Chapter 120: Whirling Sand and Flying Stones

Qi Xiao tossed a cyan-indigo lump into the smelting furnace and steadily increased the heat. Under the intense temperature, the strangely shaped object began to exude a cyan liquid, which dripped into a silver-threaded agate tray placed beneath the furnace to collect the essence extracted by the thousands of degrees of heat.

As the cyan-indigo mass faded in color, it finally became discernible as something resembling an iron sphere. The silver-threaded agate tray filled with a deep indigo liquid, which took on a bluish, lustrous hue. Beyond this, Qi Xiao filtered impurities from minerals like Songye ore and Bibo mountain stone, smelted them into molten iron, and blended everything together. Only after filtering the mixture several more times did he allow it to set.

The molding was merely the beginning. Qi Xiao continuously condensed his magic into a heavy hammer, repeatedly striking and refining the alloy until it took the shape of a sword. The rest was a matter of meticulous, time-consuming labor. While the process was delicate and allowed for no errors—requiring him to stir the unique power of each mineral and ensure they functioned in harmony, lest the entire effort go to waste—it was only moderately difficult for Qi Xiao. He possessed a natural talent for such fine-tuned work, capable of achieving his desired results with only the slightest guidance.

Finally, a sharp iron sword was freshly forged. The blade was a solid cyan-blue, relatively short, with a rounded hilt crafted from Rongshuang wood, which was two fingers thicker than the blade itself. One side of the blade was engraved with a scene of winter fading into spring and all things reviving, while the other depicted a galaxy waterfall cascading down. When channeled with magic, a sensation of surging water emanated from the weapon.

Qi Xiao had spent three full days on the forging, an efficiency achieved only because he had barely paused and had grasped the critical junctures perfectly. Any other alchemist would have required at least two weeks. Alchemical smithing was indeed a time-consuming craft; this sword, much like the crystal ball he had previously forged, stopped just short of the "Exquisite" grade, representing the pinnacle of "Common" quality.

He inspected the work with a touch of regret, reflecting on the imperfections, before sheathing it and moving on to the next blueprint.

A wizard’s time is never enough. Over the course of a week, Qi Xiao forged three alchemical weapons, all of "Common" grade. Although this was a normal pace and the system rewards were generous, Qi Xiao, having experienced the speed of five weapons in three days, found it difficult to adjust to this slower rhythm. He had Blood Lotus deliver the three weapons along with some basic potions, then closed his eyes to meditate, waiting for the system’s feedback.

The quality of the three new weapons was high enough that discerning clients purchased them immediately; feedback arrived before Blood Lotus had even returned.

【Congratulations on successfully completing an alchemical supply. Reward: Level 2 Cantrip - Charm Person.】
【Congratulations on successfully completing an alchemical supply. Reward: Level 2 Cantrip - Flying Sand and Moving Stones.】
【Congratulations on successfully completing an alchemical supply. Reward: Level 2 Cantrip - Flowing Clear Spring.】

Gaining three Level 2 cantrips at once would have taken a month of practice on his own. *Charm Person* was the most practical of the charm-series spells in combat; one gaze was enough to lock an enemy in place for several seconds. *Flying Sand and Moving Stones* was an instant-cast spell; while its power was limited, it was excellent for disrupting enemy spellcasting. *Flowing Clear Spring* projected a continuous, high-pressure jet of water, capable of harassing enemies to the point of despair and forcing them to maintain constant defenses—a great boon in war of attrition.

All three spells were highly practical. Qi Xiao nodded to himself. Having spent over a week in the alchemy lab, he felt a bit restless and decided to head to the Battle Tower to test them out.

For the first time in a long while, he brought along the Thunder-Wing Dragon Flame Staff. In the high-level arena, a five-win opponent was already considered top-tier among senior wizard apprentices. His Ethereal Elemental Gun might not be enough to bridge the gap in strength, as opponents at this level usually possessed alchemical equipment of equal caliber.

Qi Xiao had earned 50 points by his fourth win, and after defeating his opponent—who had been on a three-win streak—he received a 10-point bonus, bringing his total to 115. To reach the top one hundred, he would need at least 500 points; the road ahead was long.

With the Thunder-Wing Dragon Flame Staff in hand, Qi Xiao felt much more composed. As long as he didn't encounter someone in the top 50 or a particularly agile opponent, these wizards would be no match for him, provided he didn't give them the chance to kite him.

The hall was sparsely populated at this hour. After swiping his card, Qi Xiao was instantly teleported to the arena.

Before he could even register his surroundings, a deafening roar filled his ears. Frowning, Qi Xiao scanned the area; it was a valley environment. A gale-force wind whipped through the arena, rivaling the tempest summoned by the Black Wind Old Monster. The sound of the wind echoing in the valley was headache-inducing.

Qi Xiao checked his opponent's name—"Hook," a normal enough name. Beneath it was a red "5," indicating a five-win streak.

To his surprise, Hook was busy wrapping bandages around his limbs, surrounded by empty potion vials. Clearly, he had been severely injured in his previous match. The arena placed no restrictions on potions or equipment during rest periods, but the fact that he chose to continue despite such injuries showed a fanaticism for combat.

Yet, compared to Qi Xiao’s surprise, Hook and the audience were far more astonished. Qi Xiao’s aura was only that of a mid-level wizard apprentice, but the bold red "4" on the screen was no lie. A mid-level apprentice achieving a four-win streak in the high-level arena meant he was not to be underestimated.

Hook’s expression was grim; he struck his fists together, eager for the fight. Qi Xiao stood calmly, looking unremarkable save for the ferocious staff in his hand.

The referee was a witch sitting on a broomstick, her voice sharp and grating, which, combined with the howling wind, was a form of torture. Fortunately, she didn't talk much; after stating the rules, she began the countdown.

