ã€ŠThe Tenth Awakeningã€‹


 Chapter 1:Being born again

    In a small village, there is a house that is currently crowded with people. Their faces reflect anticipation and happiness mixed with some worry. Suddenly, a baby''s cry is heard from within the house. After some time, the door opens, and a woman steps out with a smile on her face.

    She turns her head and nods at a man standing near the house. When the man sees the woman''s nod, his tensed eyes glow with happiness.

    "Miss, is my child okay? And what about my wife''s health?" the man asks hurriedly, his voice filled with concern. This man, with black hair and muscular build, anxiously waits for her response.

    The woman smiles and nods. "There''s no need to worry about their health. Both mother and baby are out of danger. I should congratulate you, Chief. You''ve become a father!" She steps aside, making way for him to enter the house.

    Hearing the woman''s words, the man''s face blooms with happiness as he enters the house. Inside, he sees a woman lying unconscious, and a baby crying nearby.

    The man''s name is Bryan, and he is the chief of this small village. When Bryan sees his wife and child, he feeled relieved. Then his focus shifts to the baby. As Bryan looks into the baby''s eyes, the little boy who was still crying, gazes back at him, almost as though he''s studying him back.

    Bryan stares at the baby for a moment and feels a strange sensation, as if the newborn is trying to communicate something. After thinking about it for a while, he shakes his head, dismissing the thought as mere imagination. How could a newborn baby do something like that? Shifting his focus back to his wife, who is currently in a deep sleep, he notices her beautiful face, now calm and peaceful. Bryan sits next to her and, without waking her from her sleep, he gently holds her hand in his hands and starts pondering something.

    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    This newborn baby is Arya. After being born into this new world, Arya realized he had found fortune in his misfortune. Perhaps luck, having long neglected him, was now offering compensation for his past struggles and giving him the opportunity to finally possess unnatural powers he had only imagined before.

    Being born was not a pleasant experience for him, but due to his unnatural wisdom, he noticed something extraordinary¡ªthe woman responsible for delivering him was using magic. At first, this realization filled him with happiness, but his wisdom soon became the second source of his awe and curiosity.

    Arya still remembers the memories of his nine lives¡ªnone of which were remarkable. Each life was filled with struggles, failures, and all the ordinary mortal life''s experiences.

    In his ninth life, Arya lived on Earth, a planet where magic and power were nothing but stories. Now, with a mind full of memories but no energy or ability to speak, Arya can only cry. He wants to ask questions and communicate, but all that comes out of his mouth is the wail of a baby.

    After trying for a while, Arya gives up and stops crying. In a way, he accepts his current helplessness. For now, he can only wait for the day when he can truly express himself.

 Chapter 2: A Fateful Day

    The morning sun cast its golden light over the small village, the shadows of simple homes stretching across the bustling square. The usual hum of daily life was replaced by a buzz of excitement, a rare occasion for this quiet place.

    Arya stood at the doorway of his home, his small hands gripping the frame as he peered at the crowd gathering in the village square. Though he looked like any other curious five-year-old, his gaze held a calmness and depth far beyond his years. This was no ordinary day¡ªit was the day his potential as a cultivator would be revealed.

    Inside the house, his father, Bryan, prepared for the ceremony with quiet efficiency. Tall and broad-shouldered, Bryan carried himself with the weight of a leader, his movements deliberate and powerful. Arya observed him from the corner of his eye, noting the faint tension in his father''s jaw. Bryan was a man of few words, but the way he paused occasionally to glance at Arya betrayed his anticipation.

    "Are you ready, son?" Bryan asked, his voice steady yet soft.

    Arya nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I think so, Father."

    The truth was, Arya wasn''t just ready¡ªhe had been waiting for this moment for what felt like lifetimes.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    In his previous lives, Arya had been a mortal every time. Whether as a farmer struggling to feed his family, a scholar seeking knowledge but lacking power, or a soldier dying on the battlefield without making a mark, his lives had always been bound by the limitations of mortality. He had memories of longing, of staring up at the stars and wishing for a chance to break free from the mundane.

    But now, in this life, he was in a world where mortals were the exception, not the rule. Cultivators, individuals who could harness the energy of the heavens and the earth, dominated this land. Arya''s heart burned with the hope that he could finally be more than ordinary.

    Outside, the villagers gathered, their faces alight with anticipation. As the son of the village chief and its strongest cultivator, Arya carried the hopes of the entire village on his small shoulders. Here, where strong cultivators were few, every promising individual was cherished like a diamond among stones.

    Leaving aside the hopes and anticipation of his parents and the village people, Arya, who had lived as a mortal for nine lives¡ªeven though he only retained memories of his last life¡ªhad always hoped that he possessed abilities unique to him. He longed for the power to change his ordinary and uneventful existence as a mortal and to etch his name into history.

    This dream could only become a reality if he had the ability or affinity for cultivation. His fighter''s heart yearned to battle his way to the peak of the world and to have his name written in golden letters in history. But all these desires hinged on discovering whether he had any affinity for cultivation or if the universe would once again deny him the chance to prove himself, leaving his luck as miserable as ever.

 chapter 3: "Fathers Teaching: The Path to Power"

    "Arya, today you are going to have your blood tested to determine if you can cultivate elemental energy. If you can, we will also find out what your elemental energy is. But don''t be discouraged if you cannot cultivate," Bryan said to his son Arya as they made their way to the village testing room.

    "Today, I''m going to teach you some basics about cultivation. Whether you can cultivate or not, this knowledge will help you survive in a world where the powerful people''s sets the rules. Power is everything. If you have power, the rules don''t apply to you. But if you don''t, you must learn whom to offend and whom to avoid. If you can cultivate, this information will guide you in your journey as a cultivator."

    Bryan continued, "This planet we live on is called ''Seedling.'' It was given this name because it serves as the foundation of cultivation for humans here. Every cultivator born with energy has an elemental affinity, and this elemental energy forms the basis of cultivation on this planet. To support this elemental energy, cultivators need seeds. After every 10 levels of cultivation, a seed is required to advance further. These seeds determine your future potential.

    "Powerful seeds can enhance your strength and abilities. If two people face off, and one has a higher-ranked seed while the other has a lower-ranked one, the one with the higher-ranked seed can win, even if their elemental energy level is lower. The gap in power is determined by the quality of the seed."

    Bryan paused and smiled faintly. "As for me, being the village chief and the strongest cultivator here, my cultivation is at the 32nd level of elemental energy. Look at this."

    With a flick of his hand, three 1 white 2 pink colerd, glowing rings appeared, hovering around his right hand. "These are called ''seed rings.'' They grant their owner abilities. Higher-ranked seeds give better and more powerful abilities, and some can even grant multiple skills. Every breakthrough after acquiring a new seed significantly increases one''s strength. But as cultivation levels rise, stronger seeds are required to support that immense power."Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    He continued, "Once a cultivator reaches the 10th rank and acquires their first seed, they are granted a ''seed weapon.'' This weapon is entirely formed from the seed itself. A stronger seed results in a stronger weapon. However, having a good fighting weapon also matters. Without one, even a strong seed may not reach its full potential.

    "For instance, a level 51 cultivator with a high-quality seed and weapon could fight evenly with a level 56 or 57 cultivator who has a good seed but no weapon. The difference in strength depends on the combination of seed quality and weapon quality.

    "Your seed weapon evolves as you gain new seeds. My seed weapon, for example, is this dagger." Bryan concentrated on his seed rings, which melted into liquid before reforming into a sleek and sharp dagger. "Although it resembles a dagger, it is actually a sword. Due to my current cultivation level, it hasn''t evolved into its true sword form yet. Unfortunately, with my limited talent and responsibilities as village chief, I may never reach the level required for its full evolution."

    Bryan''s tone grew serious. "After breaking through five seed rings, a cultivator can choose a second element. Every cultivator is born with one elemental affinity, but after reaching five rings, they can decide whether to continue with the same element or add a second. Most people choose a second element because combining two elements exponentially increases attack power.

    "If I ever reach the fifth seed ring, my dagger will evolve into the Wind Sword. Even in its current form, it is one of the best high-rank killing weapons. It can hold its own against a level 35 cultivator with the same seed quality but no seed weapon."

    He looked at Arya with a faint smile. "That''s enough for now. This is a lot for a little boy like you to understand, but it''s good knowledge to have. Ultimately, everything depends on your luck¡ªthe element and weapon you''re destined to receive."

    After hearing all this information and his father''s final words about luck, Arya could only smile bitterly. Together, they continued walking toward the testing room at the heart of the village.

 chapter 4:The Awakening

    Walking for a few minutes, Arya and his father reached their destination. As they stepped into the village hall, Arya noticed he wasn''t the only one there to test his blood and uncover his abilities. Including him, there were six children¡ªfour boys and two girls. The room was filled with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy.

    After everyone settled down, Bryan, the village elder, walked onto a small wooden platform. In his hands, he held a hand-sized transparent stone, its surface smooth and faintly glowing in the dim light. The children''s curious eyes followed his every move.

    "This," Bryan began, holding the stone aloft for all to see, "is a Seed Stone. It is used to determine two crucial things: the level of your inborn cultivation and the element you are naturally aligned with. Today, each of you will drop a single drop of blood onto this stone. The stone will respond to your essence, revealing your potential."

    The children exchanged glances, their excitement mingling with fear. Bryan continued, his tone firm but encouraging. "This will be your first awakening. It will guide you on the path to cultivation. After today, when you wish to check your progress, you will simply need to channel your elemental energy into the stone. Remember, the path of cultivation is not easy. But with discipline, you can grow stronger."

    One boy raised his hand timidly. "Elder, what about weapons? Will we learn what we''re destined to wield?"

    Bryan nodded. "Good question. The weapon you are destined to wield will become clear when you receive your first elemental seed, typically upon reaching Level 10. However, during this initial awakening, if you focus hard enough, you may catch a glimpse of its basic form."

    He gestured to the children. "Now, come forward one by one and perform the awakening."

    The first child, a boy with a confident expression, stepped forward. Bryan pricked the boy''s finger with a needle, letting a drop of blood fall onto the transparent stone. Everyone in the hall, from the hopeful parents to the village elders seated behind Bryan, watched with bated breath.

    But the stone remained unchanged. Seconds passed, and still no reaction. Disappointment flickered in the elder''s eyes, and Bryan shook his head gently. The boy stepped down, his shoulders slumped as he joined the others, his confidence now replaced by a shadow of shame.

    The second child, a girl in a red dress, stepped forward hesitantly. Her hands trembled as she extended them to Bryan. After a moment''s pause, her blood fell onto the stone. For a moment, nothing happened, but then a faint gray glow began to radiate from the stone.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    A murmur spread through the crowd.

    Bryan''s face broke into a small smile. "Congratulations," he announced. "You have an affinity for the Earth element, and your inborn cultivation rank is Level 2."

    The girl''s eyes lit up with relief and joy. Bryan continued, addressing everyone, "Inborn rank determines the speed of your cultivation. For example, a Level 1 inborn cultivator may take over a month to reach the second rank, while a Level 10 could do so in just three weeks. This advantage matters most in the early stages but becomes less significant after Level 50."

    The girl walked down the platform, her face glowing with pride. The elders smiled, murmuring words of encouragement.

    "Next, Arya," Bryan called.

    Arya was pulled from his thoughts, which had drifted to memories of his past life¡ªa life marked by monotony and unfulfilled potential. The world he had left behind had offered no chance for greatness, no path to break free from the mundane. Now, standing in this hall, he wondered: Is this my chance to prove myself? Or is fate determined to keep me insignificant?

    Sighing softly, he stepped forward. The room seemed to grow quieter as all eyes turned to him. He reached the platform, extending his hand. Bryan pricked his finger, and a single drop of blood fell onto the stone.

    Time seemed to slow.

    The stone absorbed the blood, and for a few agonizing seconds, nothing happened. Arya''s heart sank. Perhaps this is it. Perhaps I truly am destined for nothing.

    Then, the stone flared to life.

    A brilliant, multicolored light erupted from its core, shifting rapidly between hues of red, blue, gold, and green before settling into a radiant red and blue. Gasps filled the room, and the elders leaned forward, their expressions a mix of awe and confusion.

    Bryan''s voice wavered. "dual element ¡­ That''s¡­ incredibly rare."

    One of the elders rose from his seat, his eyes wide. "This child... He has an affinity for fire and water both elements."

    The crowd erupted into whispers, the air buzzing with excitement. Arya stood frozen, staring at the stone as it continued to shine. For the first time, he felt the weight of possibility settle on his shoulders. Maybe¡­ just maybe, this is my chance.

    Bryan raised a hand to silence the crowd. "Arya''s awakening is unprecedented in our village. A silver glow indicates dual¡ªor possibly multiple¡ªaffinities. Such an ability is both a gift and a challenge. It will allow him to harness power beyond the reach of most cultivators, but his path will be far from easy."

    He turned to Arya, his expression serious. "Starting tomorrow, your training will begin. You will need to work harder than anyone else if you are to realize your potential. But remember this: greatness is forged through perseverance. The choice to succeed is yours."

    As Arya stepped down from the platform, the whispers and stares of the villagers followed him. His father placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, pride and concern mingling in his eyes.

    Arya''s mind raced. For years, he had felt forgotten by the universe, a soul adrift with no purpose. But now, the path before him was clear. He didn''t know what challenges lay ahead, but he vowed to face them head-on.

    "I will write my name into history," he whispered to himself, a quiet determination settling in his heart. This time, I will not be forgotten.

 chapter 5: Legends of dual element

    Bryan paced back and forth, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of what he had just witnessed. The faint glow of the bead stone seemed to pale in comparison to the brightness now reflected in his own eyes. Slowly, the confusion and disbelief on his face gave way to an expression of pure determination and exhilaration.

    "I''ve never seen anything like this," Bryan muttered under his breath. Then, he stopped and looked at the elders, his voice steadier now. "I think I''ve read about this phenomenon before. It''s written in the ancient books of our ancestors¡ªa one-in-a-million occurrence. A child born with dual elements." He took a deep breath, his words measured and deliberate. "This¡­ this isn''t just rare. It''s a divine blessing upon our village."

    The two elders, seated across from him, exchanged glances. The younger of the two, a stout man with a sharp gaze, leaned forward. "Are you certain, Chief? Dual elements from birth? Even in the old records, it''s said to be more myth than reality."

    Bryan nodded, his confidence unwavering. "When I saw Arya awaken his fire element, I thought our village was incredibly fortunate. Fire alone, especially tied to an ancient bloodline, is an incredible gift. But now¡­ this." He gestured toward the bead stone, which still faintly glimmered with traces of both fire and water. "Fire and water¡ªlife and death. Together, they are forces of creation and destruction. If Arya can master them¡­" His voice trailed off, his imagination painting vivid pictures of an unstoppable force. "The potential is limitless."

    The elder with the white beard, his hands trembling slightly, adjusted his glasses and spoke in a tone filled with awe. "To think that such a gift would appear here, in our small village, after centuries of decline. It''s as though the heavens themselves are giving us a chance to reclaim our place among the great powers of the Seedling World."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Bryan''s expression hardened as he turned to both elders. "And that''s exactly why we must guard this secret with our lives. Only the three of us can know. Not even Arya''s mother should hear of this."

    The younger elder frowned. "You''re sure about this? She is his mother¡ªshe has a right to know."

    Bryan''s voice lowered to a whisper. "The less people know, the safer Arya will be. You know as well as I do that news like this spreads like wildfire. If the Crimson Fang Clan¡ªor any of our enemies¡ªcatches wind of this, they''ll stop at nothing to destroy him before he can grow strong."

    The room fell silent, the weight of Bryan''s words settling heavily over them. The elder with the white beard finally nodded, his voice firm. "You''re right. This news must stay buried, for Arya''s sake and for the village''s future."

    The younger elder sighed but eventually relented. "Very well. This secret dies with us."

    Bryan exhaled slowly, relief mingled with a renewed sense of purpose. "Good. The gods have given us a chance to rebuild, to rise again. But it''s up to us to protect this gift. If we falter, we lose not just Arya, but the future of our people."

    Meanwhile, Arya stood quietly nearby, his young face a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. He had heard parts of their conversation, though much of it was beyond his understanding. Still, a small ember of hope began to flicker within him. Could he truly be as special as they were saying?

    Bryan turned back to the elders, his voice steady but resolute. "From this moment on, Arya''s destiny is ours to protect. No one else must know. The future of our village depends on it."

    As the elders nodded in solemn agreement, a faint breeze swept through the room, carrying with it a sense of foreboding. Far beyond the village, unseen eyes and unknown forces stirred, as though the world itself was preparing for the arrival of a storm. Arya''s journey was only beginning, and the challenges ahead would test him¡ªand those who sought to protect him¡ªin ways none of them could yet imagine.

 chapter 6: "The End Of Awakening Ceremony"

    The chief, Bryan, stood at the center of the room, his expression serious as he addressed the two elders. "From now on, we won''t speak of Arya''s dual elements. That secret must remain hidden. But there is still another piece of news worth sharing¡ªthe fact that Arya possesses the fire element with an ancient bloodline. It''s an extraordinary event for our village."

    The younger elder nodded, stroking his beard. "You''re right, Chief. Among the older villagers, this will be seen as a significant moment. For outsiders, it will appear to be just another awakening ceremony, but for us, it symbolizes hope for a better future."

    Bryan agreed. "Yes, you can announce this news. While it is big for us, for others, it''s just an ordinary occurrence." He turned his gaze to Arya, who had been silently watching the conversation. Bryan''s tone softened. "Arya, you''ve heard what we discussed. Remember, you must keep the truth about your dual elements a secret. Don''t tell anyone¡ªnot even your mother. Do you understand?"

    Though only two years old, Arya nodded solemnly. Bryan knew his son understood far more than most children his age.

    Bryan smiled gently and shifted his focus to Arya''s results. "Arya, your element is fire, and your innate elemental energy is at level 3. You will start your cultivation tomorrow. As your father, I will personally guide your training." He paused, his expression growing thoughtful. "When you reach level 10, you''ll receive a fire seed from the village."

    The mention of the fire seed brought a small smile to Bryan''s face, but his curiosity quickly turned to Arya''s seed weapon. "When you performed the awakening, did you see any images in your mind? Any vision of a weapon?"Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Arya hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I saw something. A metal rod."

    Bryan''s eyebrows raised in curiosity. "A metal rod, you say?" The elders behind him leaned in, their interest piqued.

    "Yes," Arya said confidently. "That''s all I could see."

    Bryan mulled over the information and nodded. "A metal rod may not seem like much now, but its true potential is unknown. With cultivation, even a simple form can evolve into something extraordinary. It''s a good weapon."

    Arya stepped down from the platform, and one by one, the other children performed their blood awakening. Out of six children, one was unable to cultivate elemental energy. Another child, born with a level 6 innate elemental energy, revealed a seed weapon in the form of a small arrow-like needle and possessed the wind element.

    At first, the boy with the needle weapon seemed disappointed, but Bryan reassured him. "Don''t be discouraged. What you''ve seen is just its basic form. With time and effort, it may evolve into a deadly weapon. Never give up." The boy''s spirits lifted after hearing Bryan''s encouraging words.

    Apart from Arya and the boy with the wind element, the other children had normal cultivation results. Of course, the one who couldn''t cultivate was an exception.

    After the ceremony concluded, Bryan addressed everyone. "Return home and rest. Come back early tomorrow morning for your first cultivation class. You''ll learn how to harness elemental energy and begin your journey."

    The children dispersed, their excitement evident as they looked forward to their first lesson. Bryan watched them leave, a mix of pride and determination in his heart. He knew this generation held the potential to change the fate of their village. But he also understood the weight of the secrets they carried, especially Arya''s.

    The fire element with an ancient bloodline was cause for celebration, but the hidden truth about Arya''s dual elements¡ªand the unknown destiny awaiting him¡ªcast a long shadow over their future.

    For now, Bryan chose to focus on the present. The journey had begun, and he would ensure that every step taken by Arya and the other children would lead them toward strength and survival in a world filled with challenges.

 Chapter 7: Inheritance?

    After Arya came back from performing his Blood Awakening, he saw his mother waiting impatiently. Her eyes flickered with worry, and her hands were clenched tightly¡ªwas she concerned for him, or was she just eager to know the results?

    "Mother!" Arya called out.

    Seeing the tension on her face, he couldn''t hold back. He stepped forward and hugged her tightly.

    "Arya," Linda murmured, her voice soft yet urgent as she hugged him back. "Tell your mother about your results. Can you cultivate? And if so, what is your element? Did you find out about your weapon?"

    Arya hesitated for a moment. "Mom, don''t worry. I can cultivate elemental energy, and my element is..."

    He stopped abruptly. He was just about to reveal his dual elements, but his father''s words echoed in his mind: "You must not tell anyone¡ªnot even your mother."

    His chest tightened. Why did his father want this secret kept so badly? His mother had always been there for him¡ªshouldn''t she know the truth?

    He swallowed hard and made his decision. Father must have a reason.

    "My element is Fire," he finally said. "And about my Seed Weapon¡­ it looks like a metal rod."

    He glanced at his mother, watching her expression carefully. For a second, there was silence¡ªthen her beautiful face lit up with joy, her dark eyes gleaming with excitement.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    "What?! You possess the Fire element?" Linda gasped, gripping his arms. "I knew it! My son has excellent talent and a bright future!"

    Arya blinked, confused. His father had reacted the same way. The elders too. And now his mother?

    "Mom, why is everyone so excited when they hear I have Fire element?" he asked, frowning. "First Father, then the elders, and now you. Isn''t possessing Fire normal?"

    Linda chuckled, shaking her head. "Haha, don''t worry, my son. This is not just about you¡ªit''s about all of us. This news is a beacon of hope for our entire village, and it''s connected to our history. I won''t overwhelm you with everything just yet, but I can tell you one thing.

    "Our ancestors'' main bloodline has always possessed the Fire element. Only when a direct descendant of that bloodline has Fire can the ancestors'' inheritance be passed down."

    Arya''s breath caught. Inheritance?

    Linda''s voice softened. "For the past few hundred years, we haven''t had a successor. There was one Fire element possessor a few centuries ago, but his cultivation affinity was too weak. Because of that, our once-powerful clan declined into what we are today¡ªa mere village.

    "But your father carries the pure ancestral bloodline. And now, you have inherited the Fire element as well." She smiled warmly, pride evident in her gaze. "This means you are eligible to receive the ancestors'' inheritance. That is why everyone is so happy¡ªbecause this is not just about you. It''s about all of us."

    Arya lowered his gaze, digesting her words. His heart pounded in his chest. This¡­ this was bigger than he thought.

    "You don''t need to think too much about it now," Linda said gently. "Your father will explain everything to you soon. For now, just rest."

    But Arya knew there would be no rest for him tonight.

    The weight of two secrets pressed heavily on him¡ªone he had just learned, and one he was keeping to himself. His dual elements¡­

    He clenched his fists. His second element might be just as important as the Fire element. Maybe even more.

    He didn''t know what the future held, but one thing was clear: this life was nothing like the ones before. This time, fate was on his side.

    And he would not waste this chance.

 Chapter 8: "The Secrets of the Seed Stones"

    The next morning, Arya woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Today was the start of his first cultivation class¡ªthe day he would finally learn how to absorb elemental energy and begin his journey as a cultivator.

    He quickly got ready and left his room, heading toward the center of the village, where his father would be teaching the new students. Usually, it was the elders who taught beginners, but this batch was special.

    This year, there were two promising cultivators:

    1. Arya, who possessed the Fire element with a pure ancestral bloodline (and secretly had dual elements, something incredibly rare).

    2. A boy with Level 6 innate elemental energy, a Wind attribute, and a needle as his Seed Weapon¡ªanother talent worth nurturing.

    After walking for a few minutes, Arya arrived at the training hall. As he stepped inside, he noticed he was the last to arrive¡ªthe other four students were already seated.

    His father, sitting at the front, glanced at him. "Arya, you''re here. Now we can begin."

    Arya nodded and quickly took his seat, sitting cross-legged with the others.

    His father''s deep voice filled the room. "Today, I will teach you how to cultivate and absorb elemental energy into your body."

    He paused, scanning the students before continuing.

    "First, let me explain how cultivation works.

    "To cultivate, you must possess an element. Once you do, you can start drawing elemental energy from nature into your body. However, simply absorbing energy isn''t enough¡ªyou need to be able to store it.

    "The process of absorbing and storing elemental energy is called cultivation."

    Arya listened carefully, his mind already racing. So, the key is not just absorbing energy but also keeping it inside me¡­

    His father continued, "As you cultivate, your energy reserves grow, increasing your cultivation level.

    "To advance from Level 1 to Level 2, you must fill your Level 1 energy capacity. Only then can you break through to the next stage.

    "But be warned¡ªeach level requires more energy than the previous one.

    "For example, reaching Level 2 requires you to fill 30% of your total energy capacity. Advancing to Level 3 requires 40%, and so on. As your cultivation increases, the energy demand grows."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    A student raised their hand. "What happens if we try to break through before we have enough energy?"

    His father nodded approvingly at the question. "If you force a breakthrough without meeting the requirements, your energy will become unstable, and you could suffer from Qi Deviation¡ªa condition where the energy inside you goes out of control. In the worst case, it could even cripple your cultivation permanently."

    Arya felt a chill run down his spine. So, rushing ahead is dangerous¡­ I''ll have to be careful.

    His father then moved on.

    "Now, let''s talk about Seed Stones¡ªwhat they are and why they are important."

    "When elemental energy gathers in immense amounts in one place, it crystallizes into a Seed Stone.

    "As cultivators reach higher levels, they require more energy to break through. However, if they try to break through at Level 10, Level 20, or higher without support, their energy becomes unstable.

    "This is where Seed Stones come in. They store and stabilize energy, making breakthroughs smoother and safer."

    Arya leaned forward slightly. So, a Seed Stone is more than just a power source¡ªit''s a foundation.

    Another student raised their hand. "But Seeds do more than just stabilize energy, right?"

    His father smiled slightly. "That''s right. Seeds also grant powerful abilities unique to their wielder.

    "The higher the rank of your Seed, the stronger your elemental energy, skills, and physical abilities will be."

    Arya clenched his fists. That means my Seed will determine how strong I can become¡­

    His father''s tone became serious.

    "Now, let me explain the types of Seed Stones."

    "Most cultivators only know of five types of Seeds, but in reality, there are eight types.

    "Only a handful of people in history have ever possessed one of the three unknown Seeds¡ªand those who did¡­ either disappeared or became legends."

    Arya''s breath caught. Disappeared?

    His father didn''t elaborate and simply moved on.

    "But you are still far from that level, so I will only teach you about the five common types that most cultivators know of.

    "Seed Stones are classified by their rarity, and they vary in color and size. When a Seed is possessed by someone, it takes the form of a ring that lingers around their hand. The ring''s color represents the element type, while the diamond-like gem on top represents its rarity."

    He gestured toward a small diagram drawn on a wooden board.

    The Five Known Seeds:

    1. Common Seed ¨C Black and White, normal bangle size.

    2. Uncommon Seed ¨C Black and Pink, slightly larger than a Common Seed.

    3. Rare Seed ¨C Black and Red, slightly larger than an Uncommon Seed.

    4. Epic Seed ¨C Completely Black, slightly larger than a Rare Seed.

    5. Legendary Seed ¨C Black and Gold, slightly larger than an Epic Seed.

    The sizes increased slightly in this order:

    Common < Uncommon < Rare < Epic < Legendary.

    A student whispered, "Legendary Seeds... I''ve never even seen one."

    Another added, "Even Rare Seeds are hard to find."

    His father nodded. **"Seeds of higher rarity are incredibly rare, but their power is undeniable. The stronger the Seed, the greater its potential. However, that power comes with responsibility.

    "Remember, possessing a Seed is just the first step. How you use it will determine your fate."**

    Arya''s heartbeat quickened. He didn''t just have a fire element with ancient bloodline ¡ªhe had something far rarer. And his second element, still a secret, could change everything.

    This is just the beginning¡­ If I want to rise to the top, I need to uncover the truth about these Seeds¡­ and my own hidden power.

 chapter 9: "The Power of Seed Stones"

    Common Seeds are normally used for Level 1 and Level 2 breakthroughs, but if you try to use one for your third ring breakthrough, it will not work. Only normal cultivators or mid-class family cultivators use Common Seeds for their second ring breakthrough. However, wealthy and powerful families usually only use Common Seeds for their first ring, and some even start directly with Uncommon Seed Stones.

    ? Uncommon Seeds can support breakthroughs up to four rings.

    ? Rare Seeds can support breakthroughs up to six rings.

    ? To reach Level 70, you definitely need an Epic Seed.

    Any lower-tier Seed cannot help a cultivator break through Level 70, because Level 70 is a special milestone¡ªa dream for many cultivators. I only have information about levels below Level 60, so I do not know what happens at Level 70 and beyond, nor do I have detailed knowledge about Legendary Seeds. If you want to find out, you will have to do so yourself in the future¡ªif you can reach that far.

    For a normal cultivator, the typical Seed Ring set for Level 60 consists of:

    ? 2 Common Seeds

    ? 2 Uncommon Seeds

    ? 2 Rare Seeds

    For top-tier family cultivators, their Seed Ring sets consist of:

    ? 3 Uncommon Seeds

    ? 3 Rare Seeds

    From this, you can understand the difference in power between an ordinary cultivator and someone from a powerful family.

    Even my own Seed Rings are slightly special, but they can''t compare to those of true powerhouses. My Seed Rings consist of:If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ? 1 Common Seed

    ? 2 Uncommon Seeds

    As I said before, there are three more types of Seeds, but only the strongest powers in this world know about them. You all are far from that level, so you don''t need to know about them now.

    After explaining all this, Bryan scanned the students. He noticed that Arya had raised his hand.

    "Arya, do you have a question? Feel free to ask," Bryan said.

    "Yes, Father," Arya replied. "Didn''t you say that only the top powers of this world know about the last three Seed types? So¡­ does that mean our village is one of those top powers? Are we considered a powerful clan?"

    Hearing this question, Bryan smiled bitterly and shook his head.

    Instead of answering directly, he posed a question to the class.

    "What do you all think about my Level 32 cultivation? Tell me, one by one."

    The students thought carefully, then each of them gave the same answer:

    "Your Level 32 is very powerful."

    Bryan sighed. "No. It is not."

    His expression turned serious as he explained, "We live in a remote corner of this vast world. Here, my Level 32 might seem powerful, but in the greater world beyond, it is not.

    "The reason I know about the Eight Seeds and other advanced cultivation knowledge is because¡­ we were once part of a powerful clan. But due to certain events, we declined to where we are today.

    "However, even though we have fallen, we still possess knowledge that belongs to true powerhouses¡ªknowledge that ordinary clans do not have."

    Then, Bryan continued, "Now, let me tell you about the cultivation levels.

    There are 10 levels in our cultivation system. That means the strongest cultivators in this world can possess up to 10 Seed Rings.

    Although I know this information, I have never met or seen a cultivator stronger than Level 60.

    Even for me, Level 60 is far away, so I can only teach you about the levels below that.

    As for Seed Weapons, I will explain them when you reach Level 10 and are able to summon yours. Their function, importance, and all related information will be taught at that time.

    Starting today, you all must cultivate elemental energy every day if you wish to become strong fighters.

    This morning''s class is now over. Go eat and then focus on cultivating properly. If you have any doubts or questions, you can ask me in tomorrow''s class.

    Today was just an introduction to the cultivation system. From tomorrow onward, your real training will begin.

    "But," Bryan suddenly chuckled, "you all should rest well today¡ªbecause starting tomorrow... things will not be so easy, haha!"

    Hearing his laugh, Arya felt a sense of unease.

    When he glanced at the other students, he could tell that they also sensed something was off.

    Even so, everyone nodded and left the training hall.

    Arya was the last to leave, walking out alongside his father.

    When Arya returned home, he sat down and started organizing all the information he had learned today.

    I have to remember all of this clearly¡­ This knowledge is too important for someone like me, who aims to reach the peak of the world.

    He reflected on everything Bryan had taught.

    1. The importance of Seed Stones in cultivation.

    2. The different Seed types and their rankings.

    3. The level system and the significance of reaching Level 70.

    4. The fact that their village was once part of a powerful clan.

    5. The existence of three unknown Seed types that only the strongest powers in the world know about.

    One thing became clear to Arya.

    The path to the peak is not just about strength. It is about knowledge¡­ and secrets hidden deep within this world.

    With new determination, Arya closed his eyes and focused¡ªbecause tomorrow, his true training would begin.

 Chapter 10: "Fire and Waterâ€”A Forbidden Combination"

    After recalling all the information from today''s class, Arya began cultivating elemental energy.

    As he absorbed and stored the energy, he noticed something unusual¡ªit felt warm at times and cold at others.

    It must be because of my elements¡ªFire and Ice.

    The energy he was drawing into his body shifted between heat and cold, reflecting the dual nature of his elements.

    Note:

    Water and Ice are the same element. A cultivator with Water Affinity can transform it into Ice when their connection with the element reaches a high enough level.

    After cultivating for a few hours, Arya stepped outside, eager to feel the new energy coursing through his body.

    He raised his right hand and attempted to summon fire.

    Although he did not possess a Seed yet, his innate Level 3 elemental energy allowed him to attempt basic control over his element.

    However, since this was his first time, he failed at first.

    But Arya did not stop trying.

    If I want to become strong¡­ if I want to master Fire and Water and reach the pinnacle of this world¡­

    He clenched his fists.

    I must train hard and take slow, steady steps.

    Becoming a powerful Seed Master was a long journey¡ªone that could not be rushed.

    This was one advantage of remembering his past life. He had maturity, patience, and the ability to see the long-term process of cultivation.

    After ten minutes of practice, something finally changed¡ª

    FWOOSH!You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    His right hand ignited in flames!

    For a moment, panic surged through him.

    In his previous life, fire was something that only destroyed.

    But after a few deep breaths, he noticed something surprising¡ª

    It doesn''t burn me.

    The fire in his hand danced freely, yet he felt no pain at all.

    Even though he had expected elemental energy to be magical, experiencing it firsthand felt completely different.

    In my past life, I couldn''t even get close to fire¡­

    But now, I''m holding it in my hand.

    A rush of excitement filled his chest.

    After calming himself, Arya tested his limits¡ª

    ? He found that, with his current Level 3 cultivation, he could only maintain the flames for five minutes.

    ? This was without even using attacks or skills¡ªjust pure elemental energy summoning.

    After making a mental note of his limit, he sat down to meditate and replenish his energy.

    A few minutes later, he felt fully restored.

    This time, Arya attempted to summon Water instead of Fire.

    Unlike others, who only possessed a single element at birth, he already had two¡ªFire and Water.

    Most cultivators could only gain a second element after reaching Level 50, and even then, they had to carefully choose an element that did not oppose their first one.

    For example:

    A Fire user could not pick Water as their second element.

    A Light user could not pick Darkness.

    A Time user could not pick Space.

    But Arya was born with two opposing elements¡ªsomething no one had ever heard of.

    His father had warned him about this.

    "Normally, Fire and Water cannot exist within the same person. Only someone born with both can wield them together."

    "This is an ancient phenomenon. It hasn''t been seen in generations."

    This meant that Arya was special.

    But it also meant he had a problem.

    Even if he reached Level 50 in the future, he couldn''t reveal both elements at the same time.

    Anyone with deep knowledge¡ªlike his father¡ªwould immediately realize that he was born with two elements.

    And that was definitely not a good thing.

    So Arya made a decision.

    I can never reveal my Fire and Water to the same person.

    As he continued his meditation, more questions filled his mind:

    ? When I reach Level 50, will I still get to choose a second element?

    ? Or will it count as my third element instead?

    ? If I do get a third element, should I pick one? Or should I focus on mastering Fire and Water?

    ? My father said there are over 100 levels in this world. If the strongest cultivators can have 10 Seed Rings, how do they distribute them among multiple elements?

    ? If I gain a third element in the future, how many Seeds should I allocate to each one?

    These were important questions.

    And there was only one person he could trust to answer them¡ª

    His father.

    Even though Bryan was only Level 32, his knowledge far surpassed his cultivation level.

    Because no matter how much their clan had declined, they still held ancient secrets that most cultivators could only dream of knowing.

    And Arya was determined to uncover them all.

 Chapter 11: The Training Had Begun

    After preparing his questions for tomorrow''s class, Arya started to summon Water element. This time, it didn''t take as long as it did when he was summoning fire. The Water element formed around his hand, but unlike fire, which engulfed his palm, the water floated in the shape of a small sphere above it.

    It wasn''t necessary to summon different elements with different hands¡ªhe could use either his right or left hand to summon both. However, because he was born with two elements, he could use them simultaneously, though this would double his energy consumption. Learning to control Fire and Water separately with each hand would help him master them both.

    Even though Arya didn''t have too many problems handling two opposing elements¡ªsince he was born with them¡ªthere was still some level of natural resistance between Fire and Water. They weren''t completely harmonious, making controlling them at the same time slightly difficult.

    The next morning, Arya arrived at his training class, eager to begin. Once all the students had gathered, Bryan, his father, spoke.

    "As I mentioned yesterday, today marks the start of your physical training. This is an essential part of your cultivation journey, and all of you must attend every class without fail. Both boys and girls will participate equally because, as cultivators, having a strong and sturdy body is just as important as controlling elemental energy."Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    He gestured for them to follow. "Let''s move to the training ground. This training will continue until you all reach Level 10, at which point you will be ready to accept your first Seed Stone and start your real journey as Seed Masters."

    As they arrived at the training location, Arya noticed a beautiful, small lake in front of them. Bryan pointed towards the water and then to several large water containers lined up nearby.

    "From today onward, your task is simple¡ªfetch water from this lake using these buckets and fill those containers. Your training will end for the day only when the containers are completely filled. Once you''ve completed today''s task, you can return home."

    When Arya and his five teammates¡ªtwo girls and three boys¡ªsaw the large containers and the buckets they were expected to use, their faces twisted with bitter expressions. They realized their carefree days were over; their harsh training had begun.

    However, Arya remained calm. Unlike the others, he didn''t feel discouraged. He understood that if he truly wanted to become strong, he had to embrace training with dedication. Strength didn''t come overnight, and he was willing to take steady but firm steps forward.

    Unlike Arya, the other children didn''t have the same mindset. They were only five or six years old, and their thinking was still immature. Arya, on the other hand, had the memories of his previous life, which gave him a mature and determined outlook.

    Bryan then added, "Tomorrow, once you''ve filled the containers, your task will be to empty them back into the lake. This cycle will repeat every day until you all reach Level 10. This process will strengthen your bodies, preparing you to handle larger amounts of elemental energy."

    Hearing this, Arya decided not to ask his father about his elements just yet. He planned to wait until he reached Level 10 before bringing up his concerns about dual elements and their limitations.

    And just like that, Arya''s days of intense training had begun¡ªmornings filled with grueling physical workouts, followed by cultivating elemental energy in the evenings.

    This was the first step on his journey to becoming a powerful cultivator.

 Chapter 12: "The Inheritance And The Past"

    Nowadays, Arya''s life was restless and busy. Training and cultivating had become his daily routine. A year and a half had passed since Arya and his five-person team began their intense training, and today was a special day for him. During his morning training session, he discovered that he had finally broken through to Level 10.

    Among his group, the teammate with an inborn energy level of 6 had already reached Level 10 six months ago, and another had advanced two months earlier. Arya was the third to achieve this milestone. As soon as he realized his breakthrough, excitement filled his mind. He began thinking about his first stone seed and the skill it would grant him. He wondered what rank his stone seed would be and how powerful his first skill would become.

    However, he knew that acquiring a high-ranked stone seed was unlikely. His village was not a powerful one; it was located in a remote corner of the world, making rare or powerful resources hard to come by. He hoped that at the very least, he would receive a common seed with a useful skill. If he was lucky enough to get an uncommon seed, it would be like winning a jackpot for someone of his status.

    Once his cultivation class ended, he wasted no time and hurried home to share the news with his parents. This year, Arya had also turned seven¡ªat least in appearance. Another exciting event awaited him: after reaching Level 10, he would finally obtain his first stone seed.

    Upon returning home, he found both of his parents present. His father, Bryan, was the village chief, and while he was often occupied with important matters, the village elders typically handled smaller affairs. His mother, though a powerful cultivator herself, preferred to live as a housewife. Today, he was fortunate to find them both together.

    "What?! You reached Level 10?!" Bryan exclaimed, his excitement surpassing even Arya''s own. "This is incredible news! After obtaining your first stone seed, you will officially become a Seed Master and step into the real world of cultivation. You''ll begin to see just how vast, powerful, and extraordinary the world of Seed Masters truly is."

    He continued, "Once you become a Seed Master, you''ll also have the right to learn more about this world. As you grow stronger, you will make powerful allies¡ªbut also dangerous enemies. Understanding the world will help you survive. But all of that can wait for another day. Today, we celebrate! Because today, our village has finally gained a new successor to the Ancestor''s Inheritance!"Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    "Ancestor''s Inheritance?" Arya asked, puzzled. "Father, you''ve mentioned before that possessing the fire element along with our pure ancient bloodline is something special in our village. Is it related to that?"

    Bryan smiled, pleased with Arya''s quick thinking. "Yes, you''ve guessed correctly. You''ve always been a sharp and insightful child. This is directly connected to what I mentioned before. Let me explain."

    "In the past, when our clan was still powerful, we possessed an inheritance passed down from our very first ancestor. He was an extraordinary cultivator, possibly among the strongest in the world. This inheritance, which originated from him, played a key role in maintaining our clan''s strength for generations. However, for the past few hundred years, we have struggled to find a worthy successor. Some individuals in our clan still carried the ancient pure bloodline and the fire element, but they lacked strong cultivation talent. Even after receiving the inheritance, they failed to restore our former glory."

    Bryan''s expression turned solemn. "Because of this, our clan gradually declined to its current state. Finding someone with pure ancient blood and the fire element, who is also talented enough to accept the inheritance, has become incredibly difficult. You are the only one left in my direct bloodline, and my bloodline is the only one that still carries the pure ancient inheritance. When we discovered that you possessed the fire element, we regained hope¡ªhope that, at the very least, our decline would stop, even if we couldn''t return to our former greatness."

    His eyes shone with determination. "But you¡­ you are not just any fire element possessor. You are special. Your father believes that even if you cannot restore our clan''s past glory, you will still bring us into a much better future. You are not only the heir to this inheritance, but you also possess two elements¡ªtwo opposing elements at that. Because of this, I will personally guide you on how to develop and manage both of your elements. I will also prepare you for the challenges you will inevitably face in the future."

    As Arya listened, he realized that he no longer needed to ask his father the questions he had prepared. His father had already foreseen every challenge ahead and had meticulously planned his future cultivation path. For Arya, this was just the beginning of his journey to power.

 Chapter 13: "The Blood Seed Inheritance"

    "After celebrating his breakthrough with his parents all night by having good food and drinks¡ªof course, it was a normal drink since he was too young to consume alcohol¡ªArya woke up early the next morning. Today was a momentous day; his father was going to bestow upon him the Ancestor''s Inheritance. Arya was filled with curiosity. From the way his father spoke about it, this inheritance seemed incredibly special."

    After walking for a few minutes, he arrived at a large, spacious courtyard. His father moved toward a stone wall, then took out a glowing red orb. The orb''s size perfectly matched a hole in the wall. As soon as Bryan placed the orb inside, a small, red-colored box emerged from the wall.

    "Father, what is this?" Arya asked, watching in awe as this secretive, magical mechanism activated before his eyes.

    His father lifted the red box and smiled. "This is the inheritance I told you about," he said.

    "What kind of inheritance is it?" Arya couldn''t contain his impatience. He had always been calm and composed, but today, excitement shone on his face.

    Bryan chuckled at his son''s reaction. "This," he said, holding the red box, "is a Blood Seed. It is our clan''s greatest treasure and has been passed down from ancestor to ancestor. Today, it is your turn to inherit it."

    Arya frowned slightly. "Father, didn''t you say that seeds are divided into five types¡ªCommon, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary? You never mentioned anything about a Blood Seed. Don''t tell me¡­ does it belong to those three unknown seed types that you didn''t explain?"

    Bryan nodded approvingly. "I''m glad you remember my teachings. That knowledge will serve you well in the future. But no, the Blood Seed does not belong to those three unknown seeds. Those seeds are even more powerful than Legendary ones. Even a cultivator at Level 70 or 80 would struggle to find one, let alone possess it. That level of power is beyond our reach."

    He continued, "But this seed is unique¡ªthere is no second Blood Seed in the entire Seedling World. There may be other inheritances passed down from ancient times, but their contents cannot be identical to ours."Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    Looking at Arya, he explained further, "The Blood Seed, as its name suggests, is passed down through blood. It has always been carried by those with our clan''s pure ancient bloodline. That is why only someone with both pure ancient blood and the fire element can inherit it."

    Bryan''s voice grew solemn. "This seed is incredibly special for a cultivator who can reach a high level of elemental energy. However, for someone who cannot advance far in cultivation, it will be nothing more than an ordinary seed. Its potential depends entirely on its wielder. At its peak, it could rival a Legendary seed¡ªits power comparable to the ninth or tenth seed ring of an advanced practitioner."

    Arya''s eyes widened in shock. "Father¡­ is this seed really that powerful?" He could hardly believe what he was hearing.

    "You''re thinking too far ahead," Bryan said with a smile. "I''m only telling you what is written in the ancient records. I have never seen its true potential myself. That is something you will have to discover on your own."

    He then handed Arya an old, worn-out book. "This ancient book contains all the knowledge I have about the Blood Seed. It will also be passed down to you."

    Arya carefully took the book, his hands trembling slightly. His father continued explaining, "One of the Blood Seed''s unique abilities is that it can upgrade itself. Its rank will always match the strongest seed its wielder possesses. For example, if your strongest seed is Uncommon, the Blood Seed will also become Uncommon. If you obtain a Rare or Epic seed in the future, the Blood Seed will rise to that level as well, and its skill power will also be upgraded accordingly."

    Arya couldn''t hide his amazement. "Isn''t that essentially a Legendary seed for someone who reaches a high cultivation level?"

    Bryan nodded. "Indeed. However, there is a drawback. Since this is your first seed, its power will be weaker than even a Common seed at the beginning. That is its main disadvantage. But compared to its future potential, this drawback is insignificant."

    He reassured Arya, "Even if its power seems weak now, the quality of the skill it provides will still be comparable to an Epic or Legendary seed. You will not be disappointed."

    Hearing this, Arya felt like he was dreaming. The disadvantages seemed minor in comparison to the overwhelming benefits. He was eager to know what kind of skill he would receive from this extraordinary seed.

    Bryan then added, "After absorbing this Blood Seed, you will also be able to summon your weapon. I should tell you in advance¡ªWeapon Masters and Seed Masters have very different paths. Unlike Seed Masters, who rely on their elemental energy, Weapon Masters gain power through their weapons. In terms of strength, both are equally formidable."

    Arya was intrigued. "Father, aren''t Seed Masters also capable of using weapons?"

    "They are," Bryan replied. "But true Weapon Masters are different. You don''t need to concern yourself with that for now. Just focus on your elemental energy cultivation. When the time is right, I will explain everything about Weapon Masters. Right now, we need to complete your inheritance ceremony. Once you absorb the Blood Seed, you will officially become a One-Ring Seed Master."

    Taking a deep breath, Arya sat down and opened the red box. Inside, he saw a seed that looked like a droplet of burning blood. As soon as he touched it, he began absorbing its power.

    As the Blood Seed fused with his body, Arya felt an unusual sensation¡ªhis fire energy surged, trying to dominate his body, while his water element resisted fiercely. It was not a major struggle yet, but he could sense that in the future, these opposing elements might become a serious challenge for him.

    This was only the beginning of his journey.

 Chapter 14: "Seed Skills"

    After nearly two days, Arya finally woke up from the process of absorbing the Blood Seed. It was his first time meditating for such a long period. As soon as he opened his eyes, he noticed a significant change¡ªhis cultivation level had automatically risen to level 14. However, the real difference wasn''t just in the level increase; it was in the purity of his fire element. After absorbing the Blood Seed, his fire element felt more refined and potent.

    "How does it feel? Do you notice the difference between possessing and not possessing a Seed Stone?" Bryan asked as soon as he saw Arya awake.

    "Yes! My elemental energy is now at level 14, and my fire element feels much purer and stronger. It''s like I''ve gained a completely different power. But, Dad, as my fire element has grown stronger with this new seed, its repelling force against my water element has also increased. It''s fine for now, but in the future¡­"

    Bryan nodded. "Yes, I can sense the instability in the fluctuations of your two opposing elements. For now, it''s not a major issue, but in the future, it could become a serious problem. However, I''ve already considered this and found a solution. The key to controlling your elements is balance¡ªyou need to ensure both elements remain equally strong. If the gap between your fire and water elements becomes too large, it could negatively impact your cultivation, possibly lowering your level or preventing you from using your power effectively."

    Arya frowned slightly. "How can I balance these two elements?"

    "It''s simple. You must give both elements an equal number of Stone Seeds. A one-seed gap is manageable, but if the difference reaches two or more, you will start facing serious problems. My suggestion is to alternate between the two¡ªfirst, give a Stone Seed to your fire element, then the next one to your water (ice) element. This method will help you maintain balance and prevent future issues. Now, show me what skill you obtained from your first Seed Stone."

    Hearing this, Arya nodded and raised his right hand. A red-colored fire ring materialized around his wrist, with a small black-and-white diamond embedded at the top, indicating that the seed''s rank was at the lower end of the common tier. He then pointed his hand toward his father. However, instead of any visible energy or elemental attack, there was only a brief flicker of something unseen. Bryan''s expression changed for a split second before returning to normal.

    "What an unusual skill¡­ is this the power of the Ancestor''s Inheritance?" Bryan muttered to himself before nodding in satisfaction. "Tell me about your skill in detail."

    Arya replied, "My skill is called ''Burning Heart.'' It directly targets an opponent''s heart, causing it to burn. The attack is unavoidable, but right now, I don''t think I can even damage an opponent of equal strength with it."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    "That''s only a temporary limitation," Bryan reassured him. "Right now, your Blood Seed is ranked at the lowest tier of common seeds. However, once you reach level 20 and obtain your second seed, the Blood Seed will evolve to match its rank. As it grows stronger, your skill''s power will naturally increase.

    "Even though you can''t directly harm an opponent of equal or higher strength right now, your skill is still useful. It can create an intense burning sensation in their heart, weakening their attacks and distracting them. Since this ability is unavoidable, it can serve as a great control-type skill. However, its effectiveness will be limited to enemies within five levels of your own.

    "But as your Blood Seed evolves and reaches higher ranks, this skill will become much more lethal. If you reach a high enough level, you may even be able to kill an opponent just by raising your hand. This skill is a true hidden gem¡ªit can catch your enemies completely off guard."

    Arya listened intently, growing more excited about his new ability.

    "Now," Bryan continued, "it''s time to summon your weapon. After that, I will explain to you about an entirely different category of cultivators¡ªWeapon Masters."

    Arya had heard his father mention Weapon Masters once before, but he had never gone into detail about them. From the name alone, Arya guessed that they were related to weapons, and he had always been fascinated by powerful weapons.

    "Father, how do I summon my Seed Weapon?" Arya asked.

    "First, summon your Seed Ring," Bryan instructed. "Then, focus on the ring. It will transform into your weapon. The type of weapon you receive is unpredictable¡ªit could be anything. As you gain more Stone Seeds and form additional Seed Rings, your Seed Weapon will also evolve with each new addition."

    Arya nodded and concentrated on his Seed Ring. Slowly, the ring began to melt, just as he had seen his father do before when summoning his Wind Sword. However, unlike his father''s transformation, which had taken only a second, Arya''s was much slower, possibly due to his lower power level or because it was his first time attempting it.

    After nearly an hour, the Seed Ring fully melted, and the molten energy began reshaping itself. Twenty to thirty minutes later, the transformation was complete¡ªa fiery red metal staff, tinged with a faint hint of sky blue, floated in front of him. At the bottom of the staff, a small black-and-white diamond was embedded, marking the weapon''s connection to his Blood Seed.

    A staff¡­ a blunt weapon. Arya examined it closely. Its colors and intricate design made it look beautiful, and the diamond embedded in its base added an extra layer of elegance.

    Bryan observed the weapon and nodded in approval. "Hmm, a metal staff. That''s a solid blunt weapon, and from the looks of it, yours is quite powerful."

    "Father, how are weapons ranked in terms of quality? And what rank is my weapon?" Arya asked curiously, eager to learn more about his new weapon.

    "Yes, I was going to explain that next," Bryan said. "Weapons have their own ranking system, just like Stone Seeds. Also, now that you''ve obtained your first Seed Weapon, it''s time for you to learn about Weapon Masters. But it''s a complex topic, and it will take time to explain everything. So, I will teach you all about it tomorrow morning."

 Chapter 15: The Dual Path

    The next morning, Arya was sitting in his parents'' room with his father while his mother prepared snacks in the kitchen, leaving them alone so Bryan could give him a lecture on weapon types and weapon masters.

    "First, I''ll explain weapon rankings and where your weapon fits in," Bryan began. "Technically, weapons don''t have official rankings, but we categorize them based on their offensive and defensive capabilities. Generally, weapons fall into three categories: those without any offensive power, normal weapons, and advanced weapons. Normal weapons, like yours, have basic attack and defense properties.

    However, there are two higher classifications: Good Weapons and Excellent Weapons. But don''t worry about your weapon''s rank for now. Every time you break through and acquire more stone seeds, your seed weapon will upgrade and evolve. No weapon starts at the Good or Excellent level; they all progress step by step through continuous upgrades."

