Chapter 68: Grandmaster Level Beast
What exactly did Su Hao discover?
He realized that the runes, which appeared two-dimensional on the surface, were actually three-dimensional in function.
This three-dimensional aspect didn't mean the rune had a physically three-dimensional structure, but rather that their functionality operated across three distinct dimensions.
He divided the runes into three segments, each corresponding to a different function, like a coordinate system. Once the three axes were determined, Su Hao understood that any rune or functionality could be recreated within that space.
The key to Blood Qi runes generating their effects lay in how these three dimensions, or segments, coordinated with each other.
For instance, runes like ‹Barrier›, ‹Blinding Flash›, ‹Control›, and ‹Extract› were all created through the harmonious coordination of these three dimensions.
With this insight, Su Hao divided the Formation Disc into three circular zones. He named the innermost circle the "X-axis," the middle circle the "Y-axis," and the outermost circle the "Z-axis."
By analyzing the structure of multiple complete beast veins, Su Hao designed a system that connected these three-dimensional aspects, enabling the Formation Disc to form a complete rune circuit.
After numerous modifications and adjustments, he finally finalized the structure of the first-generation Formation Disc.
To test his discovery, Su Hao chose the simplest rune, ‹Blinding Flash›, and replicated its structure using rune segments on the Formation Disc. After several adjustments, he succeeded.
This was the first time Su Hao had assembled a rune from scratch using his own rune segments on a properly structured Formation Disc, and it successfully replicated the original functionality of the rune.
This marked a significant breakthrough for Su Hao.
First, he would imitate; later, he would innovate!
He was now confident that one day he could use these rune segments to achieve any effect he desired.
However, instead of rushing into innovation, Su Hao decided to replicate all the runes he had on hand using the Formation Disc.
....
Time Flies in the Wilderness
When someone is fully immersed in a task, time tends to fly by quickly.
For Su Hao, who was alone in the wilderness studying Blood Qi runes, the passage of time became nearly imperceptible. What felt like a few small breakthroughs in his research turned out to be a full year of progress.
Now, Su Hao was fourteen years old.
In that year, Su Hao had reached one of his primary goals: replicating all the runes he had using the Formation Disc.
By now, his Formation Disc had evolved to its fifth generation.
The complexity of creating runes had been drastically reduced. What once seemed like an "hell-level" task had now been simplified to a "complicated-level" one.
The simplification lay in understanding the rune's previously chaotic and seemingly random patterns. Where it used to take someone with an extraordinary memory to master a single rune, Su Hao's Formation Disc made this process far more accessible.
But with Su Hao's Formation Disc, all you needed to do was learn the basic structure of the rune segments and understand the principles behind them. Like practicing handwriting, mastering the structure became much simpler.
The process of recreating runes had become hundreds of times easier.
It wasn't hard to imagine that one day, in the future, the world might be full of masters walking around everywhere.
....
"Next, I'll start experimenting with creating new runes that have different functionalities," Su Hao mused. "But time flies—it's been over two years already. I think it's time to head back to Chashan Outpost for a visit." Su Hao stepped out of the cave where he stored his tools, stretching his stiff body as he spoke to himself.
Su Hao now looked like a vagabond. His face, hands, and eyes were clean, but the rest of him was filthy and unmentionable.
After gathering the usable tools and discarding the broken ones, he prepared for his journey with a lighter load.
"First, let's head to the nearby town for some rest and to clean up."
....
Soon, Su Hao arrived at a small town nearby called Twin Stone Town.
He exchanged two beast veins for gold crowns and headed straight to the best inn in town, where he took a much-needed bath. Afterward, he treated himself to a fresh haircut and bought new clothes.
He was now a new person.
At fourteen years old, Su Hao looked like a confident and handsome young man. The boyish features had faded from his face, replaced by a calm, self-assured expression. His eyes, once filled with innocence, now seemed to pierce through the world around him.
Most notably, he had grown taller—by a full 10 centimeters, now standing at an impressive 163 cm (5,34 feet).
Dressed in shiny silver armor, he was a sight to behold.
After a round of shopping, Su Hao consulted the maps that [Cosmic Light] had recorded over the years. With his path set, he made his way toward Lingyun Town.
The town was quite a distance away, and by Su Hao's estimation, even at full speed, it would take him about a month to reach his destination.
He couldn't believe how far he had wandered over the past two years of aimless exploration.