As the match started, the muscles in Hook's legs exploded with power as he charged at blinding speed. Qi Xiao cast a token *Tidal Surge*, which Hook easily leaped over, his left fist—covered in a gauntlet crackling with electricity—swinging toward him.

Hook threw his fists, and several lightning-infused shadows surged forward. Qi Xiao did not block; he flickered and reappeared on a boulder twenty meters away. The Thunder-Wing Dragon Flame Staff blazed with fire, and with a light tap in Hook's direction, a massive fire dragon roared and circled toward him.

Though shocked by the dragon's power, Hook relied on momentum. If he dodged now, regaining his rhythm would be impossible. He gritted his teeth and punched at the dragon, veins bulging on his arms.

Thunder roared as fists met fire. The collision of lightning and flame erupted into a deafening boom, creating a spectacular elemental storm. Hook’s momentum was like a rainbow, each strike carrying the sound of tearing air. He fought with a violent power, as if trying to shatter everything before him. Yet, the fire dragon’s power far exceeded his expectations; every collision with his lightning-fist shadows sent a crushing pressure through him.

The heat of the dragon distorted the air. Hook's skin turned red under the searing temperature, and his sweat evaporated instantly upon leaving his pores. His eyes remained resolute, refusing to retreat even in the face of such terrifying heat.

As the dragon was about to strike, Hook let out a sky-shaking roar. His muscles tensed to the limit, and the power of lightning surged through his body into his fists, which he thrust forward.

"BOOM!"

With a massive detonation, the collision reached its peak. Hook’s fists acted like blades, slicing the fire dragon in two. The remnants exploded around him, forming a sea of fire.

Hook stood in the inferno, his clothes scorched and his exposed skin covered in blisters and burns. His breathing became ragged, each gasp feeling like a tear in his lungs. Pain flickered across his face, but his eyes burned with an unyielding light.

Standing on the distant boulder, Qi Xiao couldn't help but feel surprised. He hadn't expected this wizard apprentice to possess such combat power and indomitable will.

While the audience cheered at the display, Qi Xiao felt a moment of pity—this had been nothing more than a basic attack. It had consumed less magic than his previous space-teleportation spell.

Perhaps the Thunder-Wing Dragon Flame Staff was simply too overpowered for the apprentice level. Even with his high expectations, its performance exceeded them. Though Hook had been weakened, his gauntlets were clearly "Exquisite" grade, his magic was pure, his cantrips were systematic, and his understanding of martial arts was profound. Even in a major organization like the Myriad Spirit Secret Vault, he shouldn't be a nobody. To think that such a person could barely withstand a light strike from the Dragon Flame Staff...

Qi Xiao realized that using the staff to shock Hope had been far too reckless. Fortunately, Hope had high resistance; anyone else might have been obliterated. He would have to be more restrained in the future.

As Qi Xiao pondered, Hook in the sea of fire had regained his footing. Amidst the cheers of the audience, he stood up and stepped forward, each step striking the ground like a hammer. He gathered lightning on his fists once more, preparing for another round.

Qi Xiao steadied his staff, ready to end it quickly. A cantrip model formed instantly, amplified by the staff and unleashed.

"Flying Sand and Moving Stones!"

A mass of sand appeared beneath Hook, against the flow of the valley's wind. Mixed with shattered stones, it swirled him into the high air before abruptly vanishing.

But the wind in the valley was too strong. Though the spell ended, Hook was swept higher and higher by the storm, eventually falling into a windless pocket. Though he tried to stabilize himself, seeing the lightning dancing on Qi Xiao's staff, he sighed and raised his hand to signal surrender.

The referee in the air extended a golden chain from her fingertip, wrapped it around Hook, brought him back, and declared Qi Xiao the winner.

Qi Xiao felt a bit helpless. He hesitated for a moment but decided to try one more match. Perhaps the last one had been easy only because Hook was already injured and clumsy.

His new opponent was a witch in green, sporting wings on her back and looking full of youthful vitality. She registered as "Alice"—likely not her real name, but it didn't matter.

Alice looked energetic, her wings flapping to stabilize her in the gale. She chirped something at Qi Xiao, but the wind was too loud. Qi Xiao could only point to his ears and shrug, hoping she understood.

As soon as the referee announced the start, Alice shot forward like an arrow. Her speed was startling. Qi Xiao’s "Star-Moon Guard" lit up, and layers of water screens spread out around him. But Alice didn't attack; instead, she sprinkled a large amount of green fluorescent powder from the air.

As the powder touched the ground, it rapidly grew into a massive patch of man-eating plants and pitcher plants. Soon, large, sharp-toothed pitcher plants were snapping at Qi Xiao.

"BOOM!"

Qi Xiao pointed his Thunder-Wing Dragon Flame Staff at the sky. A thunderclap echoed, and lightning gathered on the staff, transforming into spears of electricity that struck the plants. The power of the lightning was greatly amplified by the environment, each strike hitting its mark with precision.

The plants withered and turned to ash under the bombardment. The lightning continued toward Alice, who, though flustered, flapped her wings rapidly, weaving through the wind to dodge the pursuit.

Seeing the lightning's limited effect, Qi Xiao changed tactics. He aimed his staff at Alice and whispered, "Fire Serpent Art."

At his command, the staff erupted with flames, and a scaled fire serpent hissed out, its maw wide open as it lunged at Alice. Wherever the serpent passed, the air twisted from the heat.

A flash of surprise crossed Alice's eyes. She hadn't expected such versatile and powerful attacks. She quickly cast wind spells, attempting to blow the fire serpent away, but the serpent's heat ignited even the wind, forming a swirling tornado of flame.