Fusing Crystal into a Pendant

The night was hazy, and the stars glittered.

Holy Soul Village had fallen completely silent. Even the rhythmic sound of hammering from the end of the village had long since stopped.

Ning Chuan lay on his hard wooden bed. After confirming that his parents and younger sister were asleep, he once more sank his consciousness into his mind.

"Enter Station. Spiritual Body Entry."

A familiar pulling force came over him as light and shadows shifted.

The next moment, his spiritual body appeared on the cold yet safe metal platform.

The platform was still empty. Only the newly expanded circular area at its edge bore witness to his previous hard work.

Ning Chuan first brought up his status panel and inventory list.

Station Master: Ning Chuan

Soul Power Level: Level 25

Martial Soul: Green Jade Willow Leaf Grass

Soul Rings: Emerald (Tree of Life Elf, thousand-year), milky white (Light Elf, thousand-year)

Points: 166

Current materials: Spirit-Conducting Metal Ingot x2 (Quality: Ordinary);

High-Density Tungsten Steel Ingot x2;

Ancient Earth Dragon Lizard Vertebra Fossil x1;

Fragmented Earth Crystal x5;

Biomass Essence x1 (unit);

Zerg Chitin Powder x1 (unit);

Basic Psionic Fiber x2 (units);

...

Neither his points nor his materials had changed.

Ning Chuan's gaze fell upon the five pieces of "Fragmented Earth Crystal."

Each crystal was the size of a fist, with irregular fractured surfaces. They were entirely earthy yellow and rough on the outside, as though they contained the weight and steadiness of the earth itself. They gave off faint yet pure earth-element energy fluctuations.

He had raked them out of a pile of mineral slag while clearing the edge of the platform earlier.

"Station, analyze these five Earth Crystals. Can they be fused and refined?"

Analyzing...

Target: Fragmented Earth Crystal x5

Material: Pure earth-element crystal (minor wear)

Status: Stable structure, moderate energy activity.

Available operation: Fusion refinement. Points required: 10. There is a low chance of obtaining a complete earth-element crystal of higher quality.

Proceed?

"Proceed!" Ning Chuan answered without hesitation.

Ten points were still within his acceptable range. It was worth trying.

The Decomposition and Recycling Beam in the center of the platform did not light up. Instead, the patterns on the ground in another nearby area shone with earthy yellow light, forming a smaller circular magic formation.

The five Earth Crystals were placed in the center of the formation.

Buzz!

Earthy yellow light flared brightly, enveloping the five crystals.

Within the light, the five crystals seemed to be pulled by an invisible force as they slowly drew together, compressed, and fused...

The process was not intense. Instead, it carried a sense of calm heaviness.

A moment later, the light faded.

The five fragmented crystals had vanished from the center of the formation. In their place was a complete crystal roughly the size of two fists, perfectly round and deep amber in color!

Its texture was clearly finer and smoother. Its surface seemed covered in a gentle sheen, while earthy yellow energy flowed faintly within it like drifting sand. The energy it emitted was richer and purer than that of all five fragments combined!

Fusion successful!

Obtained: Complete Earth Crystal (Quality: Excellent) x1

Points consumed: 10.

Current points: 156.

"It worked! And it's excellent quality!" Ning Chuan was delighted as he stepped forward and picked up the heavy earthy yellow crystal.

It felt cool to the touch, yet he could sense the vast and gentle earth-element energy within it.

Looking at the crystal, Ning Chuan's thoughts drifted involuntarily to the ancient theory of the Five Elements from his previous life.

Earth bore all things with great virtue. It occupied the center, nourished all creation, served as the foundation for all growth, and was where things were stored and transformed.

Although Douluo Continent had no explicit theory of the Five Elements, earth-attribute Soul Masters were indeed known for defense, strength, and control. Their Soul Power often carried steady, nourishing properties as well.

"Great virtue bears all things... nourishing all creation..." Ning Chuan murmured, his eyes growing brighter.

Since earth energy possessed nourishing and supporting qualities, could it... nurture a Martial Soul? Could it even... nourish that elusive innate foundation?

A bold thought that made his heart race suddenly sprang into his mind...

His younger sister, Ning Xiaohe! She had no Innate Soul Power, and her Martial Soul was that seemingly useless white Little Wildflower.

If... if he used this Earth Crystal containing pure earth-element energy, relying on its ability to bear and nourish all things, to slowly nurture Xiao He's body and Martial Soul over time, was it possible that it could... imperceptibly improve her constitution, or even... cultivate the foundation for a trace of Soul Power within her?!