    Bryan then demonstrated with his own weapon. "Take my weapon as an example. It''s a bit special¡ªnot because of its raw power, but because only those with our bloodline (though not the pure ancient bloodline) can possess it. Its initial form was a dagger, a normal weapon. But when I reach Level 50, its quality will evolve into the Good Weapon category, transforming into a Wind Sword."

    "This means your metal staff could evolve into something entirely different. While the chances of it becoming an axe are low, it has a high possibility of evolving into a spear, which would place it in the Good Weapon category, on par with my Wind Sword."

    "Now, recall your weapon and summon it again," Bryan instructed. Arya obeyed, retracting his weapon and transforming it back into his stone seed. This time, the process was much faster than when he first summoned it.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    However, when he tried to summon his metal staff again, something unexpected happened¡ªno matter how hard he tried, he couldn''t transform the seed back into his weapon.

    "Haha! Don''t worry, this is completely normal," Bryan laughed. "This leads us to your next lesson, which is also connected to Weapon Masters. I haven''t mentioned this before because it wasn''t necessary, but now that you''ve officially started your cultivation journey, you need to understand that there are two primary types of cultivators in this world."

    Arya listened carefully as his father continued.

    "The first type is Seed Masters, which you already know about. Seed Masters possess Seed Rings that grant them elemental skills. The second type is Weapon Masters, whose primary power comes from their Seed Weapons."

    "Don''t get confused," Bryan cautioned. "A Seed Master can still wield a strong weapon, and a Weapon Master will always possess a Stone Seed¡ªbecause seeds are the foundation of this world''s cultivation system. However, the difference is in their focus: Seed Masters concentrate on developing their elemental power and the skills granted by their Seed Rings, while Weapon Masters devote themselves to mastering and strengthening their Seed Weapons."

    "But it''s not as simple as it seems," Bryan warned. "Each system has its own cultivation methods and unique strengths. Technically, a cultivator who possesses both a strong weapon and powerful Seed Ring skills could be considered both a Weapon Master and a Seed Master. However, trying to master both paths is extremely difficult¡ªyou would have to be completely dedicated to cultivation to succeed. Otherwise, you risk being mediocre in both fields and never reaching your full potential."

    "As a Seed Master, your main focus will be controlling your elemental energy, improving your Seed Skills, and obtaining higher-ranked Seed Stones. Your cultivation will revolve around the quality of your seeds, their types, and their skill ranks. And once you reach Level 50+, you''ll begin selecting elements for Fusion Attacks, a whole new level of power."

 Chapter 16: Limitation For Weapon Masters

    Weapon masters primarily focus on their weapons. While they still require stone seeds for breakthroughs, they don''t rely on ring skills and instead dedicate themselves to weapon mastery. Generally, those who possess a strong weapon but lack powerful ring skills¡ªor struggle to use them effectively¡ªchoose to become weapon masters. They strengthen their weapons and follow the path of a weapon master rather than focusing on ring skills.

    At the beginning of cultivation, if someone possesses both a strong weapon and good ring skills, they can choose to be either a weapon master or a seed master. At early levels, there aren''t too many skills to focus on as a seed master, and weapon masters don''t have significant advantages yet.

    Let me explain both cultivation paths in greater detail.

    ? Seed Master Cultivation System

    Seed masters focus on controlling their elements and acquiring higher-ranked stone seeds, as better seeds provide more powerful ring skills. This continues until level 50. At that point, a significant turning point occurs¡ªlevel 50 is the dividing line between an ordinary seed master and a truly powerful one.

    At level 50, seed masters gain the ability to choose a new element. This makes them much stronger, as they can begin using fusion attacks¡ªeither fusing two elements together or combining two different skills. However, at lower levels (50-60), fusion attacks can only be used for a limited time.

    Using fusion attacks beyond one''s capability can cause backlash, leading to injuries or even crippling effects. The exact limits of fusion depend on the individual''s level and abilities. However, cultivators at level 50+ can use fusion attacks as long as they have enough elemental energy.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    In your case, if you reach level 50, you''ll have an additional element compared to other seed masters. This will make your fusion attacks even stronger. You could even attempt to fuse your two elements before reaching level 50, but I strongly advise against it.

    First, your elements¡ªfire and water¡ªare opposites. Fusing them requires extreme focus and mastery. If successful, the result will be one of the most powerful fusion attacks possible.

    Second, if you fail to fuse your elements before reaching level 50, you won''t be able to withstand the backlash. It''s best to wait until you''ve mastered your abilities. Fusion attacks are far more powerful than normal attacks or skill-based fusions, so their potential is beyond imagination.

    This is the path that seed masters follow¡ªtheir strengths, their cultivation direction, and their challenges. Now, let''s discuss weapon masters.

    ? Weapon Master Cultivation System

    A weapon master''s main power comes from their seed weapon. Their primary focus is strengthening their weapon and improving their control over it. Like seed masters, weapon masters still use elements, but they don''t specialize in ring skills. Since they dedicate most of their time to weapons, their proficiency with ring skills is limited.

    Weapon masters can also use elemental fusion, but instead of combining skills, they apply fusion directly to their weapons.

    A cultivator can switch between being a weapon master and a seed master at any time. If you summon your weapon, you enter weapon master form. If you use ring skills, you''re considered a seed master. However, there are key differences between the two cultivation paths.

    Before level 70, everyone''s seed weapon is in its basic form. However, once a weapon is summoned, it cannot be recalled until either the user''s elemental energy is depleted or they have stopped fighting for a certain period.

    If you recall your weapon too soon, you must wait before summoning it again. This is why you failed to summon your weapon after recalling it earlier.

    The waiting time for each level is:

    ? Level 10: 60 minutes

    ? Level 20: 50 minutes

    ? Level 30: 40 minutes

    ? Level 40: 30 minutes

    ? Level 50: 20 minutes

    ? Level 60: 10 minutes

    At level 70, this limitation disappears, marking the difference between ordinary and powerful weapon masters¡ªjust as level 50 does for seed masters.

 Chapter 17: "Crossroads of Cultivation"

    These are the time limits for using your weapon again after recalling it, and now, let''s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both cultivation systems.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Weapon Masters and Seed Masters

    The first major advantage for Weapon Masters is that when they transform into their weapon master form, their physical attributes are doubled. This allows them to fight physically even at level 30 against opponents at level 40 or 45, provided their opponent doesn''t use ring skills. This shows how beneficial the path of a Weapon Master can be. However, the biggest drawback is that they cannot use ring skills, including fusion skills, which is why most Weapon Masters don''t focus on them.

    On the other hand, Seed Masters are physically weaker than Weapon Masters, but they have the advantage of possessing strong ring skills and greater control over their elements.

    The true power of Weapon Masters is unlocked at level 70 when they obtain their "Man and Weapon" form. At this stage, they are freed from time restrictions and can summon or recall their seed weapon at will.

    Seed Masters use stone seeds to acquire better and more powerful skills, while Weapon Masters rely on higher-quality seeds to strengthen and evolve their weapons.

    Now you understand how different and extensive both cultivation systems are, and why most people choose to cultivate only one path. Of course, there may still be information I''ve missed, but once you reach a higher level, you''ll naturally discover more on your own.

    All the knowledge you''ve received today is incredibly deep¡ªknowledge that even the elders of our village do not fully understand. You must remember it well. Once you reach level 20, I will give you the ancient book from which I gathered this information.

    Now, you must decide which path you want to follow¡ªwhether to become a powerful Weapon Master or a powerful Seed Master. However, don''t worry about your Blood Seed. It is compatible with both cultivation paths.

    After learning about the existence of Weapon Masters and receiving so much information, Arya had already made up his mind about what he wanted to become. So, without hesitation, he declared:A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

    "I want to cultivate both and become both a Weapon Master and a Seed Master!"

    His father, Bryan, sighed. "You understand the difficulty of cultivating both, right? You also have two elements, which is already rare. I advise you to focus on the Seed Master path. If you try to follow both, you may not reach your full potential in either. So, I''ll ask you again¡ªare you sure about your choice?"

    Arya nodded firmly. "I''ve already decided. I will cultivate both Weapon Master and Seed Master techniques. If I find it too difficult, I''ll focus on the path that suits me best at that time."

    Although Arya said this to reassure his father, deep inside, he had already resolved to master both paths. Even if it meant becoming a cultivation maniac, he was determined to achieve his goal and become truly powerful.

    Bryan sighed again. "I can''t change your mind. It''s your choice. But don''t push yourself too hard."

    Then he added, "In six months, our village will hold the Young Generation Competition to determine the strongest under-10-year-old cultivator. You still have plenty of time to participate in the next competition two years from now. However, since you''ve already reached level 14 and obtained your first Seed Stone, you''ll enter this year''s competition."

    "The rewards for winning are valuable. The top-ranking participants receive monetary rewards, and the top seven will qualify for the Four-Village Young Generation Tournament, where our village competes against three neighboring villages."

    "For the next six months, focus on cultivation. Get familiar with both your Seed Weapon and your Ring Skills. Since you''ve chosen both paths, you must train in both areas."

    After talking with his father, Arya returned to his room, his mind filled with everything he had learned. Successfully obtaining the Blood Seed was a major milestone, and he recalled the sensation he felt while absorbing it. At first, he could sense its immense power, but once fully absorbed, that feeling faded. Perhaps the seed''s true potential depended on its wielder¡ªhow much power they could unlock.

    He also thought about the skill the Blood Seed had granted him.

    The first unique trait of the skill was its invisibility¡ªits energy did not travel visibly toward the target. Instead, it directly attacked the opponent''s heart, burning it from within. This made it difficult for enemies to predict or block the attack.

    The second trait was its suppression ability. Although it didn''t cause direct damage, it created a burning effect inside the opponent''s heart, making them feel extreme discomfort. This effect allowed him to suppress stronger opponents. However, the skill''s energy consumption was still relatively high. With his current level-14 cultivation, he could only use the skill three times at peak condition.

    Arya clenched his fists. "I will master both paths, no matter what it takes!"

 Chapter 18: "Training Together"

    The next morning, Arya got ready for practice to perfect his weapon skills and become more familiar with it. Since he had chosen to follow both paths¡ªcultivation and weapon mastery¡ªhe needed to balance his attention between them. For his weapon practice, he chose a small wild area behind the village. There were no dangerous animals there, making it a safe place to train daily for the next six months. Meanwhile, he planned to cultivate his elemental energy at home.

    Arya was also curious about the Four Village Competition for the younger generation. The competition had an age limit of 15 years, and although his father hadn''t mentioned it, Arya could tell from his serious expression that it was important. He wasn''t too concerned about the clan competition¡ªnot because he wasn''t interested, but because he had already decided to secure a spot in the top seven. Winning would not only earn him the prize money but also qualify him for the Four Village Competition.

    He understood that rejecting opportunities meant blocking one''s own path toward success. In this life, Arya was willing to take any risk and accept any challenge that could bring him power. Even though this competition wasn''t the biggest opportunity, he knew that every journey started from the bottom. With this mindset, he had already decided to represent his village in the Four Village Competition.

    Despite being the village chief''s son, he didn''t receive much money. The rewards for placing in the top seven were tempting, and he was eager to win. The currency in this world was in the form of colored coins, divided similarly to the rarity of elemental seeds. Each coin had two halves: one black and the other in various colors¡ªwhite, pink, red, black, and the rarest, black and gold. In his small village, Arya had only ever seen black-and-white coins, never the higher denominations. Because of this, he also had a strong desire for wealth.

    After walking for half an hour, he arrived at the wild area. As he searched for a suitable place to train, he suddenly heard movement. Instinctively, he hid and moved toward the sound to investigate. Climbing a tree was an easy task, even for cultivators at levels 6 or 7. Arya, at level 14, scaled it effortlessly.

    Peering through the branches, he spotted two small arrows¡ªmore like needles¡ªflying through the air, targeting falling leaves. A figure was moving, throwing the needles periodically and aiming at the leaves with precision.

    When Arya focused on the person, he was surprised¡ªit was none other than one of his batchmates. This boy had a level 6 innate elemental energy with wind affinity and was the first among them to complete training, reaching level 10 within just a year.

    "Who''s there?" a voice suddenly called out. Arya realized he had been discovered.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!

    "Don''t worry, it''s me, Arya. I came here to train and heard you practicing," he replied.

    "So, you''ve completed your training and reached the first Seed Ring Master level?" the boy asked. Arya simply nodded in response.

    "You''re also here to practice your skills, right?" the boy continued.

    Arya nodded again. The boy was a year older than him, around 8 and a half years old.

    "I thought practicing here could improve my skills," Arya said. "And that''s your seed weapon, right?"

    "Yeah, it is. Even though I didn''t choose to become a weapon master because my weapon isn''t suited for it, I still summon it to see how I can use it. But I can''t control it properly, so I usually leave it aside. After practicing my ring skill, I got bored of training alone. If you''re here to practice too, why don''t we spar? It''ll help us identify our weaknesses and improve. Training alone won''t help me progress much."

    "A sparring match?" Arya considered. "That''s actually a good idea. We''ll gain real combat experience too. I have no problem with it. But how should we spar?"

    "It''s simple. My cultivation is stronger than yours, so I''ll only use my elemental energy, not my ring skill. You, on the other hand, can use everything you have."

    "Your level should be around 15 or 16, right?" Arya asked.

    "Yes, I''m at level 15 peak," the boy confirmed. His name was Kane, and his cultivation was nearly at level 16. If Arya hadn''t obtained the Blood Seed, he would likely still be at level 11. A high innate elemental energy level was indeed useful in the early stages, but its advantage diminished after level 20. Because of this, Arya wasn''t too concerned about only having level 3 innate energy.

    Arya then summoned his red-colored Fire Ring. Seeing his elemental energy, Kane, who had felt confident about his cultivation, was shocked.

    "You''re at level 14?! How is that possible?"

    "I just got lucky," Arya replied vaguely, not wanting to explain the details of his cultivation.

    "Alright, shall we start the sparring match?" Kane asked.

    Without hesitation, Arya transformed his Seed Ring into his Seed Weapon, as he was here primarily to train with it. A five-foot-long metal staff materialized, its color mostly red with hints of sky blue.

    Seeing Arya summon his weapon, Kane did the same. His Seed Ring was white, indicating that its rank was the same as Arya''s.

    "So, you''ve chosen to become a weapon master?" Kane asked, noticing Arya''s choice.

    "Yes¡­ and no. I''m still undecided, so I''m training in both. Once I make up my mind, I''ll drop the other path," Arya said, keeping his true intentions vague.

    "Alright then. It''s your choice. Since you have level 14 elemental energy and a decent Seed Weapon, I won''t hold back¡ªI''ll use my ring skill as well," Kane said.

    "No problem. Go ahead," Arya replied, gripping one end of his metal staff.

    As soon as he spoke, he rushed toward Kane, who did the same. Kane''s Seed Ring glowed on his right hand as their sparring match began.

    Arya had the advantage in physical combat, as he was in weapon master form. He focused on staying close to Kane, using his staff to pressure him. Meanwhile, Kane used his agility to evade Arya''s attacks, trying to find an opening to counterattack while maintaining his distance. He knew that giving Arya room to strike would put him at a disadvantage.

    Their intense battle had begun.

 Chapter 19: The First Fight

    Even though Kane was dodging Arya''s continuous attacks, which barely gave him any time to counter, he still took one or two side hits that hurt him slightly. Suddenly, he moved backward like a cheetah, lifted his right hand, and aimed at Arya. A small tornado formed and moved toward Arya, growing bigger and bigger in size. As the tornado engulfed Arya, Kane maintained it for a full minute before stopping the skill.

    Just as Kane was about to recall his skill completely, a metal staff shot out from the dissipating tornado. Kane had no time to react and took a direct hit, knocking him unconscious.

    Who knows how much time had passed before Kane woke up? When he opened his eyes, he saw Arya sitting in front of him in a meditative pose. As Arya slowly opened his eyes, a smile appeared on his face.

    "What are you smiling for? I was just careless and thought you were already defeated, so I recalled my skill. I can still use that skill for a total of two minutes," Kane muttered in frustration.

    "Yes, I know you showed me mercy," Arya replied. "But you forgot one thing¡ªI was in my weapon master form. Your tornado attack barely affected me because my physical defense and attack power were doubled in that form. If I wanted to break free from your attack, I just needed to use a large amount of my elemental energy¡ªalmost half of it¡ªbut instead, I chose to wait for your skill to end and then attack directly."

    "Yes, I miscalculated the power of my Wind Tornado skill," Kane admitted. "But your weapon is really quite powerful. Just one hit knocked me unconscious."

    "Yes, its power is quite good. Want to go another round? I find it helpful to practice our skills through sparring, and I haven''t recalled my weapon yet, so we can start again."

    "Yes! Let''s do it again. This time, I will definitely win!"

    They both stood on opposite sides, but this time, Arya took the initiative. Kane was prepared, maintaining his distance from Arya. The advantage of a weapon master was in close-range combat, where they could utilize their physical enhancements and weapons more efficiently.

    That was why Kane kept his distance, using his wind element to stay ahead. However, he couldn''t continue this forever. Unlike Arya, who relied more on physical combat and conserved his elemental energy, Kane had high energy consumption. He needed to find the right opportunity to land a decisive attack.

    After a few moments, Arya attempted an attack from the left. Kane saw an opening and immediately activated his skill. But this time, Arya was ready. He infused his fire element into his metal staff, causing the plain-looking staff to glow with a fierce, dangerous aura. As Arya spun his flaming staff, Kane''s Wind Tornado collided with it¡ªand dissolved upon impact.This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    Seeing his skill fail, Kane didn''t hesitate. He started casting his wind skills from different angles and directions, trying to overwhelm Arya. After five consecutive skill uses, Kane''s elemental energy was nearly depleted. He could no longer use his Wind Tornado.

    Seeing this, Arya, who had been on the defensive, switched to attack mode. Since his energy consumption had been minimal, he still had 50% of his elemental energy left. Noticing that Kane could no longer use his skill, Arya rushed forward, his fire-infused metal staff ready to strike.

    Kane, exhausted, could no longer maintain his distance. But just when Arya was about to land a blow, Kane unexpectedly switched his form from Seed Master to Weapon Master! His weapons were still hidden, but as he raised his right hand, two small arrows shot toward Arya.

    The sudden attack caught Arya off guard. However, he wasn''t an ordinary eight-year-old¡ªhe didn''t panic. He quickly switched from Weapon Master form to Seed Master form and lifted his right hand. Instantly, Kane''s small arrows changed direction. Before Kane could celebrate his successful counterattack, he suddenly clutched his chest in pain and collapsed.

    This was the effect of Arya''s Blood Seed Skill: Burning Heart. Even though this skill didn''t deal direct damage, it was powerful in restricting movement. Against an opponent five levels stronger, it could halt them momentarily with intense pain. Against someone like Kane, who was only one level higher, the effect was even more devastating.

    Kane had no idea what had happened. He had seen Arya switch forms and lift his hand, but he hadn''t seen any skill being cast. His entire chest burned as if his heart was on fire, making it hard to breathe.

    Seeing Kane in such pain, Arya quickly recalled his skill. After using it, only 10% of his elemental energy remained. But seeing its effectiveness in battle, he understood its true power. Even though Burning Heart couldn''t kill enemies directly, its ability to restrict movement was extremely rare and useful. If Arya could evolve his Blood Seed to a higher level, this skill might become lethal instead of just restrictive.

    As Arya withdrew his skill, Kane''s face slowly returned to normal. He looked at Arya as if he had seen a ghost.

    "What did you do to me?! It was so painful! I couldn''t even move my fingers! Was that your Seed Skill? No¡­ it can''t be, because I didn''t see you casting anything!" Kane exclaimed.

    "What are you talking about? I was just about to cast my Seed Skill when I saw you lying on the ground in pain," Arya interrupted, pretending to be clueless.

    "I knew it! It wasn''t you!" Kane muttered. "I think I need to talk to the clan elders or the chief. This might be a serious body condition. I felt like my heart was going to ignite, and I couldn''t breathe properly. I''ll mention this when I return to the village."

    As Kane turned to leave, he suddenly stopped and asked, "By the way, what is your Seed Ring Skill?"

    Arya smirked. "That''s a secret."

    Kane sighed. "Fine. But I like the way you use your Seed Weapon. Your Seed Weapon is a small arrow, right?"

    "Yes. I thought if I caught you by surprise, I would secure my victory. But this new issue interrupted my attack¡­ Forget it. We''ll continue our practice tomorrow. The village competition is about to start, and I want to be in the top seven to represent our village in the Four Village Competition. Your father, the chief, must have told you about it, right?"

    Arya nodded.

    "But you don''t know the true benefits of representing our village in the Four Village Competition," Kane continued. "All representatives from the four villages gain incredible rewards, and if you achieve a high rank in the younger generation competition, the benefits are on another level."

    Arya''s eyes flashed with determination. "Yes, I''ve heard about it. I also want to achieve a high rank in both competitions."

    "Then I''ll see you in the village competition in six months," Kane said with a smirk. "Let''s see how much we improve by then."

 Chapter 20: "Intense Training"

    As Kane left, Arya chuckled lightly and sat down to meditate, restoring his consumed energy. After half an hour, his elemental energy was back at its peak, and he resumed training with his weapon. From today''s sparring match with Kane, he gained new insights into using his weapon more effectively and skillfully.

    His weapon was excellent for both offense and defense, and after infusing it with elemental energy, its power increased even further. He also realized the true potential of his Seed Ring Skill¡ªunder level 40, there might not be anyone with a controlling skill as powerful as his. Once Arya reached level 40, his skill would evolve and become even more powerful. Its function might even change from a controlling skill to a killing skill.

    After practicing with his Seed Weapon for two more hours, Arya returned home. It was already afternoon when he arrived. After eating, he started cultivating his elemental energy. This had become his daily routine¡ªpracticing, eating, and cultivating. Occasionally, Kane would visit to spar, sometimes once a week or even once a month.

    Just like that, nearly six months passed. The Village''s Younger Generation Competition and the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition were about to begin. Every young cultivator under the age of 15 was training hard, excited for the upcoming battles. In just two days, the Village''s Younger Generation Competition would start.

    Arya continued practicing his weapon techniques and skills at the back of the village, where a small wilderness lay. After six months of daily training and cultivation, both his elemental energy and weapon skills had improved significantly. He eagerly awaited the village competition¡ªand even more so, the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition.

    During this time, Arya''s cultivation level had risen from level 14 to level 17¡ªa much faster improvement than before. This was because he had dedicated himself completely to training, sometimes even forgetting to eat. Most of his days were spent cultivating and practicing, allowing him to advance three levels in just six months.

    For a cultivator relying on normal methods, this was a remarkable feat. From level 3 to level 10, it had taken him about one and a half years. But now, he had gained three levels in just six months, proving how much effort he had put in. Arya was satisfied with his progress, but another challenge awaited him¡ªchoosing his second seed.The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    He couldn''t absorb another fire-type seed because it would disrupt the balance of elements in his body, causing severe issues. If the two elements clashed, he would lose the ability to use elemental energy, rendering his Seed Weapon and Seed Ring Skill useless. It could even cause serious physical or mental damage, which would be disastrous for his future.

    Therefore, his second seed had to be either water-type or ice-type to maintain balance. However, obtaining a second seed was not easy. Arya didn''t want to ask his father for one, even though his father, as the village chief, could help him. The village''s total income wasn''t very high, and Arya had already received the most powerful ancestral seed from the village. He didn''t want to depend entirely on others for his cultivation and future needs.

    In his previous life, he had gained vast experience. Although this life was different, he himself had changed. He now possessed power and abilities, making survival much easier than before. This was one of the main reasons he aimed to achieve a high ranking in both competitions¡ªto earn his own resources rather than relying on his family.

    His father had once spoken about seeds, explaining that common, uncommon, and rare seeds could be purchased with money. However, their value was beyond the reach of their village. The village could barely afford a common seed with all its wealth, and those were only given to the most talented children.

    Arya had already planned how to obtain his second seed. His goal was to place in the top seven in the Village''s Younger Generation Competition, which offered prize money. Then, if he achieved a high ranking in the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition, he would have enough to buy a second seed. While he knew both competitions awarded money, he wasn''t sure what other rewards they offered.

    For the next two days, Arya focused entirely on preparing for the competition.

    Two days later...

    Excitement filled the village. The younger generation was eager to prove their strength, while the elders and parents looked forward to seeing their children''s abilities. More importantly, they wanted to know who would represent their village in the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition and who was the strongest under the age of 15.

    Arya was also prepared. His father had already left earlier to oversee the competition''s preparations, and his mother had accompanied him. Now, Arya was the only one left at home. After making his final preparations, he headed toward the competition grounds.

    After walking for a few minutes, he arrived at the competition area. Seeing the huge crowd gathered to watch, he couldn''t help but sigh. At the same time, he felt excitement bubbling inside him.

    As he scanned the area, he spotted his father sitting in the leader''s position, surrounded by the village elders. His mother was also there. He had the right to sit with them, but Arya never liked drawing unnecessary attention. Instead, he chose to sit among the other village children, blending in rather than standing out as the village chief''s son.

 Chapter 21: "Stepping Into the Arena"

    "Bryan, why hasn''t Arya arrived yet? Don''t tell me he''s still cultivating and will be late for the competition. This kid has gone mad about his cultivation these past six months, training in the wild all day and then cultivating his elemental energy all night like a crazed cultivator. Even I barely get time to spend with my child!"

    "You don''t need to worry too much about our son," Bryan reassured. "He''s more mature than his peers and knows what''s best for him. I believe these six months of intense cultivation are all to achieve good results in the Four Villages Competition. He has big goals, and he''s working hard for them. It just shows how far ahead he thinks."

    "But isn''t it too much? He barely rests!"

    "Young age is the best time for cultivation. If you focus more at Arya''s age, your future will be even more successful. Our son is taking full advantage of this crucial time. We just need to ensure he doesn''t fall into unnecessary distractions."

    "But¡­ is he here yet?"

    "Don''t worry. Arya dislikes relying on unearned status. He doesn''t want to use my name to gain a high position in the village. He''s someone who only accepts what he earns through his own efforts. We must respect his decision. You''ll see him on stage when the competition begins."

    One hour later, Bryan stood from his seat and clapped twice. The energy from his Level 34 cultivation carried through the air, silencing the entire crowd as everyone turned their attention toward him.

    "Villagers and young competitors, welcome to this event! This competition is crucial for our village''s future. Today, we will witness the strength and potential of our younger generation¡ªthose who will lead us in the years to come. From this event, we will also determine who among you is the strongest!"

    "There are a total of seventeen participants under the age of fifteen. Now, let me explain the rules and rewards.

    1. No critical injuries or deaths are allowed.

    2. If a participant surrenders, their opponent must stop attacking.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    3. Leaving the battlefield before a match is over results in immediate defeat.

    "As for the rewards," Bryan continued, "participants ranked between 15th and 11th will receive white coins according to their ranking. The 15th place will get 1 white coin, the 14th place will receive 2, and so on, up to 5 coins for 11th place.

    Ranks 10th to 4th will have their coin rewards increased by 2 per rank. For example, the 10th place will receive 7 coins, and the 4th place will get 19.

    The top three will not only receive white coins but also the rare pink coins!"

    Hearing this, the crowd erupted in whispers. Owning even a single pink coin was considered a mark of wealth¡ªafter all, one pink coin was equal to 30 white coins.

    "The champion will receive 3 pink coins and 25 white coins.

    The second-place finisher will earn 2 pink coins and 23 white coins.

    The third place will receive 1 pink coin and 21 white coins."

    "But that''s not all!" Bryan''s voice grew stronger. "The top seven will earn the opportunity to represent our village in the Four Villages Competition. And if you rank well there, your rewards will far surpass what we are offering today!"

    Among the crowd, Arya nodded slightly at his father''s announcement. The only reward that truly interested him was the qualification to compete in the Four Villages Competition. However, he couldn''t ignore the generous prize money¡ªthe top three rewards alone were enough to buy a second seed for breaking into Level 20.

    "Now, let the competition begin!" Bryan declared. "This will be an elimination-style tournament. Once you are defeated, you are out. When your name is called, step onto the stage!"

    First Matches Begin

    The first match featured a boy, about five feet tall, with a Level 13 cultivation. His opponent was a girl Arya recognized¡ªshe had trained alongside him and Kane in the past. She possessed the Earth element and was Level 14, clearly stronger than her opponent.

    And only a moment''s later, the battle ended without suspense. She didn''t even need to unleash her seed skill¡ªher defensive abilities alone were enough to defeat the boy with ease. The defeated opponent walked off with a disappointed look, while the girl left the stage to the sound of cheers from the crowd.

    After two more rounds, the strongest cultivator so far had only reached Level 14. Out of the seventeen participants, fourteen remained, with eleven still waiting for their first match.

    Then, for the fourth match, the announcer called:

    "Arya!"

    Arya stood up from his seat and walked toward the stage.

    His opponent followed¡ªa young man with Level 16 energy, the strongest contestant so far. However, Arya himself was at Level 17, meaning his opponent was not the strongest in the competition.

    This is either his bad luck¡­ or my good luck, Arya thought as he observed his opponent. The boy''s element was water, a direct disadvantage against Arya''s fire affinity. However, his name was well-known in the village¡ªmany considered him to be gifted.

    Unlike Arya, who had been training in solitude, this boy had frequently showcased his abilities.

    As the two faced off, the boy smirked. "So, you''re Arya, the chief''s son?"

    Arya nodded but said nothing.

    "Hmph! Just because you''re the chief''s kid, don''t think I''ll go easy on you. I''ll give you one chance¡ªsurrender now, and you won''t get hurt."

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "You''re too kind, but I can''t accept your kindness. Stop wasting time and make your move."

    The boy''s smirk twisted into a scowl. "You''re really an ignorant guy who needs a good beating!"

    As the fight was about to begin, the entire crowd held its breath.

    Would Arya''s six months of training prove worthwhile?

 Chapter 22: "Championâ€™s Trial: Arya vs. Kane"

    As the boy stepped forward, he summoned his level 16 water-element energy, forming a pair of water gloves around his hands. Without hesitation, he launched his attack, aiming straight for Arya''s face.

    Seeing the attack approach, Arya remained motionless, standing his ground. His lack of reaction made the crowd uneasy¡ªeven his mother couldn''t help but voice her concern.

    "Has he lost his mind from too much cultivation? Why isn''t he dodging?" she muttered anxiously.

    His father, however, simply chuckled. "He''s proving a point," he said knowingly. "Arya wants to silence every doubter with just one match."

    Just as the water-infused punch was about to connect, Arya calmly lifted his hand and caught his opponent''s wrist in an instant. The water energy dissipated, vanishing into a thin mist the moment Arya''s fingers touched it.

    The entire arena fell into stunned silence. Every spectator stared at Arya, mouths agape, as if he were a ghost. Without wasting a moment, Arya shifted his stance, channeled his strength, and threw his opponent off the battle stage with a single motion.

    The referee quickly regained his composure and announced, "The winner is Arya! You may step down."

    Nodding slightly, Arya left the stage, returning to his seat. The crowd remained eerily quiet, still processing what had just happened. But as the next match began, the stunned silence gave way to excited murmurs, and soon, the arena was filled with chatter once more.

    As the tournament progressed, stronger contestants emerged. One of the most anticipated battles was between Kane and a blue-shirted boy. Kane swiftly overpowered his opponent, securing his spot in the next round.The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Arya watched from the sidelines, noting Kane''s improvement. His cultivation had reached level 18 or 19, making him the strongest contestant in the competition. Though the tournament was for those under fifteen, Kane was only nine and a half, while Arya himself was just eight years old.

    The first round ended with only eight competitors remaining out of seventeen. The weakest among them was eliminated, leaving the top nine rankings to be decided. The format changed¡ªeach of the remaining contestants would fight seven matches, and the rankings would be determined based on their victories.

    Arya swiftly defeated his first two opponents, both of whom were at level 16. In his third match, he faced the girl with earth-element abilities. Though she had an impressive defense, Arya overpowered her without using any skills, relying solely on his raw strength and control.

    Among the remaining competitors, two were weapon masters. Arya fought against them as well but continued to use only his seed master form, avoiding any advanced techniques.

    Then came the match that everyone had been waiting for¡ªArya vs. Kane. The moment their names were called, the atmosphere in the arena shifted.

    Despite Arya''s impressive victories, most spectators believed this would be his loss. After all, Kane had the highest cultivation level. But Kane himself wasn''t so confident.

    Unlike the others, he had sparred with Arya multiple times in the past. Though their last match was five months ago, Kane knew firsthand that Arya''s growth rate was terrifying.

    As they stepped onto the stage, Kane smiled. "We meet again."

    Arya nodded. "Are you ready for this?"

    Kane''s smile widened. "We''ll finally see who the real champion is¡ªthe one who will lead our village''s top seven in the Four Village Tournament."

    The referee raised his hand. "Begin!"

    Arya immediately summoned his level 17 elemental energy, then transformed his seed ring into a weapon, revealing himself as a weapon master.

    Gasps echoed through the crowd. "Wait¡­ he''s not a seed master? He''s a weapon master?"

    Murmurs of shock spread. Up until now, everyone had assumed Arya was a talented seed master, but his transformation changed everything.

    Arya raised his weapon and smiled at Kane. "Your move."

    Among the spectators, a defeated contestant gritted his teeth. "He''s so arrogant, acting like Kane isn''t even a threat!"

    Another nodded. "I hope Senior Kane crushes him so he finally learns some humility."

    Everyone knew¡ªthis battle would decide the champion of the competition.

    Kane''s eyes narrowed as he studied Arya''s stance. "You never used your ring skill¡­ does that mean you''ve truly chosen the path of a weapon master?"

    Arya smirked. "I haven''t decided yet. But for the last six months, I''ve only trained with my weapon. Now, I want to see just how far I''ve come."

    The crowd held its breath as the battle was about to begin.

 Chapter 23: " ranked first"

    Kane smirked. "Alright then, let''s see how much you''ve improved."

    With that, he unleashed his level 19 cultivation, summoning a white-colored seed ring on his right hand. His body flickered as he dashed forward, his speed impressive even for the strongest young cultivators in the village.

    Arya also moved, but instead of wielding his metal staff, he slung it onto his back. Kane had chosen to engage in a physical fight, so Arya would meet him on equal footing.

    Their battle was fierce¡ªblows were exchanged at lightning speed, fists and feet colliding with incredible force. However, Kane soon realized he was at a disadvantage. Arya''s weapon master form gave him a natural edge in close combat. Forced to adapt, Kane activated his skill, knowing he needed to overpower Arya before it was too late.

    A massive tornado of wind erupted around him, more powerful than ever before. His cultivation had grown from level 15 peak to level 19, and the strength of his skills had evolved accordingly.

    Even so, Arya dissolved every attack effortlessly. Kane launched his Wind Tornado skill four times, but Arya evaded and countered each time, barely breaking a sweat. Realizing brute force wasn''t enough, Kane changed his strategy.

    With a sudden burst of speed, he closed the distance between them and transformed himself into a tornado, trapping Arya inside.

    The village fell silent. Every spectator held their breath, eyes fixed on the swirling storm. For ten long seconds, the only sound was the roaring wind.

    Then¡ªa figure was flung out of the tornado like a broken bird falling from the sky. The crowd gasped.

    When the dust settled, the one who had crashed out of the battle stage wasn''t Arya. It was Kane.

    The once-proud young prodigy lay sprawled outside the battlefield, struggling to lift himself. His body was covered in bruises, his energy drained.

    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    All eyes turned back to the stage. Arya stood tall, gripping his metal staff, its fiery aura still burning. One end of the staff pointed skyward, while the other rested firmly in his hand.

    When Kane had turned into a tornado, Arya had been momentarily surprised by his opponent''s innovative use of his first skill. But once inside the storm, Arya quickly located Kane''s position. As Kane had switched to his weapon master form and begun firing arrows, Arya dodged, though he wasn''t completely unscathed¡ªa small scratch had formed on his right shoulder.

    Then, seizing his opportunity, Arya fused his fire element into his staff and delivered a devastating counterattack, striking Kane with overwhelming force.

    The referee''s voice rang out across the stunned arena.

    "This round''s winner is Arya!"

    For a moment, silence. Then, the entire village erupted into cheers.

    Arya stepped down from the stage, walking straight toward Kane, who was still catching his breath. Without hesitation, Arya extended a hand toward him.

    "Get up, Kane. We still have to fight for our village in the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition. That''s my real goal."

    Kane stared at him for a moment, then let out a chuckle and grasped Arya''s hand. "I expected nothing less from you."

    Bryan stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding immediate attention.

    "Today, every child who participated gave their best," he announced. "As promised, the rewards for their rankings will now be distributed."

    One by one, the contestants stepped forward to receive their prizes. When Arya was handed 25 white coins and 3 pink coins, his eyes lit up.

    This was his first-ever earned money in this new world.

    Three pink coins were worth 90 white coins, bringing his total to 115 white coins¡ªnearly enough to buy a common seed for his second breakthrough. The price of a common seed ranged from 150 to 170 white coins, so he was close.

    Even though he hadn''t earned enough yet, he was satisfied. He could find a way to make up the rest in time.

    Bryan continued, "As I previously mentioned, the top 7 contestants will represent our village in the Four Villages'' Younger Generation Competition. This event is crucial for those seeking power, recognition, and greater opportunities.

    Details of the competition will be given when we depart one week from now. Mark my words¡ªif you perform well, the rewards and chances you receive may change your destiny."

    With that, the ceremony concluded. The village competition had ended, and a new challenge awaited.

    As the crowd dispersed, Bryan motioned for Arya to approach.

    "Arya, why didn''t you meet your mother before the match?" his mother asked, concern evident in her voice. "I was worried you''d be late."

    "Ah¡­ don''t worry, Mom," Arya said with a small smile. "I just didn''t want to draw too much attention before the competition. Sorry for making you worry."

    She sighed in relief. "It''s fine, it''s fine. And congratulations on winning first place!"

    "Thanks, Mom. But this was only a small step. My goal isn''t just to win the village competition¡ªI need to reach the top 3 in the Four Villages'' Competition. That''s when I''ll feel like I''ve truly achieved something."

    His father placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "You don''t need to put too much pressure on yourself. With your strength, you can definitely rank in the top 7¡ªand as for the top 3, that will depend on your performance."

    A shadow flickered across his father''s face. "This year, all four villages are sending their most talented young cultivators. And there''s a mysterious reward at stake¡ªsomething priceless. Many are after it¡­ including me."

    Arya''s eyes sharpened. A prize worth competing for? This just got even more interesting.

 Chapter 24: A Fatherâ€™s Expectations and the Path Ahead

    Bryan''s eyes were filled with both pride and expectation. "Arya, I hope you can obtain that thing in the competition. It will be crucial for your future path. Based on your performance today, I believe you have a real chance to claim it."

    He paused before continuing, "There are two special rewards in the Four Villages'' Competition. The one I speak of is one of them. Once we set out, I will explain everything in detail. You have one week to prepare."

    Arya nodded, determination burning in his eyes. "Yes, Father. I understand. I promise¡ªI will do my best and not disappoint you."

    As the crowd dispersed, Arya left the arena with his family, his mind already focused on the battles ahead.

    Arya was now almost 8 years old, standing at 4.10 feet tall. He didn''t have a muscular build, but he also wasn''t slim¡ªhis body was sturdy yet well-proportioned, suited for both speed and strength.

    His facial features weren''t striking enough to draw instant attention, but upon closer look, one could see his above-average handsomeness. His was the kind of face that could blend into a crowd, but today¡­

    Today, Arya''s ability to remain unnoticed had vanished.

    After his decisive victory, he was no longer just another child in the village. Before the tournament, only a few people even knew he was the village chief''s son¡ªhe rarely mentioned his father''s name, spending most of his time cultivating in solitude.

    But after today, his identity was no longer a secret. His name would not be forgotten.

    That night, after finishing dinner with his parents, Arya returned to his room. He retrieved a small bag¡ªa simple storage pouch, nothing special.

    There were far more valuable items known as space bags, which could store vast amounts of items¡ªand some, even living beings. But such artifacts were luxuries beyond a small village''s reach. Their price varied based on storage capacity, and only the wealthy could afford them.

    Holding the bag in his hands, Arya smiled slightly.

    "This is my first money¡ªmoney I''ve earned by myself."

    Inside were 25 white coins and 3 pink coins¡ªa total of 115 white coins, just shy of the 150-170 white coins needed for a common seed stone.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "I''ve taken my first step. If I perform well in the Four Villages'' Competition, I can earn more."

    More than that, he was curious about the special reward his father had mentioned.

    "If even Father is interested in it¡­ then it must be something truly priceless."

    Shaking off distractions, Arya sat down and began cultivating his elemental energy, preparing for the battles ahead.

    The next morning, Bryan summoned Arya.

    "Arya, it''s time for you to learn about the outside world. You are growing too fast. It''s better for you to be prepared for what lies beyond our village."

    Arya listened carefully. His father''s voice carried both pride and concern.

    "You won''t be able to stay in the village forever. Your talent is too great, and our village is not wealthy enough to support your cultivation indefinitely.

    If you want to become truly powerful, you will have to leave one day¡ªto seek opportunities, resources, and knowledge. Remember this:

    In this world, only the strong can live freely."

    Bryan''s tone grew heavier. "Now, listen carefully. I will teach you about the strongest entities in this world. You must understand them before you step into the outside world."

    Arya sat up straight, his focus sharp.

    The Three Great Races

    "In this vast world, humans are not the only ones who can cultivate power. There are two other major races¡ªboth incredibly strong.

    The first are Monster Beasts.

    The second are Spirit Beasts."

    Arya frowned. "I''ve heard of Monster Beasts before, but Spirit Beasts¡­?"

    Bryan nodded. "Let me explain."

    1. Monster Beasts

    Monster Beasts live in the wilderness, though some exist in special, secluded regions.

    A newborn Monster Beast from a normal species is already as strong as a level 20 human cultivator.

    Most of them have low intelligence, but high-ranking Monster Beasts can develop wisdom comparable to humans.

    Some rare species can even change their forms into humans. However, I''ve only read about them in ancient texts¡ªI''ve never seen one myself.

    He sighed. "I haven''t traveled much beyond this village. There is much I don''t know. If you go into the world, you must learn these things for yourself."

    2. Spirit Beasts

    Unlike Monster Beasts, Spirit Beasts do not have strong physical bodies.

    They are made purely of spiritual energy.

    Their main strength lies in spirit-based attacks, though they can fight physically when needed.

    Among the three races, Monster Beasts are the most physically powerful, but Spirit Beasts are extremely dangerous due to their unique abilities.

    Bryan''s eyes darkened. "Spirit Beasts are also the favorite prey of Weapon Masters."

    Arya blinked. "Weapon Masters¡­ hunt them?"

    "Yes. The reason why Weapon Masters target Spirit Beasts is unknown to me. But I do know one thing¡ª"

    Bryan''s expression turned serious.

    "Monster Beasts can also produce seed stones like Spirit Beasts. However, only those at level 50 or higher can do so, and the seeds they produce are all rare or higher rank.

    Because of this, very few humans dare to hunt Monster Beasts¡ªthey are simply too strong."

    Arya''s mind raced. A level 50 Monster Beast¡­ and their seeds are guaranteed to be rare?

    "No wonder people avoid them. Only the strongest warriors would even dare to challenge such creatures."

    Bryan leaned forward. "Now, let me tell you something even more important¡ª"

    "There are three legendary stone seed ranks in this world.

    These are beyond common, rare, and epic seeds¡ªthey are extremely rare and nearly impossible to find.

    They are known as:

    Mythic Rare Seeds

    Color: Half-Golden with Pink

    Mythic Epic Seeds

    Color: Half-Golden with Red

    Mythic Legendary Seeds

    Color: Fully Golden

    "These seeds are so rare that even in ancient books, only a handful of them have ever been mentioned."

    Arya''s heart pounded.

    "Mythic Legendary¡­ a fully golden seed? What kind of power does that hold?"

    Bryan''s voice turned grave. "Even in our world''s history, very few people have ever possessed Mythic Legendary Seeds. Those who did¡­ became gods among men."

    Arya clenched his fists.

    "One day¡­ I will find out just how powerful these seeds truly are."

 Chapter 25: The Five Elemental Continents

    The details about these three mysterious seeds remain unknown to me as well. However, what I do know is that they are far more powerful than legendary seeds. For people like us, even possessing an epic seed is already an incredible feat. Only those who have reached level 90 or above truly understand these seeds and their locations.

    These seeds are closely tied to powerful races in the world, which you must be cautious of. Now, let me tell you about our own human race and the lands we inhabit. The Seedling World is divided into five main continents, each specializing in a particular element:

    1. Blue Flame Continent ¨C Fire

    2. Asur Water Continent ¨C Water

    3. Invincible Heaven Continent ¨C Space & Lightning

    4. Invincible Earth Continent ¨C Earth

    5. Great Wind Continent ¨C Wind

    Beyond these continents, there are also unknown lands. Additionally, two more elements exist outside the influence of any continent¡ªLight and Darkness. These two elements counter each other, with Darkness growing stronger at night and Light becoming more powerful during the day.

    Across all continents, there are numerous sect and academy factions, yet no single ruler governs the world. These sects are classified into four ranks:

    ? Normal Class Sect

    ? Mid Class Sect

    ? High Class SectStolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ? Super Class Sect

    As villagers, we remain largely unaware of the greater world beyond our lands. The outside world is full of both opportunities and dangers, but this is all the knowledge I can pass on to you. If you have any questions, ask now.

    Arya carefully listened to his father''s words, absorbing every detail about the outside world. This was his first time leaving the village, and it certainly wouldn''t be his last. At first, he intended to say he had no questions, but suddenly, something came to mind.

    "Father, I want to know more about the reward you mentioned before."

    Bryan chuckled. "I see you''re quite curious about that. The reward isn''t an object¡ªit''s an opportunity. Our village lies in a remote corner of the Asur Water Continent, far from the great sects and academies. However, this time, the top three winners of the Four-Village Competition will earn the chance to apply to the Water Dragon Academy."

    This revelation caught Arya''s attention. His father continued, "It''s the first time an academy of this level has granted such an opportunity. There are also other rewards in the competition, but for us¡ªwho wouldn''t even qualify for a low-class academy¡ªthis is the most valuable prize. If you can secure this chance, our village''s future may rest in your hands."

    Arya didn''t respond right away. He simply nodded, deep in thought. His father''s decision to share all this information now made sense¡ªit was all tied to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

    Previously, Arya had only cared about the prize money, thinking of using it to buy his own Seed Stone. But now, he realized that this competition could change his life forever.

    The next morning, after his lessons, Arya headed to the small wilderness where he usually trained. As he practiced with his weapon, he sensed something unusual. When he infused his fire element into his metal staff, he could feel the presence of water element within his body¡ªit, too, wanted to merge with the weapon. However, the fire element suppressed it, preventing fusion.

    Arya had experienced this struggle many times before. He had long thought about combining his two elements, believing it would greatly enhance his weapon''s power. However, his father had warned him that it was too dangerous¡ªfire and water were opposing forces, and no one had ever succeeded in fusing them before level 50.

    But Arya was not a normal eight-year-old. Unlike others his age, he possessed extraordinary control over his power, and after learning about the academy opportunity, he made his decision¡ªhe would attempt to fuse his elements, no matter the risk.

    Summoning his Seed Weapon, he focused on the suppressed water element within him. He began by infusing fire into the weapon first, then called upon his water element to merge with it.

    The result? Failure.

    The moment the water element touched the fire-infused weapon, it lost its power, causing the fusion to fail. After several attempts, Arya reversed the process¡ªthis time, infusing water first, then fire. Yet, the outcome remained the same. Water couldn''t coexist with fire, and the fusion collapsed once more.

    Each failed attempt left Arya with minor injuries, but thankfully, none were critical. Since he was born with both elements, his natural affinity lessened the backlash. But even so, it was clear¡ªfusing fire and water was no easy feat.

    Still, Arya refused to give up.

    If he truly wanted to win¡­

    If he truly wanted to seize this opportunity¡­

    He had to find a way to overcome this challenge.

 Chapter 26: "The Elemental Trial"

    Due to Arya''s unique birthright, being imbued with both the life-giving Water and destructive Fire elements, his body is far stronger than most. His physical strength and defensive capabilities are remarkable. Even in his Seed Master form, he can hold his ground against a level 10 Weapon Master. This natural defense is why his injuries aren''t as severe.

    When the initial fusion attempt failed, Arya decided to suppress his Fire element, focusing all his energy on his Water element. To his surprise, the fusion worked. However, the joy was short-lived. As soon as he lifted the weapon to inspect it, an unexpected surge of energy caused it to explode in his hands, and Arya immediately lost consciousness.

    After an unknown period of time, Arya woke up in the wild, his body battered and covered in dirt. He groaned in pain, realizing that he had been unconscious for at least a full day. Looking around, he saw the early morning sun peeking through the trees. He stumbled toward a nearby lake, cleaned himself up, and set off for home.

    When Arya arrived, his mother greeted him with concern, "Arya, where have you been? We''ve been worried sick about you."

    He smiled sheepishly, brushing off the question. "Ah, I practiced too much and passed out. I didn''t even realize when I fell asleep."

    His mother sighed. "I told you not to overdo it. Come, let me fix you something to eat."

    As Arya ate, his mind was racing. He was excited that he had finally succeeded in fusing the two elements, but the immense control required was terrifying. He knew it would be a challenge, but this power could make all the difference in the upcoming competition.

    For the next six days, Arya refrained from practicing the fusion, choosing instead to focus on his physical and mental preparation. On the seventh day, the day of the competition, everyone gathered at the chief''s office.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The chief addressed the group, "Today marks the start of the 4 Village''s Younger Generation Competition. I wish you all the best of luck. I''ll be accompanying you, along with two elders, as this year''s competition holds great significance."

    He continued, explaining the rules. "Each village will send seven participants. The competition will consist of seven rounds, and once the top seven contestants remain, you will face off in a lottery system. While you''re free to damage your opponents, remember that it can''t be permanent, and killing someone will result in disqualification for both you and your entire village."

    The chief went on to explain the rewards. "The rewards this year are more abundant than ever. The top 20 participants will receive coins, ranging from 20 white coins for rank 20 to 65 white coins for rank 12. After that, the top 10 will receive additional pink coins, and the top 1 will earn 115 white coins and 10 pink coins. This total is equal to my yearly income, so do your best to perform well!"

    But that wasn''t all. The top 20 to 11 would also receive space bags, the size of which would increase depending on their ranking. The top 3 would receive medium-sized bags, capable of storing living beings¡ªa highly coveted prize.

    "The third major reward," the chief continued, "is available only to the top 7 participants. You''ll be granted the chance to bathe in the Five Elemental Dragon Pond, which is rumored to have miraculous effects on cultivation. This pond contains the five elements, and it''s said that cultivating within it can rapidly increase your cultivation level. However, this benefit only applies to cultivators below level 30. It''s an opportunity many would kill for, but you, as villagers, are the ones who have access to it."

    Arya felt his excitement grow as the chief revealed the final reward. "The top 3 winners will also be given the opportunity to apply to the Water Dragon Academy¡ªa rare chance indeed, as an elder from the academy will attend the competition to ensure fairness. This is a turning point for our village, so the stakes are high."

    Arya''s heart raced. This wasn''t just about winning anymore¡ªit was about seizing the opportunity to change his future, and his village''s future. He knew this competition would test him in ways he had never imagined, but he was ready.

 Chapter 27: "Arrival at Fallen Leaves City Center"

    After traveling continuously for two hours, Arya and his group finally reached main city. It was the first time Arya had ever stepped outside his village, and the world beyond fascinated him. The roads were bustling with people, and countless market stalls displayed goods he had never seen before. The lively atmosphere, the mix of scents, and the unfamiliar sights filled him with awe.

    But there was no time to stop and explore. They continued their journey for another hour, passing through yet another small place before finally reaching their destination¡ªFallen Leaves City center, the location where the 4-Village Younger Generation Competition was held every year.

    As they approached, Arya walked beside his father, Bryan, his mind filled with questions.

    "Father, I need to ask you something in private," Arya said.

    Bryan glanced at him and nodded, leading him away from the group. "Go ahead," he said.

    "You mentioned that an elder from Water Dragon Academy is coming to oversee the competition. If I use my Seed Ring skill, won''t he be able to recognize its uniqueness?" Arya asked, his voice filled with concern.

    Bryan smiled, appreciating his son''s cautious nature. "I''m glad you''re thinking ahead, but you don''t need to worry. People can only see the rarity of a seed, not its form or skills. Since your seed is only of the common rank, no one will suspect anything. Just avoid using your first skill in front of level 50+ powerhouses. Below that level, no one can see through it."

    Arya nodded, relieved.

    "Also," Bryan continued, "your Seed Ring skill is extremely rare. A common seed doesn''t normally possess a skill of that level. Only Rare or higher-ranked seeds grant abilities like that. So use it sparingly and secretly. Your skill is silent and invisible, directly targeting an enemy''s heart, making it hard to detect. But still, be cautious."

    "I understand, Father. I''ll be careful," Arya assured him.

    Bryan patted his son''s shoulder. "Good. And remember, don''t push yourself too hard. Even if you don''t place in the top three, I''ve already made arrangements for you. I secured you a place in a normal-class academy before I even knew about Water Dragon Academy''s offer. Once you reach level 20, I''ll tell you more about it."

