Chapter 68

With Zhang Ruochen's tireless efforts, he finally expanded the internal space of the spatial ring to twelve cubic meters, equivalent to the size of a small house.

"Wow!"

The surface of the spatial ring flashed with light, and the internal space was fully expanded, forming an independent space.

"With my current cultivation, I can only expand the internal space of the spatial ring to twelve cubic meters; it cannot be any larger."

Twelve cubic meters, although not large, is already sufficient for ordinary martial artists.

In the future, as Zhang Ruochen's cultivation improves, he will naturally be able to refine a spatial ring with a larger internal space.

Recording the inscriptions is just the first step.

The next step is to refine the ring.

Zhang Ruochen bought a seventh-rank True Martial Treasure-grade refining furnace from the Qingxuan Pavilion to refine the spatial ring. Under the tempering of the flames, the internal space of the ring will be completely stabilized, turning it into a True Martial Treasure.

He placed the spatial ring into the refining furnace and then put a fire-attribute spirit crystal below the furnace.

"Zzzt!"

Under the impetus of Zhang Ruochen's true qi, the fire-attribute spirit crystal ignited.

Once the spirit crystal ignited, Zhang Ruochen only needed to control the intensity of the flames. When stronger flames were needed, he would channel true qi into the spirit crystal, causing it to burn more vigorously.

Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged below the refining furnace, summoned the Heavenly Connection Divine Wood Diagram floating in his qi lake, and laid it out flat in front of him.

He extended a palm, pressed it on the surface of the scroll, and injected true qi to summon Xiahei.

A black light flashed, and a giant black cat appeared in front of Zhang Ruochen.

Xiahei's body was round, with an upturned tail, and his eyes were like two round, black crystals. He said, "Young man, have you already learned all eight basic spatial inscriptions?"

Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, "But I always feel that the spatial ring is still missing something."

Xiahei said, "A spatial ring is merely the most basic spatial treasure. The spatial ring you refined is even more basic."

Zhang Ruochen asked, "What do you mean?"

Xiahei said, "Your spatial ring lacks the 'master recognition inscription.' Once the spatial ring is lost, anyone can open it and take the treasures stored inside."

Zhang Ruochen nodded and asked, "What else?"

Xiahei said, "The spatial ring refined by the Venerable Sumeru Saint could not only store items but also launch attacks and provide defense."

"Can attack inscriptions and defense inscriptions be recorded on a spatial ring?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes lit up.

"Of course."

Xiahei continued, "As long as your proficiency in inscriptions is high enough, you can also record concealment inscriptions on the spatial ring. With concealment inscriptions, others won't even see the ring on your hand, so there's no need to worry about others coveting your spatial ring."

Xiahei then said, "However, master recognition inscriptions and concealment inscriptions are intermediate inscriptions, which are quite complex. You need to have a mental power of at least thirty ranks to record them. Even if your mental power reaches thirty ranks, you still need a lot of practice. After all, spatial inscriptions are more difficult and complex than other inscriptions."

Zhang Ruochen flipped to the fourth page of the *Secret Canon of Space and Time*, which recorded sixteen intermediate spatial inscriptions.

Master recognition inscriptions and concealment inscriptions were among them.

In addition, there were attack inscriptions and defense inscriptions.

The simplest master recognition inscription among intermediate inscriptions was more than ten times more complex than Zhang-type and shrink-type inscriptions.

With Zhang Ruochen's current cultivation, it would not be easy to inscribe a master recognition inscription.

"My mental power is above thirty ranks, meeting the standard for inscribing intermediate inscriptions. As long as I practice diligently, I will definitely be able to inscribe a master recognition inscription."

Zhang Ruochen carefully observed the master recognition inscription, memorizing it completely. Then, he began practicing on spirit paper.

After about an hour, there was a strange sound from the refining furnace.

The spatial ring was successfully refined!

Zhang Ruochen eagerly took the spatial ring out of the refining furnace, held it in his palm, and examined it carefully, a smile appearing on his lips: "A spatial ring with an internal space of one cubic meter can sell for ten thousand silver coins. This spatial ring's internal space is more than ten times larger. What price can it fetch?"

Zhang Ruochen did not rush to sell the spatial ring because he was not short of silver coins and did not need to be in a hurry.

As long as he successfully refined the first one, he could naturally produce more spatial rings continuously.

"One month from now is the entrance examination for the Martial Market Academy. I will strive to improve my strength within a month."

It would be very difficult to advance from the early stage of the Profound Extreme Realm to the middle stage within a month.

Since that was the case, he would start cultivating the spatial domain.

Zhang Ruochen flipped to the third page of the *Secret Canon of Space and Time* and began to study the cultivation method of the spatial domain.

The so-called spatial domain is the use of the space-time martial soul to form an independent martial arts space centered around one's body. In the spatial domain, everything is under Zhang Ruochen's control because he is the master of the domain.

Once the spatial domain is successfully cultivated, Zhang Ruochen's combat power will increase by at least three times, or even more.