Once this thought emerged, it spread through his mind like wildfire and could no longer be suppressed!

It sounded somewhat fantastical, but it was not entirely without basis!

There were legends on Douluo Continent of people improving their constitutions after birth, even raising their Innate Soul Power!

However, such heavenly treasures were all incomparably rare and monopolized by major sects. Ordinary people had no chance of ever seeing them.

Yet the Earth Crystal in his hands came from the myriad worlds. Its energy purity far surpassed the Soul Bones or immortal herbs produced by ordinary soul beasts!

More importantly, it contained the most fundamental and gentlest earth-element energy. In theory, it was extremely suitable for nurturing and laying foundations!

It was worth trying!

Even if there was only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he had to try it for his younger sister!

Ning Chuan tightly gripped the Earth Crystal in his hand, his gaze becoming incomparably resolute.

"Station, analyze the energy properties of this Earth Crystal. Assess whether it has the potential to gently and gradually nurture the bodies of ordinary mortals and low-grade plant-type Martial Souls over a long period. Is there any risk of energy conflict or bodily explosion?"

He had to ensure absolute safety. He could not let good intentions backfire and hurt his sister instead.

Analyzing...

Target: Complete Earth Crystal (Excellent)

Energy attribute: Pure earth element. Traits: Heavy, stable, storing, nourishing. Energy activity: Moderately gentle.

Assessment: This energy is extremely gentle and highly compatible with most lifeforms. It has the potential to slowly nurture the body over a long period (strengthening vitality, consolidating the foundation) and nurture Martial Souls (stabilizing their structure and promoting healthy development).

Risk warning: Direct absorption of energy still carries the risk of the meridians being unable to withstand it, especially when the target is a mortal without Soul Power. It is recommended to use indirect radiation, wearing it, or guidance through a specific formation to allow slow permeation and nourishment. Risk is extremely low.

Recommended plan: Points may be consumed to polish and shape the crystal into a wearable form, such as a bracelet or pendant, then micro-carve runes that guide energy dispersion, creating a sustainable "nurturing device."

Seeing the Station's assessment and recommendation, Ning Chuan's heart settled completely!

Sure enough, it was possible! And the risk was extremely low!

"Station, carry out the recommended plan! Turn this Earth Crystal into... a pendant that can be worn close to the body. The design should be ordinary and not look unusual. It would be best if the rate of energy dispersion can be adjusted." Ning Chuan immediately gave the command.

A pendant was less likely to be lost than a bracelet, and it was more discreet.

Command confirmed. Plan: Create "Earth Nourishing Pendant" (Minor-Effect Version).

Materials consumed: Complete Earth Crystal x1.

Points consumed: 25 (including rune micro-carving and shaping).

Proceed?

"Proceed!"

The points were deducted, and earthy yellow light rose from the platform once again, wrapping around the Earth Crystal.

This time, the light was gentler, as though invisible skillful hands were carrying out delicate carving work.

A moment later, the light faded.

A brand-new pendant quietly floated at the center of the platform.

The pendant was about the size of a thumbnail. It had been shaped into a smooth, lustrous, deep amber teardrop-shaped "gem." Its color was deeper and more restrained than before. No rune markings could be seen on its surface, and it felt warm and smooth to the touch, like fine yellow jade.

It was set into a base of the same material, though the base had been polished extremely thin. At its top was a tiny hole threaded with an ordinary-looking dark brown cord.

Overall, it looked like an ordinary folk accessory with decent craftsmanship but unremarkable materials. It would never attract any unnecessary attention.

Earth Nourishing Pendant (Minor-Effect Version) complete.

Effect: Continuously emits an extremely faint earth-element nourishing energy that gently permeates the wearer's body, slightly strengthens vitality, stabilizes the foundation, and has an exceedingly minor beneficial nurturing effect on earth-attribute and plant-type Martial Souls. Energy release rate has been adjusted to the minimum, suitable for long-term wear by mortals without Soul Power.

Note: The effects require long-term persistence to become apparent and cannot directly produce Soul Power.

Ning Chuan carefully picked up the pendant. The moment it touched his hand, he felt a reassuring warmth, along with an extremely subtle pulse of energy, like the breathing of the earth.

"Wonderful..." Ning Chuan's heart filled with joy and anticipation.

Though its effects were weak and would require a long time, it had undoubtedly lit a lamp of hope for his younger sister!