Chapter 36

A week had passed since 621's first perusal of the Aurum Manipulation skillbook. In that time, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to studying the properties of the metals described within its pages.

From the lustrous gleam of gold to the versatile conductivity of silver, from the sturdy resilience of iron to the flexible and ductile nature of copper, he immersed himself in the intricacies of each element, committing every detail to memory through sheer hard work and determination.

In addition to these basic metals, 621 also familiarized himself with the properties of a myriad of other metals with unique characteristics described in the skillbook amongst many others.

He learned of the fluidity and toxicity of mercury, the magnetic properties of nickel, the corrosion resistance of zinc, and the lightweight and corrosion-resistant nature of aluminum. Each metal possessed its own unique properties and applications, and 621 sought to understand them all with meticulous detail.

To him, this knowledge wasn't just a matter of academic pursuit—it was the difference between victory and defeat on the battlefield. Each metal, he realized, held its own distinct strengths and weaknesses, its own inherent advantages and limitations.

Gold, with its malleability and conductivity, was not only prized for its ornamental value but also for its effectiveness in conducting spiritual energy—a crucial asset in combat for those attuned to the martial arts. Silver, with its reflective surface and anti-dark properties, was a formidable weapon against the dark forces and malevolent spirits, its radiant glow striking fear into the hearts of enemies.

Iron, known for its unyielding strength and durability, formed the backbone of weapons and armor, providing warriors with the protection they needed to stand firm against the onslaught of their foes.

Copper, with its remarkable conductivity found its place in the hands of cultivators skilled in the arts of lightning, its potential clearly limited only to a cultivator’s mind.

Mercury, he understood, possessed a fluidity and a sense of adaptability that made it invaluable in the hands of cunning strategists and covert operatives, its elusive nature allowing for swift and unexpected maneuvers on the battlefield.

And nickel, zinc, aluminum, and countless others each held their own secrets and mysteries, waiting to be unlocked by those willing to venture into their depths.

621 realized long ago that the art of metal manipulation was not just about wielding raw power—it was about understanding the nuances and subtleties of each metal, knowing when and how to deploy them to maximum effect in the heat of combat.

As 621 delved deeper into the intricacies of metal manipulation, he couldn't help but entertain the thought of using his newfound skills for financial gain. After all, the allure of turning Qi into precious metals like gold or silver was undeniable—imagine the wealth and prosperity he could amass with such abilities at his fingertips.

But as he continued to study the transmutation process outlined in the Aurum Manipulation skillbook, 621 quickly realized the inherent flaw in his plan. It wasn't simply a matter of turning Qi into metal and watching the riches pile up—the reality was far more complex and nuanced.

He understood that metal manipulation was not a true creation of metal, but rather a manifestation of existing metals through the channeling and manipulation of Qi. And just as Qi was the catalyst for transmutation, it was also the lifeforce that sustained the metallic substance in its tangible state.

As he read through the skillbook's teachings, 621 learned that without a constant supply of Qi to maintain its form, the transmuted metal would eventually decay and return to the void from whence it came. This fundamental truth shattered his hopes of using metal manipulation for financial gain, for no matter how much gold or silver he transmuted, it would all be for naught if he couldn't sustain its existence.

It was a reminder that power came with equal balance, and that true mastery required a deeper understanding of the underlying principles at hand.

As the realization dawned upon 621 that his hopes of solving his financial woes through metal manipulation had been dashed, a suppressed disappointment settled over him like a heavy shroud. For a fleeting moment, he had allowed himself to entertain the tantalizing prospect of wealth and prosperity, only to have it cruelly snatched away by the harshness of reality.

But even as disappointment gnawed at his heart, a spark of determination flickered to life within him. He refused to let go of this avenue as he began to ponder other means of exploiting such skills for financial gain—after all, where there was a will, there was always a way.

He knew that while metal manipulation might not hold the key to instant riches, there were other paths he could explore, other ways he could use his talents to his advantage.

With a cunning glint in his eye, 621 began to hatch a plan in the back of his mind—a plan that would capitalize on the gullibility and naivety of others, a plan that would exploit the loopholes and blind spots inherent in transactions.

