This crystal, no larger than a sesame seed, exhibited properties distinct from ordinary magical treasures when illuminated by mental strength.
Its magical aura was transparent, a colorless shimmer, somewhat akin to a mirage or the heat waves above a flame.
Only when one focused their attention could they discern the grayish-black metallic sheen.
According to Roy's speculation, this unique aura, different from that of ordinary treasures, signified a "Black Iron Grade" Soul Rank rather than a "First-Grade Magical Treasure" Quality.
Roy, with a hint of delight, held it in his hand and toyed with it for a while.
Then, he manipulated his will, absorbing and utilizing it as he would with ordinary Source Essence.
[Multitasking (Black Iron Grade)]
[When performing apprentice-level alchemy operations, one can multitask without reducing the success rate.]
"Not a great talent, but better than nothing," Roy thought, glancing at it briefly without much concern.
What truly caught his attention was the change in his panel.
[Alchemy Talent Acquiring (35%)]
"Just as I thought!"
He became increasingly certain of the guess in his heart!
"External crystallization doesn't affect it!
If I use the method of refining the Philosopher's Stone for external crystallization, it could greatly facilitate the collection and utilization of Inherent Essence!"
This approach was by no means redundant but held significant potential.
For instance, preparing carriers of different Soul Ranks and scales to collect them in the form of "Talent Seeds," or even using various crystals like quartz, glass, jade, and gemstones to give them physical form!
This would touch upon the ultimate goal of Mana Crystal Studies—the refinement of the Philosopher's Stone.
It would also completely alter the way he acquired his Alchemy Talent!
Suddenly, Roy became excited.
Because a burst of inspiration from the depths of his mind gradually confirmed the answer to the question that had long troubled him.
The practice of the Wizard's Maxim...
Could also be achieved through this!
...
Roy left his residence and headed to another laboratory he had rented long-term.
That was where the previous stone sculpture was stored.
Coincidentally, Stedson from the carving class was leading a real horse over and, upon seeing him, hurried forward to greet him.
"Senior Roy, as per your request, we've prepared this healthy adult stallion.
Also, the human remnant soul specially purchased from the Wizard Tower store has been acquired."
As he spoke, he pulled out a crystal ball the size of an egg.
Roy took it and examined it, finding a flame the size of a candlelight flickering inside.
What it sealed was the spiritual essence extracted from a human soul.
Among various forms of Wizardry, there were no shortage of dark arts that toyed with souls.
And for the Vizel civilization, which had pushed Forbidden Experiments to the stage of "soul creation," similar soul-detaining spells were a piece of cake.
"Speaking of which, souls are a hard currency across various planes and worlds," Roy suddenly recalled, remarking with emotion.
"Indeed, deities collect souls, extracting faith from them to nurture Sacred Souls.
Devils collect souls, refining the malice and obsessions within to reincarnate their kind.
High-level Wizards and Mages also collect souls for various researches...
However, what we can access now isn't a complete soul in the true sense.
At best, it's just some scraps and defective products."
Stedson chimed in agreement.
Roy nodded.
Although this world doesn't have concepts like the "three souls and seven spirits," it is possible to tear apart the spiritual essence that composes a soul, creating these incomplete wandering spirits.
It's similar to the relationship between torches and bonfires.
One torch represents one wandering spirit.
Only when gathered together do they form a complete Soul Fire.
What ends up in the Wizard Tower shops, available for apprentices to purchase, are naturally the lowest-grade defective products.
These are often fragmented, separated shards.
Such residual souls are categorized into different qualities based on their spiritual purity and total volume.
What Roy needed now was of better quality, but still only worth around 500 Magic Stones.
After observing for a while, he called out to Stedson, "You'll assist me. We're about to conduct an experiment on soul splicing..."
Stedson acknowledged and began to busy himself.
In the room, a several-meter-square auxiliary array platform had already been prepared.
The antique-style massive stone slab was inlaid with Magic Stones that provided Wizardry Energy, forming a triangular symbol within a circle through splicing patterns.
The central area contained numerous Runes symbolizing synthesis and smelting.
...
Soon, the basic preparations were complete.
Roy opened his eyes and stood up from the seat where he had been meditating.
He too began his own busy work.
What he was about to undertake was the first method of Golem creation that Flosf had mentioned.
"Synthetic Soul"!
To put it simply, it's like combining two torches to form a larger one.
"What I previously crafted, the Alchemical Lifeform driven by Animation Art, used my own consciousness to simulate a soul, producing a weak Intelligent Body.
If I could infuse it with the souls of humans and horses, it would be endowed with greater potential.
Specifically, it could contain more Animation Energy, possess higher intelligence, and even have other mutations and possibilities!"
In fact, Roy had a vague idea that combining this with his recent research on "Talent Seeds" might lead to even greater achievements in Alchemy.
Over the past two months, he had also subtly refined his earlier theory of "Talent Seeds."
"Perhaps the key to fulfilling the maxim lies here...
I need to practice the principle that 'the primary rule of the Art of Alchemy is equivalent exchange'!"
Equivalent exchange...
Although, as the Wizard Tower courses stated, this principle is undoubtedly true and real.
Due to cognitive issues, it's normal to not fully believe or even oppose it.
The key lies in understanding!
Different perspectives of understanding lead to different cognitions.
With his teacher's guidance, Roy gradually realized that the reason he had hit a bottleneck was indeed because he hadn't fully believed.
And the main reason for not fully believing was this issue of cognition and understanding.
Whether the understanding is correct or incorrect.
He hadn't yet established his own set of belief logic and Alchemy philosophy.
He intended to verify it through experiments related to life and soul.
The specific design was to use the attempt of slaughtering horses and crafting Golems to guide the cognitive understanding of equivalent exchange within his mental intent and soul.
Thereby condensing and manifesting the "Talent Seed."
Unlike the passive absorption and utilization of the past, he would also employ an active method to further hasten its formation.
In other words, the progress of [Acquiring Alchemy Talent] needs to be pushed to 100%.
Actively perform
the Talent Transmutation of Alchemy Talent!
This is essentially a process of refining the Philosopher's Stone.
When the time comes, integrating it into one's soul will be equivalent to a profound understanding and comprehension.
(End of Chapter)