Originally, only those who reached the Heaven Extreme Realm could cultivate the spatial domain. However, Zhang Ruochen's soul was comparable to that of a Heaven Extreme Realm martial artist, and he had also opened the soul meridian, allowing him to cultivate the spatial domain in advance.

Time passed quickly.

One month in the outside world was three months in the internal space of the space-time crystal.

For three months, Zhang Ruochen spent most of his time cultivating the spatial domain. Finally, on the night before he was to leave the palace, he successfully cultivated the spatial domain.

"Spatial Domain!"

Zhang Ruochen sat cross-legged in the room, using the soul meridian to activate his martial soul, which floated behind him.

The martial soul gathered the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, condensing it into spatial power. Centered around Zhang Ruochen's body, a spherical spatial domain covering a radius of ten meters was formed.

Zhang Ruochen was enveloped in the center of a large white sphere, and everything inside the sphere was under his control.

"Rise!"

Zhang Ruochen's arm lifted slightly, and a bronze lamp stand three meters away slowly rose and floated in the air.

"Clap!"

Suddenly, the lamp stand fell to the ground, the flame extinguished, and the lamp oil splashed everywhere.

The spatial domain also shattered and disappeared.

"The spatial domain I have constructed is still too fragile. I need to continue cultivating and strengthening it. Moreover, I feel that my spatial domain seems to carry lightning power. Could it be that my lightning martial soul from my previous life has not completely disappeared?"

Zhang Ruochen raised the spatial domain again and observed it carefully. Indeed, he found that there were thin threads of lightning flowing within the spatial domain.

At that moment, a fly entered the spatial domain and flew toward Zhang Ruochen.

Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly and thought in his mind.

"Clap!"

A bolt of lightning condensed from the void, like a white celestial blade, striking the fly's back and reducing it to ashes.

Zhang Ruochen discovered another wonderful aspect: as long as he was within the spatial domain, his eyesight and hearing would be enhanced several times, allowing him to see the fine scales on the fly's wings and hear the faintest sounds of the wind.

Is this the wonder of the spatial domain?

"Indeed, as recorded in the *Secret Canon of Space and Time*, the spatial domain is truly powerful. I have only uncovered a fraction of its wonders."

Although Zhang Ruochen wanted to continue cultivating and exploring more wonders of the spatial domain, he had to leave the palace the next day to go to the Martial Market Academy. He did not know when he would return. Before leaving, he naturally wanted to spend some time with Lin Fei.

Since Zhang Ruochen demonstrated his powerful cultivation talent, Lin Fei's status in the palace had steadily risen, and the number of palace maids and eunuchs around her gradually increased, making the Jade Washing Palace lively.

"Dust, I've heard that the Martial Market Academy is built on the Tianmo Ridge, where savage beasts roam, making it quite dangerous. You must be careful!" Lin Fei held Zhang Ruochen's hand, very reluctant to let him go.

However, she also knew that as a child grows up, they will eventually leave their parents' embrace and face the storms and challenges of the outside world independently.

Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "Mother, you are overthinking it! The Martial Market Academy is only built on the outskirts of Tianmo Ridge, so it won't be too dangerous. Besides, the Martial Market Academy is full of experts, and the savage beasts in Tianmo Ridge dare not attack the academy."

Lin Fei nodded and then said, "I've heard that you and Nianshan have become enemies again! Sigh! She is your cousin, so even if she commits a grave mistake in the future, remember to spare her life."

Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious, and he said, "Is this message from the old master of the Lin family?"

After taking the spirit flesh, Lin Fei looked younger and more beautiful. She said softly, "Dust, your grandfather actually still cares about you, but he is sometimes constrained by circumstances."

Zhang Ruochen nodded and said, "Mother, I promise you that as long as the Lin family does not provoke me again, I will not take action against them."

Lin Fei nodded deeply, genuinely proud of her son. He had truly grown up! The Martial Market Academy would be a bigger stage for him.

As long as he achieves outstanding success at the Martial Market Academy, those who once looked down on them will naturally shut up.

Subsequently, Zhang Ruochen took out a thousand spirit crystals and gave them to Lin Fei, asking her to send them to the Lin family.

A thousand spirit crystals were equivalent to one million silver coins.

Zhang Ruochen asked Lin Fei to send one million silver coins to the Lin family, also noticing that Lin Fei still had deep feelings for the Lin family. If this opportunity could help mend their relationship, it would be the best outcome.

If the Lin family continued with their previous attitude, and they became enemies in the future, Zhang Ruochen would not show mercy.

The next day, as the sky began to brighten, Zhang Ruochen boarded the ancient antelope carriage under the escort of a squad of imperial guards.

The Ninth Princess, tall and graceful, stood on the steps, her beauty unmatched. She called out, "Ninth Brother, I will also strive to reach the Profound Extreme Realm soon and will definitely come to the Martial Market Academy to find you."

Zhang Ruochen, sitting in the antelope carriage, smiled and said, "Ninth Sister, I'll be waiting for you at the Martial Market Academy!"

Then, under the escort of General Gan Li and a hundred imperial guards, Zhang Ruochen's carriage slowly left the palace, embarking on a new journey.