It was something Mingwei really, really enjoyed. This new world had their own unique type of runes, and the structure of these runes were entirely foreign to him. It’s like knowing one language and script his entire life, and seeing a foreign script for the first time.

He struggled, the same way someone who’s familiar with ABCs forced to write mandarin or katakana for the first time. It wasn’t easy at all, and it needed a lot of practice. His first 500 attempts all failed.

Runes were extremely fickle. It’s like an extremely precise optical reader that only accepts a very very narrow margin of error.

In theory Mingwei was a master in the ways of the brush, and Qi channeling, but like a calligraphic artist trying a new language, practice in the tens of thousands was needed before one could claim to be a master.

This world had monster-hunting runes, monster-ability runes, explosive runes, super-extraction runes and a different type of damage runes.

All new!

Mingwei’s mind spun at the possibilities of integrating his own world’s runes and this world. Maybe, if there are special runes, the prospect of stronger sealing or barriers to stop the Devourer Dragon would be possible!

They have always been battling such a monstrous evil creature with one hand tied behind their backs!

The Devourer Dragon must have visited and conquered many different worlds, and as such, had power that was gathered from all these worlds! They had never stood a chance!

Practice.

Finally, one success. A lesser-rune of monster-slaying! He had to practice.

“Your dedication to runes is extremely touching.” Elder Qing said. “I’ve not seen a disciple take runes so seriously. Makes me feel bad as an elder.”

Well, Fools, the rest of them! Mingwei was a master. He had seen so many ways runes could be used. His dedication was a mix of enjoyment, pleasure and responsibility from the memories of his past selves.

Runes at the very core of it is just writing. A writing that, due to a shape, and made with a Qi-sensitive material, can interact with Qi. It’s like how a chipboard is printed with circuits, a rune is pretty much the Qi-equivalent.

Were there other worlds out there that had other runes that both this and his past world didn’t have? He was sure that must be the case, because each world developed in response to the challenges it faced. This world had monsters. His world had scarcity.

“Ah... I love runes. It’s... calming.” Therapeutic, even. One of Mingwei’s past lives used to write runes on pills as a form of meditation, before actually cultivating. He can relate to that.

“Your roommate, Huadao just broke through 3-stars.” Elder Qing said, while she watched Mingwei practice runic writing. It failed, of course, but Mingwei kept trying with an intense amount of focus.

“That’s great.” Mingwei nodded. “That makes him the 4th batchmate to break through to 3-stars.” After Ma Yuehao, Zhen Jimeng, and Shi Ruiyi.

“All within a period of one month. It’s extremely strange, and the earlier batches are grumbling.” Elder Qing said. “Perhaps you should give them a hand, too?”

Mingwei focused on the rune, but after a while he replied. “Let it be my batch’s fortune, that I am one of them.”

Elder Qing grinned.