Chapter 68: Space Domain
Through unremitting efforts, Zhang Ruochen finally expanded the inner space of the space ring to twelve cubic meters, equivalent to the size of a small room.
"Swoosh!"
A flash of light flickered on the surface of the space ring as the inner space fully expanded, forming an independent space.
"With my current cultivation level, I can only make the inner space of the space ring reach twelve cubic meters. It can't be any larger."
Although twelve cubic meters wasn't very large, it was completely sufficient for an ordinary martial artist.
In the future, as Zhang Ruochen's cultivation increased, he would naturally be able to refine rings with larger spaces.
Inscribing the runes was only the first step.
The next step was the second step: refining the ring.
Zhang Ruochen had purchased a seventh-rank True Martial Treasure-level refining furnace from Qingxuan Pavilion specifically for refining the space ring. Under the tempering of the flames, the inner space within the ring would be completely stabilized, turning it into a True Martial Treasure.
He placed the space ring into the refining furnace, then set a fire-attributed spirit crystal beneath the furnace.
"Sizzle, sizzle!"
Under the impetus of Zhang Ruochen's true qi, the fire-attributed spirit crystal ignited.
Once the spirit crystal ignited, Zhang Ruochen only needed to control the intensity of the flames from the side. When a stronger flame was needed, he would inject true qi into the spirit crystal, causing it to burn more vigorously.
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged beneath the refining furnace, summoned the Sky-Connecting Divine Wood Diagram floating in his qi sea, unrolled the scroll, and spread the painting flat before him.
He extended a palm, pressed it against the surface of the painting, infused it with true qi, and summoned Xiao Hei.
A flash of black light appeared, and a large black cat materialized before Zhang Ruochen.
Xiao Hei's body was round, his tail curled upward, and his eyes were like two round, glossy black crystals. He said, "Young lad, have you already mastered all eight basic space runes?"
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "But I still feel like the space ring is missing something."
Xiao Hei said, "A space ring is merely the most basic space treasure. And the space ring you're refining is even more basic than basic."
Zhang Ruochen asked, "What do you mean?"
Xiao Hei said, "The space ring you're refining lacks 'ownership recognition runes.' If the space ring is lost, anyone can open it and take the treasures you've stored inside."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Anything else?"
Xiao Hei said, "The space rings refined by Xumi Saint Monk back then could not only store items but also unleash attack power and deploy defensive power."
"Can attack runes and defensive runes also be inscribed on a space ring?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes lit up.
"Of course."
Xiao Hei continued, "If your mastery of runes is high enough, you can also inscribe concealment runes on the space ring. With concealment runes inscribed, others won't be able to see the ring on your hand, so you won't have to worry about people coveting your space ring."
Then Xiao Hei added, "However, ownership recognition runes and concealment runes are both intermediate-level runes, quite complex. Only those with a spiritual power of at least the thirtieth rank can inscribe them. And even if your spiritual power reaches the thirtieth rank, you'll still need a lot of study and practice. After all, space runes are more difficult and complex than other runes."
Zhang Ruochen opened the fourth page of the Space-Time Secret Scripture, which recorded exactly sixteen types of intermediate space runes.
Ownership recognition runes and concealment runes were among them.
In addition, there were offensive runes and defensive runes.
Even the simplest ownership recognition rune among intermediate runes was more than ten times more complex than expansion-type runes and compression-type runes.
With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation level, inscribing an ownership recognition rune was definitely no easy task.
"My spiritual power is above the thirtieth rank, meeting the standard for inscribing intermediate runes. As long as I practice diligently, I'll definitely be able to inscribe the ownership recognition rune."
Zhang Ruochen carefully studied the ownership recognition rune, committing it completely to memory. Then he began practicing on spirit paper.
About an hour later, a strange sound came from the refining furnace.
The space ring was successfully refined!
Zhang Ruochen eagerly took the space ring out of the refining furnace, held it in his palm, and examined it closely, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth. "A space ring with an inner space of only one cubic meter can sell for one hundred thousand silver coins. How much could this ring, with an inner space more than ten times larger, fetch?"
Zhang Ruochen wasn't in a hurry to sell the space ring. He wasn't short of silver coins at the moment, so there was no need to rush.
As long as he could successfully refine the first one, he could naturally continue to refine more space rings.
"One month from now is the Martial Market Academy entrance exam. I need to strive to elevate my strength to the next level within that month."
One month was too short a time to go from the initial stage of the Mysterious Extreme Realm to the middle stage.
Since that was the case, he would start cultivating the Space Domain.
Zhang Ruochen flipped the Space-Time Secret Scripture to the third page and began to focus entirely on studying the method for cultivating the "Space Domain."
The so-called Space Domain involved using the time-space martial soul, centered on one's own body, to form an independent martial space separate from the outside world. Within the Space Domain, everything was under Zhang Ruochen's control, as he was the master of the domain.
Once he successfully cultivated the Space Domain, Zhang Ruochen's combat power would increase by at least three times, or even more.