    Arya smiled, touched by his father''s support. "Thank you, Father. But I won''t need that backup plan. This time, I will seize the opportunity myself. It''s not just about me¡ªit''s about our village too. As your son, how can I settle for being a mere commoner?"

    Bryan saw the determination in his son''s eyes. He didn''t say anything, only nodded in approval.

    As they rejoined the group, Bryan led them toward the competition grounds, where the battle would take place the next day.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    "This is where the competition will be held?" asked Kane, one of Arya''s fellow contestants and the second-place winner of the previous competition. He looked around in surprise.

    The area was vast and open, surrounded by lush greenery. Tall trees provided shade, and the fresh scent of nature filled the air. Unlike grand arenas or structured battlefields, this location felt untouched, almost wild.

    As they took in the surroundings, a guard approached them near the entrance.

    "Which village do you belong to? Have you come for the 4-Village Competition?" the guard asked.

    Bryan stepped forward. "Yes, we are here for the competition. We are from the Blazing Inferno Village."

    For a split second, a shadow crossed Bryan''s face, but he quickly masked it. Arya noticed the subtle change and felt a pang of curiosity. His village name was rarely spoken aloud, and this was only the third time he had ever heard it mentioned. There was a history here¡ªone that no one seemed willing to talk about.

    After completing the formalities, they entered the main competition area. Arya was taken aback by the beauty inside. The grounds were well-maintained, with four colored flags representing the four competing villages, hanging atop different houses in each direction.

    Their group was assigned to the northern section, where the Blazing Inferno Village would rest before the competition. Bryan led the way, ensuring everyone got settled. They had been traveling for hours, and rest was necessary before the battles began.

    Just as Bryan was about to head toward his resting area, a hand suddenly blocked his path.

    "Haha, Bryan, why are you in such a hurry?" a middle-aged man said with a grin. "You''ve just arrived, and you don''t even want to greet an old friend?"

    Bryan paused, then smirked. "Oh, so Chief Rick of the Black Crow Village is here as well? I thought I''d be the first to arrive."

    They clasped hands in greeting. Standing beside Rick were two younger figures¡ªa muscular boy around 14 or 15 years old, and a veiled girl of 10 to 11 years.

    The muscular boy stood with arms crossed, his gaze uninterested in the conversation. His presence alone radiated strength¡ªhe was likely a strong contender for the competition.

    But Arya''s attention was drawn elsewhere.

    The veiled girl stood beside Rick, her face mostly hidden. Yet, the moment Arya saw her eyes, he felt a strange sensation. They were captivating¡ªso mesmerizing that for a brief second, he lost himself in them.

    Realizing he had been staring, Arya quickly shifted his gaze away¡ªonly to find that both the girl and his father were now looking at him.

    Embarrassed, Arya quickly turned his eyes to the sky, pretending he had been admiring the scenery all along.

    Bryan chuckled at his son''s reaction before speaking. "Arya, let me introduce you. This is Rick, an old friend of mine and the chief of Black Crow Village."

    Arya bowed slightly. "Greetings, Uncle Rick."

    Rick raised an eyebrow, confused. "Oh? Who is this?"

    Bryan smirked. "He''s my son¡ªand he''ll be competing in the tournament this year."

    Rick''s eyes widened in shock. "Your son? Bryan, you''ve always kept your personal affairs private, but you never once mentioned having a child. And now, out of nowhere, you introduce me to a nine-year-old son?"

    Bryan chuckled. "You never asked. Besides, I wanted him to have a peaceful childhood. But things are different now¡ªyou know why."

    Rick nodded. "Yes, this year''s competition is unlike any before. The presence of Water Dragon Academy changes everything."

    He then turned toward his right, gesturing toward the veiled girl.

    "Arya, let me introduce you to my daughter, Rose. She is also competing this year," Rick said with a grin. "Which means¡­ you two are rivals in this competition."

    Arya looked at Rose, whose gaze had not shifted from him. For the first time, he felt that this tournament wasn''t just about strength¡ªit was also about the people he would meet along the way.

 Chapter 28: "Rose"

    Arya stepped forward, extending his hand towards Rose for a greeting. As he looked into her mesmerizing eyes again, he felt himself being drawn in¡ªbut this time, he controlled himself.

    Rick, her father, was about to intervene. His daughter usually kept her distance from others, and he expected her to ignore Arya''s gesture. But to his surprise, she also extended her hand, lightly shaking Arya''s in greeting.

    Bryan, watching from the side, noticed Rick''s startled expression and smiled knowingly. He didn''t say anything, but there was someone nearby who clearly wasn''t pleased.

    It was the muscular boy Arya had noticed earlier¡ªthe one standing beside Rick. His expression darkened as he watched Rose shake hands with Arya.

    With a soft and sweet voice, Rose greeted Arya. "Hello."

    Her voice was just as enchanting as her eyes. Arya, after exchanging the greeting, stepped back.

    Rick cleared his throat and introduced the other young man. "This is Leo. Leo, this is Arya from Blazing Inferno Village."

    Arya extended his hand again. "Hello."

    But Leo didn''t immediately respond. Instead, he stared into Arya''s eyes with animosity, a hint of unspoken hostility behind them.

    Arya didn''t know what he had done to provoke such a reaction.

    After an uncomfortable moment of silence, Leo finally extended his hand¡ªbut as their hands met, he leaned in slightly and whispered in a deep, low voice, "You better watch yourself. If you keep staring at Rose like that, you''ll get hurt. She''s mine."

    Arya blinked, then smirked. Instead of replying in a whisper, he spoke loud enough for everyone to hear.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    "Oh? What does Brother Leo mean? I don''t understand. Is Miss Rose your girlfriend? But aren''t we all too young to be thinking about such¡­ serious matters?"

    The moment Arya finished speaking, an angry but sweet voice interrupted.

    "Who''s his girlfriend?"

    It was Rose.

    She looked at Leo, clearly irritated. "Leo, I''ve already told you¡ªI''m not interested in these kinds of things. At our age, we should be focusing on cultivation. But you keep thinking about these pointless things."

    Leo immediately turned defensive. "Rose, it wasn''t me! He''s the one twisting things and making stories¡ª"

    "You!!!" Leo turned back to Arya, his anger flaring. "You''re doing this on purpose, aren''t you? Let me teach you a lesson¡ªbeing too smart isn''t always a good thing."

    He clenched his fist, summoning his power. Just as he was about to attack, a hand blocked his path.

    It was Rick.

    "Enough," Rick said firmly.

    Leo hesitated but tried to explain, "Chief, he was insulting me in front of Rose¡ª"

    "Quiet." Rick''s voice turned sharp. "Don''t make a scene over something so trivial."

    Leo clenched his jaw but said nothing.

    Rick turned to Bryan and sighed. "Let''s go and rest. You''ve just arrived, and the competition is tomorrow. We''ll meet again at dinnertime."

    Bryan nodded. "Agreed."

    As they turned to leave, Arya glanced back at Leo¡ªonly to find Rose looking at him as well.

    To his surprise, she didn''t seem angry. Instead, she simply gazed at him with a calm expression.

    Arya smiled and gave her a small nod before following his father back to their camp.

    By the time Arya and his group arrived at their living quarters, the sun was already starting to set. They had been traveling all day, and a few hours of rest were necessary before dinner.

    That evening, Arya woke up and began getting ready. Tonight''s dinner was different¡ªit wasn''t served in their rooms. Instead, it was a gathering, an event where all participants from different villages could meet.

    This gathering was an important opportunity. Not only was it a chance to eat, but it was also a crucial moment to observe potential rivals.

    By the time Arya stepped outside, he realized no one from his village was there.

    "Looks like I''m the last one," he muttered.

    Just then, a loud voice called out from behind him.

    "Aryaa!!"

    Turning around, Arya saw Kane running toward him¡ªthe strongest cultivator in their village and Arya''s old sparring partner.

    "Haha, I thought I was the only one running late," Kane said with a grin. "But seeing you still here makes me feel better."

    Arya smirked. "Then I have to disappoint you. You are the only one left. If it weren''t for the chief''s orders to wait for me, you''d already be at the gathering."

    Kane sighed. "So I really am late¡­ well, whatever. Let''s go together."

    As they started walking, Kane glanced at Arya and chuckled.

    "You know, the gap between our strength keeps growing. When I first met you in the wilderness behind our village, I could still fight against you."

    Arya smiled. "And now?"

    Kane sighed dramatically. "And now, after six months, just when I thought I had finally caught up to you, you crushed me again in the last competition."

    Arya laughed. "Then you''ll just have to train harder."

    Kane grinned. "Don''t worry. This time, I won''t lose so easily."

    With that, the two of them headed toward the gathering, where the strongest young cultivators of the four villages would meet.

    And for Arya, this was just the beginning.

 Chapter 29: "A Feast of Rivalries"

    "You can still defeat me if you keep improving. This is just a temporary setback."

    "Hah, you''re right. One day, I''ll definitely surpass you."

    As Arya and Kane arrived at their destination, the sight before them was bustling. The hall was filled with young cultivators, their auras hinting at formidable strength, as well as elders engaged in discussions while enjoying their meals.

    "These people must be from other villages," Kane noted, scanning the crowd. "They look strong. What do you think, Arya?"

    Arya nodded. "Their cultivation levels are impressive. The competition will be tough, but we need to secure a good ranking¡ªnot just for our village, but for ourselves as well."

    "So, where should we go first?" Kane asked.

    After briefly surveying the hall, Arya made his decision. "Let''s get our food first. That''s the main reason I came here."

    Kane smirked. "Looks like someone''s a foodie. Aren''t you interested in meeting the other participants?"

    "I am," Arya replied, "but I''m starving. I need food first. Let''s go."

    The two made their way to the food counter. As they approached, a waiter stepped forward with a polite smile.

    "What would you like to order, sir?"

    Arya glanced at the menu displayed above the serving area and noticed certain dishes were marked with stars. Curious, he pointed at them. "What do these stars mean?"

    The waiter smiled. "Those are premium dishes, sir. They contain high levels of nutrients and energy, which can aid cultivation. However, they are not free¡ªyou''ll need to pay for them."

    "Oh, interesting¡­" Arya murmured. Even as the village chief''s son, he had never eaten such high-quality food before.

    After considering his options, he made his choice. "I''ll have a bowl of Red-Tailed Bird Soup and some rice."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    The waiter''s face lit up. Selling premium dishes earned him merit points, which could lead to a promotion. "Excellent choice, sir. I''ll have it prepared immediately."

    Before the waiter could leave, Arya stopped him. "One more thing¡ªcan you tell me about this Red-Tailed Bird?"

    The question caught the waiter off guard. "Sir, is this your first time trying it?"

    "Yeah. Is that a problem?" Arya asked.

    "Not at all!" The waiter quickly composed himself. "The Red-Tailed Bird is a fire-elemental monster beast. It''s rare in our continent, which makes it expensive. If a fire cultivator eats it, the energy absorption is significantly higher. But since most people here have water or ice affinities, it''s not that popular."

    "I see. Thanks for the info." Arya wasn''t disappointed; he hadn''t expected the waiter to provide deep insights into the beast itself.

    "You seem more interested in the beast than the food."

    A sweet, elegant voice reached Arya''s ears. He turned, and for a moment, he couldn''t believe his eyes.

    It was Rose, the Black Crow Village chief''s daughter.

    Maintaining his composure, he smiled. "Does Miss Rose know about it?"

    She gracefully took the seat next to him. "Yes. I can tell you more if you''d like."

    As Arya glanced around, he noticed the sharp glares of several young men from different villages. Ignoring them, he smirked. "It looks like Miss Rose is quite popular. I imagine many people are feeling disappointed right now."

    Rose chuckled. "Who cares what they think? I sat here because I wanted to. And you don''t seem like one of them."

    Arya sighed dramatically. "Well, this makes things more difficult for me."

    "Oh? Are you afraid of a challenge?" she teased.

    Arya simply looked at her, intrigued.

    "Forget that," Rose continued. "Let''s talk about the Red-Tailed Bird. It''s a low-level monster beast, but its attack abilities are quite strong. Its destructive power is high for its rank."

    "Low-level monster beast? What does that mean?" Arya asked.

    "There are many types of spirit beasts and monster beasts. I don''t know all the ranking differences, but I can tell you that some of them are born with power equivalent to a level 30 or 40 Seed Master. You can imagine the power gap."

    Arya nodded. "That''s fascinating. Your knowledge is impressive."

    Rose shrugged. "I just read a lot."

    Arya hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I have another question."

    "Go ahead."

    "I''m curious to see the face hidden behind that veil. Would you be willing to remove it?"

    The surrounding atmosphere tensed. Kane, who had just arrived behind Arya, nearly choked on his breath. He shook his head, muttering, "Brother Arya¡­ you really don''t waste time."

    The room fell silent, and every young man who had been watching them stared in disbelief.

    But to everyone''s shock, Rose didn''t get angry. Instead, she smiled, stood up, and said, "It''s not that easy. You''ll have to earn it."

    With that, she gracefully left the room, leaving behind a wave of stunned admirers.

    Arya finished his meal and was about to leave when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. He turned to see Leo, and he wasn''t alone.

    "You guys can''t wait until tomorrow''s competition and already want to cause trouble?" Arya asked calmly.

    Leo''s voice was cold. "This is your last warning¡ªstay away from Rose."

    Arya scoffed. "It''s not like I approached her. She came to me. But even if I had, why should I care whether you like it or not?"

    "You¡ª!"

    Leo raised his hand, summoning his power, but before he could strike, a sharp cough echoed through the hall.

    "Fighting is not allowed here."

    Rick''s voice cut through the tension. The Black Crow Village chief stood at a distance, watching with narrowed eyes.

    "This is a place to meet and learn about each other, not cause trouble. Control yourself."

    Leo clenched his fists but didn''t argue. Arya simply smirked, brushing off his shoulder as if dusting away an annoyance.

    "See you in the competition."

    And with that, he left.

 Chapter 30: The Tournament Begins

    The next morning, Arya woke up, freshened up, and made his way toward the competition grounds. This tournament wasn''t particularly important to him, but it was still a crucial stepping stone.

    The Four-Village Competition featured the younger generation from four villages:

    1. Blazing Inferno Village ¨C Arya''s village, with an unusual name for a continent dominated by water and ice cultivators.

    2. Black Crow Village ¨C Arya had already met their chief''s daughter, Rose, the previous day.

    3. Blue Stone Village - he don''t know that much about this village

    4. White Sparrow Village ¨C Like Black Crow, its name was also inspired by the continent''s native beasts.

    Upon arriving at the designated seating area for his village, Arya noticed that Kane and the others looked relieved to see him. Although they were all confident in their own strength, having Arya¡ªwho had already proven himself as the strongest in their village''s selection tournament¡ªgave them extra assurance.

    Arya took his seat and looked toward the platform where the village leaders sat. Among them, he spotted his father, but what caught his attention was the presence of a fifth figure seated alongside the four village chiefs. This person was likely the elder from Water Dragon Academy, though Arya wasn''t familiar with the chiefs of the other two villages to confirm.

    After a brief wait, the sound of horns echoed across the competition grounds, signaling the start of the event. An elderly figure, appearing to be in his late forties or early fifties, rose from his seat. With a mere wave of his hand, an invisible energy ripple spread across the area, instantly silencing the crowd. His aura alone commanded respect.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    He began speaking, his voice steady and authoritative.

    "I believe most of you are aware that this year''s competition is different. This time, the Water Dragon Academy has granted the top three participants a chance to join its ranks. I don''t need to explain what this means. Water Dragon Academy is a mid-class academy, and even the opportunity to apply is beyond reach for most. But for the top three, admission fees for the first year will be waived, and you will be granted a special entrance trial. Those who pass will officially become academy students."

    The crowd murmured in excitement.

    "Now, let''s discuss the rewards."

    The elder raised his hand, and a scroll materialized before him.

    "This year''s rewards have been greatly enhanced, thanks to the academy''s support. Here is how they will be distributed:

    ? Rank 25 to 15 will receive low-rank spatial bags and a small amount of pink coins (the continent''s higher currency). The 25th place will receive 1 pink coin, with each rank above gaining 1 additional coin. The 1st place winner will receive 25 pink coins.

    ? Ranks 14 to 4 will receive mid-rank spatial bags instead of low-rank ones.

    ? The Top 7 will be given the opportunity to bathe in the Elemental Dragon Pond, a place revered even by the academy. This pond can enhance cultivation, though its true value is shrouded in mystery.

    ? The Top 3 will receive:

    1. A seed stone (Common rank for 2nd and 3rd place, while the Champion will receive an Uncommon rank seed).

    2. A high-level spatial bag capable of storing a seed stone¡ªan incredibly expensive item.

    3. A chance to join Water Dragon Academy.

    Hearing this, Arya couldn''t help but sigh.

    "A mid-class academy really is wealthy¡­" he thought.

    Just the pink coin rewards were beyond his expectations. On top of that, the high-level spatial bag alone was worth nearly as much as the champion''s prize money. And the seed stones?

    ? A Common seed cost 200 white coins.

    ? An Uncommon seed cost 35 pink coins (equal to 1,000 white coins).

    ? A Rare seed was worth 50 red coins, which equaled 1,500 pink coins (or 45,000 white coins).

    "Just thinking about these numbers gives me a headache."

    As Arya was still mentally calculating, the elder from Water Dragon Academy raised his hand again.

    "Now, let''s discuss the competition format. Since the top seven rewards are exceptional, the challenges will be harder as well."

    With those words, the Four-Village Competition officially began.

    There would be two battle stages running simultaneously, ensuring the matches progressed quickly. The first round was about to begin. Arya''s eyes sharpened as he prepared himself.

    This was just the beginning.

 chapter 31: four Villages

    The elder retrieved two boxes ?? and looked toward everyone. "I will take out two names from each box, and these four people will be assigned as opponents. In this way, the duration of the competition will be shortened. So, the first fight is going to happen between¡­" As he announced the names of the first two opponents, two people stepped forward. One fight would be between a member of Blue Stone Village and an opponent from Black Crow Village, while the second match would pit Black Crow Village against White Sparrow Village.

    Luckily, Arya''s village would not be fighting in the first round¡ªa good piece of news for them because every advancement in rank would yield better rewards. There were to be seven matches in both stages, and none of Arya''s opponents would be from Same Village. This meant that in these seven double matches, all positions below the top seven would be decided, with the winners earning a spot in the top seven.

    To determine the top seven ranks, each contestant had to fight twice if they won their first fight. In the first bout, the contestants from White Sparrow Village appeared quite strong. Arya couldn''t even gauge his own cultivation level clearly, but he knew that his opponent from Black Crow Village had a cultivation level of 18.

    "Aren''t you aware of those guys from White Sparrow Village?" Arya asked Kane, who was sitting next to him. "He should be the second-ranked champion in their competition. I''ve heard someone say his cultivation level is at rank 20, but he doesn''t have his second seed."

    "Oh¡­ quite a powerful opponent. He''s even stronger than you! And that''s not all¡ªI also have some secret information: there are cultivators who already possess two seed rings. One is from Black Crow Village, and the other is unknown."

    "If I guess correctly, the first person should be Rose, right?" Arya asked Kane again.

    "Wow, how would you know that? Did she tell you about her cultivation that day?"

    "No, I just felt that she is quite powerful. The Unbreakable Body Shield !" While they were talking, the match between White Sparrow Village and Black Crow Village ended without any surprises.

    The contestant ranked second from White Sparrow Village used his first ring skill, "The Unbreakable Body Shield," to catch his opponent in his arms and apply his body force to defeat him. His element was earth, and with level 20 cultivation, he won his first fight amid cheers from White Sparrow Village. Meanwhile, the second match between Blue Stone Village and Black Crow Village also suggested that Black Crow Village would be defeated.

    This match featured opponents of equal cultivation¡ªboth at level 16. However, the contestant from Blue Stone Village was a weapon master, wielding a pair of hand gloves, a very powerful melee weapon. Weapon masters tend to be a bit more powerful than seed masters at low levels because they possess strong physical defense and offense, whereas seed masters lack ring skills at levels like 10 or 20. That was why the contestant from Black Crow Village was having a hard time against the weapon master from Blue Stone Village.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    After several moves, the weapon master from Blue Stone Village defeated his opponent and secured his first victory. The people from Black Crow Village looked quite unhappy because, in just the first round, they had suffered two defeats in a row.

    "Village Chief Rick, it seems your village''s luck is quite bad this time¡ªyou''ve already faced double defeat in the first fight," commented the chief from White Sparrow Village to Rick. "It''s only the beginning; the real match is yet to come. Why is Village Chief Ben in such a hurry to judge the match?"

    "Let''s just see¡ªthe results will be in front of everyone," Elder Jake from the Water Dragon Sect interrupted their conversation. One after another, three matches occurred, and six contestants were eliminated from the 28. In the fourth round, Leo from Black Crow Village was assigned to a match against a contestant from Blazing Inferno Village in the first stage. In the second stage, a contestant from White Sparrow Village was set to fight Kane from Blazing Inferno Village.

    Leo secured victory in just a few moves because his cultivation was at level 19¡ªjust like Kane''s¡ªand his element was wind, which favored speed and flexibility. However, Kane''s opponent from White Sparrow Village had a cultivation level of 18. Kane used his sneaky attack¡ªthe same tactic he had employed against Arya in the final¡ªand achieved his first victory.

    "Congratulations!" When Kane stepped down from the stage, Arya and his team congratulated him.

    "Thanks, but it wasn''t necessary," he replied as he took his seat. "It seems that White Sparrow Village has some very powerful cultivators," Arya remarked to Kane.

    "Yes, the minimum level their team possesses is 16, and you can see how well they''ve prepared for this competition."

    In the fourth round''s first fight, it was Arya versus Lee, as Elder Jack announced Arya''s name. "It looks like your fight is going to be tough. Be careful¡ªLee is also a second-ranked fighter from Blue Stone Village."

    "Hmm, thanks for the information. What is his cultivation level?" Arya asked.

    "I don''t know his exact level, but I can confirm he doesn''t have two seed rings."

    Arya walked up to the stage, and from the other side, another contestant also stepped forward. In the fourth round''s second fight, someone from Blue Stone Village faced an opponent from White Sparrow Village. Based on the information Arya had received, this must be the other two-ringed cultivator from White Sparrow Village.

    "Huh¡­ just level 17? It seems I''m not as unlucky as I thought," remarked the contestant opposite Arya, whose cultivation level was at 19, after seeing Arya as his next opponent.

    Overall, in Arya''s seven-round fight, there was only one opponent who could really put pressure on him and potentially defeat him¡ªthe third two-ringed fighter from Blue Stone Village. If Arya pushed his limits and revealed all his advantages, he might secure a top-three position. However, going beyond that did not seem feasible, because once he revealed all his cards, the other two-ringed seed masters would know his abilities all too well.

    Moreover, exposing all his abilities wasn''t an option due to the presence of the unknown guest from Water Dragon Academy. Even though the top-three position was very alluring, the odds were against Arya. After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to remain low-key for a few more years. Although the top-three and top-one rewards were significant and would benefit his village, the potential loss outweighed the gain. For instance, while the opportunity to join Water Dragon Academy and win a white-grade seed stone was attractive, it wasn''t enough to force him to expose all his abilities and invite endless trouble.

    The opportunity to join Water Dragon Academy was valuable because it could provide resources and help cultivate faster. However, he also had the option to join a normal-ranked academy through his father''s arrangements, and with his wisdom, he could achieve great things on his own. As for the white-ranked seed stone, it wasn''t that enticing because he planned not to use it for his second seed choice.

    In fact, his choice was not even an uncommon seed stone¡ªit was a rare seed stone for the second seed ring, which was nearly impossible to obtain for two reasons. First, the market price for a common-ranked seed is around 150 to 170 black-white coins, which equals about 5 to 6 pink coins¡ªa very large amount even for Bryan, Arya''s father, though it might be affordable for one or two needs. As for an uncommon-ranked seed, its price is around 30 black-pink coins (equivalent to 1 black-red coin), and some well-skilled uncommon seeds can cost even more pink coins. Finally, the price for rare-ranked seed stones starts from 50 black-red coins and can go up to 90 coins.

 chapter 32: The black coins

    black coins are so rare that only elite families of the Azur Kingdom generally use them, though some lower-level organizations can utilize them in limited amounts.

    After considering all these factors, he decided not to display all his skills and abilities¡ªchoosing instead to rely on a more conventional approach to achieve a good result in this competition. Despite having only a cultivation level of 17, after acknowledging his opponent the match began, and following an intense fight, Arya secured victory. Of course, he succeeded by keeping the fight intense without revealing his dual elemental powers or using his seed skills.

    To win that match, he switched to his weapon master form¡ªa style that, while not extremely common, is also not exceedingly rare. After his win, the matches continued, and in his penultimate round he faced the two-ringed seed master from Blue Stone Village. When his opponent''s name was announced, others from his village cast curious gazes around the platform. Although Arya was only eight years old, his opponent¡ªlikely around 13 to 14 and one of the top contestants from his village with two seed rings¡ªdemanded respect. Even though everyone anticipated the inevitable outcome, there was still an unexpected hope of witnessing a miracle.

    When Arya stepped onto the stage, he first saw his opponent and immediately felt the formidable power of a two-ringed seed master. Once someone possesses two seed rings and reaches level 21 or beyond, their power leaps to new heights. Even a level-20 cultivator will feel the heavy pressure from a level-21 seed master¡ªit might be tolerable at lower levels, but this pressure becomes overwhelming at higher levels, such as between level 30 and 31.

    After assessing his opponent, Arya shifted his gaze to his father. Seeing his father''s nonchalant look, he raised his hand and chose to forfeit the round. Even before the fight began, others from his village exchanged strange glances at him, but he was not bothered¡ªhe knew that without employing special skills and abilities, he would not be able to stand against a two-ringed seed master, and engaging in a hopeless fight was not his style.

    "Well, Chief Bryan, it seems that this time your village is not destined to be in the top three," one chief remarked.

    "Haha, no problem, no problem¡ªit''s unfortunate that our highest contestant''s cultivation is only around level 19 due to his young age; otherwise, we would also have a two-ringed master from our village."

    "True, but joining the Water Dragon Academy this time is a unique and irreversible opportunity¡ªand what if this chance doesn''t present itself in the next young generation competition?"

    "But your son seems quite witty yet lacks the courage to even fight his opponent," commented the village chief from White Stone Village sarcastically. Before Bryan could reply, Rick from Black Crow Village added, "I think it''s smart to quit when the odds are against you. Fighting blindly without any certainty of victory is meaningless."Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    Bryan, who was well aware of his son''s capabilities and recognized that Arya had a potential for victory, had hoped he might display his true strength. However, he decided that Arya should refrain from showing his full abilities in this competition¡ªa decision he had approved and even warned him about beforehand.

    After listening to both chiefs'' comments, Arya said nothing; he merely smiled and shifted his gaze toward the village chief of White Sparrow Village¡ªa serious individual who rarely spoke. He then looked toward the last person seated on a raised platform at the back with his eyes closed. No one bothered this man, for he was the special guest from the Water Dragon Academy, present merely to observe the competition, though he appeared rather uninterested.

    This elder of the Water Dragon Academy, who seemed to be between 40 and 45 years old, possessed considerable strength. Bryan could sense that his aura indicated at least a four-ringed master. After witnessing his opponent''s surrender, the fighter from Blue Stone Village cast a provocative and disdainful gaze at Arya. Unperturbed, Arya ignored him and left the stage¡ªhe was not immature enough to be provoked by this little fellow, though he did make a mental note of his name, Sen, perhaps to gauge the gap between them in the future.

    The top three had already been decided¡ªthey were clearly the two-ringed masters: Rose from Black Crow Village, Ben from Blue Stone Village, and a man from White Sparrow Village who resembled their village chief in both appearance and personality, boasting a well-muscled build.

    Before the top-three positions were finalized, additional matches were held to determine the 4th to 7th ranks. The contestants who had won six out of seven matches would compete for these positions. They were Kane and Arya from Burning Inferno Village, Leo from Black Crow Village, and Sid from Blue Stone Village.

    Once these four names were announced, Arya and the other three headed toward Stage 1, where they would draw lots to choose opponents. After the lottery, Arya was paired with Sid while Kane was matched against Leo. In this group, Arya¡ªonly eight years old¡ªhad a cultivation level of 17; Kane was at level 19 at the age of nine and a half; Sid, also a level-19 cultivator, was around 11 or 12 years old; and only Leo, around 13 to 14, had reached level 20¡ªnearly at the point of possessing his second seed stone.

    From their age differences, one could discern the natural ranking of the contestants: Kane was considered the strongest by nature, followed by Sid, with Arya and Leo ranking lower in innate potential.

    After drawing lots, both matches began on separate stages. For some reason, Arya''s opponent, Sid, was smiling as he approached, and he remarked sarcastically, "What are you thinking¡ªcircling around without fighting?" Unprovoked, Arya replied, "You do not possess the power to make me surrender."

    Noticing that Arya was not affected by the taunt, Sid''s smile vanished and he grew serious. Despite Arya''s relatively low level, he had defeated multiple strong opponents without any dramatic climax. In a surprising turn, Arya won his match against Sid; his seed weapon proved to be effective and, despite its small size, was a lethal tool. Almost everyone in the top seven possessed a usable seed weapon along with basic skills to wield it. Meanwhile, Leo also defeated Kane, setting up the next contest: Arya versus Leo¡ªa level 17 fighter against a level 20.

 Chapter 33: strong opponents

    Even though Leo is not a two?seed stone master, the three?level gap between him and Arya is very large. At low levels, fighting an opponent just one level above is possible with good skills and abilities, but a gap of two or three levels is too significant. Although Arya can defeat opponents stronger than him with his powerful seed weapon and unique combination of seed skills, fighting Leo will not be easy. Every level increases overall energy capacity and quality¡ªwhich in turn enhances a cultivator''s physical strength and the power of their skills.

    After every match there is a five?minute break for the contestants to rest before the next match begins. Once the rest period ended, both Leo and Arya returned to the stage. From the start, Leo harbored ill intentions toward Arya because of his previous interaction with Rose. "I never expected you''d come this far with your cultivation level¡ªyou''ve really surprised me," Leo remarked casually, as if he had already deemed himself the winner.

    Leo continued, "Cultivation level is important, but it isn''t the sole determinant of strength. Still, it remains the most critical factor; other tactics are merely tricks to overcome a stronger cultivator."

    Arya retorted, "You might be right, but if you think that your words alone will make me back down from fourth position, then you''re mistaken. If I truly meant to forfeit, I wouldn''t have wasted my time talking to you."

    Leo replied, "I really wanted you to surrender¡ªbut if you refuse, then that''s fine. The match will be over in only ten moves."

    After the announcement marking the start of the match, both Leo and Arya engaged in melee combat. Arya immediately sensed the power difference between himself and Leo. To win, he had to rely on the element of surprise¡ªwaiting for Leo to make a mistake or give him an opening. Throughout most of the competition, Arya fought in his weapon master form because he couldn''t openly display his seed skills. Besides, his seed skill wasn''t powerful enough on its own to finish a fight; it served only as a support skill.

    On the other hand, his weapon was capable of delivering extremely heavy blows¡ªpowerful enough to contend with strong opponents. That was the main reason Arya was fighting in melee combat as a seed master: when the right opportunity arose, he could deploy his support skill and then switch to his weapon master form to finish the battle. (Once he summoned his seed weapon, however, time restrictions prevented him from using his seed skill.)

    The problem was that Leo wasn''t showing any gaps or errors that Arya could exploit. Moreover, Leo had not revealed his seed weapon at any point during the competition¡ªperhaps his seed weapon wasn''t good enough, or he had committed fully to the seed master path. Then, amid the fight, a booming sound erupted and Arya was blasted back as if thrown from a throne. He narrowly avoided falling off the stage; due to carelessness and underestimating his opponent, he took a particularly heavy hit. That blow came from Leo''s air?blast skill¡ªa high?class, common?grade air elemental technique.

    This air?blast skill uses any hand as a medium to accumulate air energy from the caster and then delivers a compressed air blast. When executed at close range, it is extremely deadly by common?grade standards. (There are subclasses among graded skills and additional nuances, but one can only judge them by their quality and usefulness compared to others of the same grade¡ªfor example, Leo''s seed skill, which is unmatched among common?rank skills because its true potential is very high, even though it remains dormant for now.)

    Even though Arya took a heavy hit from that skill, he managed to avoid Leo''s follow?up attack as Leo prepared to unleash a second air blast. Struggling to maintain his composure, Arya''s temper began to flare; the pain caused him to lose some of his reasoning, and instead of defending he launched a series of attacks that Leo easily dodged.

    Throughout his nine mortal lives, Arya had always been somewhat of an extremist. Only when he lost his cool¡ªor when there was no other option in desperation, when most would try to escape or become paralyzed by fear¡ªdid his beastly side emerge, shutting down rational thought and unleashing pure destructive instinct.

    He recalled one of those lives vaguely: a time when he had been poisoned and cornered by multiple forces. On one side were individuals enforcing their self?made rules and regulations, and on the other were wealthy oppressors using their money and connections. Amid that suffering, something happened that changed him entirely. To demonstrate their power and set an example, a wealthy man (whose name Arya couldn''t even recall) had beaten his own brother to death with severe injuries. As a result, Arya swore that he would end the life of anyone who tried to force his family into submission. He knew that after taking that step he might never live in peace¡ªbut his life had never been peaceful anyway. He decided to shoulder all the problems himself so that, at the very least, his family could be left alone.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    After that incident, he proceeded to kill that man and his supporters one by one¡ªvery cruelly. Even some "world protectors," who under the guise of protection only enforced regulations that favored the wealthy, met their end. Ultimately, however, he died, having been overwhelmed by multiple enemies¡ªa fate he had predicted, for no one can fight off an entire horde, no matter how hard they try.

    Nonetheless, he had nearly killed everyone responsible¡ªand even some extras, the typical criminals. That was one of his nine mortal life stories. Though Arya was not ordinarily hot?headed, in each of his nine mortal lives he had proven that when cornered, he would resort to extreme measures.

    Even though he wasn''t even remotely at that point now, his true nature was still evident. He thought that such a personality would not serve him well in this new world¡ªwhere enemies would be more powerful and dangerous. If, during a fight, he lost his composure and attacked desperately, his opponent could easily defeat him.

    After regaining control of his emotions and contemplating ceasing his mad rush of attacks, Arya noticed Leo''s hand once again accumulating power as he prepared for his third and final strike. Arya knew that if he hadn''t controlled himself just now, he might have been defeated. Seizing the opportunity as Leo''s energy built up, Arya retreated and summoned his red?colored seed ring adorned with a black?and?white diamond stone on top. A small white ring¡ªjust slightly larger than a bangle¡ªthen encircled his right hand.

    Seeing Arya attack recklessly, Leo began accumulating energy to unleash his air blast once more to end the battle. Suddenly, he was electrocuted¡ªa shock surged through his right chest. That discomfort passed as quickly as it had come, but it did interrupt his skill. When Leo recovered, he looked up to see a metal rod in front of his face, and with a loud boom, he was flung off the stage. Arya was fortunate that when he was struck by Leo''s skill he did not fall off. Perhaps Leo had not intended to knock him off completely, but Arya had aimed to make him lose balance¡ªknowing that even if his seed weapon was powerful, he might not be able to defeat Leo, who was three levels ahead, in a single hit.

    His reasoning proved correct. After being thrown off the stage, Leo rose with a pained expression and bore a mark from Arya''s weapon on the left side of his face. At that moment, Leo was unable to continue. Perhaps in a genuine, full©\fledged fight Arya might not have been able to defeat him so easily. Even then, Arya could have employed other tactics¡ªsuch as fusing his elemental power into his weapon to boost its strength¡ªbut he chose not to, preferring to keep his seed abilities hidden.

    The referee, having witnessed the unexpected turn of events, announced the result: "Leo is off the stage, so Arya wins." Not only the referee, but the leaders of various villages also looked on in bewilderment. They recalled that earlier Arya, due to his injuries, had lost his composure and attacked Leo desperately¡ªit was clearly a victory for Leo. Yet the final sequence showed Arya summoning his common?rank seed while Leo halted his skill accumulation and touched his chest, followed by Arya summoning his seed weapon, and the match ended.

    Rick, the chief of Black Crow Village, turned to Bryan and said, "Chief Bryan, your son is quite talented. I never expected he would conceal his skills only to unleash them in the final match¡ªit''s very impressive. Although I haven''t asked what Arya''s skill actually is, I hope you will eventually elaborate, for prying into someone''s secrets is not a trivial matter."

    Bryan, however, only smiled and waved his hand¡ªhe preferred to remain secretive.

    Then the elder from Water Dragon Academy¡ªwho had been nonchalant throughout the competition¡ªasked, "What is his skill all about? I didn''t notice any energy fluctuations when he used it."

    Bryan, knowing he couldn''t avoid the inquiry, replied, "It''s a support?type skill that provides a physical boost¡ªenhancing strength and defense¡ªand when paired with his weapon master power, it gives him a significant buff."

    "Ah, so Chief Bryan has decided that Arya is pursuing the weapon master path?" asked the chief of Blue Stone Village suddenly. Although the elder was not entirely satisfied with Bryan''s explanation, he added, "I could make an exception for a talented individual with good quality, but if that''s all he has, then it isn''t enough."

    Bryan, clearly aware that the elder was merely trying to show off and coax more details about Arya''s abilities, smiled and said, "Then I can only blame him for not being lucky¡ªbut thank you for your recognition."

    The elder said nothing further and closed his eyes once more; no one knew what he was thinking. Bryan then turned to the chief of Blue Stone Village and added, "I have given Arya the authority to choose his own path, so I don''t really know what he has decided."

    After the victory, Arya left the stage and headed to his village''s camp for medical attention. Although he managed to remain standing, that single hit from Leo''s skill was quite severe¡ªespecially since he was in seed master form at the time. It didn''t take long; within five minutes, he was back in good form. Even though people normally require medicine to heal, every village in this competition had come prepared with healers or support specialists.

 Chapter 34: requirements and classifications

    After being healed, Arya didn''t go to watch the other matches for two reasons. First, he already knew that Rose was likely to be the winner; and second, after recovering he felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He had been stuck at level 17 for about a month and a half or more, and under normal circumstances it would have taken another month to reach level 18. However, after eating that expensive fire-element beast meat and fighting an intense match, his breakthrough came faster than expected.

    That meat was exceptionally good¡ªbut it was very costly. He couldn''t afford it regularly because he was saving his money for a valuable uncommon-ranked skill. That skill costs about one black?red coin (equivalent to 30 black?pink grade coins). Currently, he had around 3 pink?grade coins and 150¨C160 white coins (roughly 5 pink coins), but converting from lower?grade to higher?grade coins incurs an extra charge depending on the exchange location. In total, he ended up with approximately 7 pink?grade coins.

    With his position as the fourth-ranked competitor and with rewards becoming richer through the Water Dragon Academy, he was set to receive a low?level space bag (marketed at around 100 white coins), the opportunity to bathe in the dragon pool, and an additional 22 pink coins. For the top rankers, the rewards were even more substantial¡ªnot only would they receive a mid?level space bag worth about 300¨C350 white coins (or 10¨C12 pink coins), but they would also get a white?grade seed that they would likely sell to purchase an uncommon?rank seed. This is the standard for a mid?rank academy, and Arya deduced that almost every student in that academy would secure an uncommon?rank seed as their second seed.

    Thus, with 22 pink coins from his reward plus his existing 7 pink coins, he was only a few coins short of affording a good uncommon?rank seed. He could ask his father for the extra money, but having achieved his goal on his own, he preferred not to rely on his parents. Although he could sell his space bag for funds, that bag was very important for his future needs. After weighing his options, he decided to keep it for later¡ªhe didn''t need his second seed immediately, but he was quite sure that after visiting the dragon pool he would reach level 20 and then need his second seed stone.

    While he was deep in thought, he heard a knock at the door. Someone from his village entered and informed him that if he was ready, he should head back to receive his competition rewards in five minutes. After nodding to the attendant, he was surprised that the match among the top three had ended so quickly.

    Not wanting to delay any longer, he got up and headed toward the competition grounds. When Arya arrived, nearly everyone was present. On the stage stood five figures: his father, three village chiefs, and in the center, the special guest from the Water Dragon Academy.

    Without wasting any more time in conversation, the rewards ceremony began. "As I have mentioned, the top three contestants will join the Water Dragon Academy, and I will personally present their rewards. For first place¡ªRose¡ªplease step forward and receive your reward." Once her name was announced, Rose stepped up from the crowd onto the stage.

    First, the elder presented mid?rank space bags containing 25 pink coins each and a stone that looked like a blue?colored ruby emitting sparks. This stone was the original form of a seed; when a seed master possesses it, the seed transforms into a diamond?like ring. Although this seed was of common rank, because of Rose''s outstanding performance the elder personally awarded her an electric seed¡ªan extremely rare find. He praised her performance and even selected the seed based on her elemental affinity. Even though she already had her second seed (which, unsurprisingly, was also common rank), the rarity of her new electric seed made it exceptionally valuable.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

    In contrast, Arya was in a good position regarding his own seeds. For his first seed stone, he had obtained an unusual seed, and for his second seed stone he earned the opportunity to join and reap big rewards. Perhaps a bit of luck¡ªpossibly influenced by the Water Dragon Academy¡ªhad helped him; otherwise, his total reward might have amounted to only 15¨C20 pink coins at best.

    After awarding the first-place prize, the elder announced the second?place winner¡ªa competitor from White Sparrow Village whose name Arya couldn''t recall¡ªand, unsurprisingly, third place went to Ben, the last two?ringed master. Because Ben had to fight against Rose earlier, he was injured and ended up losing his match to that competitor from White Sparrow Village¡ªpoor him. Even though these contestants held certain advantages, there was also a drawback: with Rose now eliminated, only the two two?ringed masters remained. In this competition, every contestant received only white?grade stones for their first two rings¡ªeven children of chiefs and those without connections ended up with all three rings as white?ranked.

    Naturally, the common?rank seed rewards given to the second? and third?place winners would be sold so that they could purchase a high?quality uncommon?rank seed using the prize money and proceeds from the sale. And since they were set to join the Water Dragon Academy, they would undoubtedly be able to obtain superior uncommon?rank seeds.

    However, the real profit lay with those ranked fourth to seventh, who had not yet acquired their second seed. Even if they couldn''t initially obtain a top?quality seed, with a bit of luck they might still secure an uncommon?rank seed. Yet, a cultivator''s capability also came into play¡ªowning a high?quality seed meant nothing if one lacked the ability to fully harness its power.

    Generally, there are restrictions¡ªminimum and maximum levels required¡ªto use seeds at various rings:

    Common?Rank Seed:

    Can be used up to three rings. However, if a cultivator uses it for the third ring as well, they may never advance beyond level 39¡ªeffectively capping their growth so they cannot reach level 40.

    Uncommon?Rank Seed:

    Typically used from the second ring onward, though exceptionally talented individuals can possess one at the first ring. Its maximum usage is up to the fourth ring; it cannot be used for the fifth ring because of the enormous power required at level 50, where elite seed masters are born.

    Rare?Rank Seed:

    Generally used from the fourth to the sixth rings. In theory, a devil?ranked genius or godly?ranked genius could possess it at the third ring, but no one has ever been observed with a rare seed at that stage. While possessing an uncommon seed at the third ring has been seen¡ªroughly once every five or six years¡ªthe idea of a rare seed for the third ring remains theoretical. Furthermore, rare seeds cannot be used for the seventh ring, as that constitutes a significant leap for powerful cultivators (especially for weapon masters).

    Epic Seeds:

    Mostly used from the seventh up to the ninth ring, although it is possible to possess one at the sixth ring. Their rarity exceeds that of an uncommon seed at the first ring. Only a handful of people in the entire seed world possess epic seeds at 6th ring¡ªso few that one could count them on one''s fingers. Each of these individuals is a behemoth among humanity, a titan in the seed world.

    Legendary Seeds:

    This seed is a treasure among treasures. To illustrate, only the ninth ring can fully harness its power. It isn''t that no one can possess it at the eighth ring¡ªrather, it is so rare that holding it at the ninth ring is considered a mark of royalty. Possessing it at the eighth ring would be nearly as improbable as having a rare seed at the third ring.

    There is always a luck factor, and some individuals¡ªwith special physical attributes or circumstances¡ªmight even possess a rare seed at the fifth ring.

    For clarity, here''s a brief breakdown of ring compositions:

    ? Elite Rings: 1 common, 2 uncommon, 3 rare, 2 epic, 1 legendary.

    ? Commoner Rings: 2 common, 2 uncommon, 2 rare, 3 epic.

    ? Unusual Cases: 3 uncommon, 2 rare, 3 epic, 1 legendary.

 chapter 35: The Dragon pool

    After giving rewards to the top three contestants, the elder returned to his seat. The remaining rewards were distributed by Rick, the chief of Black Crow Village. One by one, the contestants stepped forward to receive their rewards without any surprises.

    Once the distribution was complete, Rick looked at the gathered participants and spoke.

    "The competition is over, but the final reward for the top seven contestants¡ªthe chance to soak in the Dragon Pool¡ªwill take place tomorrow morning. Rest well tonight and ensure you''re in peak condition."

    His gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "How much energy you can absorb from the pool depends entirely on you. From my perspective, if not for the opportunity to join Water Dragon Academy and obtain an uncommon-ranked seed, this would be the most valuable reward of all. Enhancing your cultivation and improving your power should always be your top priority. So, let''s meet here tomorrow morning at nine sharp."

    The crowd murmured in agreement. If not for the academy''s top-tier rewards, the chance to soak in the Dragon Pool would indeed be the greatest prize. Even the common-ranked seed paled in comparison to its potential benefits.

    As the participants dispersed toward their camps, Arya remained in place, waiting for his parents. His father, Bryan, had instructed him to do so earlier. It was still early¡ªonly four in the afternoon¡ªso he watched as the other village chiefs and elders exchanged farewells. Soon, Bryan and Arya''s mother approached him.

    "Arya, well done! That was an incredible performance!" His mother, full of enthusiasm, pulled him into a warm embrace.

    Arya smiled and hugged her back. Across all his past lives, one thing had remained true¡ªmothers were the most precious people in a person''s life. Of course, there were exceptions where mothers turned against their children, but he had never experienced such a thing. He had only heard of it in his previous lives.

    His father, Bryan, then spoke. "Arya, how much have you saved? And how many more coins do you need to buy your next Seed Stone? I know you''re planning to purchase an uncommon-ranked seed, so we can help a little if needed."

    Arya thought for a moment before replying, "Father, don''t worry. I have enough coins. I''ve saved around 29 pink coins, so I only need one more, which I can earn myself."

    Bryan nodded. "Well, 30 pink coins is the minimum requirement for buying an uncommon seed. However, for a well-skilled uncommon seed, the price can go as high as 40 pink coins¡ªsometimes even more if there''s competition. But you don''t have to worry too much. Every promising young talent in our village receives a second Seed Stone as support. Not just you, but Kane and the other top five contestants from our village also have this privilege. You can take five pink coins from the village''s allocation."The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

    Arya''s eyes lit up. "That sounds great. Thanks, Dad."

    His father then asked, "What type of Seed Ring are you considering for your second seed? I assume it has to be water or ice-elemental due to your special case."

    Arya nodded. "Yes. For my second seed, I''m thinking of a support skill¡ªone that can help me hide my abilities¡ªor a strong attack skill that I can use directly or in combination with my Seed Weapon."

    Bryan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A good stealth-type support skill is rare, but not impossible to find. Especially with water or ice elements, since many beasts possess such abilities. As for a powerful attack-type seed, we''ll have to search the market after tomorrow''s event. When you absorb your second seed, I''ll assist you. Be prepared for any unexpected reactions."

    Arya nodded seriously. "Understood."

    After the conversation, he returned to his camp. He still had time before nightfall, so he decided to try that special soup again. It had helped him greatly before, and since he had just broken through, it would be useful in consolidating his newfound power. After informing his mother, he left the camp.

    By then, it was around six in the evening¡ªtwo hours had passed since the competition ended. The food stalls were set up by villagers from the four competing settlements, as well as trusted locals from the area looking to make a profit. After some searching, he found the stall he was looking for.

    "Give me something good with magical properties," Arya requested.

    The shopkeeper nodded and presented a few dishes based on his request. Among them was the Red Bird''s Meat Soul, but Arya''s attention was drawn to something else.

    "This can improve my physical attributes?" he asked, pointing to another dish.

    The shopkeeper nodded. "Yes, but for noticeable results, you''d need to consume Devil Fang Beast meat regularly. It''s a popular choice among weapon masters. There are other beasts with similar effects, but this one is among the best."

    "What rank is this beast?" Arya asked.

    "At minimum, an Elite Rank 1 beast, which is equivalent to a late-stage Two-Ringed Seed Master."

    Arya''s mind raced. So even the weakest of these beasts could defeat Leo in a one-on-one battle. In fact, with 60% certainty, the beast would win¡ªunless Leo had enough battle experience.

    After waiting for about ten minutes, his meal arrived. The main dish was the monster beast meat, and alongside it, he had ordered spicy noodles¡ªone of his favorite foods. He rarely ate sweets, preferring spice and bold flavors.

    As he took his first bite, he didn''t immediately feel a surge of power. However, as he continued eating, a subtle energy spread through his body. His muscles felt denser, his body more charged with vitality. The sensation grew stronger the more he ate, and by the time he finished, he felt an overwhelming rush of power.

    He quickly paid the shopkeeper¡ª8 white coins for a single portion. Expensive, but worth it. If he could imagine the full body of the Devil Fang Beast being sold, it would likely fetch several pink coins even in its raw form.

    Not wanting to waste the accumulated energy, Arya hurried back to his room. Cultivation was the best way to absorb the benefits of such a meal, or else the energy would dissipate. He began his meditation, focusing on refining the power within him.

    After stabilizing his energy, he moved on to training with his Seed Weapon. As his cultivation level increased, so did the weapon''s aura. He could feel it growing stronger, and he eagerly anticipated the weapon''s evolution once he obtained his second seed.

    For the next 30 to 40 minutes, he practiced different techniques, feeling his muscles growing stronger. The real test, however, would come when he entered Weapon Master Form, where his physical attributes would be further enhanced.

    Finally, after finishing his training, Arya didn''t push himself further. Tomorrow was an important day, and he needed to be in peak condition. He meditated briefly to restore his energy, then lay down to sleep. The moment his head hit the pillow, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into deep rest.

    Tomorrow, the Dragon Pool awaited him.

 Chapter 36: A New Day & The Journey to the Dragon Pool

    As the sun rose, the entire group began preparing for their journey to the Dragon Pool. Arya woke up early at 6 AM, and by 8:30 AM, nearly everyone had already gathered in the open ground ahead of schedule. He and Kane were engaged in conversation when Rick, the chief of Black Crow Village, clapped his hands, drawing everyone''s attention.

    "Since everyone is here, we should head out now," Rick announced.

    The Structure of the Azur Kingdom

    The Azur Kingdom was vast, consisting of 12 cities:

    ? 2 large-sized cities

    ? 3 mid-sized cities

    ? 6 small-sized cities

    ? 1 special city, where the royalty resided. Though this city was classified as a large-sized city, it was considered unique due to the presence of the ruling family.

    However, a city''s classification wasn''t solely based on its physical size. The true measure of a city''s ranking was the power residing within it¡ªthe clans, academies, and influential figures who governed the region.

    One of the three mid-sized cities was home to the Water Dragon Academy, the prestigious institution Arya and the others hoped to join. In contrast, Fallen Leaves City, where Arya lived, had no major powerhouse. Instead, governance was scattered among low-level clans and the four villages.

    Despite these twelve cities making up a significant portion of civilization, they only covered about 23% of the kingdom''s total land. The rest was dominated by monster beasts and spirit beasts, territories largely unexplored by humans. Arya had little knowledge of these two species, but he was aware that one of the large cities was controlled by a powerful clan, while the other belonged to a large academy.

    In total, the Azur Kingdom had:

    ? 2 large-sized academies

    ? 2 mid-sized academies

    ? 10 small-sized academies

    The Dragon Pool lay at the border between Fallen Leaves City and the outer forest, a region inhabited by both monsters and spirit beasts. Humans frequently ventured into the outer areas of the forest to hunt, train, search for Seed Stones, or gather rare treasures. This created a constant interaction point between humans, monsters, and spirit beasts. However, deeper parts of the forest were incredibly dangerous¡ªeven groups of cultivators could face peril if they lacked the strength to protect themselves.

    The group traveled continuously for four hours without encountering any threats, thanks to the four powerful village chiefs and the presence of an even stronger elder from Water Dragon Academy. Once they reached the forest''s edge, the distant roars of beasts filled the air. As they ventured further, the sounds grew louder, echoing through the dense trees.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    The chiefs positioned themselves strategically:

    ? Rick and the elder led at the front, ensuring safety.

    ? The three other village chiefs guarded the rear, protecting the seven young contestants, who had little experience in dangerous environments.

    Upon arriving at the Dragon Pool, everyone was momentarily stunned. The pool wasn''t massive, but it was large enough to fit an entire airplane. More importantly, its waters glowed in five distinct colors, clearly representing the five elemental attributes:

    1. Fire (red)

    2. Water (blue)

    3. Air (green)

    4. Earth (brown)

    5. Electricity (yellow)

    Among the seven contestants, none possessed special attributes like:

    ? Ice (a variation of Water, requiring strong elemental control)

    ? Metal (highly beneficial for Weapon Masters)

    ? Lightning (the most destructive of the five base elements)

    ? Rare attributes like Space, Time, or Evolved Elements (which only appeared in Elite Seed Masters at level 50 and beyond).

