Jin Shu sat in his room on the second floor of Lingling's inn. He was in his mind space having what he called his rune system, analyzing the hairpin he had just won at the auction. He quite enjoyed this blessing, it wasn't like those obnoxious systems he had read about in novels back on Earth. Instead it was more like a simple AI that processed information and delivered it straight to his mind.

Reading analysis... Jade Hairpin: - class: runic accessory… grade: mid low-grade... runes: mid low-grade cultivation rune - (increase cultivation speed by 25%)… material: jade stone... material grade: low-grade... material properties: normal jade... recommendation: based on accessibility to higher quality materials and newfound knowledge of rune crafting, it is advised to recraft this accessory. By using material designation: Living Metal, and combining runes, it is predicted that a high grade artifact could be crafted.

Hmm… What runes should I use?

It is advised that the host experiment on their own. Would you still like suggestions?

No, you're right. I shouldn't rely on external assistance, I should experiment and learn on my own.

Jin Shu left his mind space and focused on the jade hairpin set on the table in front of him. Normally I would craft a mold and remake this hairpin, however, I wonder what would happen if I coat it in Living Metal? Would it still function? Or would it ruin it? Only one way to find out.

He cut the palm of his hand and let the silver blood flow into the hairpin. His blood moved on its own, perfectly encasing the hairpin. He was surprised when that happened. That's the first time I've seen it do that, granted I haven't really experienced using it much.

After a couple of seconds passed the Living Metal hardened on its own. He picked it up and had the rune system analyze it again.

Reading analysis... Living Metal Coated Hairpin: - class: runic accessory… grade: mid-grade... runes: mid low-grade cultivation rune… material: Living Metal covered jade stone... material grade: unknown + low-grade... material properties: unknown, possible strengthening of base material... recommendation: Insufficient data.

“Huh…” Jin Shu spoke aloud, stumped by the rune systems analysis.

Jin Shu turned the Living Metal coated hairpin over in his hand, inspecting it from every angle. The jade shimmered faintly beneath the silver, giving the artifact a unique aesthetic. Despite the uncertainty in the rune system’s analysis, he could feel a subtle shift in the energy it radiated.

"Well, that didn’t go as planned, but it’s still progress." Jin Shu muttered.

He set the hairpin back down and leaned back in his chair, staring at it in contemplation. "Strengthening the base material... What could that mean? Is it reactive to different energies? Or maybe the metal itself has properties I haven’t unlocked yet."

Jin Shu’s thoughts turned back to his blood—the Living Metal. It had always been a strange gift, one that seemed to have a mind of its own. He wasn’t entirely sure of its origins, only that it appeared after he reincarnated into this world. And though it had saved his life on more than one occasion, there was still much he didn't understand about it.

"Guess there's no choice but to experiment." First he tested its strength, he applied pressure to the tip, so that if it broke it wouldn't affect the rune.

Even after using most of his strength on the tip of the hairpin, where it should have been weakest, it didn't snap. “Its resilience definitely increased.”

Next he tested if the cultivation rune still functioned. Sitting cross-legged he breathed in the natural Qi in the air. According to the analysis the rune should increase cultivation speed by 25%. While he circulated his Qi and drew in more Qi from outside he experienced a noticeable change in his Qi gathering speed, however he couldn't tell if it was more or less than 25% faster. At least the rune still functions.

It was clear to him that while the Living Metal had enhanced the physical qualities of the hairpin, it was far from unlocking its true potential. If anything, it felt like the accessory was half-awake, waiting for something more.

"Looks like I’ll need to dive deeper into rune crafting after all," he thought aloud, already planning his next steps. With the right combination of runes, there was a chance he could create something groundbreaking.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

The rune system’s earlier recommendation played back in his mind: Based on newfound knowledge of rune crafting...

“I guess that’s my cue to learn more.”

He spent the entire night experimenting with rune combinations, now that he had the ability to modify the runes he inscribed.

