Xiao Ling took out the blueprint for the mechanical gargoyle and studied it. The gargoyle was built on the mechanical principles of goblin technology. It was different from human technology, and Xiao Ling had to study it carefully to look for any similarities. Before he mastered them completely, Xiao Ling could only settle for trial and error.

 The process of making the mechanical parts was comparatively simpler.

 Xiao Ling took out some energy powder from his bag. Energy powder was a unique material needed to activate transmutation circles.

 Energy powder was not anything mysterious. It was merely made of powdered ores that were mixed together using a certain ratio. Energy powder was a good conductor of energy, and was only sold at five gold coins for a bag at NPC merchant stalls. The cheap price, portability, and ease of use of the energy powder enabled the swift development of transmutation circles on Endace Continent. No matter where the user was, with some energy powder at hand, they would be able to make a simple transmutation circle and craft any metal parts. Naturally, energy powder was not the only tool to activate a transmutation circle.

 Transmutation circle technology and glyph technology were similar in breadth and depth. It was a difficult task to master transmutation circles completely. Xiao Ling could only make the various mechanical gargoyle parts with simple transmutation circles.

 Xiao Ling set up the transmutation circles as outlined in the blueprint as he studied their structures. Humans and goblins had crossed paths 10,000 years ago. The gap of 10,000 years had created an irreconcilable gulf between the two technologies.

 The mechanical alchemist blueprint was written in goblin script. Xiao Ling could not understand the annotations on it. However, every goblin was a grand sage. They created the most graceful and figurative script ever seen on Endace Continent. Even though he could not understand it completely, he could guess the meaning of the words by their appearance.

 Human and goblin technologies had proceeded toward different extremes. Humans tended to simplify complicated matters because of the limited capacity of their brains. The simpler a concept was, the easier it would be to remember. Throughout the long 10,000 years, they continually simplified the technologies they inherited from the goblins and categorized them with strict criteria. They were of the opinion that a person’s abilities were limited. A Journeyman rank engineering student would never be able to use glyphs of rank 3 and above. Hence, they decided to make it a rule that Journeyman rank students could not learn glyphs of rank 3 and above.

 Goblins were different. They were of the opinion that their intelligence could be symbolized better the more complicated and detailed an item was. They firmly believed that there were no limits to a goblin’s intelligence. Even a newborn goblin should learn how to disassemble machines. A Journeyman rank engineering student could master glyphs of rank 5 and above. Hence, though their glyphs were complicated and complex, there were no limits on ranks.

 The transmutation circles of the goblins were too complicated. Xiao Ling could not even operate them. He could only lay out the transmutation circles without fully understanding them. He drew a neat-looking circle on the floor with his energy powder. There were several geometrical shapes within it. Radiant beams of energy flowed along the lines of energy powder. The brilliant light exuded faint energy auras, making them appear mysterious and gorgeous.

 It was rumored that transmutation circles were contracts the intelligent life forms entered with the god of elements, Cilia. The intelligent life forms could offer up their spiritual power to the god of elements, Cilia, through the transmutation circles, and the god of elements would morph the metals into the shape the intelligent life forms had in mind.

 However, transmutation circles could only be used to modify one metal at a time. If the user wanted to mix several metals together, they would need an amount of energy that was several magnitudes greater.

 Transmutation circles were simple and easy to use. Also, the items modified by the god of elements were much more refined than the works of any ironsmith. Hence, they were widely used in engineering. However, in terms of crafting equipment, products of transmutation circles were a far cry from the works of an ironsmith.

 Transmutation circles operated under the Law of Equivalent Exchange. The quantity of the end product depended on the quantity of the starting material. There were no losses throughout the process of crafting. Players would have to supply the energy needed with their mana. The amount of mana needed was twice the amount of energy used. One part of it was for the energy needed in crafting the object, and the other part was offered up to the god of elements, Cilia.

 Xiao Ling produced a metal carving knife from his bag. This was a carving knife used only by Mechanical Alchemists. Its half-inch length made it smaller than daggers. The blade was inscribed with various glyphs in packed rows. They were fortification glyphs, sharpening glyphs, and other glyphs. There was an odd sense of beauty about it.

 The metal of the carving knife was tough to begin with. With the combination of the enhancements from the various glyphs, this carving knife could be used to carve objects and cut 80% of metals! The sharp blade could easily cut open any ordinary metals to leave some carving marks.

 Xiao Ling carved out a portion of the metal and placed it in the center of the transmutation circle. He fixed his eyes on it solemnly and chanted some odd and awkward-sounding incantations. It seemed to be some form of prayer asking to form a contract. As a Mechanical Alchemist, he had to learn the language, although he needed not necessarily understand its meaning.

 Xiao Ling’s expression was solemn. He had to stay serious throughout the entire process of transmutation. If he showed the slightest sign of disrespect, it would be taken as an offense against the god of elements, Cilia, and the transmutation circle would fail.

 Xiao Ling released a light blue aura. This was the magic element released from Xiao Ling’s body. The light blue radiance illuminated the room. A comforting magic aura now filled the space.

 The incantation ended. Xiao Ling lowered himself slowly to a squat. He visualized the structure of the metal part in his mind. He extended his right hand slowly toward the starting point at the transmutation circle’s edge. The moment his fingertip made contact, the magic element about him surged wildly into the transmutation circle like an outgoing tide. The blue magic element flowed along the network of the transmutation circle drawn by the energy powder and the circle glowed. This network resembled the meridian vessels in a human’s body. He could see the constantly pulsing magic element on it.

 Xiao Ling felt as if his mana was completely drained in an instant. The feeling of having his mana stripped away was not a comfortable one. Fortunately, this sensation passed quickly. When he felt that it was enough for the transmutation circle to function, Xiao Ling retracted his finger. He eyed his mana bar. He had lost more than 100 points. That was not too bad.

 The geometric shapes in the middle of the transmutation circle brimmed with magic elements. For an instant, a bright light burst forth. The glaring radiance made Xiao Ling’s pupils contract. He quickly shielded his eyes with his hands. The transmutation circle was releasing an elemental aura unique to transmutation circles. The blinding light made the room seem as bright as day.

 Xiao Ling could vaguely sense an aura that was not inferior to demonic energy among the energy aura released by the transmutation circle. Could this be the god of elements Cilia’s aura? Xiao Ling had his guesses. It seemed that the legends were not entirely baseless, after all.

 Xiao Ling sat down and drank some spring water while he waited for the results.