    Rick turned to address the group.

    "Set up your camps first. After that, we''ll begin your observation process. Remember, each of you must remain in the pool for at least 30 minutes to absorb as much energy as possible. Opportunities like this are incredibly rare, so make the most of it."

    Once their camps were set up, the contestants rested briefly. However, as soon as they were summoned again to begin the absorption process, they were met with a shocking sight¡ªa massive beast lay dead at the center of their camp.

    The creature was around 12 to 13 feet long, twice the size of an average human. In the Seedling World, most men stood around 6 feet tall, though this varied by region. The beast''s corpse radiated an intimidating aura, even in death.

    The Blue Stone Village chief smiled, addressing the bewildered group.

    "Our dinner has delivered itself to us¡ªcourtesy of the elder."

    Arya was equally stunned. The beast looked incredibly powerful, and a closer glance revealed a deep wound in its stomach, pierced by a sharp weapon¡ªlikely a spear or something similar.

    Someone from the group finally spoke. "Chief, how strong was this beast?"

    Rick responded, "It was a low-grade third-level monster, equivalent to a level 41-43 human cultivator. Due to the suppression effect of the Dragon Pool area, its power was slightly weakened. Otherwise, even with the elder here, we would have had to retreat empty-handed."

    The chief then added, "Stronger beasts usually avoid this place due to its suppression effects. It''s unusual for one like this to appear here."

    The elder shrugged. "Perhaps it was just unlucky. Either way, after your absorption session, we''ll feast on its meat. This beast''s energy will significantly boost your cultivation¡ªalmost all of you should reach level 20 without difficulty. So, congratulations in advance."

    With the elder''s approval, the beast''s valuable materials were carefully extracted, while its meat was prepared for dinner. Even in its weakened state, the creature had been stronger than all four village chiefs combined, who ranged from level 35 to 39¡ªwith Bryan at 35 and Rick at 39, though their exact power rankings were unknown.

    Under the guidance of the chiefs and the elder, the group approached the Dragon Pool, immediately feeling the immense power radiating from its depths.

    Rick began assigning positions.

    ? First place (Rose): Center zone, near the electric element region.

    ? Second & third place: Border of the middle region, near their respective elements.

    ? Fourth & fifth place: Middle region.

    ? Sixth & seventh place: Border of the middle and outer regions.

    Rick smirked. "Usually, the last-place contestants are assigned to the outer areas, but you''re lucky¡ªbecause of Water Dragon Academy''s presence, your rewards are better this time. The closer you are to the center, the denser the energy. But be careful¡ªover-absorbing can harm your body."

    One by one, they entered.

    ? Rose stepped into the electric zone, where lightning flickered through the water. She submerged herself, leaving only her head above the surface, then closed her eyes and began absorbing energy.

    ? Ben and the third-place contestant entered the water zone, as 90% of Blue Stone Village''s cultivators specialized in water.

    ? Ben and Leo (both air element users) entered the wind region¡ªBen focusing on speed, while Leo specialized in attack techniques.

    Finally, it was Arya''s turn.

    As he stepped into the fire zone, a thought crossed his mind. "What if I absorb both Fire and Water energy at the same time? Would my absorption speed increase?" However, he quickly dismissed the idea. "It could cause an unexpected reaction, which isn''t worth the risk."

    He waded into the middle region, where the energy density was highest. Surprisingly, despite the fire-colored water, its temperature was completely neutral¡ªas if it were regular water. Intrigued, Arya closed his eyes and began absorbing the fire element''s energy, focusing entirely on refining it into his own power.

    This was his chance to grow stronger.

    And he wouldn''t waste it.

 Chapter 37: Journey to the Dragon Pool

    As the new day began, everyone started preparing for the journey to the Dragon Pool. Arya woke up early at 6 AM, and by 8:30 AM, nearly everyone had gathered in the open ground ahead of time. Arya and Kane were engaged in a conversation when Rick clapped his hands, drawing everyone''s attention.

    "If everyone is already here, we should head out now."

    The Azur Kingdom

    The Azur Kingdom consists of twelve cities:

    ? Two large-sized cities

    ? Three mid-sized cities

    ? Six small-sized cities

    The Royal City, which, despite being classified as a large city, holds a special status due to the presence of the royal family.

    The size of a city isn''t determined solely by its land area but also by the strength of the powers residing there. Water Dragon Academy, a mid-class academy, is located in one of the mid-sized cities.

    Arya''s home, Fallen Leaves City, is one of the smaller cities, with no dominant powerhouse. Instead, it is controlled by four villages, each with scattered influence. Despite its status, Fallen Leaves City is close to the great forests, where monsters and spirit beasts roam freely. While humans venture into the outer regions for hunting, training, and gathering treasures, going too deep is dangerous¡ªeven for experienced cultivators.

    The Dragon Pool is located near the border between Fallen Leaves City and the forest''s outer region, an area where humans, monsters, and spirit beasts frequently interact.

    After a four-hour journey, the group arrived outside Fallen Leaves City. Thanks to the four powerful village chiefs and the presence of an elder from Water Dragon Academy, the journey was uneventful. As they stepped into the forest, the distant roars of beasts filled the air, reminding everyone of the dangers lurking nearby.

    The village chiefs stayed at the back, ensuring the safety of the group, while Rick and the elder led from the front. Eventually, they reached the Dragon Pool''s location.

    In front of them was a vast pool, large enough to fit an entire airplane. Different sections of the pool shimmered with five distinct colors, representing the five basic elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning.

    Luck¡ªor perhaps natural order¡ªensured that none of the seven contestants possessed special or rare elements such as Ice, Metal, Space, Time, or Evolution elements. These advanced elements are usually developed by cultivators above level 50 when they master elemental fusion, earning them the title of Elite Seed Masters.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    "Everyone, set up your camps first," the elder instructed. "Once you''re settled, you will begin the absorption process. Stay in the pool for at least 30 minutes¡ªthis may be your last chance to advance so easily. Opportunities like this are rare."

    After everyone finished setting up their camps, they were called back¡ªbut as they gathered, they were met with a shocking sight.

    A massive beast lay in the center of the camp, its body spanning 12 to 13 feet in length, twice the size of an average man. In the Seed World, the average height of a normal man is around six feet, but this beast dwarfed them all.

    Blue Stone Village''s chief chuckled. "Looks like our dinner delivered itself. Elder hunted it down."

    The dead beast radiated a strong aura, its stomach pierced by a spear-like weapon. Even in death, it exuded an overwhelming presence.

    One of the contestants couldn''t help but ask, "Chief, how strong was this beast?"

    "This was a low-grade third-level monster, equivalent to a human cultivator at level 41-43," the chief explained. "Because of the suppression effect near the Dragon Pool, it was slightly weaker¡ªbut even then, if not for the elder''s presence, we would have had to retreat empty-handed."

    "That''s strange," Rick added with a frown. "Powerful beasts usually avoid this area because of the suppression effects."

    "Maybe it was just unlucky," another chief shrugged. "Either way, after your energy absorption, we''ll feast on its meat. With its added nourishment, all of you should be able to reach at least level 20 with no problems. Congratulations in advance."

    With the elder''s approval, the beast was skinned and prepared. The valuable materials were set aside for the elder, while the meat was kept for the feast. The four chiefs, whose power ranged from level 35 to 39, worked together to prepare it, but none could match the elder''s strength, which remained unknown.

    Under the chiefs'' guidance, the contestants approached the pool, feeling its energy pulsing around them.

    "First, Rose, you will take the central zone near the Lightning element."

    Although the pool was a single entity, each element had naturally separated itself, forming distinct zones. The pool was divided into three absorption regions:

    1. Outer Region ¨C Weakest energy concentration

    2. Middle Region ¨C Moderate concentration

    3. Center Region ¨C Highest concentration where all five elements interact

    Placement was based on rank:

    ? First place (Rose): Center Region

    ? Second & Third place: Near Center

    ? Fourth & Fifth place: Middle Region

    ? Sixth & Seventh place: Middle-Outer Border

    Since Water Dragon Academy was overseeing the event, this year''s rewards were unusually generous. Normally, the last-ranked contestants would be placed in the outer region, but this time, even they got a chance to absorb higher energy concentrations.

    As Rose stepped into the Lightning zone, the others followed suit. The pools of energy shimmered, and small electric currents crackled in the water.

    Next, Ben and the third-ranked contestant entered their respective zones¡ªBen near the Wind element, and the third-ranker in the Water zone.

    When it was Arya''s turn, he hesitated.

    Could he absorb both Fire and Water elements at the same time?

    The thought was tempting¡ªhis absorption rate could increase dramatically¡ªbut the risk was high. Elemental conflict could cause severe backlash, and he wasn''t ready to test it yet.

    Setting aside the thought, Arya stepped into the Fire zone.

    The moment his body touched the water, he felt his seed core greedily absorbing the Fire energy. Yet, to his surprise, the water wasn''t scorching hot¡ªit was just like normal water, only infused with Fire energy.

    He moved deeper into the Middle Region and closed his eyes, focusing entirely on refining the energy.

    Absorbing and refining elemental energy was a slow process, but as Arya continued, he noticed something unexpected.

    Not only was his cultivation rising steadily, but his physical strength was improving as well. Normally, after a certain level, physical progression slows down, which is why Weapon Masters have a harder cultivation path. But here, the Dragon Pool''s energy was enhancing his body beyond normal limits.

    This was even more effective than the expensive feast from the previous night.

    Meanwhile, the chiefs observed from the sidelines.

    "The true effect of the Dragon Pool isn''t just elemental growth," Blue Stone''s chief explained. "It''s physical reinforcement. That''s why I told them to stay in as long as they can."

    Rick nodded. "Let''s see who endures the longest."

 Chapter 38: The Last One Standing

    Rose and the third-ranked contestant lasted 40 and 41 minutes in the Dragon Pool, with Rose barely exceeding the third ranker by a few seconds. The speed of absorption determined how much one could progress in the same timeframe, and perhaps that was why Rose managed to advance slightly more than the third ranker.

    Ben, who had been at Level 21 (Middle Stage) before entering, reached Level 23 Peak, advancing two full levels and one sub-level.

    The third-ranked contestant, though also at Level 23 Peak, had only been at Level 21 Middle Stage initially.

    Rose, who started at Level 21 Peak, advanced to Early Level 24, gaining a slight edge due to her superior absorption speed.

    Now, everyone was waiting for the last person still inside¡ªArya.

    Inside the pool, Arya was nearing his endurance limit. He had no idea how much time had passed, but he could feel the immense changes in his body¡ªhis physical strength had nearly doubled.

    After pushing himself as far as he could without overextending, he finally emerged from the pool.

    As he stepped out, all eyes were on him. Seeing everyone waiting, Arya quickly moved aside and spoke.

    "Sorry for making you all wait."

    Even though he didn''t have to apologize, he felt it was only right, considering everyone had been waiting for him alone.

    Rick was the first to speak, his voice filled with excitement.

    "Not bad, not bad at all! You lasted 50 minutes! This is a feat only achieved by experienced Level 28 cultivators or late-stage Two-Ringed Weapon Masters. I knew you were talented the moment I saw you!"

    Arya''s father, Bryan, also seemed happy, though not particularly surprised.

    Now that everyone was out, it was time to leave the forest¡ªbut first, there was a meal to enjoy.

    "Before we leave, let''s eat first," the elder announced. "I assume this will be the first time any of you eat the meat of a Third-Rank Monster. It will provide you with extra energy, but..."

    His gaze swept over the young warriors, stopping on Kane, Leo, and Arya.

    "For those of you who are already at your cultivation peak, like Kane, Leo, and Arya, this meal might be too overwhelming. Especially you, Arya¡ªyou''re brimming with intense energy. Eating the meat immediately could cause instability."

    Hearing this, Arya frowned slightly. He had felt the excess energy building up inside him, but he hadn''t realized just how unstable it was.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    "So, I''ve decided that we''ll have a normal meal first. As for the monster meat, your village chiefs have stored portions of it, and it will remain fresh for two days. You can eat it later when your bodies have stabilized."

    Even though storing monster meat like a treasure might seem excessive, in reality, it was a rare opportunity. A Third-Rank Monster''s first consumption effect was strongest for those below Rank 3, and even the village chiefs would benefit from eating it¡ªthough the effects wouldn''t be as potent for them.

    As the meal was prepared, the children gathered in small groups, while the village chiefs and elders spoke among themselves.

    At one point, Rose approached Arya.

    "What do you plan to do after this?" she asked.

    Arya, without hesitation, replied, "I''ll apply to a small academy with my father''s help. I have some abilities, and that should be enough."

    Rose simply nodded but then stared at his face for a full five seconds, making Arya uncomfortable.

    Despite having the mind of an experienced adult, Arya still found it awkward. They were both less than ten years old, after all. While children in this world matured faster, it was still too early for such interactions.

    The way she looked at him was difficult to interpret, and it wasn''t just Arya who noticed.

    Leo, who had already given up on pursuing Rose, had an ugly expression on his face. But he wasn''t the only one unhappy with the situation.

    Ben suddenly stepped in between them.

    "You should forget about any wild ideas, Arya. From today onwards, the three of us will be students of Water Dragon Academy, and our status will start stretching apart."

    Arya smirked inwardly but didn''t argue. Instead, he casually responded,

    "Hmm, I do agree with you."

    However, in his mind, he thought, "My goals are far beyond yours. You''re not even close."

    With that, the meal ended, and the group prepared to leave the jungle¡ªa place far too dangerous to linger in.

    After returning to Fallen Leaves City, it was time for the top three¡ªRose, Ben, and the third-ranked contestant¡ªto leave with the elder for Water Dragon Academy.

    The elder turned to the village chiefs and said, "Let''s part ways here."

    Before leaving, the three said their goodbyes.

    Rose looked at Arya and simply said, "We''ll meet again."

    Arya replied, "Definitely."

    With those final words, the group split apart, and the remaining villagers headed home.

    As Bryan, Arya, and Kane made their way back to their village, Bryan spoke up.

    "Kane, Arya¡ªyou''re both at Level 20 Peak and need Seed Stones to advance. With your rewards, getting an Uncommon Seed is still possible."

    Bryan then turned to Kane.

    "Kane, how much money do you have?"

    "Chief, including my prize money, I have about 25 Pink Coins¡ªstill far from affording an Uncommon Seed Stone."

    "Don''t worry," Bryan assured him. "Five or six Pink Coins is a huge sum for our village, but talented children will always get the best treatment. The future of our village depends on you all."

    That night, after sending Kane home, Bryan spoke privately with Arya.

    "Arya, tomorrow, you and Kane will apply for an academy. You''ll be away for a long time, so there''s something important you need to know."

    Arya nodded, already expecting it to be related to their clan.

    "As I''ve mentioned before, our clan was once powerful. Now, it''s unknown and small. But there are two organizations you must avoid and never mention our village''s name near."

    1. The Flame of Dawn Clan ¨C A mid-sized clan from the Blue Flame Continent.

    2. Red Shadows ¨C A dark organization, an underground group that does anything for money. While not an official organization, they rival mid- and large-sized factions in power.

    "Both are mainly active in the Blue Flame Continent, which is good since they have little interaction with the Azur Water Continent. However, if you ever encounter them, be cautious."

    "Why do they matter?" Arya asked.

    "The Flame of Dawn Clan took advantage of our clan''s weakest moment to steal from us. But that wasn''t enough¡ªthey hired the Red Shadows to exterminate our entire clan, forcing us to flee here."

    Bryan''s tone was calm, but his words carried weight.

    "I''m not telling you this to seek revenge. I''m telling you so that you can be careful. Do not attract their attention."

    Arya nodded, his mind processing everything.

    "I understand. I don''t like unnecessary trouble, especially now when I''m weak."

    Bryan changed the subject.

    "You''ll need a supportive skill to hide your true strength. Pick a skill that doesn''t reveal your second element. Make sure your second ring''s skill isn''t obvious."

    Arya nodded again.

    "That was a concern of mine as well."

    "Good. Tomorrow, we''ll buy Kane''s Seed Stone first and send him home before finding yours. Since you need specific traits, finding the right Uncommon Seed won''t be easy."

    With that, Bryan sent Arya off to rest.

    Alone in his room, Arya didn''t sleep.

    Instead, he stabilized his overflowing energy. He couldn''t wait any longer¡ªtomorrow, he would find his second Seed.

    The path to power was just beginning.

 chapter 39: uncommon seed

    To release some of his overwhelming energy, Arya practiced with weapons, though crudely. His once-powerful clan had lost most of its knowledge and possessions, leaving even his father without any weapon-related skills to teach him.

    At dawn, Arya, Kane, Bryan, and the great elder¡ªwho had helped awaken their elements¡ªset off toward the center of Fallen Leaves City, where its main business district was located. Finding an uncommon-ranked Seed Stone was difficult, as only well-established merchant guilds or business alliances sold them. While mid-sized and large cities had such suppliers, Fallen Leaves City was fortunate to have a branch of the Star Business Alliance, one of the few places where they could purchase an uncommon seed. However, being only a branch, the options would be limited.

    After a two-hour carriage ride, they neared their destination, passing through streets lined with various shops. Unlike his previous life, where horses were common, the beasts pulling these carriages were stronger. Though some cultivators used magical beasts for transport, Arya hadn''t seen any in Fallen Leaves City.

    The marketplace was bustling, offering everything from medicinal herbs to cultivation pills¡ªluxuries only the wealthy could afford. Storage items, such as space bags and space rings, were displayed in different forms, each expensive. Magical beast parts were also available, though Arya had little knowledge of their uses.

    Finally, they arrived at an extravagant shop that stood out among the others. Led by Bryan and the great elder, Arya and Kane entered the Star Business Alliance branch. To Arya''s surprise, the shop resembled a luxurious hotel, completely different from what he expected. Inside, only a few customers were present, and three attendants stood at the counter.

    A well-dressed young man, appearing wealthier than them, greeted them with a professional smile.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    "Welcome to the Star Alliance shop. How may I assist you?"

    Bryan stepped forward. "This child has reached the peak of Level 20 and requires his second Seed Stone."

    The attendant nodded. "We have many excellent common-rank Seed Stones. What is his element?"

    Hearing this, neither Bryan nor the great elder took offense. In Fallen Leaves City, most people could only afford common-grade Seed Stones for their second Seed Ring. Only the wealthy or truly exceptional individuals purchased uncommon-ranked seeds at this stage. From their appearance, the group didn''t seem affluent.

    Kane quickly corrected the attendant. "We are looking for an uncommon-rank Wind Element Seed."

    The attendant''s expression changed, now more respectful. "My apologies, I assumed otherwise. Wind-element uncommon seeds are quite rare in the Azure Water Continent, especially in a lower-tier city like ours. Even our main branch doesn''t invest heavily in this region. That being said, we do have three Wind-element uncommon seeds available."

    The great elder nodded. "That''s already fortunate. Finding a Wind-element uncommon seed in Fallen Leaves City is as rare as seeing a five-ringed Seed Master."

    The attendant introduced the three available seeds:

    Swift Air ¨C A support-type skill that doubles movement speed and is stackable with other agility skills. Price: 29 pink-grade coins.

    Wind Charge ¨C A skill acquired from a 2nd-rank Wind Beast. Allows the user to dash 10 meters in any direction and crash into enemies with wind force. Price: 33 pink-grade coins.

    Air Shot ¨C A naturally formed Seed Stone skill. Creates a wind orb in 2 seconds and shoots it up to 30 meters (can be extended to 50 meters at Level 40). Price: 32 pink-grade coins.

    Kane, initially tempted by Wind Charge, reconsidered after hearing about Air Shot. Given his first Seed Skill was agility-based, he believed a ranged attack would complement his combat style better.

    "I''ll take Air Shot," Kane decided confidently.

    The great elder approved. "A wise choice. This skill suits you well."

    After paying 32 pink coins, the attendant retrieved the Seed Stone. Bryan opened the small glowing white stone, which emitted an intense light before stabilizing into a half-finger-sized potato-shaped crystal.

    Bryan asked, "Do you provide rooms for absorption?"

    "Yes, of course. Please follow me." The attendant led Kane to a private chamber to fuse with his new Seed.

 Chapter 40: evolution of the seed

    Holding the seed box with immense happiness, Arya couldn''t blame Kane for feeling proud. Possessing an uncommon-ranked seed, especially for someone like him with his second seed ring, already made Kane an above-average cultivator. Though not elite, Kane was a step above most, since becoming an elite young seed master wasn''t easy. Elite young cultivators typically start with uncommon-quality seed rings or possess rare elements like Thunder or Dark elements, or even rarer elements like Space or Time.

    When Kane left, Bryan didn''t inquire about Arya''s seed and instructed the attendant to wait for Kane''s return. Once Kane returned, Bryan would help Arya buy his second seed stone. They had to send Kane back first before buying the seed stone for Arya, as Bryan wanted to make sure everything went smoothly.

    After about 15 minutes, Kane returned, smiling. He thanked both the elder and Bryan for assisting him with his seed purchase, expressing his eagerness to train with his new skills. The elder agreed, and Kane was ready to leave, eager to begin his new journey.

    After sending the elder and Kane on their way, Bryan asked the attendant to show him the water and ice element seed stones. He also explained Arya''s requirements: the seed should have at least one ability related to his current skills.

    "We have many different types of water and ice-type seeds here," the attendant explained. "As you know, in our kingdom, these two elements are more common, which is why we have 11 uncommon-ranked water element seeds and two ice-type seeds, which are much rarer. I have three seeds that may interest you."

    The attendant presented the first water element seed. Its skill was called "Water Damp," which could create a damp area of two meters long, making it difficult for anyone standing there to move freely. This skill was silent and could be activated without showing any energy fluctuations. It had a range of 20 meters. The price for this seed was 30 coins.

    The second water seed had a supportive ability, allowing its possessor to stay underwater for 10 minutes without difficulty, with an additional 5 minutes added with each new ring level. This skill could be activated almost automatically while submerged. Its price was 31 pink coins.

    Finally, the attendant presented the ice-type seed. It had an incredible stealth ability, which Arya had been looking for. This skill allowed the user to disguise their seed rank by making it appear as a common-grade seed, fooling enemies. It also had an ability that could make the user invincible for 5 minutes, temporarily lowering their cultivation rank. While the skill didn''t include direct attack or support abilities, its versatility and disguise power were significant, especially since the seed had been acquired from an Ice Chamaeleon, a rare and elusive monster beast. Its price was 39 pink coins.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Bryan could see how much Arya liked the seed and decided to purchase it, despite the high cost. Even though it was expensive, this seed''s abilities would be very beneficial to Arya, especially in hiding his conflicting elemental powers. Bryan handed the coins to the attendant, and after completing the transaction, they began preparing for Arya to absorb his second seed stone.

    Arya knew that with this much investment from both his father and the village, he couldn''t waste it. His next steps needed to be decisive, as he couldn''t afford to let his village down.

    After checking the seed stone and completing the purchase, Bryan took Arya back to the village. Arya couldn''t absorb his second seed stone outside due to the complexities of having two conflicting elements¡ªhis father would assist him in absorbing it for the first time. Bryan had prepared for this moment and knew that absorbing an uncommon rank seed stone would trigger the evolution of Arya''s first fire seed stone, which would evolve when the cultivator possessed a high-quality seed stone.

    Arya had become more powerful simply by having this second uncommon seed stone, which placed him among the elite young cultivators, those who began their cultivation with such rare seeds. But he quickly reminded himself that showing off his seed rank too openly could be dangerous. He couldn''t risk drawing attention from those who would see him as a threat to eliminate before he became too powerful.

    Back in the village, Arya began absorbing the seed stone. However, the energy from the stone rejected him at first, as his fire and water elements clashed. His father suggested separating the two elements during the process, so Arya began carefully separating the ice and water elements and sending them into the new seed stone. This process was much slower than usual, as absorbing two conflicting elements took more time.

    After about four hours of painstaking effort, Arya finally finished the absorption. However, the excess fire element energy left in his body started to become chaotic. His first seed stone began absorbing the leftover energy, but this caused intense pain. His body burned from the inside out, and the sensation was unbearable.

    At this point, a cold, soothing energy started flowing through his body, easing the pain. His father, having prepared an ice bath to help calm the fire energy, had already intervened. Bryan had expected this type of situation and was there to assist Arya through the process.

    The absorption and evolution of Arya''s blood seed stone took about 15 minutes, and it felt like an eternity to Arya. His body felt tight, and he could barely control it. When he tried to stand, he struggled, not because he felt weak, but because his body felt like a foreign machine.

    Bryan helped him to another room and instructed him to soak in an ice bath for an hour to aid his recovery. The bath would help ease the pain and improve his energy flow. Bryan also reminded him that every time Arya absorbed a new seed stone, especially a higher-ranked one, this pain would become more intense. To manage this, Arya needed to prepare an opposite element in large quantities for future seed absorption, as the ice bath was used to suppress fire energy and vice versa.

    Arya thanked his father for his support. Without his help, he might have lost consciousness during the process.

    Meanwhile, Bryan met with the village elder. Though they had spent a lot of money on the village''s talents this year, they were confident that their investments would pay off in the future. Arya''s potential, with his inherited abilities, would help the village grow stronger, even if Arya didn''t reach level 50 anytime soon. However, there was concern about the Flame of Dawn Clan and the Red Shadows¡ªfactions that might target Arya as he grew stronger.

    Bryan reassured the elder that Arya would be prepared. Arya had already been warned about these threats, and he would need to handle his identity with caution. His future would be filled with dangers, but for now, he needed to focus on becoming stronger.

 Chapter 41: Speculations

    After stepping out of the ice bath, Arya inspected himself. He felt much better, though not yet fully recovered. He decided to check his improvements.

    The first thing he did was summon his Seed Weapon. It had evolved again, now resembling a pointed spear, though still incomplete. It was a long, straight rod, with one end tapering into a sharp spear-like shape. At the other end, two stones were embedded in the weapon''s body¡ªeach half black and half pink. Upon closer inspection, Arya could feel that the two stones radiated different auras, subtly clashing yet coexisting.

    These two stones represented his two uncommon-ranked seed stones. He reminded himself that when switching to Weapon Master Form, he needed to activate his second seed''s skill first, or others would be able to see his seed rank directly from his weapon. A safer approach was to keep his second seed''s skill activated at all times before a fight, ensuring his seed rank remained hidden. However, even though it was a supportive skill, its energy consumption was still significant¡ªon par with an attack skill due to its high quality.

    If he wanted to keep this ability active permanently while still having enough reserve energy for battles, he would need to reach at least level 35 to 36. Since he was still far from that level, he had to be strategic about when to use it.

    After putting his weapon away, Arya summoned his Seed Rings. Two rings¡ªeach half black and half pink¡ªstarted rotating around his right hand. They were both double the size of a regular bangle. However, the rings on his fingers had different colors.

    ?  The first ring had a deep blood-red hue, which now looked even more vibrant.

    ?  The second ring had a light sky-blue color, signifying its Ice element. Normally, the Water element would be dark blue, but the Ice variation had a paler shade.

    To test his second seed''s skill, he summoned it again. The second seed ring blinked slightly, and a black-pink ring appeared. Slowly, its color began to change. The sky-blue portion remained the same, but the seed stones embedded within it shifted from black-pink to black-white.

    The same phenomenon happened when he activated his first skill. Both of his uncommon-rank seed stones visually changed to common-rank stones, even though their actual power remained unchanged. His first skill''s power had improved after evolving, but he hadn''t tested its strength yet. He would need a target to measure its effects.

    Additionally, thanks to his Ice seed, he now possessed a passive skill¡ªthe ability to freeze water upon contact using his Ice Aura. However, this was a basic energy trait, not an actual skill. Just like how he had previously been able to emit Fire Aura to melt ice with a touch before obtaining his Fire Seed, his Ice Aura allowed him to freeze water through direct skin contact.

    After inspecting his abilities, Arya left the room. He didn''t see his father anywhere¡ªBryan must have been busy handling village affairs. Being a village leader was no easy task. Arya knew his father had already done everything he could for him. From now on, Arya had to rely on himself to achieve his goals.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    With that in mind, he returned to his room. He needed to further test his limits and familiarize himself with his new powers before the upcoming Academy Selection Day. The day he and Kane had to choose and apply for a low-level academy was approaching fast.

    Somewhere else, a low-level beast was pulling a carriage at high speed. Inside the carriage sat four people¡ªthree young cultivators and an elderly man.

    The elder spoke, "Our Water Dragon Academy is ranked second among the three mid-level academies in the Azur Water Kingdom. However, this ranking reflects the strength of our students, not the actual power of our academy itself."

    One of the youths listened attentively before asking, "Elder, how is this ranking determined?"

    The elder nodded. "These rankings are established through a competition among all academies in the kingdom¡ªfrom low-level to high-level academies. Even the royal family sends their young elites to participate. Winning this competition brings fame and recognition, not only to the individual but also to their academy."

    He paused before adding, "The rewards for this competition are highly tempting for anyone below level 51. However, you three won''t be able to participate."

    "Why not?" another youth asked.

    "The last competition was one year ago. The next one will happen in three more years¡ªit''s held once every four years. Furthermore, to qualify, you must be below the age of 25 and above level 40."

    Hearing this, the three young cultivators frowned.

    "From my observation," the elder continued, "even with three years left, none of you are likely to reach level 40 in time. However, if any of you manage to break through, you will be allowed to participate. Even if you don''t achieve top ranks, just competing will be an invaluable experience."

    One of the youths, Ben, looked thoughtful before asking, "Elder, where exactly is our academy located? I only know about Fallen Leaves City, but I have no knowledge of the other cities or regions."

    The elder chuckled. "Oh¡­ I nearly forgot that you three lack even the basic understanding of our continent''s structure." He looked at Ben before explaining,

    "Our Asur Water Continent consists of 12 major cities. However, that''s only a small part of our landmass. Over 75% of the continent is covered by jungles and forests, where monstrous beasts and spirit beasts roam freely. The same is true for other continents¡ªlarge parts of their territory are dominated by nature, rather than human civilization."

    "In fact," he continued, "among all five continents, the Invincible Heaven Continent has the largest share of landmass controlled by humans¡ª48%. However, the remaining 52% is still wilderness, filled with powerful creatures."

    "This continent is home to some of the strongest cultivators with the Space and Lightning Elements. Space and Thunder are both top-ranked elements, and thus, the continent has some of the most powerful high-level warriors."

    Returning to their own continent, the elder said, "The Asur Water Continent is surrounded by a massive sea. Its limits have never been measured, and even today, no one knows just how vast it is."

    He smiled and added, "Some speculate that there are other continents beyond the sea¡ªplaces where humans and monsters live, just like here. However, no proof has ever been found. For now, it remains just a theory¡­ but some of the strongest warriors still believe it to be true."

    Meanwhile, Arya continued testing his skills, preparing himself for the academy trials. He knew that soon, his real journey would begin.

    No longer could he rely on his father.

    From now on, his future was in his own hands.

 Chapter 42: Strong Cultivators

    Inside the rushing carriage, an elderly man sat with three young cultivators, his expression calm yet authoritative. He glanced at their confused faces before smiling knowingly.

    "I know this is new for you, but our continent is home to special realms¡ªplaces that do not physically exist here, but whose entrances are hidden across our lands. Some of these realms were created by powerful cultivators of space or time elements in ancient times. However, finding a peak cultivator of these elements today is nearly impossible. Especially time cultivators. Not only is the time element extremely rare, but mastering it is even harder due to unique limitations."

    His voice lowered slightly.

    "As for the strongest cultivator in our Five Continents, he resides in the Invincible Heaven Continent. However, he has yet to reach the peak of the cultivation world. If he does, because of his special elements, he will become the most dominant force in existence."

    The three youths listened intently as the elder continued.

    "Beyond the twelve major cities, our continent is divided into three prefectures, each controlled by a powerful organization. These groups extend their influence beyond this continent, reaching all five continents, though their power is weaker in Invincible Heaven. These organizations are:

    1. Pill and Alchemist Association ¨C The leading authority on alchemy, pills, and elixirs.

    2. Trade Union ¨C A combination of Star Alliance, Deep Trades, and Commerce of Merchants, controlling the vast majority of trade and commerce.

    3.  Legends Forge ¨C An elite faction specializing in forging weapons. Some even claim they possess the ability to remold Seed Weapons, making a useless one useful again. However, this is only possible for One-Ringed cultivators, and the price is so high that even large sects hesitate before attempting it."

    The elder chuckled as he saw their stunned expressions.

    "Legends Forge is also the top organization for Weapon Masters. You''ll learn more about them in the future. But for now, let''s focus on your journey."

    He leaned forward slightly.

    "When we arrive at Water Dragon Academy, you will first go through an assessment. Your results will determine your position, privileges, and allowance within the academy. You''ll be allowed to study until the age of 25 or until you reach Level 40, at which point you can choose to leave."

    As the elder continued his explanation, the carriage sped forward toward its destination.

    Meanwhile, back in the fallen leaves city, Arya was deep in training. Two days had passed since he obtained his second Seed Stone, and he was growing more comfortable with his body and powers.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    During a spar with his father, Bryan, Arya discovered something surprising¡ªhis first Seed Skill had evolved. Previously, Bryan, a Level 36 cultivator, could completely ignore its effects. But now, he felt a brief moment of resistance when struck by it. It was only for a second, but against Level 30 and below cultivators, that one second could mean life or death.

    Moreover, his Seed Weapon was growing stronger. Unlike most cultivators who relied solely on their Seed Skills, Arya''s weapon possessed actual power, making him dangerous even without abilities. Even Bryan had to be careful when facing his attacks. Though Bryan''s vast experience and combat skills allowed him to dodge easily, he admitted that Arya''s weapon was far beyond an ordinary One-Ringed weapon.

    After his training session, Arya left the forest and returned to the village, where he met Kane.

    "You''re already Level 22?" Arya asked, surprised.

    Kane smirked. "Yeah, the Dragon Pool''s energy helped push me forward. But from now on, leveling up will get harder."

    Arya nodded. "That''s normal. The higher our level, the harder it becomes to advance."

    Kane leaned in slightly. "Have you decided which academy to apply for? We have to give our answer to the chief and elders tomorrow."

    Arya thought about it. His father had mentioned three low-level academies nearby:

    1. Pine Academy ¨C Located in Fallen Woods City, this academy specialized in wood elements but accepted all cultivators. It was the strongest force in its city.

    2. Neon Academy ¨C Situated in Onex City, named after a powerful beast, this was the strongest of the three academies.

    3. Finlet Academy ¨C Based in Fisco City, it had the smallest student population but the highest requirements. They only accepted the most talented students.

    Despite being a low-level academy, Finlet Academy''s standards were nearly equal to a mid-level academy. While it lacked numbers, its resources and teaching quality were superior, as teachers could focus more on each student.

    After considering his options, Arya replied, "I want to apply to Finlet Academy."

    Kane grinned. "Then I''ll apply with you."

    Later that evening, the two informed Bryan of their decision. Afterward, Arya decided to explore the outskirts of the village, a place he rarely visited.

    As Arya and Kane walked through the village entrance, they observed the people around them. Unlike within the village, most were commoners who lacked the ability to cultivate elemental energy. However, even normal humans could reach Level 9, giving them physical strength three times that of people from Arya''s past life on Earth.

    Because Arya and Kane wore higher-quality clothing, a few people glanced at them, but none dared to approach. In this world, even young cultivators were dangerous. No one wanted to provoke someone from a cultivator family without reason.

    After spending time exploring, they found a small food shop and decided to eat. The shop was almost empty, except for another group of three young men, likely 18 to 19 years old, sitting at a nearby table.

    A female attendant approached.

    "What would you like to eat?" she asked.

    "Anything as long as it''s tested good," Arya replied. "Choose two of your shop''s best dishes for me."

    Kane ordered as well, and the attendant left to prepare their meals.

    As they waited, Arya overheard the three young men talking.

    "That fight was insane!" one of them exclaimed. "I couldn''t believe how fast they were moving! When their fists clashed, the ground itself shook!"

    Another sighed. "I couldn''t see the whole fight. My father made me leave before it ended. Do you know who they were?"

    Arya''s eyes narrowed. Strong cultivators fighting in this area?

    For someone''s attacks to make the earth tremble, they had to be at least Level 40 or higher. Even his father, a Level 36 cultivator, couldn''t shake the ground with raw power alone¡ªunless he possessed the Earth Element, or if two Weapon Masters were clashing.

    Who were these powerful fighters? And what were they doing here?

    A faint smile formed on Arya''s lips.

    This world is getting more interesting.

 Chapter 43: The trouble

    After returning to the village, Arya and Kane headed to their rooms. Since Arya had already eaten outside, he only had a small meal with his family, wanting to spend some time together before leaving for the academy the next day.

    After dinner, Arya decided to rest instead of practicing, ensuring he would be well-prepared for the journey ahead. As morning arrived, both he and Kane stood in the village''s main hall, where important discussions took place among the elders. Kane''s father, though an elder, was not particularly powerful, being at only level 28.

    Currently, five people were present in the grand hall: Arya''s father Bryan, Kane''s father, and the Great Elder. They were discussing who would escort the two on their journey, which would take two days since the Finlet Academy was located in Fisco City, beyond another low-level city similar to theirs. The city had no dominant ruling power, only scattered local influences like their village.

    Arya, however, suggested that he and Kane travel alone. He believed they needed to be self-reliant and capable of handling challenges on their own. Though young, both were strong enough to protect themselves and mature enough not to cause reckless trouble. With Arya''s intelligence and combat experience, he could hold his ground against cultivators below level 30. Bryan, while initially planning to send someone with them, ultimately agreed, understanding that he couldn''t always protect talented children like them.

    With that decision made, Kane supported Arya''s idea, recognizing that self-sufficiency was crucial for true strength. Bryan provided them with a rough hand-drawn map and one pink coin for travel expenses. Arya felt it was too much, but Bryan only laughed, telling him he would understand once he set out. Arya chose not to take the money, preferring to manage on his own. Before leaving, he hugged his mother one last time and said his goodbyes.

    Their journey would take them from their village to the borders of Fallen Leaves City in about seven hours. From there, they would enter Bansi City, where they would take local transport to Fisco City, which would take another 13 to 15 hours, including breaks for rest and meals. Since the Finlet Academy entrance was open for another 10 days, they weren''t in a rush.

    To reach Fallen Leaves City, Arya took two normal horses from the village, setting out at 8 AM. Though horseback travel wasn''t the most comfortable, he could manage seven to eight hours. The horses in this world were much faster than Earth''s, and without strong bodies and cultivation, ordinary children would be thrown off by the wind pressure. As they traveled, Arya observed groups of people, most at level 8 or 9, with only a few above level 10. He had yet to encounter anyone above level 20 like himself and Kane.

    Perhaps the presence of their four villages had led to a scarcity of higher-level cultivators in Fallen Leaves City. After about five and a half hours of continuous travel, nearing Bansi City''s borders, Arya decided they should rest and eat before entering the new city. Traveling straight for five hours was taxing, and the area where they stopped had a few shops and travelers, with the natural energy increasing as they approached a more populated city.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    After securing their horses, they found a small food stall and ordered meat dumplings served in a rich soup. The shopkeeper, a man in his forties, brought them six large, juicy dumplings. The aroma whetted their appetite, and within minutes, both Arya and Kane devoured their meals. Still hungry, they ordered another round. The shopkeeper smiled as he served them again. Finally full, they decided to rest for a few hours before continuing.

    When Arya asked for the bill, addressing the shopkeeper as ''Uncle,'' the man''s expression remained friendly as he said, "That will be 40 white coins."

    Arya''s satisfied expression immediately vanished. He could tell the man was trying to scam them, assuming they were naive children traveling alone. The shopkeeper, a level 9 cultivator, likely saw them as easy targets.

    "What''s special about your food?" Arya asked. "Does it provide any benefits? Why are you charging five times the normal price?"

    "My prices are fair," the man said smugly. "My food is tastier than others. Now stop wasting my time and pay up."

    Arya frowned. "At most, your dumplings should cost two white coins per plate. That''s a total of eight coins. Show me your rate card."

    The shopkeeper''s friendly demeanor disappeared. "You kids think you can eat and not pay? I know how to deal with brats like you."

    He suddenly lunged at Arya, one hand reaching for his pouch while the other grabbed at Kane''s shirt. Arya reacted instantly, grabbing the man''s wrist, while Kane dodged and countered with a punch to his left shoulder, forcing the man back with a shocked expression.

    "Oh¡­ so that''s why you had the guts to argue," the shopkeeper sneered. "But do you think you''re strong enough to eat for free?"

    Although Arya and Kane had not revealed their cultivation levels, Kane''s punch had given the man a hint that they were stronger than him. However, instead of backing down, he became more aggressive.

    "Chinn!" the shopkeeper shouted.

    Arya tensed. This was getting bigger than expected, and they couldn''t afford unnecessary trouble before reaching the academy. He quickly placed eight white coins on the table and motioned for Kane to leave.

    Just then, heavy footsteps approached. Without warning, a man punched at Kane, who barely had time to react. He managed to block the strike but was still pushed back three to four steps. Kane looked surprised, but the attacker¡ªwho resembled the shopkeeper and seemed to be in his thirties¡ªlooked even more shocked that his punch had been stopped.

    Arya stepped forward, supporting Kane, and locked eyes with the newcomer''s malicious gaze.

    He usually avoided trouble, but when someone tested his limits, they awakened a side of him they wouldn''t want to see. Years of past-life experience had taught him that losing control was dangerous, which is why he always tried to remain calm.

    Kane, though shaken, quickly realized their opponent was only slightly stronger¡ªlevel 23, with impressive physical strength, likely a trained weapon master.

    "So, you tried to bully my brother, thinking he was weak?" the man taunted. "You two have guts. Pay up, or you''re not leaving today."

    "We were paying," Arya said coldly, "but your brother was unreasonable, demanding 40 white coins for four plates of dumplings. That''s ridiculous."

    Chinn glanced at his brother and smirked. "Sounds reasonable to me. Now that I''m here, the price just doubled. Consider it the cost of making me move."

    Arya had had enough. Kane hesitated, wary of Chinn''s strength, but Arya didn''t.

    "We''re not paying," he said flatly. "And since you tried to rob us, I won''t just walk away. You''re going to give me everything you have. Did you really think we were just helpless kids?"

    Chinn burst into laughter. "You want us to pay you?" He shook his head. "I thought you''d be smart enough to run after seeing my strength. But it seems you''re just naive children who haven''t seen the real world. Even if you''re talented, you''re still only level 22."

    Arya''s lips curled into a smirk. "Then let''s see how much your ''real world'' experience is worth."

 Chapter 44: weapon masters power

    "You two might stand a chance against an ordinary level 23 Seed Master, but I am no ordinary cultivator," Chinn said, his voice filled with confidence. "I am a level 23 Weapon Master, a veteran with ten years of experience."

    He smirked. "Let me show you why Weapon Masters are feared at lower ranks."

    As he spoke, Chinn summoned two Seed Rings¡ªone common and one uncommon. Though his cultivation talent was lacking, leaving him stuck at level 23 even at the age of 30, he had still managed to accumulate a decent collection of Seed Rings.

    Arya prepared to summon his own Seed Rings in response, but he suddenly froze, his eyes widening in surprise. Something unusual was happening. Normally, Seed Rings revolved around the right hand before transforming into a Seed Weapon. However, Chinn''s rings moved differently¡ªthey circled his entire body from head to toe before finally materializing into a weapon. It was a rod, but unlike Arya''s, which was gradually forming into a spear, Chinn''s weapon remained a pure rod, unshaped by external influences.

    More than that, Arya could feel an overwhelming bestial aura emanating from both Chinn and his weapon. It was as if the weapon had merged with his body, making him appear more beast than man. A strange sense of unease crept into Arya''s mind. His confidence wavered, though he did not immediately realize it.

    Then, the final surprise came.

    As Chinn''s Seed Weapon fully materialized, a powerful burst of bestial energy erupted from his body. A ghostly white figure took shape behind him¡ªa wolf-like beast, its translucent form radiating immense power. The creature''s aura was suffocating, primal, and overwhelming.

    "Now, let me show you what a true Weapon Master, one with Spirit Refining, is capable of."

    As Chinn spoke, the illusory beast merged back into his body, and his strength, speed, and aura surged dramatically. Already, Weapon Masters possessed superior physical prowess, but now, with the spirit''s fusion, he had become even more dangerous. His expression turned savage, his presence more terrifying, as though he were a beast about to go berserk.

    His lips curled into a sinister grin. "Judging by your clothes, you must be from a well-off family. I can''t risk future trouble, so I''ve decided¡ªyou''re both staying here. Forever."

    With that, he moved at astonishing speed, targeting Kane first. Fortunately, Kane managed to evade the attack thanks to his Wind Element, which granted him agility. But even with that advantage, he barely escaped. It was a testament to Chinn''s overwhelming power.

    Arya had seen enough. Despite knowing that Chinn was too strong for them to handle directly, he couldn''t just stand by. He wasn''t an ordinary Seed Master either¡ªhis Seed Weapon and Seed Stones were of higher quality than Chinn''s.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Without hesitation, Arya struck. His rod crashed toward Chinn with force, forcing the man to abandon his attack on Kane and defend himself instead. Chinn successfully blocked the blow, but his eyes betrayed his surprise. Arya''s attack had more power than expected.

    Even so, Chinn stood firm, unfazed. Arya quickly retreated, his weapon trembling from the impact. It was clear¡ªChinn''s spirit-refined weapon granted him immense power.

    "Not bad," Chinn admitted. "I didn''t think you''d be this strong¡­"

    Before he could finish, Kane launched an Air Blast straight at his face. The attack was swift, and Chinn, caught off guard, failed to fully block it. The blast struck him, drawing blood. However, instead of knocking him back, it barely fazed him.

    Arya saw an opening and attacked again, his rod striking true. Yet, despite the clean hit, Chinn remained standing.

    "Heh¡­ Is that all?" Chinn sneered. "You kids hit harder than I expected, but thanks to my Spirit Refining, your attacks barely affect me."

    He lunged at Arya, forcing him into a direct clash. Arya gritted his teeth as he parried blow after blow, but he was being pushed back. Kane continued to support him with ranged attacks, but Chinn''s strength wasn''t diminishing¡ªit was increasing.

    Arya realized the truth: If this fight dragged on, they would die.

    They had encountered no cultivators above level 20 until now, yet this one was already beyond their ability to handle. The sheer disparity in strength was overwhelming.

    Frustration built inside Arya. He had a bad habit¡ªwhen a fight dragged on, he grew reckless. His anger fueled his attacks, making him strike wildly, ignoring his own defense. Though he managed to land two hits, a single counterstrike from Chinn sent him flying.

    Pain shot through Arya''s body, but it only fueled his rage. His grip tightened on his weapon, his eyes tinged with red from pain and fury.

    Chinn smirked. "Looks like you''ve reached your limit. Time to end this."

    He raised his weapon, aiming straight for Arya''s head¡ªa killing blow.

    But Arya wasn''t done yet.

    "You just had to take things this far, didn''t you?" he growled, his voice laced with barely contained fury. "You think you''re the only one willing to go all out?"

    Summoning all his strength, Arya channeled both Fire and Water elements into his weapon. He knew he couldn''t fuse them yet, but their mere presence was enough. Since he couldn''t use Seed Skills in Weapon Master form, he looked at Kane and nodded. Kane understood immediately and launched another Air Blast.

    Chinn smirked, casually raising a hand to block Kane''s attack. But that was the mistake that cost him his life.

    Arya moved in, his weapon glowing with the conflicting energies of Fire and Water. Chinn, realizing his error, attempted to block with his other hand. But it was too late.

    Arya twisted his body, dodging Chinn''s grasp, and unleashed his full-force strike at Chinn''s head. Normally, such an attack would have only caused minor injuries. But the presence of opposing elements in the strike amplified its power several times over.

    When the attack landed, the elemental reaction was instantaneous.

    Chinn''s head, hardened like metal from merging with the spirit beast, exploded like a watermelon crushed under immense force. Blood and fragments of flesh splattered everywhere, painting a gruesome scene.

    Kane, witnessing the horrifying spectacle, turned pale and vomited. Arya, still caught in the haze of his fury, took a deep breath, slowly calming himself.

    He had lost control. He knew that. But he also knew something else¡ªChinn had intended to kill them. And Arya wasn''t the type to show mercy to someone who would kill for something as trivial as a meal dispute.

    If you try to kill someone, Arya believed, you should be ready to be killed in return.

    There was no place for mercy in a world where power ruled.

 Chapter 45: journey continues

    Arya knew that staying any longer would be troublesome, so he quickly collected Chinn''s space bag. It was of low level, but he didn''t have time to inspect its contents now. He motioned to Kane to take the horses and start moving, assuring him that he would catch up in a few minutes.

    After sending Kane ahead, Arya turned his attention to the shop owner¡ªthe main culprit behind this entire ordeal. The man was still inside his shop, and upon seeing Arya return, he smirked.

    "What? Have you come to apologize after getting beaten by my brother? But from the looks of it, you didn''t get the punishment you deserved."

    Seeing Arya''s rough state after the fight, the owner assumed he had returned to beg for forgiveness.

    "Oh yes, I''ve come to beg... for you to hand over every single coin you have," Arya said coldly. Without waiting for a response¡ªhe was in a hurry and had no patience for this piece of filth¡ªhe grabbed the shopkeeper''s hands, twisting them behind his back with force. Before the man could scream, Arya shoved a cloth into his mouth, kicked him aside, and searched his pockets. He found only a few white coins.

    Knowing that most of the money would be in the shop''s drawer, Arya opened it and saw a good number of white coins. He didn''t have time to count, so he swept them all into his space bag. He wasn''t particularly in need of money, but since he had made a point earlier, he decided to follow through. Besides, he had already spent everything on his second Seed Stone and still needed to save for the third.

    After securing the coins, Arya sprinted toward Kane, who had left a minute earlier. As he ran, he reflected on Chinn''s strange ability. That transformation had significantly increased his power, making him a formidable opponent. If not for that skill, Arya could have easily defeated him, given his superior Seed Weapons and Seed Stones. His two uncommon-rank seeds, which appeared as common-rank black and white rings when summoned due to his second skill, were still of much higher quality than Chinn''s.

    His weapon was slightly better than Chinn''s, though not by a huge margin. Additionally, his physical strength had improved after his breakthrough, thanks to his dual elements. However, Chinn''s extended time as a Weapon Master had given him a natural advantage in physical combat.

    "There are too many mysteries in this world," Arya thought. "I''ll uncover them in time. But for now, I need to understand that transformation technique. It enhances a Weapon Master''s physique, strengthens their Seed Weapon, adds an oppressive aura, and creates a deeper connection between the weapon and its wielder. I need to verify if my observations are correct."If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Eventually, he caught up with Kane. Because of the earlier incident, they had lost the opportunity to rest as planned. It was now 1:20 in the afternoon, and they were nearing the border.

    As they traveled toward Bansi City, Arya decided to check their loot.

    From the shop owner, he had collected 119 white coins¡ªan absurd amount for a simple food vendor. It made sense, though. The location near the border meant he could have scammed several unfortunate travelers before running into Arya and Kane. Including the one pink coin Arya had kept untouched, he now possessed 1 pink and 124 white coins in total.

    Next, he inspected Chinn''s space bag. What he found surprised him.

    Inside, there were 13 pink coins and 29 white coins. There was also a medium-quality weapon¡ªan oddity, considering most Seed Masters and Weapon Masters used their Seed Weapons exclusively. Only mortals or those with low-quality Seed Weapons purchased ordinary weapons.

    Among the items, he also found a strange emblem that appeared to belong to an organization. He set it aside for later examination. The last item he retrieved was a Rank 1 monster core. Given Chinn''s strength, he could have easily hunted a late-stage Rank 1 beast. Arya, on the other hand, could only manage to kill early-stage Rank 1 monsters and fight mid-stage ones. Late-stage Rank 1 beasts were beyond his current capabilities, especially since he couldn''t yet wield both elements simultaneously multiple times in succession. Fighting beasts was always harder than fighting humans, and his physical strength was nowhere near the transformed Chinn''s level.

    Arya glanced at Kane, who was staring ahead, seemingly unbothered by what had just transpired.

    "Kane!" Arya called. When Kane turned, Arya tossed the shop owner''s money bag at him.

    "This is yours. And stop overthinking what happened. It was necessary. If we want to become stronger and restore our village''s status, we must be prepared to remove any obstacles in our path."

    Kane sighed and nodded. "I get it. Don''t worry. I wasn''t ready to see something like that, but I''m fine now. That guy got exactly what he deserved. What''s this?"

    "Our spoils," Arya replied with a smirk. "I went back, beat that shopkeeper senseless, and took all his money. Like I said, how could I forget about him?"

    Kane''s eyes widened at the sight of the coins. "That''s a lot, but I can''t take all of it."

    "Don''t worry," Arya reassured him. "That Chinn guy was much wealthier."

    With that, Kane accepted the money, and they continued their journey toward the border of Bansi City.

    To enter Bansi City, they had to pay a toll, as was customary for travelers crossing between cities. The local governing power enforced these rules, though individuals from influential backgrounds or powerful sects could bypass them. If a cultivator reached level 30, they could avoid paying the standard toll of 5 white coins per person.

    Out of curiosity, Arya asked the toll collector about entry fees for other cities. He learned that mid-level cities waived the toll for those at level 40, while high-level cities only allowed free entry for cultivators above level 50. Otherwise, the fees were steep¡ª30 white coins for mid-level cities and 2 pink coins for high-level cities. There were only three high-level cities in the entire Azur Water Kingdom, including the one controlled by the royal family.

