Rune Artifact Era

Liang Ji was also paying attention to the epic creation being performed by the sacrificial ritual for 'Chi the Eighth'.

The birth of an epic undoubtedly represented a significant advancement in the civilization of the Retainers, which would greatly benefit the development and improvement of the entire Natal Star.

After 'Chi the Eighth' completed the creation of this first epic, Liang Ji saw that the data on the 'Star Compass', in the Dao Fruit column, directly increased from '0.12%' to '0.13%'.

Originally, after Liang Ji refined two Demon Cores, the Dao Fruit was '0.09%'. However, later, when the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers entered the village era, and subsequently built the 'Frozen Abyss' and 'Flame Valley', two sacred sites, the cultivation and strength of the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers increased further, causing the Dao Fruit to rise from '0.09%' all the way to '0.12%'.

Now, with the birth of the Half-Dragonfolk's first epic, the Dao Fruit increased by another '0.01%'. This rate of improvement was almost equivalent to refining a Demon Core.

Liang Ji looked on with great satisfaction.

His gaze shifted from the 'Heavenly Emperor Temple' to the side. At this moment, in the center of Dragon Soul Village, next to the 'Heavenly Emperor Temple', a new building had been constructed.

This building was where runes and writing were taught in the village. After decades of teaching and learning, the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers of Dragon Soul Village had now cultivated their first Rune Master.

Currently, in the backyard of this building, this Rune Master was carving runes onto a suit of armor. Beside him, one could see over a dozen deformed and cracked pieces of armor, clearly the products of failed rune carvings.

However, this time, it seemed they had finally accumulated enough proficiency. The Rune Master successfully carved the first rune onto the armor.

Instantly, a wisp of clear light flowed from the rune to all parts of the armor. The entire suit of armor underwent a qualitative change, becoming even sturdier.

Seeing this, the Rune Master let out a sigh of relief, reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, and then bowed to the warrior leader 'Chi the Ninth', who had been waiting for a long time. He said, "Leader Chi, I have fulfilled my mission!"

Among the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers, apart from the names of the four leaders which were bestowed by the Heavenly Emperor, the names of all others were chosen by successive sacrificial rituals.

This first Rune Master of the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers was not originally named 'Rune'. It was after he became the first Rune Master that the sacrificial ritual 'Chi the Eighth' changed his name to 'Rune' in his honor.

"Hahaha... Good!" On the side, among the tribal warriors, the newly chosen leader 'Chi the Ninth', who appeared even taller and more robust than the previous 'Chi the Eighth', laughed heartily and patted the Rune Master 'Rune' on the shoulder, praising, "Rune, well done!"

"Later, I'll have the Hunting Team send you more Blood Deer. Those things are great for replenishing your strength. You look so thin..."

As 'Chi the Ninth' spoke, he picked up the newly carved rune armor and put it on. Although only one rune was carved, it was still a rune-equipped item.

The Rune Master 'Rune' was not even 1.8 meters tall and was quite thin. Compared to the current average height of 1.9 meters and robust build of the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers, he was noticeably smaller.

In the past, a small physique like his would undoubtedly place him at the very bottom of the Retainer tribes, often looked down upon.

However, now that he had become the tribe's first Rune Master, his status and treatment were naturally very different. Yet, receiving praise from 'Chi the Ninth', the warrior leader and one of the tribe's four leaders, still made him feel overwhelmed with gratitude and pleasantly surprised.

After 'Chi the Ninth' put on the rune armor and went out to test its effects, the Rune Master 'Rune' immediately moved another suit of armor from the side and continued carving runes.

He wanted to create more rune armor, and even rune battle axes, rune flying spears, and rune shields, so that all the tribal warriors could wear rune armor and use rune battle axes, rune flying spears, and rune shields.

This way, the tribal warriors would become even stronger, able to hunt more effectively and obtain more prey; they could also better fight for the Heavenly Emperor and achieve more victories!

Thus, he, 'Rune', would surely receive more respect and admiration from the tribe and his kin.

"I heard that the sacrificial ritualist, Lord Chi, is compiling an epic to record the heroic deeds of the tribe, so that future generations will sing their praises and the tribe's heroes will be immortalized in the hearts of future generations and the tribe!"

"Perhaps, I, 'Rune', will also have the chance to become a tribal hero, recorded in the epic by Lord Chi, so that future generations will remember my name, 'Rune'!"

Liang Ji watched as the first Rune Master among the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers created the first suit of rune armor. This undoubtedly marked the entry of the Half-Dragonfolk Retainers into the era of Rune Artifacts. This was a leap in their entire civilization and technology, and it also greatly benefited the nurturing of Dao Fruit on the Natal Star.

On the 'Star Compass', the Dao Fruit column instantly increased again from '0.13%' to '0.14%'.

One epic and one Rune Artifact caused the 'Dao Fruit' nurtured by Liang Ji's Natal Star to increase twice in succession, truly a double blessing.

Liang Ji's mood greatly improved. He withdrew his gaze and consciousness from the Natal Star and looked at the 'Starlight Treasure Mirror' floating before him.

The data on the 'Star Compass' had also changed somewhat.

Star Lord: Liang Ji.

Cultivation: Nine-Rank Body Refining (Muscle and Bone Training 30%).

Natal Star: Dragon Soul Star.

Star Diameter: 2256 km.

Star Composition: Earth (42%), Metal (12%), Water (23%), Wood (13%), Fire (6%), Qi (4%).

Spirit Vein: Tier 1 (3%).

Retainers: Half-Dragonfolk.

Dao Fruit: 0.14%.

Retainers: Half-Dragonfolk.

Tier: Tier 1.

Quantity: 24792 (Tier 1: 5207, Tier 0: 19585).

Religion: Heavenly Emperor Faith (Sacrificial Ritualist: Xi).

Politics: Small Tribe (Village) (Leader: King).

Economy: Farming, Animal Husbandry (Leader: Nong).

Military: Hunting Team (Commander: Chi).

Skills: Snake Barbarian Scripture (Hegemonic Body), Mountain Splitting Axe, Flying Snake Spear, Bedrock Shield, Rune Master.

The number of Half-Dragonfolk Retainers had already reached over 24,000. Given the current environment on the Natal Star, it was estimated that in a few days, their numbers would likely reach the star's limit again.

However, there was no need to worry this time. The Spirit Stones promised by Peng Yue had already been delivered to him. Liang Ji had already placed an order on the 'Treasure Gathering Basin' official website to purchase Tier 1 Spotted Snake Demon Cores and 'Cultivation Sacred Sites'.

Once the supplies arrived, he could continue refining Demon Cores to increase the Natal Star's capacity, and then it would naturally be able to accommodate and nurture more Half-Dragonfolk Retainers.

Besides, thanks to the financial support from the wealthy Peng Yue, Liang Ji no longer needs to spend Spirit Stones on the Half-Dragonfolk Retainer's cultivation of the Hegemonic Body. The Spirit Stone rewards from the previous mock exam could thus be kept.

This way, Liang Ji had enough Spirit Stones to purchase both the "Arena," a training ground he had long desired, and the alchemist inheritance his teacher had recommended.

Next, once these resources arrived, his Natal Star and the Half-Dragonfolk Retainer would undoubtedly usher in another major leap, experiencing rapid growth.

And the major leap in advancement for his Natal Star and Retainer would directly impact Liang Ji's own cultivation speed.

He finally saw hope of catching up to, and even surpassing, the top Star Lord students in Xiūshé City.

Keep up the good work and strive for excellence!