With that, Su Hao began traveling at top speed toward Lingyun Town. He ran by day and found caves to rest in by night.
....
Ten days into his journey, as Su Hao was running across the open plains, a massive source of blood Qi appeared on his [Minimap].
'A Grandmaster-level beast!' Su Hao immediately looked up toward the sky.
'Oh, sh*t! A flying grandmaster-level beast!' Su Hao's heart sank, and he cursed inwardly.
He was on open terrain, with no trees or forests to provide cover. The situation was dire, and traveling in the open like this made him the perfect target for any flying beast.
And this time, it wasn't just any master-level beast—it was a full-fledged grandmaster-level one. Judging by the strength of its blood Qi, it was even stronger than Su Hao. A true grandmaster-level beast!
Facing a challenge far beyond his level? Su Hao wasn't planning to play that dangerous game. He ran with all his might, trying to escape.
However, he soon realized that the beast's blood Qi was getting closer and closer. He couldn't outrun it.
Turning his head, he spotted an enormous eagle soaring across the sky, its vast wings spanning nearly 10 meters (32 feet) from tip to tip. The bird's feathers gleamed in the sunlight, a stunning mix of bronze and gold that shimmered like molten metal. Its talons, each as long as a man's forearm, were razor-sharp, powerful enough to crush stone with ease. Piercing amber eyes, glowing with intelligence, swept over the landscape below, always vigilant. This was no ordinary bird—it was a fearsome apex predator, an undisputed ruler of the skies, now hurtling toward him in a swift, terrifying dive.
Since he couldn't run, he had no choice.
Gritting his teeth, Su Hao quickly decided to fight. He dropped his baggage, drew his long blade, and started zigzagging as he ran. At the same time, he commanded [Cosmic Light], "Create a rune sequence for: ‹Barrier›, ‹Deflection›, ‹Blinding Flash›, ‹Vibration›, ‹Impact›, ‹Sharpness›, ‹Penetration›, …"
Within the Formation Disc, one rune after another was prepared.
Su Hao stopped running forward and instead turned to face the giant eagle charging at him.
They closed in on each other rapidly.
The giant eagle adjusted its course, its wingspan over ten meters wide. Its thick, gray talons gleamed ominously, ready to strike at any moment. The oppressive aura it exuded was suffocating.
Su Hao recognized the ability those talons held—‹Penetration›.
He knew he absolutely couldn't let those claws grab him. If they did, he'd be dead for sure, turning into nothing more than a snack for the massive bird. Neither his ‹Barrier› nor his armor would stand a chance against such sharp claws.
‹Barrier› A faint red glow surrounded Su Hao.
‹Deflection› The rune triggered as well.
Su Hao raised his left hand, aiming directly at the eagle's sharp eyes.
‹Blinding Flash›
A blinding light burst from Su Hao's hand, bright enough to rival the sun.
The eagle was instantly blinded, losing its sense of direction. It flapped its wings wildly, its talons missing their mark entirely.
‹Impact›
A powerful force exploded beneath Su Hao's feet, allowing him to sidestep the eagle's deadly talons.
‹Vibration›,‹Sharpness›, and ‹Penetration› were all activated in quick succession.
A flash of Su Hao's blade followed.
"Splat∼!"
Blood sprayed everywhere as the eagle's left wing was severed clean off, its feathers and blood scattering through the air.
The eagle's tough feathers, muscles, and bones couldn't withstand Su Hao's enhanced blade.
With one wing gone, the massive bird lost its balance and crashed to the ground, sending dirt and stones flying in all directions.
"Cawww∼!" The giant eagle let out a heart-wrenching screech.
Seeing his chance, Su Hao knew he had to finish the job.
His ‹Barrier› only lasted for three seconds before it faded. He quickly replenished it and added another ‹Deflection› rune for safety. Then, after activating ‹Sharpness› again, he circled around to the side where the eagle's wing had been severed. With a quick burst of speed, he darted toward the eagle's neck.
The eagle, sensing danger, tried desperately to avoid him, but it was in vain.
"Splat∼!"
Blood gushed, and the eagle's head fell to the ground.
Its massive body thrashed for a moment before falling still.
Su Hao's heart was racing from the fear of facing a grandmaster-level beast. It was terrifying.
After calming down, Su Hao looked at the enormous corpse of the eagle and muttered to himself, "I've spent two years avoiding grandmaster-level beasts, and that's all it took?"
He sighed as he examined his now broken Formation Disc.