    Paying their combined toll of 20 white coins wasn''t as painful after their recent gains. Once inside Bansi City, they resumed their journey toward Fisco City, taking occasional breaks along the way.

    As they ventured further into more developed areas, the presence of powerful cultivators became increasingly apparent. Arya noticed multiple three-ringed Seed Masters and knew they had to tread carefully. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he stuck to well-traveled paths, steering clear of any potential thieves or powerful thugs.

    With each step, the duo drew closer to the next stage of their journey, knowing that greater challenges and mysteries awaited them in the cities ahead.

 chapter 46: Water Dragon Academy

    As Ben, Rose, and Trex from White Sparrow Village arrived at the city where the Water Dragon Academy was located, they marveled at their surroundings. Throughout the journey, they had traveled by carriage, and with the elder''s assistance, they reached the academy with ease.

    The elder, noticing their curious expressions, spoke up. "I haven''t introduced myself yet, have I? In our academy, all elders are referred to by numbers for various reasons, such as maintaining secrecy or personal identity. Many other academies follow a similar system. For you, I am Elder 8¡ªthe tenth most powerful elder in the Water Dragon Academy. The principal and headmaster are at the very top."

    He continued, "There are rules and regulations you must follow once we reach the academy gates. After the initial assessment, you''ll be assigned accommodations. Normally, all new students start from the Outer Hall."

    Tapping his head, the elder added, "Oh, I forgot to mention¡ªthe academy consists of three halls, each with different entry requirements. The first is the Outer Hall, where students below level 31 reside. Some exceptional students can directly enter the Inner Hall, which is for those under level 40. Finally, the Core Hall is reserved for students above level 40. Those in the Core Hall hold the same authority as academy elders due to their immense power."

    Listening intently, the trio nodded in understanding.

    "Since the halls are separated, the opportunities available to students differ as well. Outer Hall students must rely on themselves for everything¡ªfrom knowledge acquisition to cultivation resources. The academy provides access to information, but at a discounted price. This system is designed to push students toward self-improvement and prevent dependence on the academy."

    He handed them a piece of paper. "Take a look at this list; it details the prices of various resources."

    Scanning the list, the three saw that essential lectures on cultivation techniques cost ten white coins per week, and attendance was mandatory. Cultivation pills for those below level 30 were available but were priced steeply at 120 white coins each. Despite the cost, these pills were a rare find in their home cities. Weapon Master techniques were also listed. Everything required money, but the academy provided these resources at lower prices than the outside market. The trio was relieved to see that, at least here, they had access to such things, unlike in their villages where even money couldn''t buy them.

    Inner Hall students received free lectures, a 30% discount on resources, and access to additional benefits. The difference in treatment was clear.

    As they approached the academy gates, they saw a vast walled area. The academy wasn''t overly massive, but the land it occupied was extensive. From the outside, only a straight path leading to the entrance was visible, with a pointed structure at the back. The two-meter-high stone walls enclosed the entire area.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    Four individuals stood near the gate¡ªtwo were guards with powerful auras, likely at level 25 or above, and two were seated at separate tables.

    Elder 8 walked up to the person on the left and exchanged a few words. The man then turned to the trio and said, "You three, step forward one by one. State your names, cultivation levels, and other relevant information."

    Trex moved first. "Trex, level 23, Water element."

    The official at the desk nodded. "What are the ranks of your seeds? It''s an important factor in assessing your strength."

    "Two Common-ranked seeds," Trex responded.

    The official''s expression remained neutral as he waved Trex aside. "Next."

    As Rose stepped forward, another group of six approached the gate. She assumed they were prospective students as well. Among them, one man appeared to be around Elder 8''s age, possibly another academy elder, while the remaining five were young cultivators. However, neither elder acknowledged the other, suggesting he might not be affiliated with the academy.

    Undeterred, Rose introduced herself. "Rose, level 25, Thunder element, two Common-ranked seeds."

    The official''s attention snapped to her upon hearing her element. Even those in the newly arrived group turned to look, drawn by her voice¡ªthough her beauty was likely a contributing factor.

    However, the official sighed and shook his head. "It''s truly a disappointment. With such a powerful element, your seed quality is too low. If even one of your seeds were Uncommon, you could have qualified for the Inner Hall as an elite student. But it''s not too late¡ªtrain diligently, and you may still rise to greatness like our esteemed elders."

    Rose nodded, understanding that her limitations had been lifted now that she was at the academy.

    Next, Ben stepped forward. "Ben, level 24, Wind element, two Common-ranked seeds."

    The official barely reacted and simply motioned for him to move aside.

    As the new group stepped forward for inspection, the trio realized just how weak their seed ranks were. Among the five students, three had one Common and one Uncommon seed, while the other two had Common seeds like them. Rose, however, had an advantage with her high-tier Thunder element.

    The official then announced, "A student may qualify for the Inner Hall if they can defeat a level 39 cultivator in battle, even if they themselves are below level 30."

    The trio understood that this rule was likely aimed at people like Rose, whose element or seed quality could allow them to fight above their level. For most, it was nearly impossible to defeat a level 39 opponent without external assistance.

    "The academy is divided into two sections for the Inner and Outer Halls, with facilities separated accordingly. The Inner Hall occupies 70% of the academy''s space, while the Outer Hall takes up 30%. Despite this, the Outer Hall has more students than the Inner Hall, meaning resources are more limited. You have a maximum of one and a half years to reach level 30 and enter the Inner Hall. If you fail, you will be expelled from the academy."

    The trio was taken aback. Advancing from level 21 to 30 normally required at least three years, yet the academy imposed a strict time limit. It was clear that the institution encouraged students to buy cultivation resources and train intensively to accelerate their growth.

 Chapter 47: fisco city

    Arya and Kane entered Bansi City and continued their journey toward Fisco City. During their twelve-hour stay in Bansi, Arya observed a variety of people¡ªsome good, some bad. However, wanting to avoid unnecessary trouble, he chose to keep to himself.

    As they traveled, Arya noticed a commotion where a group of people surrounded three individuals. Though he wanted to step in and help, he knew he wasn''t strong enough yet. The group seemed powerful, and with around twenty people involved, it was best to mind his own business.

    Throughout the journey, they encountered stronger cultivators. Despite both Fallen Leaves and Bansi City being considered low-level, Bansi had a much more active cultivation scene. One major challenge they faced was the rising costs as they neared Fisco City. Prices for food and basic necessities increased significantly.

    Upon reaching Fisco City''s border, they paid another twenty white coins to enter. As soon as they stepped into the city, Arya felt as though he had entered a completely different world. The streets were far livelier than those in Fallen Leaves City, which now seemed barren in comparison. Cultivators filled the streets, and while mortals below level 10 were still present, there were significantly more cultivators than non-cultivators¡ªquite the opposite of Fallen Leaves City.

    Since they had taken only a short break in Bansi to avoid trouble, Arya decided to find an inn to rest and gather information about Finlet Academy. The main road leading to the academy was bustling with cultivators, vendors, and shops selling rare items, some of which Arya had only heard about before.

    As they searched for an inn, a vendor suddenly blocked their path, halting their horses. The man enthusiastically tried to sell them a supposedly rare item capable of increasing cultivation by two levels for anyone below level 50, offering it for ten pink coins due to an "urgent need for money."

    Arya''s face darkened. Though they might appear like naive newcomers, they came from a reputable cultivation family with a long history. It was clear the vendor was attempting to scam them. Even the passersby shook their heads and ignored the scene, as it was common practice not to interfere in others'' matters without knowing their background.

    Thinking quickly, Arya responded, "Brother, your item truly sounds heavenly, but I am poor and only have a few white coins for necessities. I can''t afford it right now. But don''t worry, once I have enough money, I will surely buy from you. Please let us pass."

    The vendor was caught off guard. He had expected either a gullible victim to fall for his ploy or an offended reaction leading to conflict. If a fight broke out, he could have claimed self-defense and looted them, as the law in Fisco City dictated that whoever initiated a fight was in the wrong, regardless of circumstances. Finlet Academy enforced this rule strictly, and no one wanted to get on the academy''s bad side. With a forced smile, the vendor stepped aside, saying, "Of course, of course. Whenever brother has money, you can find me here."Stolen novel; please report.

    Arya encountered two more such attempts before finally asking a local about affordable inns. He learned that the main road had only expensive accommodations, so he followed the recommendation and found a modest inn in a quieter area.

    Upon entering, the first thing Arya noticed was how old and poorly maintained the inn was. The dim lights barely illuminated the space, adding to its rundown atmosphere. He approached the counter and asked for a room for two.

    The attendant, a man around 27 or 28 years old with an average cultivation level of 20, responded, "Do you need two separate rooms or one with two beds? The second option costs fifteen white coins per night, while two separate rooms cost forty white coins."

    Arya glanced at Kane. Though they had earned some money, expenses in Fisco were much higher than expected. "We''ll take one room with two beds," Arya decided.

    "Good. A five-white-coin deposit now, and you can pay the rest when you check out. Or you can pay in advance. How many days will you be staying?"

    "Just one day," Arya replied, handing over the deposit. After completing the process, the attendant led them to their room. It was average at best¡ªwhile the beds were usable, the rest of the furniture was nearly worthless. Still, something was better than nothing, and they only planned to rest for a few hours. After taking a quick shower, Arya collapsed onto his bed and slept deeply for about three to four hours.

    When he woke, Kane was still asleep. Not wanting to disturb him, Arya freshened up and headed downstairs. On his way, he noticed two people carrying trays of food toward a room but paid them little attention.

    At the counter, he asked the attendant, "How can one find information here?"

    The attendant replied, "Anything can be known¡ªfor a price."

    Without hesitation, Arya placed two white coins on the counter. The attendant accepted them and asked, "Are you looking for general information, or do you want secrets? The latter costs more."

    "I just need basic information," Arya said. "I want to know the power structure of this city, Finlet Academy''s relationships with other academies, and where I can buy and sell cultivation resources outside the academy."

    The attendant nodded. "In Fisco City, there are two main places for buying and selling. One is the Pill and Alchemist Association, which specializes in alchemical goods. If you have anything related to alchemy, you can sell it there for a fair price. The second is the Commerce of Merchants Branch, which deals in a variety of goods. Smaller shops are scattered around, but their credibility is uncertain, so I won''t mention them.

    "As for Finlet Academy, it mainly interacts with Pine Academy and Neon Academy because they are the closest to Fisco City. Other academies have little to no direct connection."

    After receiving additional information, Arya handed over five white coins. The knowledge was valuable. Before leaving, he requested food for himself and Kane, which cost another five white coins. Despite the high price, he was satisfied when he saw the meal. The portions were generous¡ªtwo meat dishes (chicken and fish), three vegetable dishes, and fresh salads.

    After eating, Arya and Kane cultivated their energy until nightfall. The next morning, Arya woke to find Kane already up.

    "I can''t wait to see Finlet Academy!" Kane said excitedly.

    Arya smiled. "Don''t get too ahead of yourself. We still have to qualify. Finlet Academy is known for having the fewest students among all academies."

    After freshening up and eating breakfast (which cost another two white coins), they checked out, paying the remaining ten white coins. Taking their horses, they set off toward Finlet Academy.

    Two and a half hours later, they spotted the academy from a distance. Unlike grand, imposing institutions, Finlet Academy blended naturally with its surroundings, featuring lush trees and vibrant flowers. There were few shops or crowds nearby, creating a peaceful environment conducive to cultivation.

    Upon reaching the entrance, they dismounted. Two figures stood at the gate¡ªone was a middle-aged man sitting, while the other was a young man around sixteen or seventeen, standing as a guard. The elder man was clearly responsible for assessing newcomers.

    Arya approached the seated man, bowed, and said, "Greetings, elder. We are here to qualify for admission into Finlet Academy."

    The young guard glanced at them but quickly looked away, finding nothing remarkable about them.

 Chapter 48: "Only one"

    The elder observed Arya''s respectful demeanor and nodded before speaking.

    "All your information has been recorded. If you pass the requirements, you will advance to the second test, which is the final round."

    Name: AryaAge: Almost 9 years oldCultivation Level: 22Element: Fire

    When the elder heard Arya''s element, he paid closer attention. Fire was not inherently special, but in the Asur Water Kingdom, it was uncommon. However, he said nothing and continued with the assessment.

    "Show me your seed rings."

    Arya immediately summoned his two small rings, half-black and half-white in color. The elder''s interest waned slightly upon seeing they were both of common rank.

    "You pass. Having reached Level 22 at almost nine years old is commendable, but I doubt you will pass the next round and join our academy. As you know, Finlet Academy does not accept just anyone¡ªonly the best can enter."

    After stating this, the elder motioned for Kane to step forward. Arya did not take offense at the elder''s words. With two common-ranked seeds and a normal element, he understood he was considered a bottom-ranker among cultivators.

    As Arya stepped back and Kane moved forward, he suddenly asked Arya, "Why is your second seed of common rank? Couldn''t you buy an uncommon-ranked seed?"

    "No, I liked this common seed''s skills, so I picked it. I saved my money to buy an uncommon seed for my third seed."

    Kane wanted to continue the conversation, but the elder was waiting, so he introduced himself as Arya had.

    Name: KaneAge: 9 years and 2 months oldCultivation Level: 22Element: Wind

    "Show me your seed rings," the elder instructed, expecting the same results as before. However, when Kane displayed one common and one uncommon-ranked seed, the elder smiled.

    "Good. Level 22 at only nine years old, with a strong pair of seed rings as well."

    For the second round, the elder announced, "You will have to take two punches from that man. If you remain standing for ten seconds afterward, you will pass and be eligible to join Finlet Academy."

    Kane and Arya looked at the man guarding the entrance and internally sighed in relief. The man was at the late stage of the Two-Seed Ring Master realm, meaning he was likely around Level 26. Taking two punches from him would not be too difficult.

    This test clearly favored those with a Seed Stone like Kane. Having even one uncommon-ranked seed not only granted stronger skills but also improved the quality of elemental energy and physical attributes. Even with only a single level difference, someone with two common-ranked seeds would struggle to withstand two full-power punches from someone of a higher level with an uncommon seed.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    The entrance guard stepped forward, bowed to the elder, then faced them. "Are you ready?"

    As he spoke, he summoned his seed rings. One was half-black and half-white, while the other was pink. The powerful aura emanating from him confirmed his cultivation at Level 25. Arya compared his aura to the previous cultivator he had encountered¡ªthe one with the beast illusion¡ªand found this man''s presence lacking in comparison.

    Kane went first. Though the guard did not use any seed skills, his basic attacks were powerful enough to exert pressure. However, Kane endured two punches without falling.

    The elder nodded in approval. "You pass. Next."

    Arya stepped forward, ready for his turn. For him, receiving physical attacks from a Seed Master was easier due to his exceptional physical attributes, which were comparable to seasoned Weapon Masters below Level 30.

    The guard launched his first punch. Arya blocked it with ease, even forcing the man to stumble back slightly. The elder''s gaze sharpened in surprise.

    "I am also a Weapon Master," Arya explained. "So my physique is quite strong."

    The guard, though understanding, felt humiliated. Being repelled by a Level 22 cultivator with common seeds was unacceptable. Determined to regain his pride, he prepared his second punch with full power.

    Despite his best effort, Arya stopped the attack without difficulty.

    The elder observed this and commented, "You are quite talented in the field of Weapon Mastery, but our Finlet Academy does not specialize in that. Regardless, both of you have passed the test and are eligible to join. You may return to your positions."

    The guard, still glaring at Arya in frustration, was dismissed. The elder then turned back to Arya and Kane.

    "As you both know, our academy accepts only a limited number of students. Only one of you can be admitted. I will leave the decision to you. As a suggestion, talented Seed Masters have far greater opportunities for growth here, while Weapon Masters may not receive the necessary resources to cultivate properly."

    It was clear the elder was advising Kane to join while subtly discouraging Arya.

    "As compensation," the elder continued, "if you give your spot to Kane, I will personally give you ten pink coins. It is not a common offer, but I am willing to pay for your loss."

    Arya internally smirked. ''This elder is too obvious, isn''t he?''

    He then looked at Kane. "It''s decided then¡ªyou will join the academy."

    "What about you?" Kane asked.

    "I can still apply to other academies. Finlet Academy is just one of many low-level academies."

    "You''re right. With your talent, you will definitely get into another academy. But I really don''t want to stay in the academy alone."

    "It''s only for a few years. Once you are strong enough, we will meet again. For now, focus on cultivation and becoming stronger so you can support our village."

    Kane and Arya conveyed their decision to the elder, who seemed pleased. "A good decision," he said, summoning ten pink-colored coins from thin air, revealing his possession of a spatial storage artifact.

    As Kane was led inside the academy, he looked back at Arya, uncertain when they would meet again. To his surprise, Arya was already walking away in the distance. Sighing, Kane thought, ''We will meet again, my friend.''

    Meanwhile, Arya was deep in thought as he walked away.

    ''I can''t return to the village, and joining another academy might not be the best option either. Without proper guidance, self-cultivation will be too slow. Mid and high-level academies, as well as a few low-level ones, might have the necessary resources for Weapon Masters¡ªbut all of them are beyond my reach right now.''

    He considered earning money to cultivate independently. ''With enough wealth, anything can be purchased. Some unique items may be beyond money''s reach, but with the right resources, they can still be obtained.''

 Chapter 49: Arya Commerce

    The first thing Arya thought of doing was earning enough money to stay in this expensive city and cultivate for a few months to figure out his future. He already had a decent amount of pink coins in his possession, but he needed more. Gathering information related to cultivation would surely cost him a fortune, and he was certain of that.

    He had some unimportant loot from earlier and decided to sell them at the Commerce of Merchants (COM) branch located on the west side of the city. The city had two major business groups: the Pill and Alchemist Association, situated in the east, and the Commerce of Merchants, positioned in the west. In the center of the city stood Finlet Academy. The distance between these two business groups could be covered in just two hours by carriage.

    After traveling for about forty minutes, Arya arrived at the Commerce of Merchants district. As he had imagined, the place was vastly different from his expectations. Numerous shops of varying sizes were scattered around, making it difficult to pinpoint where the COM main office was. To find it, he approached a shopkeeper who was selling different types of seeds, likely for farming or alchemy-related purposes.

    "Hello, Uncle," Arya greeted the busy shopkeeper.

    The man looked up and responded, "Hello. How may I help you? I have all types of normal seeds found around Fisco City and its surrounding regions. Though I usually don''t sell alchemy-related plant seeds, I do have some low-quality ones."

    "Sorry for disturbing you, but I''m not here to buy anything. I just wanted to ask where I can find the Commerce of Merchants (COM) main office."

    "Oh... I was wondering why a kid like you would be interested in buying seeds. I thought you might be purchasing them for someone else. As for the Commerce of Merchants," he said, looking around the shops, "this entire area is part of it."

    Arya glanced around again, surprised. He finally understood that the Commerce of Merchants wasn''t a single entity but an organization consisting of many different shops.

    "You seem new here," the shopkeeper said, "and from the way you''re asking, it''s clear you don''t even know the basics."

    Arya simply smiled in response.

    "Let me give you some free knowledge about our alliance group. In the entire trade union, we are the only ones who work with scattered and independent merchants, meaning we have the widest variety of goods. Even you can become part of us, but you''d have to meet the qualification criteria first.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    "Any shop under the Commerce of Merchants offers fair rates, and fraud or cheating customers is strictly prohibited. If a shop is caught breaking these rules, their qualification is revoked, and they are fined five times the amount they scammed."

    Arya''s impression of the Commerce of Merchants improved significantly, but he wasn''t entirely convinced. Since he had little knowledge of the outside world, he decided to remain silent and listen.

    "If you ever get cheated," the shopkeeper continued, "you can file a complaint at the main shop in the center. It manages everything around here and also sells rare items. You should definitely visit it.

    "Since you''re new, you probably don''t have an alliance pass. This pass is required for any purchases from the trade union, and you can get it at the main shop."

    "Thank you, Uncle. I''ll head there after looking around."

    Arya hadn''t known about the pass because, during his previous visit to the Star Alliance branch shop, his father had handled the payment. Though he couldn''t purchase anything without a pass, he could still explore the various shops on his way to the main store.

    As he wandered, he saw shops selling herbs, pills, weapons, and even pets¡ªmostly tamed animals meant for rich people with no combat capabilities. He found a couple of weapon smiths, though they were much rarer than other shops. Some stores specialized in monster beast body parts, while others bought whole corpses. Despite the variety, he didn''t see any rare stone seeds or high-tier beasts, likely because such items were reserved for bigger cities or the main shop.

    After exploring, he finally reached the main shop. The large building had Commerce of Merchants written in bold letters at the top. It featured four entrances, each guarded by two individuals, all of whom, from Arya''s estimation, were above level 30.

    Observing others entering, he noticed that they displayed a badge to the guards. It reminded him of the emblem he had taken from the man he killed earlier, though there was a slight difference¡ªthe emblem shown by the other person had an image of a small shop, while his featured a mysterious, unrecognizable face with hands behind its back, possibly smiling. Or was that just his imagination?

    When the person in front of him showed his badge, the guards let him through. Arya, however, had no such emblem. As he reached the entrance, he was stopped.

    "Show your pass," one of the guards said. "Only those with a kingdom-recognized or alliance-recognized pass are allowed to enter."

    "I don''t have a pass yet," Arya admitted. "I came here to get one."

    The guards exchanged glances. "This is your first time visiting an alliance store? How come you don''t have a kingdom pass? Everyone gets one upon reaching level 10."

    "I don''t know. I never received one when I reached level 10."

    After a brief moment, the left guard nodded and said, "Follow me inside. You can obtain a pass by providing some basic information."

 Chapter 50: Arya Commerce Visit

    Following the guard inside the large store, Arya entered a vast open space where many people with different auras could be seen. At the center of the grand hall, there was an information counter. To the left, a large wall attracted the attention of several individuals, though Arya couldn''t determine its purpose. On the right side of the hall, three entrances led to different sections of the establishment.

    Although no one openly released their aura, Arya could feel the suffocating presence of powerful cultivators. Looking around, he quickly realized that he was the weakest person in the room. Even the guard leading him was stronger than him, making him wonder about the strength of the others present.

    Reaching the counter, the guard called over a female attendant. "Room for inspection for pass allowance," he said.

    The lady gave Arya a quick glance, nodded, and handed the guard a key card. Without further words, the guard motioned for Arya to follow him once again.

    "Here, take this key card and proceed through the middle path. This will allow you to obtain your pass after an inspection. I''ll be waiting here at the entrance," the guard instructed.

    Arya accepted the card but couldn''t help his curiosity. "What about the other two paths? Where do they lead?"

    The guard smirked. "The left path leads to the auction house, and the right one is for important business dealings involving Gold Rank Seed Masters or transactions worth more than a red coin."

    "Gold Rank Seed Master?" Arya asked, unfamiliar with the term.

    "Ah, I figured you wouldn''t know. The ranking system classifies the strength of Seed Masters and Weapon Masters. Only cultivators above level 30 receive a rank pass. Since it''s not always practical to display one''s Seed Stone for identification, these rank passes allow for easy recognition. Starting from the Three-Ringed Master level, one earns their first rank pass. You''ll learn more about it once you get your pass. Now, go on."

    Without delaying any further, Arya entered the middle passage. After walking for a couple of minutes, he arrived at a quiet room where a middle-aged man sat in a meditative posture. Two boxes rested beside him, and in front of him stood a transparent stone similar to the one used by his elder to determine elemental affinity. Seeing it, Arya instinctively suppressed his water attribute, fearing discovery.

    Sensing Arya''s presence, the elder opened his eyes and asked, "Are you here for promotion or pass allowance?"

    "Pass allowance," Arya replied, handing over the key card.

    The elder didn''t move his hands; instead, the key card floated toward him, taken by an invisible force. Arya tensed up, wary of the powerful cultivator. He knew that experts like this elder possessed numerous means to uncover his dual elements and Blood Seed.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    "Place your hand on the stone. It will verify if you already have a pass or if any restrictions are placed on you. If the stone does not react, you may receive your pass."

    Arya felt relieved¡ªit seemed the stone wasn''t used to check elemental attributes. He placed his hand on it, continuing to suppress his second element. However, he understood that if this stone could detect elements, suppressing them would be futile. Fortunately, the stone remained unresponsive.

    The elder waved his hand. "What is your current level?"

    "Twenty-two, Elder," Arya replied respectfully. He knew that someone of the elder''s strength could easily gauge his true level, yet the man had chosen to ask, showing a level of respect for him.

    Nodding, the elder explained, "There are six rank passes, from lowest to highest: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Master, and Grandmaster. One receives their first rank pass upon reaching Three-Ringed Master Rank."

    With another wave of his hand, the left box opened, and a card floated toward Arya. He caught it and inspected it. The card resembled a tarot card, with a question mark in the middle and the word ''Unranked'' inscribed below it. The other side bore the Trade Alliance''s emblem¡ªa shopkeeper standing inside a store.

    "Since you haven''t met the minimum requirements for a ranked pass, you receive an Unranked Pass. Anyone below Three Rings is issued this type of pass. You may return here for a promotion once you qualify or visit any Trade Alliance branch to upgrade it."

    Curious, Arya asked, "You mentioned six rank passes, but from Three-Ring to Nine-Ring, there are seven levels. What about Nine-Ringed Masters?"

    The elder chuckled. "Ah, you caught that. Those who reach Nine Rings do not need passes or identification. Their name and title alone are sufficient. Upon reaching Seven Rings and mastering your domain or weapon, you will be granted a title."

    "Thank you for the information, Elder. May I take my leave?"

    The elder scrutinized Arya before speaking. "You have no master, do you?"

    Arya was caught off guard but quickly responded, "No, I don''t have a master yet." Normally, one would receive a master upon joining an academy, but Arya had already abandoned that idea.

    The elder nodded. "Even without a master, your physical strength is impressive for your level. You''re a good Weapon Master. If you ever have questions regarding Weapon Mastery, you can find me here. Few people understand the craft well, and information about it is both scarce and expensive."

    Arya bowed slightly in gratitude. "Thank you, Elder."

    As he exited the room, he exhaled deeply, finally relaxing after maintaining tension the entire time. Though he had many questions, he refrained from asking them all at once.

    Outside, he saw the same guard waiting at the entrance. "Did you get your pass?"

    "Yes, here." Arya showed him the Unranked Pass.

    The guard inspected it briefly and nodded. "Now that you''re officially recognized, you can enjoy your time here. I''ll return to my post."

    "Wait," Arya called out. "Could you give me a brief introduction to this shop so I can find what I need more easily?"

    The guard smirked. "For that, ask the attendants at the counter. They''re here to assist you. I''m off."

    With that, the guard walked away. Arya chuckled to himself. He had thought they had grown somewhat friendly, but clearly, the guard didn''t see it the same way. It made sense¡ªpeople here only befriended those of similar standing. Even though the guard was just one Seed Ring ahead of him, he still didn''t take Arya seriously.

    "What''s he so proud about?" Arya muttered. The guard seemed to be around nineteen or twenty years old, yet he was still below level 40¡ªfar from an elite young cultivator. However, he still had time to grow.

    In this world, anyone who reached Four Rings before the age of twenty-five was considered an elite young cultivator. Even those working as guards here were well compensated, as any job associated with the Trade Alliance ensured high pay.

    Arya approached the counter and was about to ask for information when a burly man abruptly placed his pass on the counter.

    "Two tasks complete. Here are the items. Submit them and hand over the reward," the man demanded.

    Arya glanced at his pass¡ªit was Silver Rank. This meant the man standing before him was a Four-Ringed Master, nearly as strong as the elder who had come to recruit talent at the Four-Village Competition.

    With that realization, Arya decided it was best not to get in the way of the robust man''s business.

 Chapter 51: Spirit Possession

    Master Darian, don''t worry. I''ll quickly submit your task and mark it as complete. With your authority level, you can claim your rewards directly without going through lengthy procedures.

    "Make it quick," Master Darian replied to the shopkeeper. As he glanced around, he noticed Arya looking at him. Frowning, he asked, "What? Do you have a problem?"

    Arya, who had been wondering about the man''s powerful cultivation, snapped back to reality at Master Darian''s question. "Oh¡­ no, sorry. I was just curious about something. I didn''t mean to offend you." He apologized because he had unknowingly been staring at this powerful figure for quite some time, which was not a wise thing to do.

    "Oh¡­ I thought even little brats had started growing dragon hearts and looking for a beating," Darian said with a smirk.

    Noticing Arya''s batch pass, which marked him as unranked, Master Darian raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you''re a newbie here? But from your aura, I thought you were at least a ranked cultivator."

    As Darian spoke, people around them started whispering and pointing at him.

    "Yes, that''s him¡ªthe famous cultivator who became a private cultivator for the alliance."

    "I heard that only unaffiliated cultivators can become private cultivators for the alliance."

    "Yes. Master Darian comes from the Zephyr family, a well-known third-grade family in this region. Just to join the alliance, he broke ties with his family."

    "You can''t blame him. Becoming a private cultivator for the alliance comes with great perks."

    "Hmm¡­ but the restrictions on private members are what keep most cultivators from joining."

    Arya listened to the conversations buzzing around him. It was clear that someone of Darian''s level was not common in this place, and his reputation preceded him.

    Darian, now receiving his reward from the attendant, turned to Arya and patted him on the back. "Be careful, kid, or you won''t even know when trouble finds you." Without another word, he left.

    Arya watched Darian''s retreating figure and exhaled. He had the feeling that, had it not been for his young age, Darian might have done something to him. Retracting his gaze, he turned to the attendant, who was also looking at him expressionlessly.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    "I need to purchase information," Arya stated.

    "You may ask any question, but the price will depend on the information you seek," the attendant replied.

    "Yes, I understand. My first question is: What causes a person to emit a strong bestial aura and manifest the illusory image of a beast?"

    Arya was still thinking about the first real enemy he had faced¡ªthe one who displayed strange and powerful abilities. To counter him, Arya had been forced to reveal both of his elements, despite the risks.

    The attendant considered his question. "Hmm¡­ this information is neither rare nor common. One could learn about it in academies. How is it that you don''t know?"

    Arya smiled. "For certain reasons, I didn''t join any academies and decided not to."

    "Oh¡­ I see. Then your information will cost ten white coins."

    Arya handed over the money, and the attendant continued, "Based on your description, I can only think of Spirit Beast Possession. It''s very rare in this region. Any Weapon Master possessing a spirit beast enjoys the same status as a Silver-rank cultivator, like Master Darian. They are hard to find here because most of them easily join mid-level powers and gain high status."

    "Hmm? Spirit Beast Possession?" Arya repeated. "And you say it''s connected to Weapon Masters?"

    "Yes, you heard correctly. But deeper knowledge about this topic will cost more coins. How did you come to know about this power? Did you see a Weapon Master using it?"

    Hearing the attendant''s question, Arya fell into thought. If the man he fought had a strong background, why was he staying in that place? And if someone discovered Arya had killed him, trouble would surely follow. Luckily, there had been no witnesses, so the chances of his opponent''s faction finding out were slim¡ªexcept for Kane...

    "Yes," Arya finally replied. "I saw a cultivator at level 28 or 29 using that power."

    "So that''s how you came to know," the attendant mused. "Interesting. If he possessed a spirit at level 28, he should have joined a major organization¡­ or he got lucky and managed to obtain a spirit somehow."

    "I want detailed information about the connection between Spirit Beasts and Weapon Masters. Money is not an issue." Without hesitation, Arya purchased the information.

    "Good decision. Money can be earned again, but lacking knowledge can make one throw away diamonds, mistaking them for stones."

    The attendant began explaining: "First, Spirit Beasts primarily use magic attacks, while Monster Beasts rely on brute force. However, there are exceptions¡ªsome Monster Beasts excel in magic, and some Spirit Beasts favor physical combat, but they are rare.

    "Second, let''s talk about Weapon Masters. As you know, Seed Masters gain new Seed Stones every ten levels, granting them unique elemental skills. Weapon Masters, however, possess the ability of Spirit Possession, which does not conflict with Seed Stones.

    "But here''s the difference¡ªunlike Seed Masters, Weapon Masters cannot obtain a new spirit every ten levels. They can only acquire one spirit every twenty levels. For example, a level 59 Weapon Master can possess a maximum of two spirits. Upon reaching level 60, they can acquire a third. Of course, possessing even one spirit is incredibly difficult."

    "Is it that hard to acquire a spirit?" Arya asked, realizing this was a crucial point.

    "Let me give you an example to help you understand," the attendant said. "As you know, Weapon Masters and Seed Masters are equally powerful in the cultivation system." Seeing Arya nod, he continued, "But did you know a Weapon Master can possess a maximum of four spirits and still fight evenly with a Seed Master who has eight to nine Seed Stones and Ring Skills?"

    Arya''s eyes narrowed. "That''s the difference Spirit Possession makes for Weapon Masters?"

    "Yes. However, there are clear restrictions. A Weapon Master can only possess a Spirit Beast of equal rank. For instance, a Weapon Master''s first spirit must be from a beast level 20 or below. If the beast''s level is too high, they won''t be able to form a contract.

    "But there''s an advantage. Unlike Seed Masters, who cannot upgrade their Seed Stones'' quality, Weapon Masters can continuously enhance their spirits throughout their lifetime."

    Arya absorbed this information, realizing the implications. Weapon Masters wielded great power, but their path was equally fraught with challenges.

 Chapter 52: Missions

    Arya was deep in thought, absorbing all this knowledge carefully.

    "Interesting, right?" the attendant said with a knowing smile. "There are many secrets yet to be discovered, and even I don''t know all of them. This is all the information I can provide."

    Arya nodded. "This has been really helpful. I also wanted to ask¡ªhow can I earn money quickly and in large amounts?"

    The attendant chuckled. "Ah, so you wish to earn money? No problem. Didn''t you just see Master Darian Zephyr? He recently returned after completing a mission assigned by the Commerce of Merchants. If you want to make money, you can accept tasks posted on that wall, based on your rank."

    Arya followed the attendant''s gaze and noticed a crowd gathered around a large board. That must be where missions were posted.

    "And if you''re interested and haven''t committed to any other power, you can apply to become a Private Cultivator once you reach Level 31."

    "What are the benefits and restrictions of becoming a Private Cultivator for the alliance? And would I be tied only to the Commerce of Merchants, or to the entire alliance?"

    "It''s exclusive to the Commerce of Merchants," the attendant explained. "There are a few restrictions¡ªyou must remain unaffiliated with any sect or faction. Additionally, you are required to complete at least one mission per month or twelve per year. If there''s an urgent mission requiring extra manpower, you''ll be obligated to accept it. You are allowed only one refusal."

    "And the benefits?" Arya asked, intrigued.

    "Besides the higher rewards for private missions, you will receive a 30% discount on all purchases from Commerce of Merchants shops¡ªexcept for auctions, where you get a 5% discount. You''ll also gain access to exclusive resources that are unavailable to lower-level cultivators."

    "A 30% discount on all purchases? That''s quite the incentive," Arya mused. "But does this mean one has to abandon their family and friends?"Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    The attendant shook his head. "Not at all. We don''t restrict personal relationships. However, you cannot use your status or privileges to buy items for others. If caught doing so, you will face heavy penalties. That said, purchasing one or two items for others occasionally is acceptable. If you need to make larger purchases for someone, you must apply for special approval from higher-ups."

    Arya thought for a moment before nodding. "That''s an alluring offer. I was already considering joining the alliance, but since I''m not yet Level 31, I''ll leave this for the future."

    "No problem. You can apply anytime. Anything else you need?"

    "Yes, I''d like information regarding the Weapon Smith profession."

    "Ah, Weapon Smiths are responsible for molding Seed Weapons, refining weapons, and even altering their evolution forms at lower levels. They also specialize in crafting weapons using the bodies of monster beasts and natural treasures."

    Arya absorbed the information, then moved on to his last question. "What major powers are stationed in this city?"

    The attendant listed them. "Besides the three dominant forces¡ªFinlet Academy, the local branch of the Commerce of Merchants, and the Pill and Alchemist Association¡ªthere are three other noteworthy groups. The Zephyr Family, the Asgar Family, and the Malrik Association, which is a mercenary group founded by a powerful cultivator. However, none of these three can match the status of the first three."

    After gathering all the information he needed, Arya checked his remaining funds¡ªonly seven pink coins. He had spent nearly everything, and while it was painful, it had been necessary.

    Despite wanting to explore the main shop of the Commerce of Merchants, he knew he couldn''t afford anything. Instead, he focused on the first step¡ªearning money by completing missions.

    As he approached the mission wall, he overheard people discussing their experiences.

    "Elite missions offer extra rewards," one person said. "They''re the best way to get rich quickly."

    "True, but they''re also incredibly difficult," another replied.

    Arya turned his attention to the large mission board, which was divided into four sections:

    ?  Unranked Missions: Seven missions available.

    ?  Bronze Rank: Eight missions available.

    ?  Silver Rank: Four missions posted, with two already accepted. A notice at the top of the wall stated that each person could accept only one mission at a time.

    ?  Gold Rank: Only two missions available, both seemingly unclaimed for some time.

    Arya noted that Gold Rank missions required a Gold Rank Pass, which was only granted to cultivators at Level 51 or higher. In a low-level city like this, such experts were rare. In fact, the strongest person here, the principal of Finlet Academy, was only at that level.

    With this knowledge in hand, Arya prepared himself for his next step¡ªchoosing his first mission.

 Chapter 53: Private Cultivator

    Arya was deep in thought, absorbing all this new knowledge.

    "Interesting, right? There are many secrets in this world¡ªsome still undiscovered, and even I don''t know all of them. But this is all the information I have," the attendant said.

    "This was really helpful. Now, how can I earn money quickly and in large amounts?" Arya asked.

    The attendant smirked. "You want to earn money? No problem. Didn''t you just see Master Darian Zephyr return? He completed a task assigned by the Commerce of Merchants. If you''re looking to make money, you can take on missions according to your rank. They''re posted on that wall over there."

    Arya turned his gaze to where people were gathered and saw a large board filled with mission listings.

    "If you''re interested in making money and don''t plan on joining any other power, you can apply to become a Private Cultivator after reaching Level 31."

    Arya was intrigued. "What are the benefits and restrictions of becoming a Private Cultivator for the alliance? And is it exclusive to the Commerce of Merchants, or does it apply to the entire alliance?"

    "It''s only related to the Commerce of Merchants," the attendant explained. "There are a few restrictions¡ªyou must remain unaffiliated with any faction or sect, and you must complete at least one mission per month or twelve missions per year. If an emergency or high-priority mission comes up and you''re eligible, you must accept it. You''re allowed one refusal, but beyond that, it''s mandatory to complete at least two such missions."

    "As for benefits," he continued, "aside from receiving higher rewards for Private Cultivator missions, you''ll also get a 30% discount on all purchases from Commerce of Merchants stores¡ªthough auctions are excluded. For auctions, you get a 5% discount instead. Additionally, you''ll have access to exclusive resources unavailable to normal or low-level cultivators."

    "Thirty percent off all purchases? That''s a huge advantage!" Arya said, surprised.This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "So, does joining as a Private Cultivator mean I have to cut ties with my family and friends?"

    The attendant shook his head. "Who said that? We don''t restrict personal relationships. However, you can''t use your status or privileges to buy things for others. If you''re caught doing so, you''ll be heavily fined. Of course, we allow some flexibility¡ªyou can make occasional purchases for others, but too many will raise suspicion. If you want to buy something for someone else, you must apply for approval from higher-ups. If approved, you''ll still receive your discount."

    "That''s an attractive offer," Arya admitted. "I was already considering joining the alliance, but since I''m not Level 31 yet, I''ll have to put this on hold for now."

    "That''s fine. You can apply whenever you''re ready. Anything else you need?"

    "Yes, I''d like some information on the Weapon Smith profession."

    "Hmm¡­" The attendant nodded. "Weapon Smiths specialize in molding and refining Seed Weapons. They can alter the evolution paths of Seed Weapons at lower levels, helping cultivators with weak or flawed weapons. They also refine, mold, and craft weapons from monster parts and natural treasures."

    Arya absorbed the details carefully. The only thing left to ask about was the major powers in the city. Upon inquiring, he learned that aside from the three dominant forces¡ªthe Finlet Academy, the Commerce of Merchants'' branch, and the Pill and Alchemist Association¡ªthere were three lesser but still notable powers:

    1. The Zephyr Family

    2. The Asgar Family

    3. The Malrik Association ¨C a mercenary group formed by a powerful cultivator.

    After gathering all the information he needed, Arya checked his belongings and realized he had only seven pink coins left. Spending all his money had been painful, but necessary.

    Now, it was time to earn.

    He turned toward the mission board, resisting the temptation to browse the main shop since he couldn''t afford anything. As he approached, he overheard cultivators discussing missions.

    "Elite missions offer extra rewards¡ªthey''re the fastest way to get rich!" one person said.

    "Yeah, but they''re insanely difficult," another replied.

    Arya focused on the mission board, which was divided into four sections:

    1. Unranked Missions ¨C 7 available

    2. Bronze Rank Missions ¨C 8 available

    3. Silver Rank Missions ¨C 4 available (2 already accepted)

    4. Gold Rank Missions ¨C 2 available, but untouched for a long time

    A notice at the top stated that each person could only accept one mission at a time.

    The Gold Rank Missions were particularly interesting, but no one had taken them. It made sense¡ªonly Level 51 cultivators could accept them, and in this low-level city, that was rare. Even the strongest person here, the principal of Finlet Academy, was only Level 51.

 Chapter 54: The Information

    As Arya contemplated his mission options, elsewhere in the city, two powerful figures had taken notice of his existence¡ªeach with vastly different motives.

    One of them was Eldrin Faelan, a powerful yet elusive cultivator. Few people knew his true identity, as he was a renowned assassin known as the Elder Assassin. He had recently taken a junior under his wing¡ªDeth¡ªdespite the young man''s lack of talent. What set Deth apart was his absolute loyalty; he followed Eldrin''s commands without question.

    Eldrin had even gifted him a Peak 1st Rank Spirit upon accepting him as his disciple. However, when Deth returned home to visit his family, he was killed. Eldrin only discovered this tragedy when he went to summon him for his next mission.

    Though Eldrin had not been particularly close to Deth, the fact that his personal disciple was murdered was a direct challenge to his authority. If he failed to avenge Deth, it would tarnish his reputation within the Assassin Guild, something he could not afford.

    Determined to track down the killer, Eldrin arrived at the battlefield where Deth had died. Carefully analyzing the scene, he uncovered several key clues:

    1. Deth had activated his Spirit Possession ability before dying. This meant one of two things¡ªeither his killer was at least Level 33 or they were a Weapon Master with an exceptionally strong spirit.

    2. Traces of multiple elements lingered in the area¡ªFire, Ice, and Wind. This suggested the battle had involved more than just one opponent.

    3. Deth''s Assassin Guild emblem was missing.

    The missing emblem was the most crucial clue. It was traceable, meaning that wherever it was now, Eldrin could track it.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    What Eldrin didn''t yet know was that the killer was none other than Arya Veyne¡ªwho had fought alongside Kane. Arya had used both Fire and Water elements separately, but not in fusion, as that would have been too dangerous. He had collected Deth''s emblem as loot, unaware that it was being tracked.

    Now, a deadly assassin was after him.

    Meanwhile, in another part of the city, two young cultivators were deep in discussion.

    "Selis, is it really worth traveling this far just to recruit a single strong cultivator?" one of them, Ryze, asked doubtfully. "According to the report from your contact at the academy, this guy rejected joining and let his friend enroll instead. Tracking him down will be difficult."

    Selis sighed. "Ryze, you need to understand our situation. You and I are strong, but to compete in the upcoming tournament, we need at least five members and a recommendation. I can handle the recommendation part, but finding a powerful cultivator with both talent and a good personality is nearly impossible."

    He continued, "From the information we received, this new guy¡ªArya Veyne¡ªis only Level 22, but his strength matches that of a Level 25 or 26 fighter. He also has strong physical attributes, which means he could be a Weapon Master¡ªexactly what we''re looking for."

    Ryze frowned. "Hmm¡­ You might be right, brother Selis. But I could have gone to recruit him alone. You didn''t need to come."

    "No," Selis shook his head. "I need to see this guy for myself¡ªto test him, to evaluate his personality. He possesses Elite Cultivator-level power despite only having a common-rank Seed Stone. That means he''s either hiding something, or his constitution is special."

    *Constitutions are unique physical or spiritual anomalies in cultivators that can influence their power, sometimes positively, sometimes unpredictably¡ªjust like combining two unknown substances.*

    Selis smirked. "Even Master Malrik found Arya interesting and approved his qualifications. There''s no need for hesitation. Once we examine his strength and character, we''ll decide whether to let him join our group."

    The two young men stood side by side, starkly different in appearance.

    ? Selis looked noble, dressed in refined white robes. His physique was well-balanced¡ªneither too muscular nor too thin¡ªbut the energy radiating from his body made it clear he was incredibly powerful. He stood 5.3 feet tall, his posture commanding yet elegant.

    ? Ryze, on the other hand, had a lively and casual personality. He stood between 5.1 and 5.2 feet tall, with an approachable face. Despite his easygoing nature, there was a sharpness in his eyes.

    A closer look at their hands revealed something else¡ªboth wore three rings on their fingers, a sign of their cultivation level. However, it was unclear whether they were Seed Masters or Weapon Masters.

    Despite their young age, their strength was undeniable, hinting at both immense talent and a strong background.

    Now, two powerful forces were searching for Arya¡ªbut for completely different reasons.

    One sought vengeance.

    The other sought alliance.

    Unbeknownst to Arya, his past battle had already set powerful events into motion.

 Chapter 55: Hunting Party

    Unaware of the trouble heading his way, Arya focused on his own objective¡ªfinding a hunting party. While he was capable of going alone, this time, he needed a recommendation to leave the safety of human settlements and enter the wilderness, where ferocious beasts roamed freely.

    He had already purchased all the necessary supplies¡ªdried meat for emergencies, a water supply stored in his bag, and essential tools for camping. It wasn''t always easy to find suitable low-level monsters, so he had prepared for several days of hunting.

    While searching for a team, Arya spotted a recruitment poster. It was looking for low-level cultivators to join a hunting party. The notice mentioned fair distribution of loot based on contribution, though that wasn''t Arya''s concern¡ªhe only needed a way out.

    Taking the poster, he approached the adventure hall counter and asked where to find the group. The attendant pointed to a corner where three men stood, deep in conversation.

    Approaching the group, Arya saw that the leader was a man in his 30s, slightly older than the other two. He reached out and tapped the man''s shoulder.

    "Hello, I saw your recruitment poster," Arya said.

    The man turned, sizing Arya up. "Oh? Who might you be? Are you here to join our hunt?"

    Arya nodded. "Yes, it''s my first mission. If you don''t mind, I''d like to join your team."

    One of the younger men chuckled. "First mission, huh? You''d better be strong enough to handle yourself out there."

    Arya knew he looked young compared to the average hunter, but his strength was not something to be doubted.

    "Oh? What do I have to do to prove myself?" he asked.

    The leader introduced himself. "My name is Lukas, and I''m the initiator of this hunting party. I''m a Level 27 Seed Master. These two are my friends¡ªRedo and Kred, brothers who specialize in beast hunting."

    Arya greeted them with a handshake, but the two brothers hesitated before rejecting the gesture. He didn''t take offense; he had already guessed why they reacted that way.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Lukas continued, "Redo is Level 25, and Kred is Level 26. Together, they can handle even some Rank 1 beasts."

    Arya nodded. Beasts were classified by rank, starting from Rank 1 and above. However, unranked beasts also existed. While weaker, they could still pose a threat to cultivators below Level 30 and were commonly hunted for resources.

    "For your test," Lukas added, "you just have to force one of them back a single step using only two moves."

    Arya noticed that the brothers were smirking¡ªit was clear they thought Lukas had given him an impossible test as a polite way to reject him.

    "I''m ready," Arya said, not summoning his Seed Rings or transforming into Weapon Master form.

    "You can attack either of us," Kred said, still grinning.

    Arya clenched his fist, preparing to strike. Lukas raised an eyebrow¡ªa physical attack without using skills?

    Arya''s punch wasn''t too fast or too slow, but it carried weight. Kred, expecting an easy block, reached out to catch Arya''s fist.

    Boom!

    The moment their hands collided, Kred''s face changed. His feet slid backward¡ªfive full steps¡ªbefore he managed to stop himself. Meanwhile, Arya stood firmly in place.

    Lukas and Redo were stunned. Kred was three levels higher than Arya, yet he had been forced back so easily?

    Kred clenched his fists, frustrated, but Lukas gestured for him to stand down.

    "Impressive," Lukas admitted. "I didn''t expect you to be this strong despite your level. You pass. Welcome to the team."

    Arya nodded, not surprised by the result.

    Lukas explained their mission.

    "Our goal is to hunt three strong unranked beasts. That should be easy with our combined strength. If possible, we''ll also target Rank 1 beasts, but only if they''re not too troublesome."

    Arya replied, "To be honest, I only joined you guys because I needed an escort into the wilderness. I''ll help with a few hunts, but after that, I''ll be on my own."

    Lukas shrugged. "That''s fine. But I''d advise against hunting alone¡ªeven unranked beasts can be deadly in groups. Even powerful cultivators don''t always survive alone out there."

    Arya understood their concern but had his own reasoning. If a truly strong beast appeared, a group would only attract attention and slow him down. He needed the freedom to use his full strength without worrying about exposing his secrets.

    "I know the risks," Arya said. "Thanks for the warning, but I prefer hunting alone."

    "Your choice," Lukas said. "But before you leave, at least help us hunt five unranked beasts to make it worth our while."

    Arya agreed. "Deal."

    After waiting ten more minutes, their final party member arrived¡ªan older man, even older than Lukas. He was a Level 29 cultivator¡ªtwo levels higher than Lukas.

    "Since Brother Henk is the strongest here, I''m giving him leadership over the hunt," Lukas said. "Brother Henk, any objections?"

    "Not at all," Henk replied with a nod.

    Lukas then turned to the group. "One last thing¡ªArya will only be staying with us for five unranked beast hunts before going solo."

    Henk and the two brothers glanced at Arya but didn''t comment.

    "Let''s not waste all our strength on unranked beasts," Lukas continued. "After hunting two, we should shift our focus to Rank 1 beasts. With our combined power, we have a high chance of success."

    Redo and Kred exchanged looks, then nodded. "Agreed. Hunting Rank 1 beasts will be far more profitable."

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "So, I''ll only be participating in two hunts, then?"

    "You can stay for more if you want," Lukas said. "But if you leave early, you won''t get any profits from the Rank 1 beast hunts. Your share from the first two hunts will be counted as compensation for taking up a team slot. That fair?"

    Arya considered it. He needed their help and was indeed occupying a position in the group.

    "Fine," Arya agreed.

    "Good," Lukas said. "Then let''s head to the northern gates and begin the hunt."

    With that, the party set off¡ªeach unaware of the storm brewing around Arya.

 Chapter 56: Dreadfall Forest

    The five-man group made their way toward the northern entrance of the Dreadfall Forest. Arya, unfamiliar with the location due to his lack of travel experience, asked Lukas about it.

    "There are two major wilderness regions," Lukas explained. "One is Dreadfall Forest, which surrounds four kingdoms, while the other is The High Hills, accessible only through the Invincible Heaven Kingdom. The High Hills are filled with towering mountains and rocky terrain, but Dreadfall is far more vast. According to legends, its depths stretch all the way to the endless ocean."

    Arya found the name intriguing¡ªDreadfall Forest. It had a foreboding ring to it, making him wonder about its origins.

    As they approached the entrance, Arya observed the bustling crowd. Many figures wore masks, some clad in heavy cloaks, while others bore insignias of different sects and academies. One thing they all had in common was strength¡ªonly cultivators with some level of power dared enter this place.

    Lukas stepped forward and spoke with the guards stationed at the gate. There were four of them, each armed and alert. Arya learned that a high-ranking official from the royal family was in charge of overseeing the gate''s stability and preventing unwanted incidents.

    One of the guards took the pass Lukas handed over and nodded.

    "Alright, everyone, show your passes," Lukas instructed. "I''ve already registered our five-man team."

    One by one, they presented their passes. Security was strict due to past incidents where blacklisted cultivators had sneaked in and caused trouble. Unlike natural beast attacks, rogue cultivators could create havoc intentionally.

    After verifying their passes, one of the guards unlocked the gate.

    Just as Arya was about to step inside¡ª

    ROOOOAAAAARRR!!!

    A thunderous roar echoed through the forest, shaking the air like a raging storm.

    Arya''s foot froze mid-step. His entire body tensed as the sheer power of the sound sent shivers down his spine.

    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    After a few moments, he recovered, brushing it off as a common occurrence in the wilderness. But when he turned to look at his companions, he noticed their expressions¡ªLukas, Henk, and the brothers all wore grim looks. They stared toward the depths of the forest, unease flickering in their eyes.

    Unlike Arya, they knew this was not an ordinary beast''s cry.

    The roar carried something else¡ªanger and pain.

    "It''s fine," Lukas finally spoke, breaking the silence. "The beast is deep inside the forest. It shouldn''t be a problem for us."

    Just then, one of the gate guards approached.

    "Hey, you lot, be careful," he warned. "Something''s wrong in the forest. That wasn''t a normal beast cry. It''s best if you avoid going too deep. If possible, wait a few days until we get word from the higher-ups."

    Lukas looked at the group. "What do you think? Should we retreat?"

    Henk crossed his arms. "I doubt there''s anything to worry about. We''re only hunting on the outskirts."

    "Yeah, we''ll be fine," the two brothers agreed.

