Each link of the wristwatch served as an amplifier from the next. Mana would be filtered and pulled into the identical first links near the two edges of the band, then amplified and sent to the next link.
The second link would absorb the Wind Element Mana and filter it again, removing any irregular or damaged Mana Particles that would inevitably be absorbed in the first cycle.
Once the remaining Wind Mana Particles were fully filtered into the second link, the amplifying Runes would effectively double the number of Wind Element Particles in the link.
Twenty percent of the Mana Particles would become damaged from the doubling process, but those would be filtered out by the third link, which would double the Mana Particles again.
But how can the Mana Particles be doubled? Isn't there such a thing as the Law of Equivalent Exchange in this world?
William didn't understand. He inspected the first three links of the band for a long time, but even after five hours had passed, William didn't understand. He had become incredibly tired from the constant intensive focus and the time was almost midnight, so William opted to sleep for the night.
He didn't even bother Cultivating that night, his Cultivation Base remaining at a stagnant 16/500.
Even as a Cultivator, there was only so much the mind could handle before needing rest. Not to mention William had already stayed up for six days straight in the Illusory Realm, which was already a bit excessive for a Qi Refinement 4 Cultivator.
William woke up the next morning feeling refreshed and ready for another day. The System notified William that it was eight in the morning, so he brought out Atticus and made some omelettes for the duo to eat.
"There's your little snake friend. I was wondering when I would see him again." the Artifact Spirit's familiar voice entered the room.
William was spooked at first, but then he remembered what his Master had said about Sir Reynolds always listening. Realizing that Atticus' existence had been revealed, William hoped the Artifact Spirit wouldn't tell his Master.
He quickly ordered Atticus to conceal himself, "Sir Reynolds, I'd appreciate it if you weren't always looking into my room."
"Haha, I see you're worried about your Mythical Rat Snakes' safety. Don't worry young man, we've known about him for a while." he materialized in the room and motioned to the omelettes on William's makeshift table that were still warm.
William trusted the Artifact Spirit's words, since the being was much older and more experienced than he was. He still couldn't believe he hadn't thought to give the Blood Refinement Pill to Atticus.
Just as the Artifact Spirit was about to leave, William thought of something else.
"Sir, will he be kicked out of the Ruins if his Cultivation reaches the Golden Core Realm?"
Sir Reynolds looked at Atticus for a while, before closing his eyes and weaving a sign in the air. A Rune of Storage formed and floated in the air.
"Give me a drop of his blood." the Spirit said.
William reached out his finger to catch a drop of blood from the snake's eyes, then handed it to Sir Reynolds, who placed the drop of blood into the Rune he had just created. He waved his finger upwards, sending the Rune and the drop of blood through the ceiling to an unknown destination.
A few moments later Sir Reynolds nodded his head, "He would have been removed before, but now he is immune to the effects of the Gravitas Ruins."
William bowed deeply to the Artifact Spirit, "Thank you, Sir."
This had taken a great load off William's shoulders, since he wouldn't have to neglect the Mythical Rat Snake any longer. He bade the Artifact Spirit farewell, then used the Plant and Earth Elements to create a large bathtub in a corner of his room.
He created a few dozen Perfect Concealment Arrays, hoping they would be enough to prevent the Artifact Spirit's peeping, then disrobed and entered the empty tub.
After filling it with water, William heated it up with the Fire Element until it was a toasty one hundred degrees celsius. Since his Fire Resistance was so high, William needed to severely raise the temperature of his baths in order to fully enjoy a hot bath.
Unfortunately for William, the water evaporated so quickly that he was only able to enjoy a few minutes before having to replace the water. He filled the bath a few more times but gave up after the fourth attempt.
"Sigh...I wish I hadn't upgraded my Fire Resistance so early..."
William climbed out of the bathtub and dried himself off with the Wind Element, then fixed up his hair and put on a fresh pair of white robes. Instead of putting on the robes of the Five Elements Sect, William opted to use the Array Master clothing that he had acquired back in Blue Moon City.