It seemed this naive boy must have some status. Anyone accompanying Lucky Heaven to the human world wouldn’t be ordinary.

"Oh, how can I accept this?"

"Don't worry, we're fellow disciples. Helping each other is natural. I, Mo Tong, am not stingy!" Mo Tong urged, "Wang Feng, apply it quickly, then get back to drawing runes. Otherwise, class will be over soon!"

"Good Junior Brother, you’re really generous! Thanks, I’ll apply it when I get back. With Yin Fu here, it’s not convenient to undress." Old Wang stuffed the entire bottle into his pocket.

Mo Tong opened his mouth wide, staring in disbelief. Was this guy shameless? I never said you could have the whole bottle!

Just as he was about to retrieve it, Wang Feng swung his arm. "Hmm, suddenly it doesn’t hurt as much. Let me try Liqibao’s witchcraft, Senior Brother."

Old Wang felt quite sentimental. He believed in fair dealings; taking something valuable meant fulfilling a small request. Otherwise, no one would do business with him next time.

Mo Tong swallowed his words, deciding to watch him embarrass himself first before reclaiming the ointment.

Li Sitan brought out another Luluto and placed it in front of Wang Feng.

Holding the soul-engraving knife, Old Wang felt a surge of excitement looking at the Luluto Li Sitan had caught.

Practicing runes on a Luluto felt like ages ago. Back then, he had spent countless nights fighting atop this little creature’s belly.

Lulu~ Lulu~

Before Wang Feng could touch it, the Luluto started calling out.

Mo Tong’s face lit up, confirming they were on the same level. Hehe, wait and see, just calming this little thing will be enough...

The Tlutoto’s eyes sparkled. Before Li Sitan could let go, it spread its tiny wings and flew straight into Old Wang’s arms.

Wang Feng instinctively caught it. The little creature eagerly rubbed its head against Old Wang’s chest, its paws rubbing together in delight, completely entranced. Its affectionate behavior stunned even Li Sitan.

Though Lulutos are close to humans, they tend to be a bit proud. They only show such affection to those they are very familiar with or those whose souls are particularly special.

Even though Yin Fu was the type Lulutos liked, she wasn’t familiar enough to warrant such immediate affection. Yet, Wang Feng...

"Flip over, quickly!"

Wang Feng ignored its antics. As a straight man, he knocked the soul-engraving knife against the Tlutoto’s head.

Logically, a proud creature like a Luluto would show displeasure, but this one obediently flipped over without any resistance.

Not only did it expose its soft belly, but it also spread its fluffy paws, making it easy for Wang Feng to draw.

Mo Tong’s jaw dropped.

This... This Wang guy even charms animals! What kind of magic potion did he give that creature?

Damn, I’m clearly more handsome, yet even animals favor him!