    Arya remained silent for a moment, then spoke. "I have no problem continuing. I need the money, and it''s not like that beast will come looking for us specifically."

    His real reason, however, was different¡ªhe refused to waste time.

    Everyone from his group was training in academies, growing stronger each day. Even though he had immense strength, he couldn''t afford to fall behind. Becoming the strongest was his goal, and he wouldn''t let fear stop him.

    "Perfect," Lukas said. "Then let''s go."

    The moment they stepped in, the dense canopy of trees swallowed them. The sky above became invisible, shrouded by ancient, towering trees with thick, unyielding bark.

    The deeper they went, the more Arya noticed the peculiar plant life¡ªtrees with glowing veins, vines that slithered as if alive, and mushrooms the size of boulders. This place held countless mysteries.

    Lukas and Henk led at the front, while Arya and the two brothers walked behind, scanning their surroundings.

    Despite the forest being teeming with beasts, spotting them wasn''t easy. The weaker ones instinctively sensed their presence and fled before they got close.

    After half an hour of walking, they encountered their first beast¡ªa Stone Serpent.

    The snake lay coiled on a thick branch, its gray, rock-like scales blending perfectly with the bark. Its name came from its unique ability¡ªhardening its body into stone before launching itself like a spear.

    If it sensed them, it would strike with lethal precision.

    "Careful," Lukas whispered. "Even though it''s unranked, it''s still dangerous. Let''s take it down in one hit."

    "Don''t worry," Henk replied confidently. "My Seed Weapon is a dagger¡ªI can kill it in one strike."

    With a flick of his wrist, two Seed Rings manifested around him, transforming into a pair of gleaming daggers.

    Arya took note¡ªHenk had one common and one uncommon Seed Ring, both water-elemental.

    Henk raised his right dagger, channeling elemental energy into it. He took aim at the resting serpent and hurled the weapon with lightning speed.

    But just as the dagger closed in¡ª

    The snake''s golden eyes snapped open.

    A split second too late.

    The dagger pierced its skull, pinning it to the branch. The serpent twitched, then fell motionless.

    "Nice shot," Lukas said.

    "First kill," one of the brothers grinned. "And a good one! That''ll sell for at least 30 white coins."

    "Definitely."

    Arya remained silent, observing their reaction.

    They were pleased, thinking that having a strong cultivator like Henk in their group was a huge advantage.

    "Alright, let''s not waste time. Get it down and harvest it," Lukas ordered.

    One of the brothers climbed up and retrieved the beast. As they prepared to refine and store the materials, Arya turned his gaze toward the depths of the forest.

    That roar from earlier still lingered in his mind.

    It was a sound filled with rage and agony.

    And for some reason, he had the uneasy feeling that it wasn''t just a random beast''s cry.

    Something deeper was stirring within the Dreadfall Forest.

    And sooner or later, he would have to face it.

 Chapter 57: The Second Hunt

    With their first hunt successfully completed, the team had no reason to rush. However, before the sunset, they needed to hunt a larger beast for dinner.

    "I don''t want to eat dried meat," Lucas declared. "And this snake has no proper meat either¡ªit''s as tough as stone."

    Everyone agreed with his decision.

    "Little brother Arya, you''ll be hunting the next beast, right? Since you wanted to roam around alone anyway," Lucas asked.

    "Yes, that would be best. I''m ready to hunt," Arya replied confidently.

    "You don''t have to worry," Lucas reassured him. "We''ll assist from the side to make sure the hunt is successful."

    "Hmm¡­ I think I can handle an unranked beast myself," Arya said.

    Lucas chuckled. "It''s good that you''re confident."

    After storing the snake''s body in a spatial bag, they moved forward in search of another target. Since the beast was already dead, there was no issue placing it inside a small or medium-grade storage bag.

    This time, their second hunt came much easier.

    They soon came across a worm-type beast¡ªa mild and relatively small creature.

    "Really? We won''t be able to eat this either, right?" Kred asked with disappointment.

    "Yeah... it''s tiny and barely has any meat," another teammate added. "Let''s just ignore it and find a bigger target."

    "No," Arya interrupted.

    Even though the beast was small, it was still valuable.

    "This little thing could fetch around 15 white coins in the market," Arya explained. "Finding an easy target like this in these parts isn''t common¡ªwe''re lucky."

    "Hah, then let me kill this little guy quickly," Kred smirked as he stepped forward to attack.

    However, Lucas grabbed his shoulder and stopped him.

    "Wait! Are you dumb?" Lucas snapped. "Don''t get too close. It releases toxic gas when it senses danger. If you get infected, you''ll be dead in twenty minutes."

    "WHAT?" Kred stiffened, his face paling.

    "Yes," Lucas nodded. "That''s also why this little beast is valuable. If we can capture it alive, it could sell for up to 100 white coins. But without the proper equipment, that''s impossible, so we''ll have to kill it carefully."

    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Lucas glanced at the group. "Any suggestions on how to take it down without getting too close?"

    "Leader, don''t you know how to kill it?" one of them asked.

    "I do," Lucas smirked. "But I want to see how you would handle it if you had to."

    Kred crossed his arms. "Using skills would kill it, but the body would be ruined¡ªso that''s useless."

    Arya agreed. Killing it was tricky.

    The best way was to attack from a distance.

    He considered throwing his spear, but since the beast was small, the impact would destroy its body, making the effort pointless.

    "If only Kane were here," Arya thought. "With his needle techniques, he could take it down without damaging it too much."

    Another option was to use his upgraded first Seed skill, but he couldn''t reveal that in front of the team.

    This was precisely why he preferred hunting alone¡ªso he wouldn''t have to hide his abilities.

    Lucas sighed. "No solutions?"

    The three people shook their heads.

    "Don''t worry," Lucas said. "It''s simple. We need a stealth-based approach to get close enough and kill it in a single strike without damaging its body."

    Arya raised his hand.

    "Yes, Arya?" Lucas asked. "You have a suggestion?"

    "I have a skill that lets me suppress my aura and blend into my surroundings," Arya offered.

    "Perfect!" Lucas grinned. "It''s not a true stealth skill, but it''s good enough."

    Lucas reached into his bag and pulled out two small toothpicks.

    "Take these," he said, handing them to Arya. "Once you get close enough, stab them directly into its eyes. That will kill it instantly. But be careful¡ªnot to alert it."

    Arya nodded, took the toothpicks, and silently approached the small worm-like beast.

    The beast was cautious, its instincts alerting it to potential danger.

    Arya calmed his breathing, ensuring that his heartbeat remained steady.

    Step by step, he moved slowly and silently, reducing his presence as much as possible.

    The worm''s eyes were tiny, but Arya carefully locked onto his target.

    When he was five meters away, he flicked both toothpicks, infusing them with a slight amount of force.

    Without any suspense¡ª both toothpicks pierced straight into its eyes.

    The worm didn''t even have time to react.

    It simply dropped dead.

    While executing the attack, Arya made sure to position himself so that his teammates couldn''t see him activating his second Seed skill.

    If they saw it, they would discover his two uncommon Seed Rings.

    So, as he moved, he used his body to block their line of sight.

    With that, their second hunt was successfully completed.

    Arya was about to ask if he could leave when Lucas spoke first.

    "Arya, I know you want to leave," Lucas said. "But the sun will set in a few hours. It''s better if you stay with us tonight and leave tomorrow morning."

    Arya had been thinking the same thing.

    Hunting alone at night was too dangerous, and he would have to stay hidden anyway. Being with the team for the night was the safer option.

    Lucas noticed Arya''s hesitation. "I''m not forcing you. If you want to leave, you can go now."

    "No, no," Arya shook his head. "I was actually thinking about staying. I''ll leave tomorrow morning."

    Lucas smiled. "Good. Our luck has been great today¡ªwe''ve had two easy hunts without any injuries."

    "But boss, we still haven''t found anything for dinner," Kred pointed out.

    Henk nodded. "Yeah, we need something before nightfall."

    "Don''t worry," Lucas reassured them. "There''s still time. We''ll find something."

    The team resumed their search for a larger beast.

    However, for the next two hours, they found nothing.

    Just as they were about to give up and focus on setting up camp for the night¡ª

    They heard something.

    A large beast emerged from the trees, staring them down.

    This time, however, it was no easy prey.

    This beast was powerful.

    And the cost of this meal would be far greater than their first two hunts.

 Chapter 58: The Real Hunt Begins

    The beast before them had a lizard-like body, but its size was even larger than Arya, stretching nearly six feet long. From its movements, it was clear that it was also searching for food.

    The only good news was that it was an unranked beast, which meant the team had an advantage.

    However, seeing the sheer presence and strength of this creature, Arya began to question the true power of a Rank 1 beast.

    "If even an unranked beast is this strong," Arya thought, "then how terrifying would a Rank 1 beast be? Would I even be able to complete my mission of hunting a ten-foot-long Rank 1 beast?"

    Lucas narrowed his eyes as he identified the beast.

    "Everyone, be careful!" he warned. "This isn''t a normal unranked beast¡ªit''s a mutated beast. It can fight against Rank 1 beasts without any trouble."

    Hearing this, the team tensed up.

    "Treat it like a Rank 1 beast, not a normal unranked one," Lucas continued. "Its name is the Wild Draco Beast. Its kind is rare, but every one of them is extremely dangerous."

    Arya processed this information.

    "So, it''s an unranked beast with the strength of a Rank 1 beast¡ªjust like how some humans can fight above their level," he thought.

    That explained why he had sensed such a powerful aura from it.

    Henk, the strongest among them, didn''t seem fazed. Instead, he grinned.

    "Finally! A real opponent," Henk said. "And our dinner, too."

    Arya also felt confident that he could defeat this beast alone¡ªbut not without injuries. If he used his full strength, he was sure he would win, but he preferred to keep his abilities hidden.

    While they were talking, the Wild Draco Beast had been watching them carefully, as if trying to decide whether to attack or retreat.

    It was aware that the team had strong cultivators and that its chances of survival were low.

    But hunger had overpowered its instincts.

    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    With a sudden roar, it charged straight at them.

    Lucas acted immediately.

    "You two, flank it from the sides!" he ordered the brothers. "Arya, watch for unexpected threats while we fight!"

    Then, he turned to Henk.

    "Henk, are you ready?"

    Henk cracked his knuckles.

    "Oh, I''ve been itching to beat this thing up," he grinned. "And have a good meal afterward!"

    The beast was now only a few meters away.

    Lucas nodded.

    Both he and Henk summoned their Seed Rings.

    Lucas''s rings glowed with half-white, half-pink colors.

    Henk''s rings were similar in rank but had a yellow stone, marking him as an Earth Element cultivator¡ªa rare path in the Asur Water Continent, especially for a Weapon Master.

    As Arya observed, Henk transformed his Seed Rings into a pair of armored gloves.

    "I''ll hold it down," Henk said. "Finish it when you get the chance."

    Lucas nodded.

    With that, Henk charged forward, meeting the Wild Draco Beast head-on.

    Despite being Level 29, a Weapon Master, and having a Seed Weapon that enhanced his physical abilities, Henk was at a disadvantage in raw power.

    However, he made up for it with experience and agility.

    Meanwhile, the two brothers activated their Wind Element Seed Rings and launched long-range attacks to assist him.

    Arya, as instructed, kept watch for surprises while also analyzing how the team fought together.

    "This is good experience for me," Arya thought as he observed their coordination.

    Lucas, waiting for the right moment, finally saw an opening.

    He activated his Water Suppression Skill¡ªa control-type ability that slowed the beast down.

    The Wild Draco Beast stiffened, its movements sluggish.

    The brothers took their chance¡ªtwo air bullets shot toward its eyes.

    One hit the target, while the other missed.

    The beast let out a roar of pain, but before it could react¡ª

    A hand, clad in metal gloves, pierced through its throat.

    The struggle ended in an instant.

    Even though magical beasts had tougher bodies, making it almost impossible to pierce them so easily¡ª

    Henk, in his Weapon Master form, had his gloves equipped.

    That made all the difference.

    Lucas exhaled and smiled.

    "Good teamwork, everyone," he said. "That was our first real hunt as a team."

    Everyone nodded, pleased with the result.

    "Let''s set up camp before nightfall," Lucas added. "Then, we''ll have a proper feast."

    As the group prepared, Kred¡ªwho had been harboring a grudge against Arya since the test¡ªcouldn''t resist taking a jab at him.

    "Not everyone actually participated in the hunt," he muttered, eyeing Arya.

    His brother immediately scolded him.

    "Don''t talk nonsense, Kred."

    But Lucas didn''t ignore it.

    "It was me who assigned Arya to watch for threats," Lucas said firmly. "It''s an important role¡ªjust as important as fighting."

    "And for your information," he continued, "Arya already participated in two hunts today. So think before you speak."

    Kred had no response. He just looked away, frustrated.

    Henk, who was dragging the beast''s corpse, had heard everything¡ªbut he didn''t bother to say anything.

    To him, small quarrels like this weren''t worth his time.

    Arya, on the other hand, simply rolled his eyes.

    He wasn''t interested in arguing with someone like Kred.

    "Talking back to someone like him is a waste of words," Arya thought.

    Instead of giving Kred the satisfaction of a response, he simply ignored him.

 Chapter 59: "Death"

    With the tents set up and the beast cleaned and prepared for roasting, everyone gathered around the fire for their well-earned feast.

    Henk himself took charge of roasting the Wild Draco Beast, and as the aroma of the cooking meat spread, Arya and the others felt their hunger grow stronger.

    As they waited for the meal to be ready, Lucas took the opportunity to discuss their earnings.

    "Before we eat, let''s go over today''s hunt profits."

    The group listened attentively as Lucas continued:

    ¡ñ The first beast, a Rock Beast, would bring in 40 to 50 white coins.

    ¡ñ The second beast, a bug-type creature that Arya hunted, would fetch 30 white coins for its venom.

    ¡ñ The Wild Draco Beast, the strongest among them, was the most valuable. If the body were intact, it could sell for 130 white coins¡ªbut since they damaged it during the fight, they could expect 100 to 110 white coins.

    "In total, we made about 200 white coins

    today," Lucas concluded. "Let''s hope we get just as lucky tomorrow. We''ll be staying here for three days and hunting as much as we can."

    Arya''s eyes widened in excitement at the number.

    "200 white coins!"

    That was enough to buy a good-quality, uncommon-ranked Seed Stone.

    He was beginning to see that hunting magical beasts was an excellent source of income¡ªbut also as dangerous as it was rewarding.

    Lucas then divided the earnings.

    "Since Arya isn''t taking a share, each of us will get around 45 to 50 coins."

    Henk, in a cheerful mood, grinned.

    "That''s some good news¡ªand to celebrate, I have some fine alcohol with me!"

    He pulled out two bottles from his spatial bag, making the group even more excited.

    Arya, though still young and not used to drinking, found himself curious.

    "In my past life, I never indulged in things like this¡­ but now, my body is strong enough that alcohol won''t affect me much. Maybe it''s time to finally experience why people enjoy this so much."

    If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    The night passed in celebration, with good food, drinks, and laughter.

    After the feast, the group took turns keeping watch, rotating every two hours.

    Arya chose the final shift, from 4 AM to 6 AM, since he planned to leave the team afterward.

    By the time his shift ended, most of the group had already woken up.

    After saying his farewells, Arya changed his path, heading north to continue his personal mission.

    Though he had one month to complete it, he wasn''t in a hurry.

    However, now that he was alone, he had to be extra cautious¡ªespecially against unexpected beast attacks.

    As he moved through the dense forest, his thoughts drifted to spirit possession.

    "If I had the power of a Spirit Beast, I could easily hunt a Rank 1 beast without worrying about fatal dangers."

    He remembered how his first opponent had used such a power¡ªand how overwhelming it was.

    But he also knew that obtaining a Spirit Beast possession was as difficult as finding a naturally rare-ranked Seed Stone¡ªboth were extremely rare.

    Shaking off the thought, Arya refocused on his current goal.

    Now that he was far from the team, Arya could freely use all his skills without the risk of being discovered.

    The first thing he did was activate his second skill, which allowed him to mimic the aura of his surroundings.

    This skill didn''t make him invisible, but it camouflaged his presence¡ªespecially against beasts that relied on aura detection and smell.

    While exploring the dense forest, Arya located three beasts but chose not to attack them immediately.

    From his previous hunts, he had learned that every beast had a defense mechanism that could be deadly if he wasn''t careful.

    Since he no longer had a team to back him up, he needed to find a suitable target he could handle alone.

    After nearly five hours of searching, observing nine different species, he finally found his target.

    It was a strange-looking beast, a cross between a raccoon and a penguin, with a stocky body and an unusual 4.5-foot size.

    Although it was far smaller than his mission target of a 10-foot-long Rank 1 beast, it was a good warm-up.

    Upon careful observation, Arya noted its strengths:

    ¡ñ It had pincers hidden in its small arms, which served as its primary weapons.

    ¡ñ The pincers were difficult to see at first glance.

    ¡ñ They were likely venomous.

    "A small but tricky opponent," Arya thought.

    Instead of rushing in, he waited for the beast to rest, giving him the opportunity to close in unnoticed.

    Since his stealth skill couldn''t be used for long durations, he only activated it when he sensed nearby beasts.

    During his roaming, he also discovered another team of four people hunting in the area.

    Wanting to avoid unnecessary attention, he kept his distance and moved in another direction.

    After tracking his target, Arya followed it to a small lake where the beast lowered its head to drink water.

    "This is my chance."

    Since this was his first solo hunt, he wanted to be extra careful¡ªeven against a weaker, unranked beast.

    If he fought recklessly, he could easily kill it head-on, but caution was always the better strategy in an unfamiliar forest.

    Just as the beast bent down to drink, a sudden piercing sound echoed through the air.

    FWOOSH!

    A five-foot-long spear, embedded with red and sky-blue stones, pierced through its neck before it could react.

    The beast collapsed instantly, unable to even scream¡ªits life ending in a single, swift strike.

    It never even saw its killer.

    A clean, instant death.

 Chapter 60: "A Strange Creature "

    Arya, who had thrown the spear from a distance, was pleased with his accuracy. All his self-training had not been in vain. As he approached the fallen beast, he summoned back his Seed Weapon to conserve energy¡ªit had taken a significant amount to launch the spear at such range. Without wasting time, he began collecting the valuable parts of the beast. Staying in one place for too long was dangerous, as the scent of blood could attract other creatures.

    Beasts had many valuable components that could fetch good money, which was one of the two reasons Arya had chosen hunting as his first mission. The second reason was to train himself and sharpen his skills. The beast''s bones, meat, and its small but deadly pincers would likely sell for 30 to 35 white coins. However, the most valuable part of the beast wasn''t these¡ªit was its blood, the core of its power.

    If he sold the blood alone, it would earn him 10 white coins, bringing the total worth of his hunt to about 40 white coins. But Arya had no intention of selling it. Beast blood was often refined by alchemists into potions that boosted both elemental affinity and body strength. Though consuming raw blood was far less effective¡ªonly 20 to 30% as potent as an alchemist''s potion¡ªit was still beneficial. Given the high cost of refined potions, he had no other choice.

    He carefully collected the beast''s blood in one of the many water bottles he carried in his space bag. After storing the rest of the beast''s remains, he prepared to leave. But just as he turned to head toward his next target, an eerie chill ran down his spine.

    His instincts screamed danger. Reflexively, Arya spun around, ready for an attack.

    But there was nothing.

    For a moment, he remained on high alert, scanning his surroundings. Perhaps it had been a false alarm¡ªan illusion created by his overactive senses. But such misjudgments were rare for a cultivator.

    Just as he began to relax, faint footsteps rustled behind the trees. He turned sharply, his muscles tensed, only to see a small creature emerging from the shadows.

    It looked like a bizarre mix between a panda and a bear but was no larger than a house cat. However, what truly unsettled Arya wasn''t its size¡ªit was the way it walked. Unlike most beasts that moved on all fours, this one walked upright on two legs.

    He could feel no threatening aura from the creature, yet something about it felt¡­ off.

    The small beast trudged forward in an almost trance-like state, not paying Arya¡ªor anything else¡ªany attention. It walked straight past him toward the lake, as if lost in thought.

    Arya remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the strange creature. Was it truly oblivious to his presence, or was it simply harmless? He had heard of non-aggressive beasts before, but they usually lived in the depths of the forest, far from weaker creatures.

    Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    As the beast reached the lake, it bent down and began drinking. Even more peculiar, it showed no reaction to the strong scent of blood nearby, something most beasts would have been drawn to instantly.

    Then, after finishing its drink, it turned around¡ªand this time, it looked directly at Arya.

    Their gazes locked.

    Arya tensed, prepared for any sudden movement. Yet, instead of hostility, the creature''s eyes held something unexpected¡ªpain. A deep, sorrowful emptiness.

    For a long moment, neither moved. Then, the beast took slow steps toward him, stopping just an arm''s length away.

    Still, Arya didn''t act.

    If this was a trick, it was unlike any he had encountered before. But there was no aggression in its stance, no killing intent. He decided to wait.

    The beast raised a small paw and pointed at Arya''s hand.

    Arya frowned in confusion. Was it asking for something? His fingers instinctively tightened around his space bag.

    "You want this?" he asked, uncertain if the creature could even understand him.

    To his shock, the beast nodded.

    Arya''s mind raced. A beast of this size shouldn''t be capable of such intelligence unless it was at least Rank 3. But if that were the case, why couldn''t he sense its power? Could it be suppressing its aura?

    Normally, high-intelligence beasts were far stronger than their aggressive, mindless counterparts. Just because they didn''t attack on sight didn''t mean they were weak. In fact, they were often even more dangerous.

    Arya hesitated but decided to test it. Slowly, he extended his hand, showing the space bag.

    Instead of taking it, the beast did something completely unexpected.

    It grabbed Arya''s hand.

    His first instinct was to pull away, but something about the creature''s touch stopped him. Its grip wasn''t forceful¡ªit was¡­ desperate.

    Then, to his utter disbelief, the beast pressed his hand against its head and began rubbing against it, like a child seeking comfort.

    And then¡ªtears.

    Drops of water welled in the beast''s large eyes and rolled down its fur.

    Arya stood frozen, completely at a loss. He had encountered many strange things in his past lives, but this? This was something new.

    He let the beast hold onto him, its body trembling slightly. He didn''t push it away. The soft fur felt unexpectedly warm, despite the creature''s appearance being more rugged than fluffy.

    After a long silence, Arya gently pulled his hand back. The beast looked up at him, its sorrow still visible.

    He wasn''t sure what to say. What could he possibly ask a beast that behaved like this?

    So he said the first thing that came to mind.

    "Are you hungry?"

    The moment the words left his mouth, Arya inwardly cursed himself. What kind of question was that?

    Not wanting to sound foolish, he quickly pulled out a piece of dried meat from his space bag and offered it.

    The beast stopped crying and looked between Arya and the food. Then, without hesitation, it released his hand, took the meat, and started munching on it.

    Arya exhaled, shaking his head slightly.

    "You don''t have to be so sad, buddy," he muttered, wiping the dampness from his hand. "I don''t know if you understand me, but whatever happened to you, time heals all wounds."

    To his shock, the beast nodded again.

    Arya didn''t know whether to laugh or be alarmed.

    "Should I go then?" he asked hesitantly.

    Again, the beast nodded.

    That was enough confirmation for Arya. Whatever this creature was, it wasn''t normal. He didn''t know if it was truly harmless, but his instincts told him it wasn''t a threat¡ªat least, not right now.

    Still, he wasn''t going to take any chances.

    With cautious steps, Arya turned and left the area. Yet, even as he distanced himself, he couldn''t shake off the strange feeling lingering in his chest.

    That beast¡­

    What was it?

    And why did it feel so¡­ human?

 Chapter 61: two and two together

    Somewhere else, a middle-aged man cloaked in dark robes moved through the streets, his face concealed as if he wished to remain unrecognized. His strong aura alone was enough to deter anyone from approaching or questioning him. In this world, strength granted one the power to do almost anything, but everyone knew that no one was truly invincible¡ªthere was always someone stronger, and exceeding a certain limit of arrogance could invite disaster.

    As the masked man approached a large shop, the guards instinctively moved to inspect him, but upon sensing his overwhelming aura, they hesitated and quickly stepped aside, allowing him to enter unchallenged. He had done nothing to force his way in¡ªhis presence alone was enough to command respect and fear.

    Once inside, the man scanned the bustling shop filled with cultivators of varying strengths, but not a single one posed a threat to him. Sneering at their weakness, he strode directly toward the main counter. His attire drew curious glances, but no one dared to engage him. It was common knowledge that those who hid their identities rarely welcomed unnecessary attention.

    Reaching the counter, he motioned to an attendant, took out a folded note, and slid it across the surface.

    "Find someone who matches these traits," he instructed.

    The attendant unfolded the note and read its contents carefully:

    Trait 1: Fire element user.

    Trait 2: Height between 5''2" and 5''4".

    Trait 3: Approximately 10 years old.

    Trait 4: Strong physical build.

    Upon reading the details, the attendant immediately recognized who the man was searching for. He was the same person who had recently provided Arya with information. What the masked man didn''t know was that this branch of the Commerce of Merchants had already taken an interest in the boy.

    Unfazed, the attendant slid the note back across the counter without a word.

    "You mean to tell me you have no information on this person?" the masked man asked, his voice carrying an edge of displeasure. "My sources confirm he was seen here. Is the mighty Commerce of Merchants incapable of tracking down a single individual?"

    The attendant remained calm. "It''s not that we lack information, but everything here has a price, and the cost is determined by the value of the information."

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    The masked man narrowed his eyes. "So you''re saying this individual is important?"

    "Not exactly," the attendant replied, "but the elder in charge of this branch has taken an interest in him. That alone raises the price of his whereabouts significantly."

    The masked man''s expression darkened. If the branch leader of the Commerce of Merchants was involved, things were more complicated than he had anticipated. Even though he was a strong cultivator at Level 46 with a decent background, the branch leader was rumored to be at Level 50 or higher, on par with the headmaster of Finlet Academy.

    "So, is he under the branch leader''s protection?" the masked man asked, his tone heavier now.

    "Not quite," the attendant replied. "But since the elder has taken interest in him, whatever business you have with this boy will cost you 15 pink coins to proceed."

    The masked man clenched his jaw. "Fifteen pink coins?!" he repeated, clearly displeased. "I want this person at all costs, but I don''t have that much on hand right now."

    "This shop isn''t going anywhere," the attendant said indifferently. "Come back when you have the money."

    Without another word, the masked man retrieved his note and turned to leave, walking the same path he had entered from.

    Meanwhile, in Dreadfall Forest¡­

    Arya had found his second target, carefully monitoring its movements from behind the bushes. But what caught his attention wasn''t just the beast¡ªit was the small creature beside him, mimicking his every move.

    This strange little beast had been following him ever since their first encounter. Although it couldn''t speak human language, it clearly understood him, responding to his words with gestures. While some were difficult to interpret, Arya had learned to communicate with it to some extent.

    When he asked why it was following him, the creature pointed at his two Seed Rings, each containing a different elemental seedstone. It seemed interested in his dual elements, but Arya doubted that was the only reason. When he asked why it looked so sad, the air around him suddenly grew hotter, as if responding to the creature''s emotions. That was enough for Arya to drop the subject.

    Now, as he observed his next prey, he noticed the small beast doing the same. Their eyes met, and the little creature gave him a thumbs-up, then pointed toward the two beasts lying together in the distance. It licked its lips and rubbed its stomach, making its intentions clear.

    Arya sighed. "You''re hungry too, huh?"

    Though he had made a kill earlier, he hadn''t cooked anything yet, and with nightfall approaching, this hunt needed to be quick.

    His target was a pair of deer-like beasts, distinguished by their diamond-like eyes¡ªa clear indication of mutation. Through careful observation, Arya deduced that their main attack power likely came from their eyes, though he had yet to witness their abilities firsthand.

    As he steadied himself for the hunt, he glanced at his unexpected companion. The little beast was still mimicking his stance, eyes locked on their prey.

    Arya smirked.

    "Let''s see what you''ve got, then."

 Chapter 62: Two targets

    As Arya crouched in the bushes, planning his attack alongside the small bear-like beast, the two deer-like creatures abruptly lifted their heads, staring skyward. Following their gaze, Arya spotted a large bird circling above.

    Something was off. Birds in Dreadfall Forest were rarely normal, and this one, nearly nine feet long, was no exception. Though slightly smaller than what Arya was searching for, it was undoubtedly close to Rank 1¡ªperhaps on the verge of evolving.

    However, the bird showed no signs of attacking the two diamond-eyed beasts below. It was merely observing.

    Arya frowned. His plan was simple¡ªlaunch a surprise attack, instantly kill one beast, and fight the other head-on. But if that bird decided to interfere mid-battle, things could take a dangerous turn.

    Glancing at his unexpected companion, an idea formed. If this little guy wanted to eat, it had to earn its share.

    "Hey, little guy..." Arya whispered, pointing toward the bird.

    The small beast turned its head, then licked its lips and rubbed its stomach, nodding eagerly.

    Arya sighed, wondering how this creature was still alive when it seemed to view every other beast as food.

    "Alright. If that thing up there interferes, stop it or warn me," Arya instructed. Then, after a pause, he added, "By the way, can you even fight? Or are you a peaceful type?"

    The small beast let out a low hum¡ªthe first sound Arya had ever heard from it. Then, with an exaggerated expression, it flexed its tiny arms, as if proudly showing off its strength.

    Arya chuckled. Despite not underestimating the creature, he couldn''t help but find its behavior amusing. However, his smile only seemed to annoy the small beast, so he quickly refocused on the hunt.

    This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    The bird was now its responsibility, but Arya wasn''t about to put his life in the hands of a beast he had just met.

    More importantly, if he successfully hunted these two unranked beasts, he could earn around 100 white coins from their materials and obtain enough beast blood to refine his strength.

    He had been stuck at Level 32 for nearly a month. Though still a bit away from reaching Level 33, with enough beast blood, he could break through in just two days. And if he could push himself to Level 36 or 37 within a month, he''d be strong enough to kill a Rank 1 beast without much trouble.

    For now, his focus remained on his prey.

    The two beasts were still fixated on the sky, making them vulnerable. Summoning his Seed Rings, Arya activated his second skill, camouflaging his aura to lower the chances of detection. As he infused elemental energy into his Seed Weapon, the small beast beside him watched with keen interest, studying every movement.

    Once the energy was fully gathered, Arya launched his spear.

    Whoosh!

    The weapon pierced the first beast''s stomach with pinpoint accuracy.

    Arya expected an instant kill, but to his surprise, the beast remained alive, gasping for breath. Worse, it turned toward him, its diamond eyes glowing with intense energy.

    "Damn it..." Arya muttered, realizing what was about to happen.

    The beast unleashed a beam of light, and before he could dodge, it struck him head-on.

    BOOM!

    A powerful explosion erupted, sending dust and debris flying.

    Arya had shielded himself with his arms, but the attack burned his skin, and blood trickled down his hands. The scent of scorched flesh filled his nostrils¡ªhe had barely avoided being cooked alive.

    But in that moment, he realized something crucial.

    Light Element.

    These beasts possessed one of the rarest elemental affinities, alongside Lightning and Darkness. Finding low-ranked beasts with this element was almost unheard of¡ªit was like hitting a jackpot.

    But Arya had no time to celebrate.

    A furious roar echoed across the forest.

    The second beast had finally reacted, only now realizing that its companion was dead.

    Arya''s instincts screamed at him to move.

    Another light beam fired toward him, but this one was noticeably weaker. The previous beast had poured everything into its final attack, unlike this one.

    Dashing to the side, Arya scanned the area for his small companion¡ªbut it was nowhere to be found.

    "The little guy... is gone?"

    Even the large bird had disappeared.

    Had the small beast lured it away? If so, that meant it wasn''t as weak as it looked. But Arya had no time to think about that now.

    The second beast''s eyes glowed again.

    Arya rushed forward, closing the distance before it could launch another devastating attack. But just as he neared, the beast fired a third beam¡ªproving that it only needed three seconds to charge.

    "Shit!"

    Arya tried to sidestep, but the beam clipped his arm, burning through his sleeve and searing his flesh.

    However, the attack was weaker than expected.

    He quickly realized why¡ªthe beast had fired it too early.

    Grinning through the pain, Arya tightened his grip on his weapon.

    "This fight... is over."

 Chapter 63: little beast flexing strength

    Before the beast could gather energy for another attack, Arya clenched his bleeding arm and punched it hard on the head. Since he was in his Weapon Master form, his enhanced physical strength sent the beast flying. Without hesitation, he swapped his weapon back into his hand and ended the creature''s life before it could recover.

    The beast let out a final, agonized cry, but just as its scream faded, another shriek echoed from a different direction. Arya immediately recognized it¡ªit was the bird''s cry.

    His thoughts shifted to the little beast. He had yet to see its full strength, but if it had managed to take down a flying beast, it was far stronger than he had expected.

    Curious, Arya quickly collected the corpses of the two beasts before heading toward the source of the sound. As he moved, pain surged through his wounded body. During battle, the adrenaline had dulled his injuries, but now that the fight was over, the burns and wounds throbbed painfully.

    When he arrived at the scene, he saw the small beast standing atop the charred corpse of the bird, sniffing the air. Arya, too, caught a whiff of the scent of roasted meat lingering in the area.

    "So¡­ you really are strong, huh?" Arya muttered, eyeing the burned corpse. He had suspected it, but now he had proof. "But I still don''t know how strong you actually are."

    He then glanced at the scorched remains of the bird and asked, "Are you¡­ a Fire Element beast?"

    The small creature looked up at him and nodded. Then, with an excited expression, it flexed its skinny arms again, as if boasting about its strength.

    Arya watched as it began making strange gestures.

    It spat into the air while glancing up, as if reenacting something.

    Two possibilities crossed Arya''s mind.

    One: It was suggesting they celebrate by howling at the sky like wild beasts¡ªunlikely, considering its intelligence.

    Two: It was demonstrating how it attacked the bird.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    He leaned toward the second option.

    Even though Arya knew the little beast was both strong and dangerous, he still didn''t feel any fear toward it. Maybe because it had shown no hostility so far.

    His gaze shifted to the burned corpse before him. The bird had been big, nearly nine feet long, but now it looked like a hairless, overcooked chicken.

    "...It''s not fully cooked yet," Arya noted.

    The small beast looked at him, then back at the bird. Without warning, it opened its mouth.

    Arya instantly felt a surge of heat gathering around him¡ªso intense that even he, a Fire Element cultivator, found it uncomfortable.

    "Stop!" Arya shouted.

    The small beast immediately closed its mouth, looking at Arya with a confused expression, hands raised as if asking, What''s the problem?

    "Were you planning to cook me along with the bird?!" Arya scolded.

    The creature''s eyes widened in realization. It quickly covered its mouth with its hands, then lowered its head, looking guilty.

    Arya sighed. "Leave the cooking to me. First, we need to remove the valuable parts of the beast''s body."

    This bird was almost as valuable as a Rank 1 beast. Arya wasn''t about to let any part go to waste. Even after extracting the important materials, there would still be plenty of meat left for them to eat.

    But before that¡ª

    "We should leave this area before more beasts show up," Arya said. "I''m not in any condition for another fight."

    The small beast nodded, then suddenly grabbed onto Arya''s clothes and climbed onto his head.

    "Hey! Get down!" Arya swatted at it. "What do you take me for, a tree branch?"

    The little creature hesitated, then finally climbed down, looking around before pointing in a direction¡ªtoward the inner region of Dreadfall Forest.

    Arya frowned. "You want us to go deeper?"

    The small beast nodded, then gestured with its hands, as if saying, Not too deep¡ªjust a little further in.

    Arya hesitated. "I''m still weak compared to the beasts in there. We stay near the outer border, no deeper."

    The deeper parts of the forest were marked by strong cultivators, warning others of the dangerous beasts beyond that point. Even high-level warriors avoided crossing those borders recklessly.

    The small beast thumped its chest confidently, clearly unfazed by the dangers.

    "...Fine," Arya sighed. "But only to the border. No further."

    He collected the bird''s corpse without extracting anything, deciding to harvest its materials later once they reached a safe location.

    With the small beast leading the way and Arya using his camouflage skill, they traveled through the forest without encountering a single beast.

    That was odd.

    His second skill only concealed his aura¡ªit didn''t make him invisible. In a forest this vast, he should have still spotted a few beasts along the way.

    Yet, not a single one appeared.

    Finally, they arrived at their destination¡ªand Arya''s instincts screamed in warning.

    The entire environment had changed.

    Before him stood a massive network of caves, with numerous hollow entrances leading inside. It looked like a giant ant colony, but the tunnels were large enough for beasts twice the bird''s size to fit through.

    Arya couldn''t see where they ended¡ªthey extended deep into the inner regions of the forest.

    But what unsettled him most was that the little beast was pointing toward the first cave entrance.

    "...You want us to go in there?" Arya asked cautiously.

    The small beast nodded and pointed at the other cave entrances, then gave a thumbs-down gesture.

    Arya frowned. "What does that mean?"

    He didn''t understand, but something felt off.

    Caves like these were often home to powerful beasts. Entering blindly could invite unwanted trouble.

    Still, since this was technically still the outer region, it shouldn''t be too dangerous¡ªas long as they stayed cautious.

    "I''ll inspect the entrance first," Arya muttered. "If it seems too risky, we''re not staying."

    With that, he cautiously approached the cave, keeping his guard up.

 Chapter 64: ancestors ?

    With slow and steady steps, Arya approached the massive cave entrance, his senses on high alert. The small beast led the way, moving with familiarity, but it still maintained Arya''s pace, as if aware of his cautiousness.

    Upon reaching the entrance, Arya peered inside. The cave''s sheer size was intimidating, but what surprised him more was the strange sight within.

    The entire space beyond the entrance was bathed in a yellow hue, its rocky terrain barren and lifeless. There was nothing noteworthy inside¡ªexcept for the oppressive aura lingering in the air.

    It felt as if a massive, unseen beast was breathing deep within, its presence looming over everything.

    A naturally formed pathway led deeper inside, but parts of it were broken and eroded, making the way forward uncertain.

    As Arya observed the area, one thing became clear¡ªthis cave had remained untouched by humans for at least a year.

    Even though they were still within the outer region of Dreadfall Forest, Arya felt a growing unease.

    "Are you sure, little guy? Is it really safe for me to follow you inside?" he asked, his instincts warning him.

    The small beast turned back and nodded, gesturing for Arya to proceed without worry.

    Even with its reassurance, Arya hesitated. Was this beast leading him into a trap?

    But then he reasoned¡ªif it wanted him dead, it wouldn''t need a trap. It was already strong enough to kill him at any time.

    "...Alright, I''ll trust you," Arya finally said.

    The small beast stared at him for a moment, its deep eyes holding a strange complexity. Then, it turned away and continued forward.

    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Unbeknownst to Arya, as the little beast faced away, its expression briefly twisted into grief. A single tear formed in its eye¡ªbefore instantly evaporating into smoke.

    Deeper Inside the Cave

    As Arya followed the small bear-like beast, the scenery remained unchanged for a long time¡ªbarren, rocky, and eerily silent.

    But after some distance, strange drawings began appearing on the cave walls.

    At first, they were nothing but rough etchings, but there was something unsettling about them. Though crude, they carried a sense of life, as if the creatures depicted within them were watching.

    Most of the drawings featured colossal beasts, their forms indistinct yet monstrous.

    Arya couldn''t tell whether they were the same beast in different poses or entirely different species. The details were unclear, but one thing was certain¡ªthey were massive.

    For nearly two hours, Arya followed the small beast deeper into the cave, walking without encountering a single disturbance.

    And then, at last, he reached the end.

    At first, he thought they had reached a dead end, but then he noticed another gigantic entrance¡ªan exit leading somewhere else.

    But as Arya neared it, the aura from before surged again.

    This time, it was stronger.

    It pressed down on him, as if demanding submission.

    Of course, it was only an illusion¡ªthe aura wasn''t powerful enough to force him to kneel or even make him sweat. But the oppressive presence was undeniable.

    The Mysterious Drawing at the Exit

    Just before the exit, a large carving adorned the cave wall.

    Unlike the earlier, rough sketches, this one was far more detailed.

    It depicted a beast¡ªbowing toward something unseen.

    And unlike the others, this creature wore human-like equipment¡ªa helmet and body armor.

    Though its face remained indistinct, its posture radiated loyalty¡ªas if it was kneeling before a great being.

    Arya raised an eyebrow and glanced at the small beast beside him.

    "Hey, shorty¡­ don''t tell me this is one of your ancestors?" he asked, half-joking. "If it is, they''d be disappointed with how tiny you turned out."

    The small beast looked at him, then at the helmeted beast in the drawing¡ªand nodded.

    Arya blinked. "Wait¡­ seriously?"

    The small beast had confirmed it¡ªthis was one of its ancestors.

    But before Arya could ask another question, the little creature shook its head.

    "...No?" Arya frowned. "Didn''t you just nod?"

    He glanced back at the drawing, then at the small beast.

    "But there''s no way something this massive could be related to you. The size difference is ridiculous."

    He paused, then reconsidered.

    "Unless¡­ your species is somehow related to this beast? Like a different branch of the same lineage?"

    The small beast nodded again, confirming Arya''s guess.

    So, while not direct ancestors, they shared a connection¡ªlikely from the same species family.

    The small beast then motioned for Arya''s hand, just like when they had first met.

    "Huh? What now?" Arya asked, extending his hand.

    The creature grabbed his two fingers, the ones bearing his Seed Rings.

    A faint glow surrounded them.

    And suddenly¡ª

    The pressure from the aura vanished completely.

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "You could do that this whole time? You should''ve helped me when we first entered the cave!"

    The little creature simply rolled its eyes in response.

    Ignoring Arya''s complaints, it turned back toward the drawing, staring at it with deep thought.

    It remained silent for a while, as if trying to recall something.

    Then, without a word, it gestured for Arya to follow¡ªleading the way toward the next entrance.

 Chapter 65: what lies in the future

    As Arya entered the second gate, he expected it to lead him out of the cave. However, instead of an exit, he found himself in another cave, nearly identical to the previous one¡ªexcept for the intensity of the aura. Arya could feel its presence, but the oppressive force was no longer affecting him, thanks to the little companion below him.

    After traveling for another two to three hours, Arya noticed that the surroundings were gradually getting darker. He realized that night had fallen, meaning it was time to set up camp.

    "Hey... we should stop here and continue our journey tomorrow. By the way, where exactly are you taking me in this barren place?"

    The beast also glanced around to check the time. With a nod, it gave Arya a thumbs-up, signaling its agreement. Then, it rubbed its stomach, indicating that it was hungry and expecting Arya to prepare something good for both of them.

    Even though Arya was still young and lacked experience in this life, his rich memories from his previous lives and his cultivator''s physique¡ªwhich was far superior to any human he had known in his past lives¡ªmade him highly capable in almost everything.

    He wasn''t an expert cook, but he had enough experience to prepare a decent meal for himself and, hopefully, for the beast as well.

    The first thing he did was set up camp. The equipment he carried was simple and easy to assemble, allowing him to create a shelter quickly. After finishing that, he took out the large bird he had hunted earlier but decided against cooking the two light-element beasts. Since they were rare due to their elemental affinity, selling them whole would fetch a higher price. However, before storing them, he carefully extracted their valuable parts and collected their blood, which he could use later to aid in cultivation and healing. His body still ached from previous injuries, and the beast blood would help speed up his recovery.

    To clean the three beasts, Arya moved a bit further away, ensuring he had enough space to work. With some daylight still left, he quickly began the process of extracting the valuable parts. In just 10 to 13 minutes, all three beasts were fully cleaned. Fortunately, he had prepared well before coming to the Dreadfall Forest, storing bottles of clean water, which made the process much easier.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    After storing the two light-element beast corpses and the valuable parts of the bird in his spatial bag, he took its large body and began roasting it over the fire. Since he enjoyed flavorful food, he wasn''t content with simply eating roasted meat. Slicing some of the bird''s flesh, he decided to prepare a proper dish.

    Preparation was key when venturing into places like this, and Arya had made sure he was well-equipped. He had spent almost five pink coins gathering supplies, including spices and other cooking essentials. Without any additional concerns, he focused on cooking. The dish he was preparing was a spicy chicken dish¡ªthe only difference being that instead of chicken, he was using the meat of a powerful magical beast.

    The little beast watched the roasting bird intently, its eyes fixed on the cooking meat. However, it was even more focused on Arya''s dish, seemingly eager to taste it.

    As the meat cooked and the dish was finally ready, they wasted no time in eating. Because the bird was so large, Arya became full after consuming just about 5% of its meat¡ªa considerable amount. However, compared to the little beast beside him, his appetite was nothing. To Arya''s astonishment, the small creature devoured the remaining food without leaving a single scrap behind.

    It was barely the length of Arya''s leg, yet its appetite seemed infinite. Arya couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwhere was all that food going? Even after eating almost the entire bird alone, the beast''s body showed no signs of change. What surprised Arya even more was that the little creature seemed more satisfied with the dish he had cooked than with the roasted meat. However, since the portion had been small, it was clearly not happy about that.

    "Don''t worry," Arya assured it. "Next time, I''ll cook the whole dish. We won''t settle for plain roasted meat, even if I have to spend two hours preparing it. I''ll make sure to fill your endless stomach with properly flavored food."

    Hearing Arya''s promise, the little beast immediately perked up, delighted by the idea of a feast in the future.

    After finishing their meal, Arya quickly cleaned up the area and prepared to heal himself while also cultivating with the beast blood he had collected.

    Sitting inside his tent, he began his cultivation, holding the beast blood in his hands. Ideally, the best way to absorb it would be to bathe in it while practicing, but since he couldn''t do that, he resorted to pouring it over his body gradually, absorbing it bit by bit.

    Meanwhile, the little beast, having finished licking the last traces of food from its paws, entered the tent. It saw Arya sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed and yawned, feeling drowsy. Looking around for a comfortable place to sleep, it didn''t find anything suitable. In the end, it settled its gaze on Arya''s lap. Slowly, it climbed onto him, curled up, and closed its eyes.

    Unaware of what had just happened, Arya remained focused on his cultivation, fully absorbed in absorbing the beast blood and healing his injuries.

    Without realizing it, he had just encountered the greatest opportunity of his life¡ªone placed directly on his lap by fate itself. This seemingly small accident, or perhaps an inevitable twist of destiny, would forge an unbreakable connection between them. In time, this bond would become a source of envy for his rivals and an immense power that would shape Arya''s future.

 chapter 66: "Royals and Alucard "

    While Arya was absorbing the beast''s blood and cultivating, his two Seed Stones, connected to his body just below his neck, began to react. These stones were linked to two small, whirlpool-like energy pools¡ªone above the other. Their only purpose was to help Arya absorb elemental energy, acting as a bridge between his body and the Seed Rings on his fingers.

    They gathered energy and stored it in the Seed Rings, supplying power to Arya''s body whenever needed. Right now, Arya was focused entirely on these two energy pools, feeding them the energy extracted from the beast''s blood.

    However, something unexpected happened. While he was deeply immersed in the absorption process, the two energy pools suddenly started rotating at nearly double their usual speed. Before Arya could even comprehend what was happening, the pools¡ªoriginally positioned one above the other, just as his father had taught him¡ªbegan pulling away from each other.

    A strange, empty space formed between them, as if some invisible force was pushing them apart.

    As this process continued, an unbearable drilling pain erupted in Arya''s chest. The more the energy pools separated, the larger the empty space became, making his breathing unstable. His body trembled, his consciousness fading with every passing moment.

    Just before he completely blacked out, he caught a glimpse of his two energy pools settling in their new positions¡ªone hovering just above his heart, the other directly opposite it, as if he now had two hearts.

    And in the empty space between them... two glowing red eyes began to form.

    That was the last thing Arya saw before he lost all strength and fainted.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Meanwhile...

    Outside the Commerce of Merchants Branch in Fisco City''s main shop, a masked man stood in broad daylight. He was dressed entirely in black, his clothes concealing everything except his piercing eyes. Holding a paper with some written information, he murmured to himself.

    "So, you''re hiding inside Dreadfall Forest? But why there?"

    After a brief pause, he smirked beneath his mask.

    "Whatever the reason, it doesn''t matter. Since I already have your location, let''s see how long you can survive after killing my junior. And once I''m done with you, I have another target... that man hiding inside Finlet Academy."

    With those words, he turned and left.

    As the masked man exited the Commerce of Merchants, two young cultivators crossed paths with him. Both exuded confidence, their strength evident in their posture and expressions.

    For a brief moment, they locked eyes with the masked man, silently acknowledging each other, before continuing on their separate paths.

    "An Alucard? Here, in a low-level city?" the masked man muttered in surprise, not bothering to turn back.

    A few steps away, one of the young cultivators, Ryze Veylan, spoke up.

    "Brother Selis, did you see that just now?"

    Selis nodded, his expression turning serious.

    "Yes... an assassin from the Assassin''s Creed Guild."

    Ryze frowned. "They''re getting bolder. Once, they only hunted from the shadows, but now they''re openly operating in broad daylight without any fear of retaliation. Why isn''t the King doing anything about them? Why is he letting them run rampant in our Azure Kingdom?"

    Selis sighed, his tone heavy.

    "The royal family is in chaos. They don''t have the luxury to focus on small threats like this guild. And besides, the Assassin''s Creed Guild has powerful supporters from outside the Azure Kingdom. That''s why they act so fearlessly."

    Ryze clenched his fists. "But if the King wanted, he could wipe out this guild anytime. He could put an end to their arrogance."

    Selis shook his head.

    "You don''t understand. The King''s attention is currently on something far more important¡ªsomething unknown to us. Right now, he has bigger concerns. But don''t worry... once he turns his focus to this guild, their destruction will be inevitable."

    With that, the two cultivators stepped into the shop. The guards at the entrance didn''t even bother checking their passes¡ªafter all, the moment they saw the robes these two were wearing, they knew better than to interfere.

    Once they entered the shop again, the crowd inside was immediately drawn to the new arrivals. The attendant at the counter looked toward the entrance and couldn''t help but mutter to himself, "What''s going on here? In the past few days, I''ve seen an Assassin''s Creed Guild member, and now an **Alucard**! Has the atmosphere in our Fisco City suddenly changed, attracting such powerful figures to this small town? Or is something big about to happen here?"

 Chapter 67: "The famous Selis"

    As the two young cultivators approached the attendant, who was also watching the entrance, the attendant quickly wrote something on a piece of paper. He then motioned to another attendant nearby, handed him the note, and said,

    "Take this to the elder in charge immediately. Tell him the air of Fisco City is changing, and we may need his assistance soon."

    The second attendant carefully took the note, which contained some important information, and headed towards a door marked for pass assignments and authentication for high-rank promotions.

    Meanwhile, as the first attendant passed the message to his colleague, his attention shifted back to the two young men who had just entered. They were both dressed in high-quality attire, with valuable accessories adorning their bodies. However, what truly caught everyone''s attention was the emblem on the chest of the young man leading the way. Unlike the usual placement of passes, his insignia was positioned on the right side of his chest¡ªan unmistakable symbol of the Alucard family, a branch of the royal family. This emblem indicated that the bearer either had strong ties to the royal family or was directly affiliated with them.

    Given the young men''s age, it was almost certain that they were members of the royal family. After all, it was nearly impossible for someone so young to earn the right to carry such an insignia unless they were born into nobility.

    Without wasting time, the two approached the main counter. The slightly shorter of the two, the one wearing the Alucard insignia, gave a polite smile and addressed the attendant.

    "Hello, brother. We are looking for someone and could use your help. Can you provide us with some information?"

    Hearing yet another request for information about a person, the attendant narrowed his eyes slightly in thought. However, he did not delay his response.

    "How could I refuse an Alucard? We still want to do business in Azure Kingdom, after all," he said, glancing at the insignia on Selis'' chest.

    Ryze, the taller of the two, chuckled as he looked at Selis'' insignia. "Oh, don''t worry about that. My brother Selis only has a nominal connection to the royal family. You don''t have to be so cautious¡ªhe''s an independent cultivator."

    The mention of Selis'' name caused a stir among the surrounding cultivators. Various reactions rippled through the crowd, indicating that his name was well-known and widely recognized.

    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    "Oh... So this is that Selis," the attendant mused. "The one who personally requested the king to release him from the Alucard family name, choosing to cultivate on his own and build his own reputation instead of relying on his royal lineage."

    Many people dream of being acknowledged by the royal family, hoping for even a single opportunity to receive that emblem. And yet, here was Selis¡ªa man who willingly rejected such a privilege to pursue cultivation on his own.

    "That kind of determination is rare," the attendant continued. "A true cultivator''s mindset. But even so, I hope you''ll still be responsible for the safety of our kingdom."

    Selis gave a small nod. "I have only asked to be free of the name''s influence. Even after losing my title, I will still protect those in need. The power I gain will be more than enough for that. But for now, we are here for another matter, so please assist us."

    "Of course, of course, Brother Selis. Who are you looking for? We will do our best to locate and provide the information as quickly as possible."

    Selis nodded at the attendant, and Ryze took out a folded piece of paper. Unlike a typical information request, the paper contained no written details¡ªonly a carefully drawn portrait of a person.

    The attendant took a glance at the drawing, and his eyebrows immediately rose in surprise. He muttered under his breath,

    "Why this guy again?"

    "Can I ask why you''re looking for him?" the attendant questioned. "You don''t have to answer, but I''m just a bit curious because someone else was here earlier, asking about this same person. Based on your timing, I assume you must have met that person."

    Ryze''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh¡­ so that guy was looking for him too?"