Originally, Zhang Ruochen would have had to reach the Heavenly Extreme Realm to cultivate the Space Domain. However, his soul was comparable to that of a Heavenly Extreme Realm martial artist, and he had also opened his soul meridian, allowing him to cultivate the Space Domain ahead of time.
Time flew by.
One month in the outside world was three months inside the inner space of the time-space crystal.
Over those three months, Zhang Ruochen spent the vast majority of his time cultivating the Space Domain. Finally, on the night before he was to leave the royal palace, he successfully mastered it.
"Space Domain!"
Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged in his room, using his soul meridian to mobilize his martial soul, which hovered behind him.
The martial soul drew in the world's spiritual energy, condensing it into spatial power. Centered on Zhang Ruochen's body, a spherical Space Domain covering a radius of ten meters took shape.
Zhang Ruochen felt as if he were wrapped in the center of a huge white sphere. Everything within the sphere was under his control.
"Rise!"
Zhang Ruochen raised his arm slightly, and a bronze lamp stand three meters away slowly floated up, hovering in midair.
"Smack!"
Suddenly, the lamp stand fell to the ground, the flame extinguished, and oil splattered everywhere.
The Space Domain also shattered and disappeared.
"The Space Domain I've constructed is still too fragile. I need to continue cultivating and consolidating it. Also, I feel like my Space Domain seems to carry lightning power. Could it be that the lightning martial soul from my previous life hasn't completely disappeared?"
Zhang Ruochen expanded the Space Domain again and observed it carefully. Sure enough, he saw tiny threads of lightning flowing within the domain.
Just then, a mosquito flew into the Space Domain, heading toward Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly. With a thought—
"Crack!"
A bolt of lightning condensed from the void, like a white heavenly blade, striking the mosquito's back and reducing it to ashes.
Zhang Ruochen discovered another benefit: within the Space Domain, his eyesight and hearing were enhanced several times over. He could clearly see the tiny scales on the mosquito's wings and hear the faintest whisper of wind.
Was this the wonder of the Space Domain?
"Just as the Space-Time Secret Scripture records, the Space Domain is truly formidable. I've only uncovered less than a tenth of its wonders."
Although Zhang Ruochen wanted to continue cultivating and explore more of the Space Domain's marvels, he had to leave the royal palace tomorrow for the Martial Market Academy. It was unclear when he would return. Before leaving, he naturally wanted to spend some quality time with Consort Lin.
Ever since Zhang Ruochen had demonstrated his extraordinary cultivation talent, Consort Lin's status in the palace had risen steadily. More eunuchs and maidservants had come to serve her, and the entire Yushu Palace had become livelier.
"Chen'er, I've heard that the Martial Market Academy is built on the Demon Ridge, where savage beasts roam freely. It's quite dangerous. You must be careful!" Consort Lin held Zhang Ruochen's hand, reluctant to let him go.
But she also knew that children grew up and would eventually leave their parents' embrace to face the storms and challenges of the outside world on their own.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "Mother, you worry too much! The Martial Market Academy is only built on the outskirts of the Demon Ridge; it's not too dangerous. Besides, the academy is filled with experts. The savage beasts in the Demon Ridge wouldn't dare attack it."
Consort Lin nodded, then added, "I've also heard that you've made an enemy of Ningshan again. Ah! She is, after all, your cousin. Even if she commits a grave mistake in the future, remember to spare her life."
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. "Did the old master of the Lin family ask you to tell me that?"
Having consumed spirit meat, Consort Lin looked even younger and more beautiful. She said softly, "Chen'er! Your maternal grandfather actually cares about you very much. It's just that some things are beyond his control."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "Mother, I promise you: as long as the Lin family doesn't come to provoke me again, I won't go after them."
Consort Lin nodded deeply, truly proud of her son. He had really grown up! The Martial Market Academy would be an even bigger stage for him.
As long as he achieved outstanding results at the Martial Market Academy, those who had once looked down on him and his mother would naturally shut their mouths.
Then, Zhang Ruochen took out a thousand spirit crystals and handed them to Consort Lin, asking her to send them to the Lin residence for the Lin family.
A thousand spirit crystals were equivalent to one million silver coins.
Zhang Ruochen had Consort Lin send one million silver coins to the Lin family because he could see that she still had deep feelings for them. If this opportunity could mend their relationship, that would be for the best.
If the Lin family remained as they were before and became enemies in the future, Zhang Ruochen would show no mercy.
The next day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Zhang Ruochen boarded an antelope-drawn ancient carriage, escorted by a squad of imperial guards.
The Ninth Princess stood tall and graceful on the steps, her beauty ethereal. She called out, "Ninth Brother, I'll also train hard to reach the Mysterious Extreme Realm as soon as possible. When I do, I'll come find you at the Martial Market Academy."
Zhang Ruochen sat in the carriage and smiled. "Ninth Sister, I'll be waiting for you at the Martial Market Academy."
Then, under the escort of General Gan Li and a hundred imperial guards, Zhang Ruochen's carriage slowly departed from the royal palace, embarking on a new journey.