It was a plan born of desperation and necessity, fueled by the burning desire to escape the suffocating grip of survival.

..

Subsequently, he found himself confronted with the daunting challenge of transmuting Qi into metal—a task far more complex and nuanced than he had initially realized. Unlike the creation of other elements, which relied on the manipulation of energy in its elemental form, the transmutation of metal on the other hand, required a deeper understanding of the inherent properties and characteristics of the metals themselves.

According to the teachings of the Aurum Manipulation skillbook, the process of transmutation involved copying the inherent properties of metals to form an embryonic state of a substance known as ‘pseudo-metal’. These pseudo-metals possessed the same properties as its metallic counterpart, depending on the cultivator's understanding and mastery of those properties.

But achieving this feat was no easy task. Metal, by its very nature, was a solid state—a complex lattice of atoms and molecules arranged in intricate patterns which governed its properties and behavior.

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Unlike fire, which could be conjured with a mere thought and a spark of Qi, transmuting Qi into metal required a profound understanding of the underlying principles of metallurgy and alchemy.

Even as 621 grappled with the daunting task of transmuting Qi into a copy of a metal state, he found himself confronted with the intricacies and complexities of the transformation process.

Although, the techniques outlined in the Aurum Manipulation skillbook offered some guidance, providing a roadmap of sorts for navigating the journey from Qi to metal; he quickly realized that these techniques only scratched the surface of the true nature of metal manipulation.

Driven by his meticulous personality and insatiable thirst for knowledge, 621 refused to settle for such surface-level understanding. He sought to delve deeper into the underlying laws and principles of transformation, seeking to unravel the mysteries that lay at the core of metal manipulation.

For 621 knew, that the more he learned, the more his mastery over the metal arts would be evolved and with that came the obvious outcomes of increased strength; power in which he desperately strived for.

Through sheer hard work alone, 621 internally promised that he would likewise evolve as a cultivator, to be stronger than anyone in his path—to be feared by all.

….

In 621's hands lay a raw clump of iron ore, its once pristine surface now marred by the myriad experiments he had subjected it to over the past week. It was one of the many common ores he pocketed from Vulture’s base. Despite its deteriorated state, the lump of ore served as a tangible reminder of his ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of metal manipulation.

With the aid of the detailed descriptions provided in the Aurum Manipulation skillbook, 621 delved into the study of iron, expanding his knowledge and understanding of its properties with each passing day. He examined the ore closely, noting its composition, texture, and appearance, seeking to glean insights into the nature of this resilient metal.

But mere observation could only take him so far. Determined to delve deeper into the essence of iron, 621 summoned forth an eerie green flame on his left hand—a manifestation of his Qi infused with elemental energy. With a focused intent, he directed the flame towards the iron ore, applying heat in an effort to melt it down to its molten state.

Yet, despite his best efforts, the iron ore remained stubbornly solid, resisting the intense heat of the green flame. The skillbook had warned him of iron's high melting point, but experiencing it several times brought him a level of understanding to the challenge he faced.

Truthfully, he was fascinated by the concept of melting points—the threshold at which a solid substance transitioned into a liquid state. He marveled at the diversity of melting points among different metals, each one a testament to the unique properties and characteristics that defined its essence.

His focus remained squarely on iron since he had hoped to manifest a pseudo-iron through metal manipulation first. Though his knowledge upon iron’s properties was considered vast, he only had one thing missing which was its formidable melting point.

Even as of now, 621 was confident in creating pseudo-iron but he was certain that it wouldn’t possess it’s true characteristics since he couldn’t devise of a way to implement its melting point property.

"The fire is not hot enough," 621 sighed in frustration as he gazed upon the red-hot state of the ore before him. Despite his efforts to melt it with his green flame, the stubborn metal remained defiant, refusing to yield to the intense heat.

Increasing the intensity of his green flame seemed like a logical solution, but how was the question. He found himself stymied by the enigmatic nature of his own abilities. The green flame, though a useful tool in his arsenal, remained a mystery to him—a mere copy of the flames he had seen in the past, its nuances and properties shrouded in mystery.