    Selis, however, remained calm and answered, "It''s not a secret. We are searching for strong young cultivators like ourselves to form a team for an upcoming event in Azure Kingdom."

    Although his tone was composed, Selis couldn''t shake a troubling thought¡ªwhy was that other person also searching for Arya? If their intentions weren''t good, it would be difficult to save him in time.

    The attendant, seemingly unbothered by the tension, handed over a small note.

    "This contains the latest information about his whereabouts. However, it is two days old," he said while passing it to Ryze.

    "Thanks. How much for the information?" Ryze asked as he took the note.

    "Oh, it''s free for our allies, Brother Selis," the attendant replied with a smile.

    Ryze, however, shook his head. "No, name a price. I know you''re waiving the fee because of our background, but you should already know¡ªthose are the kinds of favors I don''t like. So, name the price."

    The attendant hesitated for a moment before sighing. "If that''s the case¡­ ten white coins will do."

    Without hesitation, Ryze handed over the required amount. The transaction complete, both he and Selis left the shop. However, even after they had walked away, the attendant continued to watch them with an unreadable expression.

    As they examined the information, Ryze frowned. "The Dreadfall Forest? This guy is in Dreadfall Forest?"

    Selis nodded. "After failing to get into Finlet Academy, he was supposed to return to his family. Instead, he chose to enter Dreadfall Forest to complete missions assigned by the Commerce of Merchants."

    Ryze exhaled sharply. "And now that other guy is after him, too¡­"

    A brief silence fell between them before Ryze asked, "Brother, what should we do about this?"

    Selis thought for a moment before answering, "Finding both of them inside the Dreadfall Forest before they encounter each other is nearly impossible. The forest is massive¡ªsearching blindly would be a waste of time."

    His gaze turned sharp as he continued, "So, we wait. If he manages to survive and escape on his own, then all our doubts about his qualifications and strength will be answered. But if he fails to make it out alive¡­"

    Selis trailed off, then spoke with a firm resolve.

    "Then he was never qualified to join our group in the first place. We need exceptional young cultivators¡ªthose with real strength and resilience."

 Chapter 68: "progression"

    Selis is affiliated with the renowned Alucard family¡ªthe royal family of the Azur Water Kingdom. His father, Zephiron Alucard (known as Sage Alucard), is the head of the entire kingdom. In this way, Selis has become something of a prince. However, Selis does not appreciate his position because whatever he achieves through his own hard work is seen by others as simply the result of royal resources. His accomplishments are viewed as obvious and unsurprising, and he never receives the recognition he deserves. If his mother were still alive, he might not have felt this way, but she passed away when he was only three or four years old.

    Since then, his father¡ªwho must oversee the welfare of the entire kingdom¡ªcould not always give him the attention he needed. Instead, he was mostly cared for by a nanny. Moreover, his father had multiple wives (three besides his late wife) and seven children¡ªtwo younger sisters, one younger brother, and three older brothers. Although his father tried to give his family some time, he could not always be there for Selis. This lack of attention is one of the main reasons why Selis requested to be removed from the family name; he wanted to forge his own path, be known for his work, and not just for his family''s prestige.

    While Selis and his companion Ryze waited in Fisco City for Arya''s return, a man sat with his eyes closed in a small, secluded room. The elemental energy around him was continuously being refined and absorbed into his body. After a few minutes in that state, the young cultivator opened his eyes and a smile spread across his face.

    "Finally, Level 23 in only half a month," he murmured to himself. "This potion I purchased with task points from the academy is miraculous. If only Arya could join the academy with me¡­."

    At the Water Dragon Academy, one figure had become the subject of sensational discussion among the young cultivators. From the newest students to the veterans, everyone wanted to meet her. Meanwhile, two young men who had accompanied the person in question were sparring.

    "Brother Ben, you have improved a lot in just a month¡ªalready Level 25! Here I am still at Level 24 and a bit away from 25," one remarked.

    "Leo, I think there are more important things for you to worry about than a one-level gap in cultivation," another replied.

    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    "I know what you''re implying," Leo said, "but right now I''m still weak compared to those older students. I couldn''t even give them a proper lesson on my first day, especially that Rio guy."

    "Don''t even mention him," Ben whispered. "He''s not only a strong Level 34 cultivator in his fourth year at the academy, but he''s also popular with the girls."

    They recalled that when they first entered the academy, everyone had heard that Rose would soon become the most popular¡ªdespite barely showing her full face.

    "Damn, that Rio guy and even Brook¡ªthe giant¡ªthough I don''t like Rio, he is strong, handsome, and qualified. And that heavy barbarian, Cheh¡­" Leo muttered.

    "Good thing my Rose has only me in her heart," Leo continued, "and she directly rejected them in front of everyone. But they won''t give up."

    "Brother, it might not feel good to say this, but the reason Rose rejected them isn''t because of you¡ªit was because she wants to focus on her cultivation," Ben remarked.

    "Those are just excuses," Leo replied. "She isn''t sure of her feelings for me. But don''t worry¡ªI''ll make her mine willingly, and no one will come between us, not Rio, not Brook, or anyone else."

    While talking, their fists continuously collided, emitting elemental sparks from time to time.

    "Brother Leo, I don''t know why, but I have this feeling that Rose has interacted too freely with that guy from Fallen Leaves City. What was his name¡­?"

    "Yes, Arya, she hasn''t really talked to anyone else or even exchanged more than a few words with others, aside from the teachers."

    Leo''s mind drifted. "Arya¡­"

    Leo clenched his teeth as memories of interactions between Arya and Rose resurfaced, but eventually, he calmed down.

    He was just a passing figure in Rose''s life¡ªand even in their lives¡ªbut with us coming here, our paths are now diverging. He will remain in that low, barren place with his modest cultivation while we roam the kingdom. When we meet again at next year''s four-village competition, I''ll ensure I give him a good memory so that any thoughts of Rose will vanish from his mind. And if anyone tries to interfere¡­ well, then¡­"

    "I know that within a year we''ll get stronger, but still, you should be careful about Arya''s father. Don''t think of him as just a normal Level 35 or 36 cultivator," Leo advised.

    "My father has said he''s ready to face anyone in our city¡ªexcept Rick, because he''s an unusual man with deep, unknown power."

    "Whatever his power, at most he''ll be a Level 40 cultivator when we return. Nothing too extraordinary," Leo continued.

    "My father also mentioned that the Burning Inferno Village isn''t originally from Fallen Leaves City¡ªtheir roots are unknown. He believes that taking action against them would be suicide for anyone in the city."

    "So, brother, you should be more careful in the future," Leo cautioned.

    "Not from Fallen Leaves City?" Leo mused aloud. "Why don''t we find out about their origins with help from the Water Dragon Academy?"

    "Yes, it''s decided then. I''ll set aside some of my earnings to gather information. Let''s uncover what their past is," Leo replied.

 Chapter 69: "The Titans of Dreadfall"

    At the border of the Azur Water Continent and Dreadfall Forest, in the southern region of the kingdom, stands a massive gate. It was constructed by the cultivators and powerful forces stationed in the Azure Kingdom to prevent monsters and spirits from approaching human settlements. From time to time, beasts¡ªboth in small and large groups¡ªattempt to invade for various reasons. However, ever since King Sage Alucard took charge of the kingdom, not once have these creatures succeeded in crossing the gate.

    This is one of two great gates built to defend against the Monster Race and Spirit Race. The second, located on the northern side, directly faces the vast Dreadfall Forest.

    To the east of the Azur Water Kingdom, the borders connect to two other kingdoms¡ªnortheast to the Blue Flame Continent and southeast to the Great Wind Continent. To the west lies the Great and Endless Sea, a vast, mysterious expanse. Due to its unpredictable nature, human settlements are scarce in that region.

    Currently, at the southern gate of the Azur Water Continent, which borders the Dreadfall Forest, two figures hover in the air above the massive structure. Their overwhelming auras ripple through the surroundings, and upon closer inspection, one can see rings of different colors on their fingers¡ªsymbols of their immense power.

    The first figure, Lord Alucard, wears eight rings of mixed blue and sky-blue stones. The second, an elder, has five blue rings on his right hand and two white rings on his left.

    "Lord Alucard, I don''t understand why you suddenly decided to visit this gate. There doesn''t seem to be any trouble here. Even the Monster and Spirit Races have been unusually silent for quite some time."

    Alucard''s gaze remained fixed on the distant forest. "That is precisely my concern, Great Elder. This silence feels temporary¡ªlike the calm before a great storm. We must be prepared."

    The elder frowned. "What could trouble you this much, my lord? Are the Titans of Dreadfall Forest making a move? If so, we must inform the other lords and prepare for battle¡ªor, if necessary, retreat strategically."

    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Alucard shook his head. "No, there has been no motion from the Titan Race, but something else is coming. I can''t pinpoint it, yet I know a great change is about to occur. It could be good... or disastrous for all of us¡ªand for the entire human race."

    The elder''s expression grew serious. "Something else? What other force, aside from the Titan Race, could make you this uneasy?"

    As Alucard continued surveying the forest, the elder pondered aloud. "There can only be two possibilities, my lord. One lies within the Great and Endless Sea, which remains full of mysteries even to us humans. The second¡­"

    Alucard''s gaze shifted eastward, his voice dropping into a deep murmur. "The High Hills..."

    Zephiron, the elder, nodded. "Both are possibilities."

    Alucard''s tone turned firm. "Elder, send a group of strong cultivators to inspect the High Hills and the surrounding areas. Report anything unusual. Deploy reinforcements at the gate as well¡ªwe must not underestimate the unpredictability of these beasts. As for the sea..."

    The elder bowed. "I will make the necessary arrangements, my lord."

    Alucard''s gaze darkened. "I will personally inspect the western sea border."

    "Should I inform the other continents?" Zephiron asked.

    Alucard shook his head. "No. They will sense it on their own. This is not just a warning¡ªit is nature itself announcing a change. All races will feel it, just as we do. The high-level beasts lurking in the depths of Dreadfall Forest have already sensed it¡­ and that is the real reason for their silence."

    Unbeknownst to the two powerful human cultivators, deep within Dreadfall Forest, a small pigeon-like beast observed them intently. Its beady eyes gleamed with intelligence, yet it remained completely unnoticed.

    A deep, ancient voice rumbled through the depths of the forest. "So¡­ the humans have also sensed the approaching storm. But this time, the phenomenon is different. Heavier. It will impact even nature itself."

    Another voice responded¡ªthis one melodic, almost like a heavenly beauty murmuring. "Indeed. The scale of this reaction is far beyond anything we''ve seen before. Not even the ascension of our Beast Race powerhouses has ever triggered such a disturbance in nature. Imagine the magnitude of what is coming."

    A third voice, deeper yet composed, joined in. "And what is Brother Fang doing during all this? Has he not sensed the change?"

    The melodic voice chuckled. "Brother Fang is occupied with handling his own race. He recently cast out some of his own clan members, and it has caused quite a stir."

    "With his power, who could possibly trouble him within his own clan?"

    "You know their race. Even though they are a high-level race like us¡ªwith both intelligence and brute strength¡ªtheir uncontrollable rage is a common problem. That is why humans fear them as the most terrifying half-beast, half-spirit race."

    The deep voice rumbled once more. "Let him handle his own problems. Our focus must be on preparing for what is coming."

    The beings conversing in the shadows were none other than the Titan Beasts that Alucard had just spoken of. However, the Titan Beasts were not a single species¡ªbut an entire race. Their exact numbers remained unknown, even to humanity. The only information humans possessed was limited to the Titan Races they had encountered.

    Now, as the storm of change loomed ever closer, both humans and beasts braced themselves for the unknown.

 Chapter 70: The upheavals

    In a majestic hall, two figures sat in an atmosphere of quiet grandeur. One was a young boy, barely eight years old, while the other exuded a sense of power and wisdom that made it clear¡ªhe was a king or a sage. Anyone who laid eyes on him would instinctively feel his overwhelming presence.

    "Father," the young boy spoke, curiosity evident in his voice, "what were the elders talking about? They mentioned changes in nature, and even Mother seemed concerned¡­ but I don''t feel anything. Why?"

    The man looked at his son, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "You are still young," he said. "Only those who possess eight rings or are close to that level can sense the call of nature that the elders mentioned. The stronger you are, the clearer the message nature sends."

    The boy''s eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Then, Father, since you are the strongest among humans, what did you hear from nature''s message?"

    The man''s expression darkened slightly, his voice deep and thoughtful. "Something is coming¡ªsomething that will reshape the very structure of the Seedling World." He paused, glancing at his son. "It may very well be the beginning of a new era."

    After a moment of silence, he added, "The time of your birth has been filled with great upheavals. I do not know whether that is good or bad for you."

    The boy, sensing his father''s seriousness, hesitated before asking, "But wouldn''t Father always be there to protect me if something happens?"

    A deep, hearty laugh echoed through the hall. "Haha¡­ that goes without saying!" But his expression turned contemplative again. "Still¡­ a new era¡­" He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of his grand chair, yet no sound emerged.

    Within moments, a six-foot-tall, middle-aged man materialized before them, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty¡­"

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    The king''s gaze sharpened. "Elder, I have been pondering this phenomenon, but I cannot pinpoint its true meaning. Inform me immediately if any significant events are occurring or are about to take place¡ªI need to deduce possible connections."

    The elder furrowed his brows, deep in thought. After a long moment, he responded:

    "My Lord, there are three major events unfolding that could impact us:

    1. The tensions between the Azur Water Continent and the Blue Flame Continent are escalating. While the higher-ups from both sides remain uninvolved, conflicts between their factions grow more intense by the day.

    2. There has been an unusual silence from both Great Forests. Beast invasions have declined drastically, and the air around the High Hills has changed.

    The king nodded slightly. "Do not concern yourself with these two matters. The beasts are merely preparing for the changes to come."

    The elder agreed but continued, "The third matter concerns our neighboring continent, the Great Wind Continent. They are about to select their future ruler¡ªa decision that may have far-reaching consequences."

    The king frowned. "No¡­ none of these are directly related to what I am sensing. Is there anything else?"

    The elder hesitated. "There are a few upcoming events, but they may not be significant enough¡ª"

    "Speak." The king''s command was firm.

    The elder complied. "In three years, the ''Hell Road'' will open again¡ªa path that appears once every hundred years."

    The king nodded, signaling for him to continue.

    "Additionally, Azur Water Kingdom''s Champion Battle of the Younger Generation is scheduled for next year. Following that, the Five Continents Epic Battle will take place the year after."

    Before he could say more, the king suddenly interrupted. "Young cultivators'' competitions¡­? A new era¡­ and a battle among the younger generation¡­" His gaze sharpened as if connecting unseen threads.

    "What is the exact date of this competition?" he asked.

    The elder was taken aback. "Does Your Majesty intend to attend? If so, it will become a sensational event for the entire human race!"

    "Yes." The king''s voice carried an undeniable weight. "The time calls for my presence. Arrange everything. Inform Zephiron Alucard in advance."

    Then, turning toward his son, he spoke with a knowing smile. "Benet, from now on, try to make as many friends as possible. Do not needlessly make enemies. The future is unpredictable, and no one knows who will rise to power in this new era. It is wiser to stand beside the future rulers rather than against them."

    The young boy grinned. "Father, I understand. But don''t worry¡ªBenet is already grown up and knows what to do."

    Hearing his son''s confident words, the king chuckled. "Yes, you are indeed growing up. That is why I have decided¡ª you will participate in the upcoming event. Not to win, but to gain experience and forge bonds with the next generation."

    Benet''s eyes widened slightly before excitement took hold. "Yes, Father! I won''t let you down!"

    The majestic hall fell into silence once more, but beyond its walls, the winds of change had already begun to stir.

 Chapter 71: A Beast With Questions of Its Own

    The Seedling World was changing. Fate itself seemed to be reshaping, weaving a new path for those who walked its land.

    In the midst of this transformation, a young man sat in deep meditation¡ªor at least, he had been. Now, he lay in a deep slumber, his face contorted with pain.

    Arya had no idea how he had ended up here.

    On either side of him, sky-piercing mountains stretched endlessly into the horizon, enclosing the only path forward¡ªa narrow, treacherous trail where he could barely move. But there was no time to think about that. He was running for his life.

    From behind, a torrent of molten lava surged toward him, consuming everything in its path. If he stopped, he would be burned alive. He had no choice but to keep running. Even though the lava had yet to reach him, its searing heat had already made breathing incredibly difficult, clouding his mind and dulling his ability to think clearly.

    Just as he was pushing himself to his absolute limit, a thunderous roar shook the air¡ªso loud that it seemed to shatter the very fabric of reality. If Arya had been in a state to process it, he might have recognized the beastly cry, but right now, he was barely clinging to consciousness.

    Then, the world itself began to collapse.

    Like a mirror struck by a stone, the surroundings fractured and crumbled, breaking apart into countless shards of light and darkness.

    Arya''s eyes fluttered open.

    His breath was ragged, his vision hazy, and for a moment, he couldn''t tell whether he was still alive or if he had perished in that nightmare. But as his surroundings came into focus, he saw something that made him freeze.

    A beast¡ªsmall but unmistakably intelligent¡ªwas staring directly into his eyes. Its round, inquisitive gaze was filled with an emotion Arya couldn''t quite place.

    "Huh¡­ I''m still alive?" he murmured, still disoriented.

    Wasn''t it still night when he had last closed his eyes? Yet, looking around, he realized that it was already morning.

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "What¡­ happened while I was cultivating?" He muttered, his gaze shifting back to the small beast beside him, which, for some reason, hadn''t looked away from him once.

    His memories slowly began to resurface.

    "I was absorbing the beast''s blood¡­ then a burning sensation ignited in my chest, and I couldn''t stop my cultivation no matter what I tried¡­ And then¡ªthose eyes¡­"

    His eyes narrowed as he focused on the small creature. Specifically, its eyes.

    They bore a faint resemblance to the manic, rage-filled red eyes he had seen before losing consciousness. But these were different¡ªcalmer, smaller, lacking the overwhelming fury of that other gaze.

    As Arya studied the small creature, it too seemed to be observing him, its expression filled with deep thought.

    Then, something unexpected happened.

    The beast moved its mouth¡ªas if attempting to speak¡ªbut no words came out. When it realized this, it frowned in confusion.

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "What? It''s not like you could talk before. What exactly are you trying to do?"

    The small beast shook its head, then, in an almost human-like manner, stroked its invisible beard, as though deep in thought.

    Arya found himself silently amused.

    After a few more moments of contemplation, the beast stretched out its tiny hand toward Arya''s.

    Arya recognized the gesture. It wanted him to extend his hand.

    With slight hesitation, he complied.

    This time, instead of grabbing just his finger, the small beast grasped his entire palm.

    The moment their hands touched¡ª

    A powerful suction force burst to life between them.

    Both Arya and the beast locked gazes, their eyes filled with astonishment.

    Then¡ª

    Something happened that nearly shocked Arya''s soul out of his body.

    The beast opened its mouth again¡ªand this time, it spoke.

    In a slow, stuttering voice, it said:

    "We¡­ are¡­ connected¡­"

    Even though the words were halting and uncertain, they were unmistakably spoken in human language.

    Arya, despite his experience across nine lifetimes, couldn''t help but be stunned.

    "You¡­ You can talk?!"

    The little beast tilted its head slightly before responding in its still fragmented speech:

    "What¡­ is¡­ that¡­ expression? You¡­ look¡­ like¡­ you¡­ got¡­ scared¡­ after¡­ hearing¡­ my¡­ voice?"

    Arya took a deep breath, regaining his composure. "How¡­ are you able to talk all of a sudden? Or were you just pretending that you couldn''t?" He narrowed his eyes. "If you''re a talking beast, then you must be from the depths of the Dreadfall Forest, correct?"

    From what Arya knew, only Rank 5 or higher beasts were intelligent enough to speak human language¡ªand that was the bare minimum. If this beast was indeed capable of speech, then its true strength might be far greater than it appeared.

    The small creature puffed out its chest.

    "Of course! I¡­ am¡­ the¡­ strongest!" It declared proudly¡ªthough the effect was somewhat diminished by its struggling pronunciation.

    Then, in a slightly annoyed tone, it continued:

    "No¡­ I¡­ wasn''t¡­ able¡­ to talk¡­ before¡­ But¡­ now¡­ I can¡­ because¡­ of¡­ our¡­ connection¡­ It¡­ was¡­ my¡­ mistake¡­"

    "Mistake?" Arya frowned.

    "I¡­ didn''t¡­ know¡­ this¡­ could¡­ happen. And¡­ because¡­ I¡­ didn''t¡­ mark¡­ your¡­ aura¡­ as¡­ an¡­ enemy¡­ I¡­ couldn''t¡­ stop¡­ the¡­ process¡­ in¡­ time." The beast sighed. "But¡­ it''s¡­ not¡­ so¡­ bad¡­ I¡­ was¡­ already¡­ thinking¡­ of¡­ staying¡­ with¡­ you¡­ anyway¡­ Your¡­ rare¡­ double¡­ elements¡­ are¡­ interesting¡­ to¡­ me¡­**"

    Arya''s brows furrowed. "Connection? What kind of connection? And how do you know about my double elements? I don''t remember ever revealing them to you."

    The small beast grinned, waving its hand dismissively.

    "Oh¡­ The¡­ connection¡­ is¡­ a¡­ spiritual¡­ bond¡­ You¡­ can¡­ check¡­ your¡­ inner¡­ body¡­ My¡­ spiritual¡­ mark¡­ should¡­ be¡­ there¡­"

    Although the beast was still struggling with its words, Arya could tell that it was certain of what it was saying.

    Without hesitation, he closed his eyes and began inspecting his inner body, focusing on the flow of his elemental energy.

    The answers he sought were now within him¡ªbut whether they would bring more clarity or greater mysteries, Arya did not yet know.

 chapter 72: The Accidental Bond

    Looking inside his body, the first thing Arya noticed was the changed placement of his Seed Stones'' energy pools. Originally positioned elsewhere, they had now shifted¡ªone resting directly above his heart and the other at the left side of his chest.

    Between them, an empty orb-like structure had formed, large and perfectly round. However, he couldn''t see anything within it. Confused, he decided to stop his inspection and ask the beast what he was supposed to be looking for¡ªuntil a voice echoed within him:

    "Look at the orb at the center closely."

    Without hesitation, Arya refocused on the empty orb.

    As soon as he did, those same blood-red eyes from before began to materialize. This time, he was prepared and didn''t flinch. Slowly, as he continued to concentrate, the full form of the beast started emerging.

    A long snout. A ferocious, bestial face. The body of a colossal, bear-like creature with piercing red eyes and two backward-curving horns, positioned just far enough apart that a small stone could fit between them. Unlike a dragon, which Arya had always imagined, this creature''s body was covered in rock-like scales. It stood on two legs, its razor-sharp claws looking capable of tearing mountains apart.

    Arya swallowed. If a beast like this appeared before me in reality, I might die just from its presence alone.

    A deep, rumbling voice echoed from within the orb:

    "You''re staring at my body that intensely¡­ Did you like it so much that you''re speechless?"

    Arya blinked, then asked, "Is this your true form?"

    "Yes! Impressive, isn''t it?" the beast responded proudly.

    Instead of answering, Arya continued, "Then why do you always stay in that smaller form? Can you change your appearance at will?"

    "If I could, don''t you think I would have already taken human form? This is my natural state. What you saw before was a temporary transformation¡ªa battle form our race takes when we fight or get enraged, which happens quite often."

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Arya narrowed his eyes. This creature¡­ it resembles the beast I saw on the second cave gate.

    "Yes," the beast confirmed, "that was one of my kind. Though we share the same race, we each have our unique traits."

    Arya pondered for a moment, then asked, "What exactly is this connection between us? And how do you know about my dual elements? I don''t recall ever revealing them to you."

    "Ah¡­ the connection. It''s a spiritual bond that links us. Check your inner body again¡ªyou''ll find my spiritual mark there."

    Though the beast was still speaking in a slow, stuttering manner, Arya wasn''t in a hurry. He closed his eyes and inspected his inner body''s energy flow.

    As he looked deeper, he found something new¡ªa distinct spiritual mark imprinted within him.

    Opening his eyes, he asked, "Is this what you mean by ''spiritual connection''?"

    "Yes. You humans call it Spirit Possession, right? But for us, it''s called Spirit Sharing¡ªa bond where the stronger partner can borrow the other''s power. However, we Spirit Beasts don''t just share our essence with anyone. It only happens with our true soul mate, the one we will share our entire life with. For younglings of our race, we share our spirits with our parents for protection."

    The beast paused before continuing, "Even though our bond was formed by accident, it benefits me as well, so I have no complaints."

    Arya frowned. "But what about my choice in all this? If the stronger one controls the body, doesn''t that mean you''ll be taking over mine?"

    The beast let out a low chuckle. "Not exactly. Even if I wanted to, your body is so weak that if I used even one percent of my power, you''d explode like a crushed watermelon."

    Arya instinctively tensed at that description.

    "And besides," the beast added, "have you ever wondered why you''re still alive? A creature as strong as me should''ve completely overwhelmed your body during the possession process."

    That statement struck Arya. He recalled what he had recently learned about Spirit Possession from a merchant at the Commerce Guild:

    ¡ñ At Level 21, a cultivator could form a Spirit Possession with Rank 1-2 beasts, which had a white aura.

    ¡ñ At Level 40, they could bond with Rank 3-4 beasts, which had a pink aura, equivalent to Uncommon-rank Seed Stones.

    ¡ñ At Level 60, they could attempt to form a contract with Rank 5-6 beasts, identified by their red aura.

    Even a Rank 1 beast had strength equivalent to a Level 30 human cultivator. That meant possessing a Spirit Beast was already a huge advantage for any Weapon Master.

    Then what rank is this guy¡­?

    Arya''s eyes darkened. At the very least, he has to be a Rank 5 or Rank 6 beast, meaning I should''ve died instantly. So how am I still alive?

    Fixing his gaze back on the beast''s image, he asked, "How?"

    The beast sighed. "When you were unconscious, your body was on the verge of collapse due to my overwhelming power. To prevent you from dying, I sealed nearly all of my strength. Because of this, the bond was successfully formed, and you survived. However, as a result, I can only exert a power level that your body can handle."

    Arya suddenly remembered the mental pressure he had been feeling¡ªeven in his dreams.

    "That pressure¡­ so it was from you?"

    "Yes. But don''t worry. My power will gradually return as your cultivation increases. Right now, I feel like I''m being squished inside a tiny box because of the seal. If you grow stronger faster, I''ll finally be able to breathe properly."

    The beast''s voice, though still stuttering, carried frustration.

    Arya sighed. "So this means¡­ you''ll be staying with me all the time? Inside my body?"

    "Who said I have to stay inside? I can move outside as well, but only within a limited range. However, as you grow stronger, that range will expand, and I''ll gain more freedom. Eventually, you''ll also be able to fully activate our Spirit Possession bond."

    Arya took a deep breath. This was unexpected, but at the very least, it seemed he had gained a powerful ally¡ªone that could change his fate entirely.

 Chapter 73: " Celestial Feng"

    "I understand what has happened," Arya said, glancing around, "but now that you can speak, can you tell me why you brought me here? This place is barren and void of life¡ªI can''t even hunt any beasts here."

    The beast hesitated before responding, "I can''t tell you everything right now, but this place was once a sanctuary for my race in ancient times. Now, it serves as a hidden path leading to what remains of our home."

    As Arya and the beast returned to their senses, opening their eyes, the creature continued, "But I no longer have a home to return to. That''s why, when I saw you with your rare dual elements, I decided to follow and help you, hoping you could assist me in the future. But¡­ this happened instead."

    "If there''s nothing left of your home, why are we still going deeper? Shouldn''t we leave?" Arya questioned.

    "I just want to say goodbye one last time," the beast murmured. "And I have something for you¡ªalong with a request."

    "A promise?" Arya narrowed his eyes. "What kind of promise?"

    The beast chuckled. "You do know I can hear your thoughts, right?"

    Arya''s eyes widened. "I¡­ I didn''t know that. And yes, I''m worried that you''ll ask something beyond my ability in exchange for whatever you''re about to give me."

    "Don''t worry. After seeing what I have for you, you can choose to refuse if you wish. But regardless, we are already bound together. My unfinished business will stay with you for life."

    Arya sighed. "Fine. Let''s continue. But before that, I want to see your true form. Can you show me?"

    The beast hesitated. "I can, but because my power is sealed and we are linked, any energy I use will strain your body. The stronger the form, the greater the damage you''ll suffer. So if you really want to see it, make it quick."

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "I''m prepared. Just let me know when you transform."

    The small beast shook its head. "Idiot. This is only my spirit projection outside your body." With that, its form crumbled like dust in the wind and faded into Arya''s chest.

    Arya stared in disbelief. "That was¡­ magical."

    "If you truly want to see my battle form, you''ll have to use what humans call Spirit Possession and draw from my power. I''ll allow you to wield ten percent of my strength for a few seconds¡ªlong enough to witness my true form. But be ready. You will pass out."

    "Hah, it''s not certain that I''ll faint, right? Have some faith in me."

    The beast snorted. "Faith? That''s why I said a few seconds before you drop."

    Arya ignored the remark. "So, what do I need to do to activate Spirit Possession?"

    "Normally, a cultivator must focus on the spiritual body within them and infuse it with their elemental energy. That''s how Spirit Possession works. But because I''m special, you only need to call my race''s name, and I''ll handle the rest. Consider it a perk of having a living spirit inside you."

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "Your race''s name? What is it? Fang?"

    The beast huffed. "Humans call us Celestial Fang because they often hear us shout that name in battle. They don''t realize it''s actually one of our signature techniques. The louder we call its name, the stronger the attack becomes. That''s how we ended up with the name ''Celestial Fang'' among humans."

    Arya nodded. "So I just have to say it¡­ but not too loud?"

    "Exactly."

    Taking a deep breath, Arya closed his eyes, steadied his stance, and prepared for the backlash. Then, in a firm voice, he called out:

    "Celestial Fang."

    ROOOAAARRR!

    A deep, earth-shaking roar erupted from within him. Behind Arya, an illusory image of the small beast''s form materialized. At that moment, a surge of power coursed through his body¡ªnot overwhelming, but invigorating, like drinking a strength potion.

    However, before Arya could marvel at the sensation, a voice echoed from the glowing form behind him.

    "Prepare yourself. I''m unleashing some of my true power."

    Before Arya could react, a massive explosion of energy erupted from his back. A crushing force¡ªso powerful it felt like the ground beneath him might cave in¡ªslammed into his body.

    BOOM!

    The entire cave trembled. Another deafening roar echoed through the space, shaking the very air.

    Arya''s vision blurred. His head spun. His legs trembled like they had turned to jelly. But he clenched his teeth and forced himself to look back¡ªto finally witness the beast''s true form.

    And then, he froze.

    The sight before him stole the breath from his lungs.

    Even just its feet were as massive as the trees around them. As his gaze traveled upward, his heart pounded violently in his chest.

    A towering, mountain-sized beast stood before him, grinning.

    If Arya had still been his old, mortal self, he might have suffered a heart attack on the spot. Even with his past lives, the sheer magnitude of the beast''s form overwhelmed him completely.

    But before he could process it further, his body gave out.

    Darkness swallowed him.

    With a heavy thud, Arya collapsed to the ground.

    As he lost consciousness, the illusory image of the Celestial Fang dissolved into glowing particles.

    A faint voice echoed in the distance.

    "Two seconds¡­ just as I expected."

    And then, his body began to shrink, his blood rapidly draining, as if something inside him was hungrily consuming his energy.

 Chapter 74: "The Rods Ahead"

    Arya had no idea how much time had passed when he finally woke up. His vision was blurry, and a strange numbness tingled in his eyes. As his thoughts slowly came back to him, he glanced around and spotted the little beast resting nearby. His body still felt incredibly weak, but upon closer inspection, he noticed something¡ªhis two rings, especially the First Blood Ring, were constantly supplying him with energy, gradually healing his body.

    Turning his focus inward, Arya looked at his spiritual core. The beast''s image was still there, resting in the center of his chest, its bloody eyes shut. He frowned.

    Did it also suffer a backlash?

    Before he could think further, a voice echoed from the beast''s image within the glowing orb inside him.

    "Can''t you even let me rest for a little while?"

    Arya blinked. "Oh¡­ so you''re just sleeping? I thought you passed out like me from the backlash."

    "Hah! I''m not as weak as you," the beast scoffed. "How could I suffer a backlash from my own power? And that was only ten percent of my true strength."

    Arya recalled the colossal form he had seen before fainting. He had been genuinely terrified at first, but deep down, he had to admit¡ªit was incredible.

    "Yeah¡­ it was even more terrifying than I expected," Arya admitted, "but I liked it."

    The beast seemed surprised. "You liked it? Most people just look horrified and never want to see it again."

    "Of course they do," Arya chuckled. "No one wants to stare death in the face. If I were on the other side, facing a creature as deadly and massive as you, it''d be my worst nightmare."

    The beast smirked. "In my true form, how strong do you think I am?"

    Arya pondered for a moment. "I have no idea¡­ how would you rank yourself compared to your own kind?"

    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    "In my entire race, I am ranked 12th in strength," the beast replied. "I don''t know how humans compare their power, but among Celestial Fangs, that''s my standing."

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "Twelfth? So you''re pretty strong, huh? I still can''t fully gauge your strength, but it doesn''t really matter. You''re on my side, not against me¡ªso I don''t have to worry about how overwhelming you are."

    Stretching his stiff limbs, he got to his feet. "Now that I''m awake, we should keep moving. You wanted me to follow you somewhere, right?"

    "Yes," the beast said, its tone turning serious. "We shouldn''t waste any more time. What I want to show you is still safe¡­ but I don''t know for how long."

    Arya noticed something¡ªwhenever the beast mentioned this topic, its mood would shift. There was a sadness in its voice, as if it was holding back emotions too deep to express.

    "Hey," Arya said carefully. "This thing you want to show me¡­ is it something personal? Every time it comes up, you suddenly seem like you''re about to cry."

    The beast fell silent for a moment. Then, in a low voice, it answered, "Yes¡­ it is deeply connected to me. But I can''t explain it. You''ll have to see for yourself."

    With that, the beast shut its eyes and went completely still, refusing to say anything more.

    Arya exhaled. It must be something really important if it doesn''t even want to talk about it.

    After gathering his things¡ªhis tent and supplies¡ªhe resumed his journey, heading toward the second cave''s gate. As they moved forward, the beast took the lead. Though they were connected, they could move separately without issue, but Arya quickly learned that the farther they were apart, the more energy it consumed to maintain their link.

    Because of this, the beast usually just sat on Arya''s right shoulder, conserving energy.

    After hours of walking, Arya sighed. "How much farther do we have to go?"

    They had already traveled through three caves, yet the beast kept pointing forward. Outside, the sun was setting¡ªit was already the end of the third day inside the Dreadfall Forest.

    Half of his time here had already been spent inside these cave-like tunnels, yet he didn''t feel like it was wasted. After all, he had gained something precious¡ªhis first and a rather unusual spirit. Whether it would be a blessing or a burden, he wasn''t sure yet.

    "We have to reach the eighth cave," the beast finally replied. "We''re still quite far."

    Arya nearly stumbled. "Eighth cave?! How long will it take to get there?"

    "At your current speed? Four to five more days."

    Arya groaned. "That means five more days wasted just like this? I''m trying to cultivate and save time, not waste it."

    "If that''s your concern, I have a solution," the beast said. "If you want to cultivate while traveling, I can help you with that. It''ll also prepare you for what''s ahead."

    Arya frowned. "What exactly are we about to do? And what kind of training can I even do while walking?"

    The beast''s voice carried a hint of amusement. "Simple. The aura protection I placed on you? I''ll remove it. That way, you''ll have to resist the natural pressure on your own while continuing our journey. In this way, you can train both your body and mind at the same time."

    Arya hesitated. "But¡­ won''t that slow me down?"

    "Yes," the beast admitted, "but isn''t that good for you? A few extra days of training will toughen you up in ways no ordinary practice can."

    Arya took a deep breath. It made sense. He needed to get stronger, and this was an opportunity.

    "Alright," he said. "Let''s do it."

    The moment he agreed¡ª

    BOOM!

    The air around him shifted violently, as if recognizing him as an enemy. A crushing pressure slammed into him, far heavier than the second cave''s.

    His legs wobbled, but he remained standing.

    I can still walk.

    But deep down, he knew¡ªgetting to the eighth cave like this wouldn''t be easy.

 Chapter 75: The Third Night

    As Arya and his new spirit beast began their journey deeper into the caves of Dreadfall Forest, an unknown pursuer¡ªsomeone else also after him¡ªentered the forest without Arya''s knowledge.

    "Where are you hiding, little ant? Come out¡ªyour death has come for you," muttered a man in a black outfit as he stepped through the same gates through which Arya and his team had entered. Peering deep into the forest, he continued, "Daring to kill my junior brother and escape? It''s not going to take me long once I find you. Since you''re clearly in the outer areas, bearing my junior brother''s emblem, I''ll cut off your four limbs and hang your head at the Fallen Leaves City border as a tribute to my deceased brother."

    With a mix of anger and a playful glint in his eyes, the dark-clad man advanced deeper into the forest. His movements were so swift and silent that even the fallen leaves around him remained undisturbed. From a distance, he appeared less like a human and more like a shadow gliding between dark, twisted trees. His middle finger ring glowed with dark hues¡ªa sign that he was using his seed skills while moving stealthily. Judging by the ring''s colors, it might be a dark elemental or possibly an electric elemental skill.

    Despite his haste and determination to complete his kill for revenge¡ªand perhaps to settle scores with another at the Finlet Academy¡ªhe knew that tracking someone in this vast forest would be challenging. Even with a tracking device and the target''s location, the unpredictable terrain and the presence of wild beasts could easily delay him for an entire day. After all, even a Level 46 cultivator like him sometimes struggled with Dreadfall Forest''s chaos.

    Meanwhile, inside the third cave, Arya¡ªhaving removed the aura protection to focus on cultivating without wasting time¡ªwas in a sorry state. His breathing was heavy, and sweat dripped from his body. Yet, he was smiling for two reasons. First, he had finally reached the end gate of the third cave without the aura protection from the little beast on his shoulder. Second, his cultivation had just broken through to Level 23 after more than half a month of arduous effort, boosted by the beast blood he absorbed the previous day and the intense exercises in the stifling, aura-filled cave.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    "Nothing changes with a one-level breakthrough¡ªyou''re still the same weak human who can''t stand against a stronger cultivator. Stop celebrating now; move forward, and you''ll be very happy with what I''m about to give you in exchange for your promise. So hurry up!"

    Arya''s momentary joy vanished as he heard the familiar voice coming from his left shoulder. "Move ahead¡ªI''ve already traveled for a whole day. It''s time to set up my tent for tonight. Here in Dreadfall Forest, it''s hard to tell the correct time, but judging by the deepening darkness in these caves, it must be around 5:30 or so."

    The voice continued with a teasing lilt, "If I were you, I''d have traveled both day and night without wasting time worrying about what awaits me. But here you are, treating it as just another task instead of the opportunity it is. You''re not telling me what to expect, nor whether you can agree to my conditions."

    After a pause, the beast added, "To pique your interest, I''ll say this: what I want to give you will instantly boost your strength. It''s something immensely valuable for your future¡ªan opportunity you might not get again. It''s almost as significant as having me as your first spirit companion."

    Arya considered this carefully. If the gift were as important as the bond of having such a powerful spirit by his side, he would be willing to accept all its conditions¡ªprovided it didn''t cost him his life.

    "If what you say is true, and this gift is as crucial as having you beside me, then I might agree to your conditions. But only if it''s possible and doesn''t endanger my life," Arya replied.

    "Don''t worry," the beast assured him. "I''m connected to you in a way that prevents me from asking for anything that could cost us both our lives. All I require is your promise¡ªnothing more."

    With that settled, Arya began unpacking his camping equipment and quickly set up his tent. He also started a campfire to cook the beast he had hunted earlier¡ªthough he spared the two light-element beast bodies, knowing they could fetch a good price in pink coins. It was only at night that both he and the spirit beast enjoyed a freshly cooked meal; during the day, while traveling, Arya subsisted on dried meat. The spirit beast, despite its connection to him, preferred not to eat during the day, claiming it could fast for an entire month and only feasted at night because Arya''s cooking was excellent.

 Chapter 76: Vengeance in the Shadows

    ¡°No... we don''t¡ªwhere is he?¡±

    In the middle of the night, a terrified, loud scream shattered the silence as a young man in his twenties crashed to the ground, his face twisted in horror.

    ¡°What did we do wrong? I never offended you¡ªso why are you still killing us without reason? If¡­ if that guy has done something, I¡¯ll help you kill him myself. Please, spare my life!¡± he pleaded desperately.

    As the man screamed and begged for his life, a cold voice emerged from the darkness ahead:

    ¡°Do I even need someone as worthless as you to kill someone? You¡¯ve already wasted my time¡ªso die.¡±

    A moment later, a dark, unrecognizable object streaked from the shadows and pierced the man¡¯s heart. He died in the midst of his desperate cries.

    From the darkness, the same man dressed in black stepped forward. He extended his hand toward the dead man¡¯s neck; his hand was stained with blood. The object¡ªnow revealed as a bent, dark pincer¡ªswiftly slashed the man¡¯s head off as if cutting through butter, and the head vanished into thin air.

    ¡°Not with your team, huh?¡± the black-clad man muttered to himself.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªenjoy a few more days of life. I¡¯ve already prepared gifts for you, and before I kill you, I¡¯ll present them so you can feel pain before dying at my hands.¡±

    He continued, ¡°I¡¯ve searched nearly every corner of the outer forest¡ªso where do you think he is?¡±

    After searching the outer areas for two full days, he finally discovered the group with which Arya had entered Dreadfall Forest. Enraged that the person he had hunted for days was not among them, he vented his fury by slaughtering the entire group. Determined to continue his search, he noticed that the aura emblem of his junior, which had previously provided him with the target¡¯s location, had suddenly stopped working¡ªfurther fueling his rage.

    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    After a moment of reflection, he decided not to search blindly but to wait along the main path leading out of Dreadfall Forest toward Fisco City. ¡°I¡¯ll let my prey walk right into my trap,¡± he mused as he retreated. Only one silent sound followed him: ¡°Dark steps¡­¡±

    As he moved back, the scene he left behind was soul-striking¡ªa camp still standing but completely drenched in red blood. Blood spattered in every direction, a clear sign of the desperate struggles and frantic attempts at escape by the victims. Had someone come upon this place the next day, they might have assumed a savage monster had attacked the humans, never suspecting a man¡¯s doing.

    At the same time, Arya¡ªwho had just reached the end of the fourth cave gate¡ªstood in awe of what he saw. As he approached the entrance to the fifth gate, the image of a beast on the gate wall appeared so lifelike and gigantic that, for a brief moment, it seemed to be a real creature. Yet, this was not the only wonder before him.

    The spirit beast on Arya¡¯s shoulder spoke first, its tone calm yet cautionary:

    ¡°Don¡¯t let your greed blind you.¡±

    Arya squinted at the gate wall and asked, ¡°Is that thing real?¡±

    The beast replied, ¡°You mean that stone?¡±

    Arya, nodding, said, ¡°It¡¯s not just a stone¡ªit¡¯s a seed stone, isn¡¯t it? The one embedded in the heart of the beast image on the gate wall.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± the beast confirmed. ¡°It is exactly that¡ªa seed stone. But note, it¡¯s now a common rank seed, not in its original form.¡±

    Arya frowned. ¡°What do you mean by ¡®not in its original form¡¯?¡±

    The beast explained, ¡°Before the man on the wall died a few hundred years ago, that seed was actually of epic rank. After his death, it degraded into a common rank seed.¡±

    Arya¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°So you¡¯re saying that this man was once a living beast?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± the beast answered. ¡°The aura pressure you¡¯re feeling now comes from them as well. We place their remains here at the gates so that their spirits continue to serve as protectors for our race even after death.¡±

    Arya observed quietly, ¡°And even though you¡¯ve helped me get this far, no beast or human dares to enter here because guardians like him protect this path.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± the beast agreed.

    Arya then inquired, ¡°Can that seed stone be extracted from the wall?¡±

    The beast shook its head slowly. ¡°I do not recommend trying. Once you touch it, my entire race will take offense and see it as a challenge to their dignity. I might not be able to protect you¡ªor stop them¡ªand if they discover I¡¯m with you, your chances of survival will vanish.¡±

    Arya pressed, ¡°Why is that? Do you have problems with your own race?¡±

    The beast chuckled wryly, ¡°Some problems, hehe¡­¡±

    With no further explanation forthcoming from the beast, Arya controlled his growing greed and moved out of the fourth gate into the fifth cave. The increased pressure in this area nearly knocked him flat on the ground, but before he could collapse, the spirit beast adjusted his aura pressure just enough to help him keep moving¡ªwithout removing it entirely.

 chapter 77: Moving forward

    As Arya and his beast companion stepped through the 4th cave entrance, the darkness of night began to obscure his vision. Yet, even with the dim light, he could distinctly perceive an abrupt change in the surrounding environment. Unlike the previous three caves¡ªwhere the land was utterly barren with yellow soil, devoid of vegetation or any signs of life¡ªthis cave was alive with greenery. Lush green trees, clusters of small plants, and vibrant foliage dominated the space, creating a stark contrast to the desolation he had witnessed before.

    The sight immediately sparked a thought in Arya''s mind: if this cave still teemed with greenery, it must also harbor other living creatures roaming among the flora. The possibility of encountering life in this hidden world both intrigued and concerned him.

    "Hey, buddy," Arya said softly, breaking the silence as he addressed his companion, "what''s with this dramatic change in our surroundings? One moment we were in a barren wasteland, and now it''s like a thriving forest."

    The beast tilted its head, its eyes glowing faintly in the half-light. "This place retains residual energy," it explained calmly. "Remember that seed stone I showed you earlier on the cave walls? That very stone is the reason why this cave remains green. Without it, this area would have succumbed to the same barrenness as the other caves, overwhelmed by the influence of our race''s inherent fire element."

    Arya frowned, curiosity mingling with apprehension. "So, are you saying that your race, with its strong fire element affinity, inadvertently transforms the environment wherever you linger? And that the seed stone acts as a stabilizer, preserving the energy needed for life to flourish?"

    The beast nodded slowly. "Precisely. Our presence releases intense fire energy, which would typically scorch the land and leave it barren. However, the seed stone channels and balances that energy, ensuring that the environment retains its life-giving essence. But be warned¡ªif that seed stone were ever removed from its place on the cave door, the area would quickly revert to desolation. In fact, if one of my kind were to spend a night here, without that stabilizing force, the area would turn barren once again."

    Lost in thought, Arya contemplated the significance of the seed stone and the profound influence the Celestial Fang race had on the world around them. The intricate interplay between elemental forces and ancient relics left him both fascinated and humbled.

    "Do you think there are other beasts or creatures out here?" he asked softly. "I mean, if the environment can support life, shouldn''t there be other living beings that have adapted to these conditions?"

    The beast''s voice carried a hint of amusement. "Do you really think any creature could withstand the overwhelming aura pressure and terror that our presence exerts? Most living beings would either flee or perish under such conditions."

    Arya recalled the tremendous pressure he had felt during their earlier journey¡ªa pressure that the beast had helped alleviate. He knew that without its assistance, he would have struggled to progress beyond the first cave on his own. The second cave would have drained his strength entirely, forcing him to retreat before he could even attempt further travel.

    "It makes sense then," Arya mused aloud, "that this cave is almost deserted despite its abundance of greenery. It''s as if this place has been claimed by your race, and no other creature dares challenge our presence."

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    After setting up camp near the entrance, Arya and his companion spent a restful night sharing a modest meal. Over the next two days, their journey continued uninterrupted, though the influence of the seed stone and the changing energy of the cave grew ever more apparent. Although every seed stone he had encountered so far was of common rank, its power and significance remained undeniable.

    As the journey progressed, Arya eventually reached the 7th gate entrance. The passage of time was marked by the slow advance through the caves; it had taken him more than two days to navigate the twisting corridors. Nearing the entrance to the 8th cave, his thoughts turned to the mysterious gift that the beast had promised him earlier. Although he did not currently need another seed stone, he remembered that the gift was meant to increase his strength¡ªa promise that filled him with both anticipation and cautious optimism.

    "I''ve already told you," the beast said, its tone both teasing and firm, "I can hear your thoughts. Instead of fretting over what I might give you, you should conserve your strength for our journey."

    Intrigued yet slightly impatient, Arya asked, "I''m thinking that venturing deeper into your resting place might not be entirely safe. We rarely stray this far out, and the risks are greater the further we go. If any of your kind''s monsters were to appear, I need to know well in advance so that we can retreat safely."

    "Rest assured," the beast replied. "I will alert you if any of my race should approach. And as for the gift¡ªdon''t worry. You will find out very soon. The 8th gate is almost upon us."

    Arya sighed, glancing at the dim light filtering in through the cave walls. "But it still feels like it''s a long way off. I might need another day just to see the exit of the 7th gate."

    Even as these concerns occupied his mind, beyond the labyrinthine passages of the cave, the entire Azur Water Continent was buzzing with activity. Rumors had spread that the Champion Battle was about to commence, and to add to the excitement, even the king of the Invincible Heaven Continent was scheduled to attend the Young Generations Competition. This grand event had heightened the anticipation among young cultivators across the land, making the upcoming tournament an unprecedented opportunity for those seeking glory.

    As Arya advanced further into the cave system, the interplay of light, energy, and ancient relics continued to fascinate him. Every step brought him closer to a future filled with potential power and mystery, and every new environment revealed another facet of the ancient magic that still lingered in the world. His thoughts often returned to the seed stone¡ªan unassuming yet crucial artifact that not only preserved life in this cave but also symbolized the enduring legacy of the Celestial Fang race. Its presence was a constant reminder that even in a world dominated by elemental fury and ancient power, delicate balances still existed.

    Despite the physical challenges and the mental strain of enduring such pressures, Arya pressed on. The beast''s steady companionship, both reassuring and enigmatic, fueled his determination. Together, they navigated the winding paths, each gate marking a new chapter in their perilous journey¡ªa journey that was as much about discovering the hidden secrets of the world as it was about honing his strength and mastering the art of cultivation.

    Before long, as the cave passages gave way to the threshold of the next phase of their quest, Arya''s mind was abuzz with thoughts of the promised gift. He wondered what form it would take and what conditions might be attached. Yet, amid all his questions and doubts, one thing was clear: every step he took was drawing him closer to a destiny that was both awe-inspiring and fraught with danger.

    In the silent moments between footsteps and whispered words of encouragement from his spirit beast, Arya felt the weight of his journey and the legacy of his people. The challenges ahead were daunting, but so were the opportunities¡ªa reminder that every hardship in Dreadfall Forest was ultimately a stepping stone toward something greater. And with each gate passed, the promise of power, recognition, and the chance to change his fate grew ever nearer.

 Chapter 78: Tidal Frost Academy The Calm Before the Storm

    Tidal Frost Academy, one of the only two top-grade academies in the Asur Water Continent, stood as a pillar of strength, its influence rivaling even that of the royal family. Yet, despite their prestige, neither of the two academies dared to challenge the authority of Sage Alucard, the continent''s most formidable figure. His sheer presence ensured that no institution, no matter how powerful, ever sought to rise beyond their place.

    Like every other academy in the continent, Tidal Frost Academy was buzzing with excitement as discussions about the upcoming Champion Battle filled the air. This tournament, held once every three years, was the grandest competition for young cultivators across the continent. But this time, the atmosphere was even more intense¡ªbecause the strongest man in the continent had taken an interest in it.

    The academy''s grand courtyard was packed with students, most of them discussing the tournament or watching sparring matches between competitors. The clashing sounds of weapons, bursts of elemental energy, and the excited chatter of students created a lively yet tense atmosphere.

    In one section of the courtyard, a group of four stood watching a sparring match taking place in the arena ahead.

    A young man in his early twenties¡ªMark¡ªleaned slightly toward his companion, his sharp gaze never leaving the fighters in the ring. Standing at six feet tall, he had a lanky frame, but his posture carried confidence. With his arms crossed, he suddenly turned to his teammate and asked,

    "Sorin, do you think there''s any team capable of defeating us?"

    Sorin, who stood beside him, remained silent for a moment, his piercing eyes fixed on the match in front of him. He was of the same age as Mark, yet his presence felt heavier, more composed. Without shifting his gaze, he finally responded,

    "Don''t underestimate your opponents. Haven''t you heard the saying? ''The moment you think you''re unbeatable is the moment you start losing.'' Just because we have a strong team doesn''t mean others won''t. Every academy will send their elite cultivators¡ªwe''re not the only ones aiming for first place."

    Mark frowned slightly but nodded. "You''re right, Brother Sorin. But aside from the Ice Witch of our academy and that duo from Frostwater Academy, I don''t think any other mid-grade academy has the strength to compete with us for the first-rank position."

    Before Sorin could respond, a melodious voice chimed in from behind them.

    "You''re underestimating the competition again, Mark."

    Both young men turned their heads to see Dessy, a stunning young woman with striking features and a confident smirk. Her long, silvery-blue hair cascaded down her back, swaying slightly in the gentle breeze.

    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Sorin finally shifted his attention to her, tilting his head slightly.

    "Your thinking is flawed as well, Dessy." His voice was calm but firm. "From the outside, it might seem like there are only three real threats¡ªus, the Ice Witch, and Frostwater Academy''s duo. But when the competition begins, hidden opponents will reveal themselves. Just because we haven''t heard of them doesn''t mean they don''t exist."

