“As I suspected,” Tian Zhi said. “Pan Su, your results?”
Pan Su, obviously a geomancer, given her preoccupation with the wall itself, replied, “Using basic power-decay assumptions, I’ve pinned the spear at being able to sever a fifty-foot vertical gash in a longer wall. Too much power is wasted on the central point of impact to go any further. If the weapon’s power distribution was further optimized, perhaps it would be possible to travel another thirty feet in each direction. It’s difficult to say.”
“Good,” Tian Zhi said. “Shao Qiang?”
“I would rank the weapon as second class in effectiveness, first class in peak power potential,” the black-robed Shao Qiang said. “My auguries show limited potential for this specific line of weapon, however. Perhaps we could optimize something of a similar construction so that it could perform to mid-grade, but nothing further than that.” Cha Ming realized at that moment that he wasn’t a runic artist but a seer.
Tian Zhi frowned. “That’s high for an initial-grade weapon.”
Shao Qiang shrugged. “The runes he used are far more advanced than common smithing runes. Either the inheritance he accepted had very high runic requirements, or he’s hiding a second profession as a formation master from us. Likely the former, rather than the latter, as formation professions are rather rare around here.”
Tian Zhi looked to Cha Ming, who nodded. “It’s true that my inheritance focused more on runes than the forging process. Fortunately, the knowledge in the library helped close many gaps in my knowledge.”
“And what do you think of their assessment?” Tian Zhi said.
“I can’t speak for geomancy, but Grandmaster He Yin is correct,” Cha Ming said. “I used an exothermic metallic reaction to fuel the runic activation. Though I don’t know about Grandmaster Shao Qiang’s view on limitations, I do sense I can improve the design.”
“There’s no need to improve on it,” Tian Zhi said, shaking his head. “We have no time to waste. Shao Qiang, have you found anything that might be useful in our current project?”
“I was about to get to that,” Shao Qiang said. He held his right hand out to the side, and the runes he’d summoned earlier followed. Then, he put out his left hand. Other runes tumbled out of his sleeves, forming a complex matrix of information above his left hand. A rune in his right hand glowed, and tiny bright tethers connected them with the complex matrix in his left. “I believe some components of the runic structure are likely to succeed in enhancing the current prototype. The metallic reaction, while pretty, likely won’t be of any benefit in our current design. We’d need to approach the project from a different angle for that. I believe we should be able to increase the destructive capabilities of the Breaker by five percent.”
“The Breaker?” Cha Ming asked, puzzled.
“It’s what we’re working on,” Tian Zhi said, waving for them to follow. They walked through a smaller door and into an office that only contained a single large table. Tian Zhi pressed on it, and a three-dimensional hologram appeared. It resembled an unusually thick spear with a dull point. He swiped, and the exterior shell faded, revealing a large assortment of interlinking parts. It contained several sharp components wrapped in bundles. “You’re thinking of the thorn tips?”
“Yes,” Shao Qiang said. He stepped forward and waved, bringing up a three-dimensional model of a thin, sleek instrument. Judging by its runic pattern, it was at least a late-grade-core treasure, a full step above Pai Xiao’s level. “I’m thinking of the shaft near the destructive tip more than anything else. The power conveyance.” He swiped again, and the three-dimensional projection unfolded, showing the full surface of the object.”
“Well?” Tian Zhi said, looking at Cha Ming.
“Forgive me, but this is beyond me,” Cha Ming said. “I can work with the runic diagram, but I’m not sure about how it will interact with the materials. I don’t think I could craft this.”
Tian Zhi chuckled. “You don’t need to craft it,” he said. “You’re part of a team now. What you need to do is narrow down potential options and create prototypes. If you need someone to actually work the metal, I can help with that until you get stronger.”
“I suppose I could create less-powerful versions to test the feasibility,” Cha Ming said. “Middle core grade, with a similar alloy, hoping it could be scaled up. I’d need to try several iterations to be sure.” He pointed to the base of each spike, where several runic lines spread out from the main device. “Judging by the shape of the device, it will be taking power from the bottom-most two thirds of the ‘thorn tip’ as you called it, am I right? And the power should be delivered swiftly and efficiently to the last third?”
“That’s right,” Tian Zhi said.
“I think I can work with that,” Cha Ming said. “Give me three days, and I’ll have a few mid-grade prototypes we can test. Is that acceptable?”
“It is,” Tian Zhi said. “If you need anything, go to the third floor, fourth workshop, and talk to Lu Yong. He will get you anything you need.”
“I won’t disappoint you,” Cha Ming said, clasping his hands and bowing.
Tian Zhi chuckled. “Look at him. He’s so proper and respectful. Like a child just out of primary school.”
“We’ll beat it out of him, sir,” Pan Su replied. “We’ll start by dropping the honorifics. Well?” She glared at Cha Ming, who coughed lightly.
“Pan Su, Shao Qiang, He Yin,” he said, nodding to each one. Then he looked hesitantly at Tian Zhi.
“You may still call me Boss Tian,” the man grunted. “Now off with you. You have work to do.”
“Yes, Boss Tian,” Cha Ming said. He nodded and exited the workshop, leaving the other four to their own devices. They likely didn’t fully trust his capabilities at this point, and he’d need to make something to earn it.
Now where did he say Lu Yong was again? he thought, pressing the lift’s rune to proceed to the