He had simply summoned the flame with a mere thought, its appearance and behavior beyond his control. Why was it green, of all colors? Was there any significance to it, if any? These questions lingered in the recesses of his mind, taunting him with their elusive answers.

621 felt a growing sense of unease as he grappled with these thoughts. How could he hope to master metal manipulation if he couldn't even control the flames that were supposed to aid him in his endeavors? It was a frustrating paradox, one that frustrated him to the core.

Many times had he controlled his Qi to intensify in his endeavour of creating the flame but it was useless, it’s heat remained the same and only its area of effect was changed depending on the amount of Qi he put into the action.

“Exactly how does heat manifest through Qi?”, a question which deeply confounded him throughout his many experiments surrounding melting points.

..

With a resounding sigh, 621 pushed aside his frustrations and doubts, focusing instead on the task at hand: the creation of pseudo-iron. Though he knew that the resulting substance might lack certain properties, such as a specific melting point, he pressed forward with determination, knowing that mastery came through practice and perseverance.

Closing his eyes, 621 visualized the outlines of a spherical metal object made from pseudo-iron in his mind's eye. With meticulous attention to detail, he activated his dantian as he prepared to perform the transmutation technique.

Drawing upon his knowledge and understanding of iron, 621 began to weave intricate patterns of Qi in the air around him. His hands moved with fluid grace, tracing invisible lines and shapes as he formed a sphere of Qi externally, the ethereal substance pulsating with energy and potential.

But it was not enough to simply shape the Qi into a physical form. 621 knew that true mastery of metal manipulation required more than mere mimicry—it demanded a deep understanding of the essence and properties of the metal he sought to replicate.

With a nuanced thought, he imbued his Qi with the qualities and characteristics of iron, drawing upon his extensive knowledge and experience to make it as close to the real thing as possible.

He focused his intent, channeling his willpower and concentration into the transmutation process, ensuring that every aspect of the pseudo-iron sphere mirrored his mental image with precision and accuracy.

As he continued to shape and mold the Qi with his mind, 621 felt a surge of energy coursing through him, a palpable connection to the elemental forces of the world. It was a moment of profound significance, as if he was tapping into the essence of creation.

621 opened his eyes, before him lay a radiant orb of Qi which hovered around his hands, pulsating with energy and potential, he studied it for some time before proceeding. With a practiced thought, he initiated the true transmutation process, his mind fully focused on the task at hand.

He observed the orb of Qi with vivid clarity as he willed it to change, to transform into the substance he desired. In response to his self-will, the Qi seemed to darken, as if shrouded in shadow, while bits of the orb began to be invaded by a reflective material—an otherworldly substance that absorbed the light around it and dispersed it in all directions.

With meticulous precision, 621 continued to guide the transformation, his intentions clear and deliberate. He still kept in mind the properties of iron, weaving his thoughts and intentions with a careful and deliberate motive.

His willpower and concentration at their peak levels as he focused with great intent, the transformation continued, the Qi gradually morphing into the metallic substance he sought to create.

With each passing second, more and more of the Qi orb was transmuted into the reflective material, forming and hardening at a consistent pace. 621 watched with a watchful eye, ensuring that every detail adhered to his vision of the perfect sphere of iron.

His meticulous personality drove him to pay careful attention to every detail at hand, ensuring that his Qi manipulation was as efficient and effective as possible. He calculated the required Qi for the ongoing transmutation process, drawing upon his extensive knowledge and experience to estimate the exact amount needed for the task at hand.

He knew that the success of his endeavor depended entirely on his ability to manage his Qi effectively, and he spared no effort in ensuring that he remained in control of the entire process.

And then, in a moment of triumph, the process was soon completed. Before him hovered a small sphere of his perceived iron—pseudo iron, it’s slightly dull sheen shimmering with a reflective glow. It was about the size of a large marble, its surface smooth and lustrous, a physical evidence to 621's skill, knowledge and mastery over the art of metal manipulation.

“Success.”