"Next is the engraving of the alchemical imprints."

The engraving of alchemical imprints is particular and not simply a matter of having an alchemical body that allows for unlimited engraving.

Every Wizard’s alchemical body has a maximum load it can bear.

The cumulative load of alchemical imprints cannot exceed the body’s maximum load, otherwise it will lead to failure.

Just like a scroll cannot have an unlimited number of spells drawn on it; there is ultimately a limit.

Moreover, depending on the variations in Spiritual Power and constitution, each Wizard’s load capacity varies.

The final number of alchemical imprints that can be engraved not only relates to the Wizard’s maximum load but also depends on the type of alchemical imprint chosen.

Different alchemical imprints bring different loads when engraved.

For instance, [Talent Specialization] is notably demanding among many alchemical imprints.

The same alchemical body might allow for three other alchemical imprints, but if [Talent Specialization] is chosen, then only one other alchemical imprint can be added at most.

Therefore, selecting alchemical imprints requires careful consideration of one’s load capacity.

Sunan had long decided on this, with [Mental Capacity] and [Talent Specialization] being must-haves.

After engraving these two alchemical imprints, if there is still enough capacity, other alchemical imprints may be considered.

This is about quality, not quantity; suitability for one’s combat system and maximizing combat strength is key.

The materials for engraving alchemical imprints overlap greatly with those for transforming the alchemical body, saving Sunan much effort on procuring extra materials.

He immediately began preparations for engraving, first selecting [Mental Capacity].

In the laboratory, a complex and mysterious array was drawn on the clean floor.

Sunan sat cross-legged at the edge of the array, placing a hand on one corner, and slowly infused Spiritual Power.

Hum!

The array gradually emitted a hazy glow, and strange fluctuations spread outward.

Sunan instantly cast a Mage’s Hand to pick up the nearby materials one by one, placing them into the array.

Upon contact with the light of the array, the materials melted quickly as if butter met heat.

Once all materials were added, the array contained a layer of silvery liquid, resembling mercury but faintly glowing.

Following his control, the liquid floated into the air, rapidly forming silver needles that swiftly engraved runes on his skin.

The runes, though small, were extremely intricate and complex.

Each small rune at least had thousands of interwoven lines.

Nothing could go wrong in this process, or else, if lucky, it just loses effectiveness and becomes an ordinary line, if unlucky, ’boom’— it explodes.

One function of the alchemical body is to ensure the physical body doesn’t suffer severe injuries when an engraving fails.

With the support of a level 5 [Magic Item Creation] skill, Sunan smoothly completed the engraving.

As the last stroke fell, his entire upper body almost turned silver-white, covered by countless silver-white lines like winding serpents coiling over his chest and back.

The mysterious runes emitted a faint glow, strange yet aesthetically pleasing, like the ultimate art.

In moments of crisis, these lines could be instantly activated with just a thought, granting the engraver powerful abilities.

Sunan looked over the alchemical imprints on his body with satisfaction.

With a thought, the silver-white lines quickly dimmed and faded, and with another thought, they resurfaced, extremely convenient.

Unlike magical tattoos that cannot be hidden and are easily seen through by enemies.

Calming his joyous emotions, Sunan began testing the effect of [Mental Capacity], channeling Spiritual Power into it.

Yet, by the time the alchemical imprint was fully charged with Spiritual Power, only about twenty percent of his Spiritual Power had been consumed.

"So little?"

Sunan slightly frowned, but with a bit of thought, he quickly understood.

The reference on the data was based on a second-level gaseous Mage with two lower-tier talent crystal models, and he had constructed two super talent crystal models, naturally having far more Spiritual Power than this baseline.

Thus, only consuming twenty percent of Spiritual Power made sense in practice.

Upon realizing this, Sunan felt somewhat disappointed.

If only twenty percent were needed, then the usefulness of [Mental Capacity] for him sharply declined.

Unless the effect of [Mental Capacity] was enhanced!

"Synthesize the alchemical imprints...?"

Sunan examined the silver lines on him, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.

Alchemical imprints have no substance; they are carried by the flesh, unlike other tangible items that can be synthesized through the cube.

He couldn’t possibly put himself into the cube for synthesis.

Nor was the quantity sufficient.

But this wasn’t the first time Sunan encountered such a situation.

Previously, he had encountered a similar scenario—a Talent Crystal Model!

A Talent Crystal Model also lacks substance. Initially, it was synthesized through the integration with a Divine Power crystal, after forming a tangible form to synthesize for enhancement.

This method could equally apply to alchemical imprints.

With determination, Sunan took out an Elemental Crystal Core, extracted Divine Power to condense it into a crystalline form, and then separated the alchemical imprints from his body, ultimately merging them into the Divine Power crystal.

At the moment of successful fusion, the Divine Power crystal burst into a dazzling silver light, becoming entirely bright silver.

Sunan’s face also showed a smile.

Once successfully merged, synthesis is almost assured.

Upon verifying feasibility, Sunan did not immediately synthesize [Mental Capacity] but chose to synthesize [Talent Specialization].

Compared to the former, the latter provided a more immediate boost to his combat strength.

He needed to first ascertain the synthesis limit of [Talent Specialization].

Sunan subsequently engraved [Talent Specialization] and conducted combat testing.

The test results were satisfactory.

Upon activating [Talent Specialization], the prowess of Sunan’s ’liquid metal’ and ’absolute zone’ enhanced by more than twofold.

Though this was slightly less than the figures provided in the data, considering the level of his talent crystal, having this effect was already quite commendable.

Following this, Sunan gradually created more of the Divine Power crystals infused with [Talent Specialization] and synthesized them.

Each time he synthesized, he had to reintegrate it into his body for a load test before conducting combat testing. Confirming no issues, he would then separate it again for continued synthesis.

Pleasingly, the load increase of the synthesized alchemical imprints was not very significant.

Rather, as the effects of [Talent Specialization] continued to strengthen, the significantly enhanced talent abilities upon activation gradually neared his control limit.

Weapons too sharp might injure oneself.

After synthesizing the fifth [Talent Specialization], and conducting combat testing, Sunan decisively halted further synthesis.

Continued enhancement would turn [Talent Specialization] from a means of gain into a self-destructive poison.

Fortunately, the enhanced [Talent Specialization] already boosted talent abilities by nearly sixty percent, with a load at only about half his maximum capacity. Sunan was very satisfied with this.

Having resolved [Talent Specialization], Sunan proceeded to synthesize [Mental Capacity].

He synthesized six [Mental Capacity] alchemical imprints in total, reaching half of his remaining maximum load capacity.

And the effects did not disappoint, as the synthetic [Mental Capacity] could accommodate nearly all his Spiritual Power.

In effect, this meant he now possessed double the Spiritual Power.

The two alchemical imprints nearly brought Sunan’s alchemical body to its maximum load, making it impossible to engrave more imprints.

But he was extremely satisfied.

With these two alchemical imprints, he was confident in taking on a third-level gaseous Mage!

Engraving gemstones, Witchcraft Artifacts, along with alchemical imprints, were his current cards in hand.

The number wasn’t many, but each was more powerful than the last!