Mingwei went back to his room, and almost slipped as he stepped on one of the letters that the other disciples inserted under the door. “Ah.”

Since Mingwei already stepped on one, he may as well read it. It was a typical letter for help. The disciples, well, they knew they were sent on a death-mission, so they asked for help. They are leaving soon, and they won’t be able to increase their cultivation in time.

He thought for a moment, and wondered whether he should offer some assistance.

He decided he would, so, he stood, and walked back out. He went to some of the other disciple’s rooms, and knocked.

“Ah, brother Mingwei. I wasn’t expecting you.” The disciple was an outer disciple from his batch. He was unfortunate that he got selected.

“I heard you will be going for the expedition.”

“Sadly yes. I’m still stuck at beginner 3-star, and I fear I won’t return.”

Mingwei nodded. “I may not be able to assist you on that, but, let me see your soul-bound items.” The disciple nodded and displayed a 3-star Spear-type item, and a 3-star Shield-type item.

“Is there something you can do?”

“May I add runes to them? Doing so will mean they cannot take any other runes in the future.”

“Oh? At this point, I’ll take it. I can change them if I survive.”

Mingwei nodded. “I’m afraid I need you to leave the room for an hour. Will that be fine?”

“Certainly.”

Mingwei sat alone with the two items, and took out his beast brush. These 3-star items could take up to a normal-rune, and a normal rune with his current ability may give a 2-4x boost, even 5x if he’s lucky. But doing so is irrevocable, except with abilities that far exceed the current realm.

Still. Each normal rune cost 300 Qi. He added a strengthening rune to both of them, and observed the effects.

The 3-star item was now a rune-enchanted Spear, and added 300 QI Damage instead of 100. The 3-star shield reduced damage by 350, instead of just 120.

The disciple, who came in afterwards, was amazed. “Thank you, brother Mingwei. Should I survive, I will be eternally grateful and never let anyone insult an alchemist ever again.”

Mingwei nodded. “Call the others that are going. I will do what I can.”

Indeed, it wasn’t long before Mingwei was doing free-runic writing for about 20-30 outer disciples of various batches. Again, his only request was that he was left alone in the room. It was easier to concentrate when no one was watching. Sometimes, the result wasn’t so great. Only a 2x boost. A few lucky ones had a 5x boost.

This entire process took 4 days, with some breaks in between.

“Good work there.” Elder Qing smiled, she came after she heard about Mingwei’s actions from another disciple. “It’s something that deserves merit from the Sect, and I have commended your contributions to the other Elders.”

“Ah. It was just a normal [strengthening] rune. Small matter.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, young Mingwei.” Elder Qing smiled. “Also, your mother sent us a mail the other day.”

“My... mother?” Mingwei’s face had a genuine shock.

“She’s planning to visit in a week, with your father and brother, of course.”

“Visit?” Mingwei panicked.

Elder Qing smiled. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost. It’s just your mother, is it not?”

Mingwei quickly calmed down. “Ah... yes. But still, to come and visit unannounced...”

“A week’s ample announcement and notification, young Mingwei.”