    He crossed his arms, his sharp eyes glinting with seriousness. "That being said, with our current strength, we still have a high chance of winning."

    From Sorin''s other side, another voice entered the conversation¡ªthis one carrying a sense of youthful sharpness.

    "But this time, things feel different."

    The speaker was Rhona, the youngest among them. Though still in her late teens, she carried herself with the confidence of someone far beyond her years. Her deep, ocean-blue eyes held a thoughtful expression.

    "This competition seems more¡­ intense," she continued. "Even Lord Nyxaris Velmora from the Invincible Heaven Continent has shown interest in it. Someone of his caliber paying attention to our tournament is¡­ unusual."

    A moment of silence followed as the weight of her words settled over the group. Lord Nyxaris Velmora wasn''t just any powerful figure¡ªhe was a legendary cultivator, a being who stood at the pinnacle of human strength. His involvement in a youth competition was as bizarre as a king personally overseeing a street brawl.

    Sorin''s expression darkened slightly as he nodded. "You''re right, Rhona. That''s exactly why I said this year''s competition is different. It''s not common for a figure like Nyxaris Velmora to take interest in a youth tournament without a reason."

    He glanced at his teammates before continuing. "I''ve heard a few things from the Headmaster as well."

    At his words, all three of them immediately perked up. Even Dessy, who often acted disinterested, showed clear curiosity. Seeing their anticipation, Sorin elaborated.

    "The Headmaster said that the most powerful cultivators of the human race have been acting strangely¡ªtense, as if something is weighing on them. The very forces of nature seem to be shifting, and yet, instead of addressing the problem, Nyxaris Velmora has chosen to observe our competition. When the other powerhouses heard about his interest, they were just as confused."

    Dessy furrowed her brows. "That¡­ does sound strange."

    Mark crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful. "So what does the Headmaster think? Does he have any idea why Lord Velmora is doing this?"

    Sorin exhaled, shaking his head. "No. But he did say one thing: ''If a being at the peak of cultivation suddenly turns his gaze toward a group of younglings, then it''s because something important is about to happen.''"

    A heavy silence fell over the group as they absorbed his words.

    What could possibly be so special about this tournament that it drew the attention of someone like Nyxaris Velmora?

    Suddenly, Sorin''s gaze sharpened. "Wait¡ªwhere is Sam?"

    Dessy, momentarily pulled from her thoughts, blinked before replying. "He said he preferred training over watching these sparring matches. He''s at the training grounds."

    Sorin sighed, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "That guy is becoming a cultivation maniac¡­ but that''s not a bad thing." He turned, stretching his arms. "We should follow his example. Let''s go train as well."

    "No, Captain! Not you too!" Dessy groaned, exasperated.

    "Yes, Brother! We already train twice a day¡ªpushing too hard might do more harm than good!" Mark added quickly.

    But Sorin was already walking away. With no choice left, the rest of the team reluctantly followed.

    As they left, many students turned their heads to watch. Even some instructors, who had been observing the matches, took note. After all, this was one of the two strongest teams in the academy¡ªa group that naturally drew attention wherever they went.

    Among the spectators, debates erupted.

    "I''m confident that Senior Sorin and his team will win the championship for our academy this year."

    Another student shook their head. "I support Senior Sister Freya''s team. They have just as much of a chance."

    "But don''t forget the duo from Frostwater Academy. I think they''re our biggest threat."

    "No way. Our academy still has a higher chance of winning than Frostwater Academy."

    As the debates continued, the tournament date steadily approached.

    With it, the anticipation for a grand clash between the younger generation grew stronger.

    This year''s Champion Battle was destined to be unlike any other.

 Chapter 79: The Seventh Caveâ€™s Trial and the Path Ahead

    As much as Arya was eager to reach the Eighth Cave and uncover whatever lay within, the overwhelming pressure inside the Seventh Cave made every step forward an immense struggle. Even with the little beast aiding him¡ªits limited power offering what support it could¡ªthe force resisting them was almost unbearable. It felt as though a colossal hand was pressing against him, determined to hurl him back to where he came from.

    Yet, Arya refused to back down. He had made it this far, and he knew that something vital¡ªsomething that could elevate his strength¡ªawaited him beyond this trial. This knowledge only strengthened his determination to push forward.

    Just as he focused on advancing, a soft, melancholic voice reached his ears. It came from his right shoulder, where the beast was perched. Its tone carried an unfamiliar hint of sorrow, causing Arya to glance back at its face in curiosity.

    However, when he looked, there was no visible change in its expression.

    "What?" The beast asked, noticing Arya''s gaze.

    "I was just wondering why you suddenly sounded so emotional. We''re nearly at the end of this cave, after all."

    The little creature remained silent for a moment before speaking again.

    "The thing inside the Eighth Cave¡­ it was close to me for a long time. In fact, you could say it was the only thing that ever felt close to me."

    Arya''s brows furrowed slightly. "That doesn''t sound like an object. It sounds more like¡­ a living being."

    He had a bad feeling about what awaited him in the next cave.

    The beast let out a small sigh. "You don''t need to concern yourself with that right now. Your focus should be on moving forward. The faster you reach it, the sooner you''ll obtain its power and grow stronger. At the very least, that will make you a slightly bigger ant¡ªwhich means I''ll finally have a little more room inside you to breathe and stretch."

    It smirked slightly before adding, "And once you reach level 31 and obtain your third Seed Stone, I''ll be able to unlock more of my sealed strength. When you use Spirit Possession, you''ll gain even more of my power."

    Arya''s eyes lit up. "Speaking of which, I just realized¡ªI haven''t properly tested how much stronger I''ve become after using Spirit Possession with you."

    The beast chuckled. "You actually have¡­ but you passed out before you could even feel it. I used a bit more strength than you could handle because you were so eager to see my true form. Have you already forgotten?"

    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Arya scoffed. "That doesn''t count. I wasn''t ready back then. Anyway, I was thinking of setting up camp early today. That way, I can recover fully and push straight for the Eighth Cave tomorrow. It''ll also give me time to test how much stronger I''ve become with Spirit Possession."

    But the beast immediately shot down his idea.

    "I wouldn''t recommend experimenting with Spirit Possession right now. Without a proper opponent, you won''t be able to measure its true strength. On top of that, using my power will drain you faster than you expect. I''ve already limited my strength to match your body''s maximum tolerance."

    Arya narrowed his eyes. "So you''re saying I can''t use Spirit Possession for long?"

    "There''s no fixed limit," the beast replied. "It all depends on how much of my strength you can endure. My power is incredibly heavy for you, so the longer you stay in Spirit Possession, the more pressure you''ll feel. Over time, that pressure will become unbearable."

    It paused before adding, "However, if you value endurance over raw power, I can adjust my strength to match your tolerance. This will allow you to use Spirit Possession for a longer duration without exhausting yourself. But¡­ the trade-off is that your strength will drop significantly. Instead of wielding the power of a high-rank spirit, you''ll only have the strength of a low-tier spirit¡ªabout equal to a First-Rank Beast."

    Arya frowned. "But before, even with your power sealed, I was already receiving the strength of a peak Second-Rank Beast."

    "Exactly," the beast confirmed. "You have to choose: Do you want overwhelming power for a short time, or do you want sustained but weaker strength?"

    Then, it added with a smirk, "Oh, and don''t expect me to adjust my strength often. It''s a complicated process, even for me."

    Arya thought for a moment. "How long can I use your full power without feeling pressured?"

    The beast tilted its head. "It''s hard to say. No one can accurately measure another person''s limits. But based on my observations, you should be able to last about five minutes without feeling too much strain. It could be a bit less¡ªmaybe two or three minutes¡ªor it could be more, depending on how well you adapt."

    "And if I push beyond my limit?" Arya asked.

    The beast''s voice turned serious. "If you force yourself to continue past your limit, you''ll last about ten to twelve minutes at most. But after that¡­" It narrowed its glowing eyes. "You''ll collapse. And if that happens in battle, you don''t need me to tell you what comes next."

    Arya nodded thoughtfully. "Still, six to ten minutes is a good range. Strength is more important to me than endurance, so don''t adjust your power. I''d rather have raw strength for a shorter time than drag things out with weaker abilities."

    The beast let out an amused hum. "Your choice. But if you want to increase the duration of Spirit Possession, there are ways to do it."

    Arya''s ears perked up. "How?"

    "Your current training already helps," the beast explained. "Becoming more familiar with my strength and my aura''s pressure will gradually increase your tolerance. The more accustomed you become, the longer you''ll last in Spirit Possession."

    Then, after a brief pause, it added, "And there''s something else¡ªyou can also train your mental strength. The stronger your mind, the better you''ll be able to withstand my power."

    Arya frowned. "Mental strength? Is there even a way to train something like that? I''ve never heard of it before."

    The beast scoffed. "Of course you haven''t. You humans barely live long enough to grasp such things. You may be smart, but you''re also¡­ fragile."

    Arya rolled his eyes at the jab, but the beast continued.

    "For powerful beasts like me, mental training becomes essential after reaching a certain level of strength. It not only sharpens our intelligence but also fortifies our willpower." It then looked at Arya with a hint of amusement. "But you humans are born with intelligence, so I doubt you have any formal training methods for mental strength."

    Arya remained silent, processing this information.

    Then, the beast''s voice softened slightly, as if reminiscing about something distant. "One thing is certain¡ªany being that wishes to reach the true apex of cultivation must have both physical and mental strength. Without both, they will never stand at the peak."

    There was pride in its voice¡­ but also a trace of longing.

    Arya noticed this but chose not to comment on it. Instead, he clenched his fists.

    "Then I''ll find a way to train my mind as well."

    The beast smirked. "We''ll see how far you go, little human."

    With that, Arya took a deep breath, steadied himself, and prepared to continue forward¡ªtoward the unknown challenge that awaited him in the Eighth Cave.

 Chapter 80: The Weight of the Seventh Cave and a Beastâ€™s Past

    Halfway through the Seventh Cave, the pressure Arya felt became almost unbearable. Every step forward drained him, and he had already burned through most of his elemental energy just trying to push ahead. Yet, despite his efforts, the path only seemed to grow more difficult.

    He came to a halt, his legs trembling as he struggled to keep himself standing. With a sigh, he dropped onto the barren ground, exhausted. Even with the little beast assisting him, the sheer force pressing down on him made it impossible to set up camp or prepare food. Just lifting a hand felt like a battle. Anything that required additional effort would only waste what little strength he had left.

    For tonight, he had no choice but to sit where he was, regaining his energy while relying on dried meat to satisfy his hunger.

    The beast on his shoulder let out a hum. "Well, it''s normal... considering where we''re headed. What you''re feeling now is just the beginning. The real pressure will start once you reach the Seventh Cave''s gate. From that point on, with your current strength, even breathing will become impossible without my help."

    Arya''s expression darkened. "Even the elite cultivators who can use dual elements¡­ they wouldn''t stand a chance either?"

    "Stand a chance?" The beast let out a mocking chuckle. "They wouldn''t even be able to take a single step inside the Eighth Cave without me assisting them. The only ones who could force their way in are those cultivators you call Rankers."

    Arya clenched his fists. "Is it really that hard to enter the Eighth Cave? What makes it so special? Is it because of the thing we''re after?"

    The beast remained silent for a moment before replying. "Yes¡­ that''s¡­"

    It hesitated, then glanced at Arya''s face, its glowing eyes flickering as if recalling something from long ago. "I think it''s time I tell you. We''re almost at our destination, and while I''m not the best storyteller, I''ll keep it short. Try to understand what I''m saying."

    "This story begins with two best friends. They were known for their unbreakable bond and great strength, and as their reputation grew, so did the admiration of those around them. But with admiration also came envy.

    The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    Their leader, the one who stood at the top, began to see them as a threat. He feared that if they continued growing at this rate, his position would no longer be secure. And so, jealousy turned into paranoia. He convinced himself that to ensure his rule remained unchallenged, he had to act before it was too late.

    But breaking their bond wouldn''t be easy. These two friends were not only strong but also loyal. A direct confrontation would never work¡ªif they stood together, they could overpower him and his supporters with ease.

    So he waited.

    And when the opportunity arose¡ªwhen the two were separated¡ªhe struck.

    One of the friends was surrounded and killed. And to prevent any future retaliation, the leader turned his sights on the surviving one.

    But that survivor¡­ was me.

    I managed to uncover their plot just in time and escaped unharmed. But in the end, it didn''t matter. That leader had already won. And in this world, the winner is always right. I had no choice but to flee."

    Arya listened, his thoughts tangled with emotions. He hadn''t expected this little beast, who always seemed so carefree, to have endured something so painful.

    "So that''s why you were wandering around the outskirts of Dreadfall Forest when we first met?" he finally asked.

    The beast nodded. "Yes. When I first saw you, I was going to ignore you¡­ but then I noticed something interesting¡ªyour two elements. That gave me a bit of hope."

    Arya frowned. "So¡­ our bond wasn''t accidental, was it?"

    "No," the beast admitted. "But not in the way you think. Originally, my plan was to help you grow stronger so that one day, you could help me. After all, you humans increase your strength quickly, much faster than us. But your lifespan is also short¡­ so I figured it was a fair trade."

    It let out a small sigh. "But then¡­ that accident happened, and now we''re bound in this state."

    Arya narrowed his eyes. "And the thing inside the Eighth Cave¡­ it''s connected to this story, isn''t it?"

    The beast''s glowing eyes flickered. "Yes. What I want from you in the future¡­ and the thing inside that cave¡­ they''re linked."

    Then, instead of explaining further, it smirked.

    "But rather than tell you now, I''ll let you witness it yourself. We''re only a few steps away. I wouldn''t want to ruin your curiosity by spoiling the surprise."

    Arya groaned in frustration. "Not again! You always do this¡ªalways stopping just when I''m about to get the real answer!"

    The beast chuckled, amused by his reaction.

    Still, Arya couldn''t stop thinking about what he had learned. He glanced at the beast on his shoulder. "From your story, I can tell that you and your friend were incredibly strong. You were also well-known among your people. That means¡­ the leader you mentioned must have been even stronger. So tell me, just how powerful is he now?"

    The beast''s smirk faded. "All I can say is¡­ I still wouldn''t be able to defeat him in a one-on-one fight."

    Arya fell into deep thought.

    His goals were already massive¡ªhelping his clan reclaim its position, settling debts with those who had forced them into decline, and surviving in this dangerous world.

    But now, another responsibility had been added to his path¡ªhelping this beast reclaim what was stolen from it.

    He took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts aside for now. Right now, there was only one thing he needed to focus on¡ªgetting stronger. Because in the end, no matter how many enemies stood in his way, no matter how impossible the path ahead seemed, strength was the only answer.

    With that determination burning in his chest, he closed his eyes, allowing exhaustion to take over as he prepared himself for what lay beyond the Seventh Cave.

 Chapter 81: "Threshold of the Eighth Cave"

    As the morning approached and the sun rose outside, Arya opened his eyes, ending his meditation. He hadn''t slept at all¡ªnot in this place, not under this unbearable aura pressure that filled every inch of the cave. Sleeping here would have been impossible. Instead, he had chosen to cultivate through the night, using every moment to refine his energy and sharpen his mind.

    The moment he was fully awake, he pushed himself to his feet. There was no time to waste. He had already spent nearly ten days inside this cave, and the longer he stayed, the more restless he became. It wasn''t just the cave''s pressure¡ªit was the fact that it had almost been a month since he left his village with Kane. Others who had begun their journey with him had already reached their academies, where they were improving their cultivation at an accelerated pace, receiving constant resources and guidance.

    Arya knew that his journey hadn''t been without gains. He had encountered valuable opportunities, and his cultivation had advanced by one full level in this short period. For most, this would be an incredible achievement¡ªbut for those in academies, who had access to endless resources, it was barely average.

    And that was why he was so eager to reach the Eighth Cave. Whatever this small beast¡ªFang, as it called itself¡ªhad planned for him there, it was supposed to increase his strength drastically.

    With that thought pushing him forward, he resumed his journey.

    Fang had already reduced some of the aura pressure for him, which was the only reason he was even able to stand and walk. Yet, as he moved toward the Seventh Gate''s exit, the pressure intensified with every step.

    The exit was now visible in the distance, but reaching it was an entirely different challenge. Every inch forward felt like dragging a mountain along with him. His movements slowed to a snail''s pace, like an old man walking with the help of a cane.

    Had this been the Sixth Cave, he would have reached the gate in five minutes at most. But here, he had already been walking for an hour, yet when he looked ahead, the exit seemed just as far as before, as if he had barely moved at all.

    A curse slipped past his lips. "Damn it¡­" Frustrated, he turned to Fang. "Tell me I''m not trapped in some kind of hallucination or spatial lock that''s keeping me in place."

    But the beast''s response was simple. "No, you''re moving forward¡­ just very, very slowly."

    Arya let out a breath, nodding. "Alright. If anything unusual happens, let me know." He gritted his teeth and kept walking, even as his body felt like it was on the verge of collapse.

    If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Hours passed, and the struggle continued.

    It wasn''t until 4 PM that he finally reached the Seventh Gate''s exit. But by then, his legs had turned to jelly, trembling even as he stood still. His muscles refused to respond, and his breath came in ragged gasps. The exhaustion was beyond anything he had ever felt. His body shook involuntarily, a clear sign that he had pushed himself to the absolute limit.

    But despite his drained state, his eyes remained fixed ahead¡ªon the Eighth Cave''s gate.

    Unlike the previous gates, where he could clearly see into the next area, this gate was completely blocked by a black-colored energy wall. It was a strange sight¡ªthe wall looked fragile, almost like a thin sheet of mist. But Arya knew better.

    Nothing here was as it seemed.

    If even Level 50 cultivators couldn''t reach this point, then a mere energy wall wouldn''t be so simple.

    "What is that?" Arya finally asked, his voice hoarse. "How am I supposed to go in? Is that thing even safe?"

    Fang, as usual, answered with a chuckle. "I wouldn''t advise you to step inside in your current state. And no, it''s not safe at all. But only for others. I''m the one who placed it here."

    Arya blinked in surprise. "You created this barrier?"

    "Yep," Fang replied casually. "I made it when I left that place. It was meant to protect what''s inside¡­ and to reduce the aura pressure beyond this point. Hehe."

    Arya''s expression hardened. "Wait¡­ you''re saying that even with your help, the pressure I''m feeling now is already weakened?"

    "Exactly," Fang confirmed. "The true pressure is on the other side. You''ll find out soon enough."

    Hearing this, Arya no longer wasted time on questions. He sat down immediately, closing his eyes to recover his strength.

    Fang was right¡ªhe needed to be in peak condition before stepping inside.

    Normally, it would have taken him an hour to fully recover. But the harsh environment of this place made everything more difficult. In the end, he had to spend almost two full hours just to restore his energy to its peak.

    Once he felt his strength fully return, Arya stood up, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. He exhaled sharply. "Alright. Now should I head in?"

    Fang''s tone grew serious. "Yes. But be careful. The moment you step inside, the entire environment will shift. Be prepared."

    With those final words, the beast fell silent.

    Arya took a deep breath, then reached out to touch the black energy wall.

    The moment his hand made contact, the area around his fingers changed color, shifting from black to red. Suddenly, a thread of red energy surged forward, flowing into his body.

    His instincts screamed at him to stop, but before he could react, the energy rushed out just as quickly as it had entered.

    Arya narrowed his eyes. He could already guess why¡ªit was because of Fang.

    With the barrier now allowing his passage, his hand easily slipped through the wall, feeling like he was passing through a layer of water.

    Steeling himself, he took a step forward¡ªand entered the Eighth Cave.

    The moment he crossed the threshold, a thunderous roar erupted, shaking the entire space. It was a roar unlike anything he had ever heard¡ªa sound that pierced through his very soul.

    Arya''s ears rang violently, and before he could even brace himself, a crushing force slammed into him, pinning him to the ground.

    It was as if an entire mountain had collapsed on his back. His bones groaned under the sheer weight, and in a split second, his vision blurred. His consciousness teetered on the edge of fading completely.

    He was about to black out.

    But just before his mind could slip away, another roar sounded¡ªthis one coming from inside him.

    It was Fang.

    And unlike before, this roar wasn''t restrained.

    The moment it echoed through his body, the suffocating pressure was repelled, as if an invisible force had shoved it away.

    Arya gasped, his vision clearing in an instant. Just moments ago, he had been on the brink of collapse, but now¡ªhe had been snatched back from the abyss.

    His heartbeat pounded in his ears as realization hit him.

    Whatever was inside this cave¡­ was far beyond anything he had ever encountered.

 Chapter 82: The Slumbering Titan

    As Arya''s consciousness slowly returned, he took a deep breath and observed his surroundings. A shiver ran down his spine as he realized that the environment had changed once again¡ªthis was now the third transformation he had witnessed within the cave.

    What stretched before him was a narrow, rocky path, just wide enough for three people to walk side by side. The ground beneath him had the appearance of volcanic stone, dark and cracked, as if magma had once flowed through it. A strange warmth filled the air, making it slightly uncomfortable, but as a fire-element cultivator, Arya found that he could tolerate it better than most. Still, something about this place felt wrong.

    Beyond the path, everything was engulfed in impenetrable darkness, a void so deep that even his enhanced vision couldn''t pierce through it. The contrast between the glowing embers within the volcanic stones and the eerie blackness surrounding them sent an unsettling feeling through Arya''s heart. He tried to peer into the darkness, but it was like staring into nothingness¡ªit absorbed all light, leaving only an abyss of unknown dangers.

    A sense of unease crept over him. "What is wrong with this place, little guy? I have a bad feeling about it," Arya muttered, gripping his fists tightly as if that alone could suppress the discomfort growing inside him.

    Fang, the small beast residing within him, remained silent. That only made Arya more alert. If this creature¡ªwho usually loved to speak in riddles¡ªwasn''t saying anything, then that meant there was something truly unusual about this place.

    After a brief pause, Arya spoke again, trying a different approach. "Is the road ahead safe? We have to follow it, right?"

    This time, the beast responded with a slight nod. That was enough for Arya. He chose to ignore his unease, pushing forward with steady steps.

    However, after walking for about ten to twelve seconds, Fang suddenly broke the silence with a question of its own.

    "What would you think if I told you that the road you are walking on right now is not actually a road?"

    Arya frowned. "Not a road? What do you mean?"

    Fang let out a small chuckle. "I mean exactly what I said."

    "You mean¡­ it''s man-made?" Arya asked, trying to make sense of what the beast was hinting at.

    "No, I mean this isn''t a road at all. It''s actually¡­"

    The beast abruptly stopped speaking, cutting itself off.

    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Arya sighed in frustration. "Finish your sentence! You always do this¡ªstop making everything suspenseful."

    Instead of replying immediately, Fang asked another question. "Do you remember the story I told you last night about my past?"

    Arya nodded. "Yes, I remember it clearly. Why?"

    "You remember that my best friend¡ªthe one who was like a blood brother to me¡ªwas ambushed and killed while I managed to escape, right?"

    "Yes¡­ but you don''t have to dwell on that. There''s nothing wrong with retreating when defeat is inevitable," Arya said, trying to console it.

    But Fang shook its head. "I''m not telling you this because of guilt. I''m telling you this because I didn''t reveal the full story."

    Arya narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

    "When I fled that day, I didn''t leave my friend''s body behind in their hands. Even while retreating, I took his body with me. I refused to let it become food or an energy source for those traitors."

    Arya''s expression grew serious as he listened.

    Fang continued, "After escaping, I brought his body here¡­ to this very place."

    Arya''s heart skipped a beat as realization began to dawn on him. He slowly looked down at the rocky path beneath his feet, his breath hitching.

    "And the road you are currently walking on," Fang said, pausing for effect, "is actually his body."

    Arya''s legs nearly gave out beneath him. His throat ran dry, and he found himself struggling to form words. "T-This¡­ this path is¡­ a beast''s body?" he stammered.

    The road stretched endlessly into the distance, with no end in sight. If this was truly a body, then the sheer size of it was incomprehensible. How could a single creature be this enormous?

    Fang smirked at his reaction. "You still haven''t seen my full form, little guy. The body you saw before was just a fraction of my true strength¡ªabout ten percent, to be exact. If I revealed my full power, I would be as large as this."

    Arya gulped. The idea of Fang being this massive was hard to comprehend. But now, his mind was flooded with even more pressing questions. "So¡­ what are we supposed to do here? Why did you bring me to this place?"

    Fang''s tone became serious again. "It''s simple. We''re here to collect the energy source from my friend''s body. That''s what has been causing this place to remain in its current state."

    Arya frowned. "Energy source? What do you mean?"

    Fang let out a knowing chuckle. "The energy source I''m talking about is something you humans call Seed Stones."

    Arya''s eyes widened. "Seed Stones?"

    "Exactly. And there''s something else," Fang continued. "The beast''s blood¡ªit will be extremely useful to you. You''ve already seen how beneficial beasts blood is for your cultivation, haven''t you?"

    Arya nodded, deep in thought. The beast''s blood had already helped him grow stronger at an incredible rate. If this massive beast''s blood was even stronger¡­

    "Then we''ll still have a bit of it left to use," Fang added. "However, it''s so powerful that even a single drop is too much for you to absorb at once. I''ll assist you in refining it."

    Arya snapped out of his thoughts. "Wait¡­ you''re saying I''m going to absorb this beast''s blood?"

    Fang nodded.

    Arya''s mind raced with possibilities. If a single drop of this blood contained such immense power, then how much would just one or two drops be worth on the market? With that kind of wealth, he could afford to buy his third or even fourth Seed¡ªmaybe even one of rare grade!

    But before he could continue daydreaming, Fang shook its head. "You''re thinking too far ahead. And you''re not considering the consequences."

    Arya blinked. "What do you mean?"

    "I won''t stop you if you want to sell it," Fang said plainly. "But understand this¡ªif you even attempt to sell a single drop, you will be dead within a day. Even I won''t be able to protect you from what follows."

    Arya felt a chill run through his body.

    "This blood is filled with my friend''s remaining energy. It has matured into a top-grade treasure¡ªsomething even Rankers would kill for. The moment you expose it, you''ll become a target. And trust me, you won''t even realize how you died."

    Arya swallowed hard, his excitement fading. He cursed himself for getting blinded by greed, completely ignoring the dangers that came with it.

    The beast gave a satisfied nod. "Good. Even consuming a single drop will take you months to refine. Store it carefully after collecting the blood, and don''t let anyone know about it. Remember, sometimes wealth is more dangerous than poverty."

    Arya exhaled slowly, calming his thoughts. He had learned an important lesson¡ªtrue power wasn''t just about obtaining treasures but also about knowing when to keep them hidden.

    He clenched his fists, determination burning in his eyes. First, he would take what was rightfully his. Then, he would use it to become strong enough to survive in this ruthless world.

 Chapter 83: "The Royal Decree"

    A well-built man with a muscular physique walked with hurried steps toward a majestic-looking room. The long corridors of the royal palace were adorned with intricate carvings, golden embellishments, and large banners bearing the insignia of the royal family. Despite his strong frame, his anxious steps betrayed the urgency of his task.

    Upon reaching the door, he took a deep breath, composed himself, and bowed deeply before knocking. "My lord, may I enter?"

    From inside, a young yet commanding voice, filled with authority, answered. "Come in."

    As the man stepped inside, he was immediately met with the sight of an elegant yet formidable young man seated behind an ornate desk, deeply engrossed in reading a document. The room itself reflected the stature of its occupant¡ªlavish yet not overly extravagant. The large windows let in rays of golden sunlight, illuminating bookshelves lined with ancient tomes and neatly stacked scrolls.

    The young lord continued scanning the document in his hand, not even glancing up. The man, showing utmost respect, bowed again and spoke.

    "My lord, the information you asked me to verify is correct. The elders have declared that, this time, the royal family will also send a team of young cultivators to compete for the championship in the upcoming competition."

    The young lord remained focused on the parchment, his sharp eyes absorbing every detail. Without looking up, he asked, "What was my father''s reaction to the elders'' decision?"

    The messenger hesitated for a moment before answering, "Umm... actually, my lord, this decision was already approved by Sage Alucard himself. The elders merely announced it afterward."

    At this, the young lord finally set down the paper, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the wooden surface. His gaze, now piercing, locked onto the man before him. "Father has taken such an interest in this competition¡­ Is it because Nyxaris Velmora has shown interest in it, or is there another reason?" he murmured to himself.

    The man lowered his head slightly. "I do not know, my lord, but I believe the situation is more complicated than we assume."

    The young lord leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Only two academies are capable of competing with our royal house and its participants¡­" His eyes flickered as he recalled past tournaments, then he continued, "Oh, I almost forgot to ask. Has our team been decided yet?"

    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    "Yes, my lord," the man confirmed with a nod. "You have been chosen as the leader of our royal team."

    A smirk appeared on the young lord''s lips, a glint of confidence shining in his eyes. "As expected. And who are the other members?"

    The man cleared his throat before replying, "Besides you, two young lords and two young ladies will also participate. As for the final member, the elders have yet to decide. They plan to select a suitable candidate soon."

    He hesitated momentarily before continuing, "Young Lord Selis declined the opportunity. He is forming an independent team to participate in the competition. The youngest lord is still too young to qualify for this year''s event."

    The young lord''s smirk faded slightly, replaced by mild curiosity. "Selis wants to compete independently? And Father approved of this?"

    The man sighed. "My lord, you know Lord Selis'' nature. Once he makes up his mind, no one¡ªnot even the Sage himself¡ªcan change it. He has never cared for the fame that comes with our family name."

    The young lord exhaled sharply and muttered, "Hmph. There is always one rebellious member in the family, isn''t there?"

    A brief silence stretched between them before the man straightened again. "My lord, I also bring a message from the Sage himself."

    The young lord raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Father has something to say to me? What is it?"

    "He wishes for you to persuade Lord Selis to join your team for the upcoming tournament."

    For a fleeting moment, dissatisfaction flickered across the young lord''s face, but he quickly regained his usual calm expression. His fingers tapped the desk lightly as he muttered, "Why is Father always so fixated on him? Just because he inherited the same Seed Weapon as him?"

    After a moment of thought, he shifted his focus. "What is our little sister, Princess Serlin, doing right now?"

    "I assume she is in her chambers, my lord," the man replied.

    The young lord''s smirk returned, this time tinged with amusement. "Summon her. To persuade Selis, we will need her help. She admires him, after all."

    The man nodded swiftly. "Understood, my lord. I will inform Lady Serlin of your request."

    Before leaving, the man hesitated for a moment and asked, "Is there anything else, my lord?"

    The young lord waved a hand dismissively. "No, you may leave."

    With a final bow, the man exited the room, his footsteps fading down the long corridor.

    Left alone, the young lord leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes scanning the paper once more. "What is so special about this competition? Wouldn''t it be akin to bullying those academy brats if we participate?" He exhaled, tapping his fingers against the desk. "Only one or two teams seem strong enough to challenge us. We must be prepared to ensure our victory."

    With that, he set aside the paper and began reviewing another document, his mind already strategizing the upcoming event.

    Meanwhile, deep within a forest, a figure concealed behind the trees observed a team making their way toward the city. His sharp gaze followed them as they disappeared into the distance, his expression shadowed with frustration.

    "Damn it. Just where is this ant hiding?" he muttered under his breath. His grip tightened on the tree bark beside him. "Don''t tell me he already left the forest by taking another route through a different city gate. That path is both dangerous and long¡ªeven for someone like me."

    He clenched his fists. "Why hasn''t he shown up yet?"

    The wind rustled through the leaves as he narrowed his eyes, his thoughts growing darker. "I refuse to believe he escaped from me. I''ll wait here for an entire month if necessary. If he still doesn''t show up¡­ then I''ll deal with those guys from Finlet Academy first and resume my search for him later."

    His cold gaze lingered on the distant road before he slowly retreated into the shadows, blending seamlessly with the forest.

    For now, he would wait.

 Chapter 84: "The Energy Source"

    A voice sounded in the darkness as Arya, who was currently inside the eighth cave, asked, "What about the energy source? What will you do by collecting it? You don''t have a physical body, so it''s of no use to you, right?"

    The beast replied, "Of course, I am not going to take it for myself, but it is for you. Isn''t that obvious? That is the thing I am giving you so that you will accept my request when you are strong enough. Don''t tell me you thought I brought you here just because of those few drops of blood."

    Arya frowned. "That''s for me, but isn''t it a high-level beast''s energy source? That means it must be of a high rank, right?"

    The beast chuckled. "I know what you''re trying to say, but don''t worry. You won''t be absorbing it at Level 30 or 40. I will store it inside my space so that you can absorb it when you are ready. From what I can see, you are also balancing your two elements, which is good and necessary. By the order of your Seed Stone, you need to wait until you reach Level 50 or even 70 before you can think about having it."

    Arya''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Level 50 or 70¡­ That means the energy source¡ªor the Seed Stone of this ''brother'' of yours¡ªmust be of quite high quality, right?"

    The beast smirked. "Of course."

    Trying his luck, Arya asked again. "How high? Can you tell?"

    The beast looked at his curious expression and gave him an amused smile. "You will know when we reach the location and retrieve it."

    Arya sighed. "I knew it¡­" Looking ahead, he muttered to himself, "I knew I would get this answer if I showed too much interest and asked."

    He then inquired, "So we have to follow the path from its legs to its chest area?"

    "Yes." The beast confirmed.

    "And how far is it in minutes? Is there anything I need to be cautious about?" Arya continued.

    The beast thought for a moment before answering. "Well¡­ I wouldn''t say you don''t have to be cautious at all. Normally, following this path would take around ten minutes. But with your current speed, it will take about ten hours. Once you reach the chest area, we''ll retrieve both of our things. However, in the middle of this path, you will encounter a dreadful creature. It is terrifying, and if you have a weak heart, you could die. But it has no attacking power itself. That thing was created from this body''s power. That''s all I know."

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Arya''s expression turned serious. "Oh¡­ A terrifying beast, like a horror creature that uses illusions or mind attacks as its weapon?"

    The beast watched Arya''s serious face, then unexpectedly smiled and chuckled. "Yes, something like that."

    Seeing the beast smile, Arya frowned. "Is there something on my face? Why are you smiling for no reason?"

    The beast simply shook its head. "Nothing, I just remembered something funny and couldn''t help but smile."

    Arya sighed. "Whatever." He gave up trying to figure out the reason for the beast''s amusement and stepped forward.

    The moment he took his first step onto the volcanic path¡ªwhich was actually a beast''s leg¡ªthe previous oppressive aura returned. It had disappeared when the double beast roar echoed at the gate, but as soon as he moved, the pressure was back. Thankfully, it was tolerable now, unlike before, when it had flattened him to the ground.

    As he walked, Arya''s mind wandered to another question¡ªone related to weapon masters and spirit possession. He decided to confirm it with the beast.

    "Hey¡­ Fang."

    The beast, still resting on his shoulder in spirit form, replied, "Yes?"

    Arya asked, "From what I''ve heard, spirit possession doesn''t provide direct skills to its user. Instead, it grants the beast''s physical strength and racial abilities, which makes it so powerful and unique. So, I was wondering¡­ what racial ability does your race have? Because I already know that you guys are absurdly strong¡ªeven when you were only using ten percent of your power."

    The beast hummed in thought. "Hmm¡­ Can''t use skills, yeah, that''s true. But since I am inside your body and can possess it anytime I want¡ª"

    Arya tensed slightly, but before he could say anything, the beast quickly added, "¡ªwhich I won''t do without asking you."

    It continued, "I can still use one or two of my skills before your body loses its strength. As for my racial ability¡­ I don''t remember our race having anything specific. The only thing I do remember is that we are famous for our rage. Humans consider us hot-blooded creatures because we get mad quickly¡ªand well, there is some truth to that."

    A sharp edge crept into the beast''s tone as it added, "Humans have given our race a nickname¡ª''Savage Beasts.'' And our leader¡­ they call him the ''Savage Titan.''"

    Arya raised an eyebrow. "Savage Titan¡­ quite a heavy-sounding name. And rage being an ability, huh¡­?"

    He muttered to himself as he walked. "There are quite a few skills that grant power in exchange for making the user lose control. It sounds similar, but since yours is an ability and not a skill, there must be a difference¡­"

    The beast scoffed. "Hmph. Don''t compare those lousy skills to our race''s ability. They are like the difference between earth and sky. And another thing¡ªwhen we go into a rage, we do become stronger and more savage, but we never lose our reasoning or our minds. Of course, if we intentionally wanted to lose control, that would be a different matter."

    Arya''s eyes gleamed with interest. "Oh¡­ Now that''s interesting. Getting stronger and more ferocious without losing your ability to think? That''s an incredibly powerful ability. No wonder your race is so strong. If you had a major weakness, humans would have exploited it long ago and wiped you out. But from what you''ve told me, your race is still feared and thriving. That means no one has been able to do that."

    The beast smirked. "Hah! Humans don''t have the guts or the strength to oppose any high-ranking beast race. We don''t even put human rankers in our eyes. Tell me, which high-race beast would find enjoyment in killing a bunch of ants?"

    A cold glint flashed in its eyes as it continued, "That''s why we don''t bother with them. But the lower-ranked beast races¡­ they gain immense benefits from eating human cultivators. Just like you humans gain power from devouring beast bloods and other things, they grow stronger by consuming human cultivators."

 Chapter 85: A Long Walk and a Terrifying Sight

    It had already been three hours since Arya started walking along the molten rocky path, shrouded in blinding darkness. As he moved forward, the oppressive aura surrounding him grew heavier, making each step more unbearable. At the same time, he had to remain vigilant¡ªthere was a terrifying beast lurking ahead, one that could appear at any moment.

    "Hey... why are you so silent? And when exactly is that beast going to show up? Is it near, or do we still have some distance to cover? And you''re absolutely sure that it doesn''t have any real attacking abilities, right?" Arya asked, trying to break the silence.

    "Hmm... Why are you suddenly so talkative?" Fang responded lazily. "And yes, I''m certain. That beast doesn''t have any actual offensive abilities¡ªits power lies only in its horrifying appearance."

    Whenever Arya got bored, he made it a habit to bother the little beast within him. Having a living, talking spirit inside him came with its own perks, and never being alone was one of them. He continued walking with slow yet cautious steps, not just because of the suppressive aura pressing down on him but also due to the lurking danger ahead.

    The entire cave was enshrouded in thick darkness, limiting his visibility. The deeper he went, the harder it became to make out his surroundings. He suspected this darkness was caused by Fang''s so-called ''brother''s'' energy source. Because of it, he could barely see a few feet ahead, making it nearly impossible to anticipate what lay in wait.

    After another hour of walking, Arya finally caught a glimpse of something¡ªan enormous shadow lingering in the distance. Though its form was unclear, just the sight of it sent a wave of alertness through his body. His instincts screamed that this was the creature he had been warned about.

    "Is that the beast?" Arya inquired, his tone cautious.

    "Seems like it," Fang replied, observing the distant silhouette. "But it''s still quite far away, so I can''t say for sure."

    "It''s still quite far... Is there any way to avoid encountering it?" Arya asked, hoping for an easy way out.

    "No, I don''t think so," Fang answered bluntly.

    Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    With no choice but to move forward, Arya proceeded with heightened awareness. Though a part of him was wary, another part was strangely curious. This was a completely new kind of creature¡ªone he had never even heard of before. He wanted to see it with his own eyes.

    As he advanced, the shadow grew larger, and soon, Arya found himself looking up¡ªfar up¡ªjust to take in the sheer size of the being before him. His heartbeat quickened. The confidence he had built up, reassured by Fang''s presence, wavered under the immense pressure of the beast''s presence.

    Still, he did not turn back. He believed Fang had no reason to lie¡ªif the beast truly had no offensive power, then he just needed to steel his mind and push forward. Holding his breath, he took the final steps.

    Just as he was about to get a clear view, Fang''s voice rang out again.

    "So much pressure... Just don''t get a heart attack and die. It would be quite the shame if you dropped dead here¡ªwhat a pathetic way to go," he remarked in a teasing tone.

    Arya ignored the sarcasm, choosing to focus on what lay ahead. Finally, his vision cleared, and he got a proper look at the beast. It was enormous¡ªexactly as he had imagined¡ªbut instead of terrifying, it just looked... weird.

    Towering into the darkness, the creature''s form was bizarre. It lacked visible eyes, a nose, or ears. Instead, it had only an enormous, unsettling mouth. Or at least, Arya thought it was a mouth¡ªhe wasn''t entirely sure. He scrutinized it carefully, standing completely still, afraid that if he made the wrong move, he wouldn''t survive the next second.

    But as he continued observing, a strange realization struck him. Something about this beast''s shape... felt oddly familiar.

    Wait...

    Arya narrowed his eyes, thinking aloud.

    "If this whole path I''ve been walking on is actually a beast''s body... then this thing... which looks like that..."

    Suddenly, the realization clicked in his mind. His face darkened as he clenched his fists.

    "Fang, you little¡ª!"

    Cursing internally, Arya turned his glare toward the spirit beast.

    "Damn it! So you do know how to play pranks, huh?! But seriously, don''t do this kind of thing in a place like this! I was tense for the last four hours, thinking I was walking toward some unspeakable horror!"

    A deep, resounding laugh echoed throughout the cave, shaking the very walls.

    "Hahaha! Hahaha! Hahaha! HAHAHAHAHA!"

    The laughter was full of amusement and satisfaction, rolling through the oppressive darkness like a booming wave.

    "I GOT YOU!" Fang howled between fits of laughter. "I really got you! That face you made when you realized what this thing actually was... absolutely priceless!"

    Arya''s expression twitched.

    "I was wondering the whole time while you were walking," Fang continued, still chuckling. "How did you not realize it sooner? I even mentioned it earlier!"

    "Yeah, well..." Arya exhaled sharply. "Do you really think I''d have the time to connect those dots while walking through a dark, suffocating, and dreadful cave? Only you could come up with such a stupid prank in a place like this."

    "Now that you know what it is, don''t just stand there and stare at it," Fang teased. "Move forward already."

    "I''m not staring at it!" Arya retorted, before pausing. "I was just... wondering. If I ever get as big as this thing, what would my¡ª"

    "Hah! Now that''s a weird thought," Fang interrupted. "But I won''t blame you. After seeing this, any man would probably think the same thing."

    Arya''s face twitched again.

    "Stop making it sound even weirder!" he snapped. "Let''s just move forward."

    Suppressing his irritation, Arya resumed his journey. His steps quickened as they bypassed a dense, bizarrely formed forest and followed a winding path toward their destination.

    At last, after what felt like an eternity, they arrived. They were finally close.

 Chapter 86: "Vortex of the Seed Stone"

    Arya knew that he had arrived quite close to the location of the energy source. He could already feel the suction force it emitted, greedily devouring the surrounding energy.

    The force was still quite mild at this distance, but the closer he got to the chest area¡ªwhere the energy source was located¡ªthe stronger it would become. At that point, he would have to face two major challenges: resisting the oppressive aura weighing down on him and preventing himself from being pulled uncontrollably toward the energy source. Fang, noticing Arya''s deep focus, reminded him of the difficulties ahead.

    "As you get closer, the suction force will intensify. You need to be careful not to approach recklessly. If you get too close without preparing, it could be dangerous."

    "You mean getting too close to the energy source¡ªor that seed stone¡ªwill actually be harmful?" Arya asked, furrowing his brows.

    "Can''t you see what it''s already doing to your surroundings? The energy source¡ªor what you call a seed stone¡ªis a condensed form of pure energy. If you touch it without the necessary strength, or if you approach it unprepared, the energy backlash can be devastating. It''s dangerous to any living being unless they are powerful enough to endure its impact."

    "But the seed stone I absorbed previously wasn''t like that," Arya pointed out. "I actually touched it before absorbing it as my second seed stone, and nothing happened to me."

    "Oh¡­ that must have been a refined energy source," Fang replied. "That explains why it didn''t harm you upon contact."

    "Refined? What does that mean? And what''s the difference between a refined and an unrefined one?" Arya asked curiously.

    "The difference lies in their natural state. Originally, both refined and unrefined seed stones are the same. However, refined versions have their natural aura removed by powerful cultivators, allowing others to absorb them safely. But doing so comes at a cost¡ªnearly 30 percent of the energy''s power is lost in the purification process. While it weakens the seed stone, the refinement process is incredibly difficult and can be dangerous for low-level cultivators, whether they are human or beasts."

    "So that''s why..." Arya muttered, absorbing the information. "But losing 30 percent of its power is still a huge sacrifice."

    Hearing Fang''s explanation, Arya started regretting that his previous seed stone had been refined. Though it made absorption easier, he now realized how much potential power had been lost. Still, he understood why people would prefer purified versions¡ªit was far safer than handling an unstable energy source directly.

    "So, how are we going to collect this energy source from your, uh... brother-like friend''s body?" Arya asked, getting to the main point.

    "Before I answer that, let me explain how one actually refines a natural energy source," Fang said.

    "There are two ways to do it. The first method is external refinement. This is used when a person doesn''t want to absorb the seed stone themselves but rather wants to sell or pass it on to someone else. The seed stones you find in markets and stores have undergone this process.

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    "The second method, however, is the most effective and purest form of refinement. It''s used when someone intends to absorb a seed stone for themselves. Instead of removing the oppressive energy, they must fight against it, control it, and absorb it entirely into their body. This method ensures they receive the full power of the seed stone without losing any energy in the process. Most elite cultivators, especially those who possess dual elements, refine their seed stones this way."

    Arya nodded, listening intently, but Fang wasn''t finished yet.

    "One more thing¡ªseed stones that originate from living beings, like us, both humans and beasts, are the hardest to absorb. That''s because we possess souls. When refining such a seed stone, one must first handle the lingering soul within it."

    "Oh¡­ so that''s how it works," Arya murmured, carefully committing every detail to memory. Then, another question popped into his mind.

    "But as far as I know, humans don''t leave behind seed stones when they die. And no human absorbs another human''s energy source, right?"

    "That''s correct," Fang confirmed. "And that''s exactly why humans can absorb multiple seed stones. But you do have energy sources¡ªit''s just that when a human dies, their seed stone loses its strength and disintegrates almost instantly. Unlike beasts, whose seed stones remain intact after death.

    "However, high-level beasts are aware of this. That''s why, instead of letting human seed stones fade away, we prefer to devour humans whole¡ªabsorbing their energy source before it dissipates, leaving nothing to waste."

    Arya''s face darkened at Fang''s casual explanation.

    "So what you''re saying is... I have to defeat this giant beast¡ªor, more specifically, your brother-like friend''s soul¡ªand refine the energy source before I can claim it? Isn''t that basically suicide?"

    Fang let out a small chuckle.

    "Not exactly. You won''t have to do anything," he said confidently. "Just help me get near the energy source, and I''ll handle everything else."

    Arya''s brows furrowed. "And what about refinement?"

    "We won''t need to refine it. With my familiar aura, I''m confident I can extract it without having to fight my brother''s soul. However..." Fang''s tone shifted slightly. "After death, it''s hard to predict what a soul becomes. But since I''m still familiar with my brother''s abilities, I should be able to manage it."

    His voice suddenly trailed off into silence.

    Arya knew why. He didn''t ask any further questions and simply resumed moving forward.

    The path had become increasingly difficult. He was now dealing with two pressures simultaneously¡ªone weighing him down and another pulling him forward. The energy''s suction force grew stronger with every step, making even simple movements feel exhausting.

    As the distance between him and the energy source shortened, he finally saw a faint glimpse of the energy pool about 200 meters ahead. The only reason he could see this far was that the surrounding darkness had slightly diminished, allowing his vision to pierce through the gloom.

    But there was a problem.

    Arya had reached his physical limit. His body refused to move any further. Right now, he was sitting on the ground, gripping the rocky surface beneath him to keep himself from being sucked forward by the energy''s pull.

    "It''s too hard to move forward, Fang," Arya admitted, his breathing ragged. "I don''t think I can do it without your help."

    "You can actually move forward," Fang responded. "I don''t need to help you directly."

    Arya frowned. "But how? I''m already at my limit. I''m using all my strength just to stay in place and not get pulled forward!"

    "All your strength?" Fang''s voice took on an amused tone. "Are you sure about that?"

    "Yes, of course I am!" Arya shot back¡ªbut then he suddenly froze.

    A realization struck him.

    He had completely forgotten about the new power he had acquired through his bond with Fang.

    "...Right," he muttered. "How did I forget about our bond''s power? I guess I''m still not fully used to it yet."

    "Exactly," Fang said. "After collecting the energy source and absorbing my brother''s blood, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with my abilities more."

    Arya''s curiosity piqued. "By the way... just how much strength does our spirit bond actually grant me? I haven''t tested its effectiveness in a real fight yet."

    "Well, if I put it into words... it should allow you to at least defend yourself against cultivators who have yet to acquire their second element."

    Arya''s eyes widened slightly. "That strong? Are you saying I''ll be able to fight evenly with someone who has four seed rings while using our spirit possession?"

    "I never said that," Fang corrected. "I said you''d be able to defend against their attacks. Fighting equally against them is a completely different matter."

    Arya let out a small sigh. "Still... being able to stand my ground against someone at that level isn''t bad at all."

    "Of course it isn''t," Fang chuckled. "Now, stop talking and focus. We still have work to do."

    Nodding, Arya clenched his fists and prepared to push forward once more.

 Chapter 87: Surging Power, Unstable Strength

    "And against beasts, I guess you can handle low-class ones quite easily, right?"

    "Defend against them, yes, but that''s still a significant amount of strength, don''t you think?"

    "Of course. The gap between even a single seed stone level can be immense. But with my power, you''re able to directly defend against opponents two seed stone levels higher than you."

    Fang''s voice was calm, but his next words carried a serious tone. "However, let me warn you in advance¡ªdon''t even think about testing your strength against someone at that level before you''ve at least reached three seed rings. If you try, you might last for two or three attacks, but after that, you''ll exhaust your strength. And once you''re defenseless... well, you know what happens next."

    "Obviously, I''m not foolish enough to test my power against someone that strong," Arya replied, shaking his head.

    "Good. Then let''s move forward."

    Closing his eyes, Arya focused inward, directing his awareness toward the energy ball in his chest. There, in the center, between his two seed stones, lay the presence of Fang. Taking a deep breath, he spoke the name aloud.

    "Celestial Fang..."

    Within the glowing orb, the beast''s image slowly opened its blood-red eyes before shutting them again. But even that brief moment was enough¡ªa pulse of energy radiated outward.

    The moment Arya uttered the name, an overwhelming surge of strength coursed through his body. Every fiber of his being felt charged, filled to the brim with power. Yet, rather than feeling invigorated, a strange pressure settled over him, a suffocating sensation that caught him off guard.

    This... wasn''t how it was supposed to feel. He had expected boundless energy, an unstoppable force¡ªbut instead, it was as if his body had reached its absolute limit, straining to contain the power within.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Fang had warned him about this before. Overloading his body with energy was like holding his breath for too long¡ªuncomfortable, but not unbearable.

    As Arya adapted to the new energy, a translucent, illusory image began forming behind him. A small, oddly cute-looking beast took shape in the air. If Arya turned around, he would recognize it immediately¡ªthis was Fang''s miniature form.

    Yet, something was off. The beast''s eyes remained closed. Normally, a living spirit would always keep its eyes open in its illusory state. That was how one distinguished them.

    Slowly, Arya opened his own eyes, and the first thing he noticed was the strange white aura encasing his body. It wasn''t just an aura¡ªit was a structured energy shield, forming a protective layer around him. The oppressive darkness of the surroundings seemed to retreat slightly, and the pull of the energy source, along with the crushing pressure from before, had been completely nullified.

    "So effective..." Arya muttered, marveling at the sheer power of the spirit possession.

    "You should have told me about this before," he complained. "I wouldn''t have had to struggle through the whole path like an old man."

    This time, Fang''s voice didn''t echo inside his mind. Instead, it came from behind him.

    "Didn''t you say you wanted to practice?" Fang replied. "That''s why I didn''t mention its effects earlier."

    "Yeah, I know," Arya sighed. "But this pressure you warned me about¡ªit''s not as intense as I expected."

    "It''s only the beginning," Fang reminded him. "The longer you stay in this form, the more the pressure will intensify. Eventually, it will become unbearable. So stop wasting time and move forward."

    "Right."

    Taking his first step forward, Arya was relieved to find that the overwhelming pressure was gone. He moved lightly¡ªbut the moment his foot landed, a booming sound echoed like a beast had stomped the ground.

    "What the¡ª" Arya looked down, stunned. His strength was completely out of control.

    "Try to familiarize yourself with it," Fang advised. "If you don''t learn to regulate your power, you''ll end up being too slow or too strong at the wrong moment. An unbalanced strength can be exploited by your opponent and could very well lead to your defeat."

    "Understood."

    With that, Arya took another step, this time even lighter than before. The ground still rumbled, but the impact was noticeably less. Step by step, he moved forward, carefully adjusting his strength and getting used to his new state.

    The distance to the energy source steadily decreased. At around 30 meters ahead, Arya''s vision improved¡ªthe suffocating darkness was lifting. He could now clearly see a red glow in the distance, emanating from the energy vortex ahead.

    To confirm his observation, he asked, "Is that the energy source? The thing emitting the red glow?"

    Fang''s voice carried a slight pause before he answered.

    "No... that''s not the energy source."

    Arya frowned. "Then what is it?"

    "The energy source is still inside the body," Fang explained. "It won''t emit any light. But that vortex¡ªthat''s definitely a result of its presence."

    Arya''s gaze remained fixed on the glowing vortex, his mind racing with questions. If the energy source itself wasn''t visible, then what exactly was creating this strange phenomenon?