The combination that he finally settled on was the original Cultivation Rune, a Qi Circulation Rune, and a Wind Rune. According to the rune system, this combination increased the speed of cultivation by 40%! And that was just using what it called Low-grade runes. If he could make higher grade runes, that percentage could increase exponentially.

—

Night turned to morning, and Jin Shu had moved on to practicing his new cultivation technique.

“Argh!” Jin Shu shouted in pain as he used his Qi to inscribe runes directly onto his bones; this process was excruciatingly painful.

He was inscribing Flame Runes on his finger bones. He was doing this to see if he could increase the power of his Phoenix Claw Technique by using the flames of the rune.

He had the brief and insane thought of using Explosion Runes in conjunction with the Flame Runes, but he'd rather not blow his hands off… again.

When he finished inscribing his last finger, he moved on to a new rune he had learned from Long Qing's Runic Arts. The Body Forging Rune—the effect of the rune was to double the strength of the body—it was meant to be inscribed directly onto the muscles in his abdomen, just beneath the skin.

“Ah! Shit, so painful!” Having to inscribe directly on his muscles was even more painful then on his bones, not to mention it was dangerous, it was possible that his muscles could be severed if he wasn't careful.

Jin Shu's forehead was drenched with sweat as he pushed through the excruciating pain of inscribing the Body Forging Rune. His breathing became labored, each breath a struggle to keep his focus sharp and prevent any mistakes. The rune burned into his flesh, its intricate patterns glowing faintly as his Qi wove into the muscles beneath his skin.

He clenched his teeth and pressed on. There was no turning back now.

As the final lines of the rune settled, a sudden surge of power coursed through his body, radiating from his core. His muscles felt like they were being torn apart and reforged simultaneously, each fiber vibrating with newfound strength.

"By the heavens…" Jin Shu gasped, collapsing onto the floor. His body convulsed as the rune took hold, integrating with his muscles. It was agonizing, but beneath the pain, he could feel the difference. His body was becoming more resilient, stronger than before.

For several minutes, he lay there, panting heavily, waiting for the pain to subside. His fingers twitched slightly as he tested the new strength in his body, the muscles beneath his skin tightening and loosening at his command.

"That... was something else." He slowly sat up, his body still trembling from the ordeal. The rune had indeed worked, doubling his physical strength, but the cost had been immense. He felt utterly drained, his Qi nearly depleted from the process.

Why am I putting myself through this pain? If I just cultivate normally, after a few years I should be decently strong. He was in so much pain, his determination began to waver. No! I pushed myself through rigorous military training, this little bit of pain is nothing!

Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself back onto his feet, determined to keep moving forward. His cultivation path was anything but easy, but that was the way of this world—strength came through suffering and perseverance.

As the pain faded to a dull ache, Jin Shu flexed his fingers and admired the faint glow of the Flame Runes on his bones. He could already feel the fiery power waiting to be unleashed in his next fight.

Testing it would have to wait, though. His body was too fragile at the moment, and any reckless use of the new runes could lead to disastrous consequences. Jin Shu had learned that the hard way in the past, and he wasn’t eager to repeat those mistakes.

"Step by step," he reminded himself. "There’s still a long way to go."

He glanced at the Living Metal hairpin resting on the table, still shimmering faintly under the morning light. The possibilities it held were endless. With more research into rune crafting, combined with the unique properties of his blood, Jin Shu knew he could push the limits of what was possible in this world.

But for now, he had to let his body recover. The pain from inscribing the runes had taken its toll, and he needed rest before continuing his experiments.

Jin Shu sighed, heading to his bed. “Later, I’ll begin testing the limits of these new runes. But for now… I need sleep."

As he lay down, his thoughts drifted to his long-term goals—mastering rune crafting, and unlocking the full potential of the Living Metal.

Just before sleep claimed him, a lingering thought surfaced: Who—or what—granted me this mysterious second chance?

Unbeknownst to Jin Shu, his blood stirred with a hidden power at the very notion.