Emperal was stunned when he heard Soleine’s words; even her words took a bit longer to process due to the sheer absurdity of what he was hearing.

Seeing that there was no response, Soleine snorted, "Still as cowardly as ever."

But, to Emperal’s surprise, she...didn’t do anything, just stood there, looking at him. Her eyes began to grow intense.

"This is the last time I’m warning you. He is under my protection. And looking at the pathetic situation you are in—"

"Soleine."

Just before she could complete her words, Emperal’s cold voice ripped through her body. Her eyes widened in surprise when she heard his words. Looking down, she saw Emperal looking at her with an unusually cold gaze.

"The Infernal Dragon is my benefactor, whatever its motives. It doesn’t change the fact that it has changed my situation. So...think twice before speaking."

Soleine frowned when she heard his words. She stepped forward and glared at him. He, of course, didn’t back down.

This continued for a few seconds, until Soleine gradually turned her face away and disappeared. Of course, not before leaving a line.

"After six months, there will be a huge interracial summit in Aelvorn. You are coming as my second-in-command. Be ready."

Silence...

Emperal just stood there, looking at nothing. He may have crossed a line today by defending the Infernal Dragon, but...there was no way he could tolerate someone talking shit about the creature who had helped him transform his life.

"Sigh...it’s really my fault. I am rushing you way forward than the rate of your growth."

Suddenly, the Infernal Dragon spoke in his mind, grabbing Emperal’s attention.

"First of all...how does Soleine know about your existence?"

Emperal couldn’t help but ask; the tone she used sounded as if the Infernal Dragon and Soleine were previous acquaintances.

"Sigh, it’s a bit complicated. Also, don’t speak to her in that tone. I’m happy to see you defending me, but that woman...isn’t exactly weak either."

The more the Infernal Dragon spoke, the more confused Emperal’s mind became.

But nonetheless, he sighed. Looking at the sky, he muttered.

"Infernal Dragon, say. What do Phoenix race women like as a gift when they are angered?"

"...You are asking the wrong person here, friend."

"Come on, don’t be so useless. Aren’t you an ancient Dragon?"

"So? Till now, I haven’t figured out how do these wom—!!"

The Infernal Dragon shut his mouth hurriedly, it couldn’t help but curse.

"Shit, I almost fell into this brat’s trap."

"Heh, so much for the most handsome Dragon."

"..."

After that, Emperal returned to his mansion and went straight towards the bath. It was a spacious room with a small pool in the middle.

Right now, it was hot. Almost at the boiling point. Taking off his clothes, Emperal drowned in the water, relaxing there.

"What is an Inter-racial summit now? Vraelyn had never told me such a thing."

"Obviously, it’s because it happens only once every five hundred years."

"...No way, I am barely twenty-seven."

Shaking his head, he exhaled. "It’s useless to think about that right now, " says Infernal Dragon. Is there a chance for me to break through to Verth Wielder?"

He paused, although he already knew the answer.

"...No."

The Infernal Dragon replied in a blunt tone, confirming Emperal’s question. But there was no sadness or depressive expression on his face.

It was as resolute as ever. "I see, I guess even coming to Stage Three Verth Seeker was stretching it for me."

He chuckled; his Spirit Root was really the root of every misfortune he was facing.

"Well, no point in complaining. I might as well walk on the path of Soul Cultivation."

"That’s the spirit, you still have six months to prepare. And given your comprehension, I’m sure you’ll reach a pretty high rank."

"Hope so."

...

Coming back from the bath, Emperal sat down on the mat in his hall.

"Alright then, let’s not waste any more time."

Saying that, he closed his eyes and entered his Soul Space.

When he reopened them, he once again stood in the middle of a white space. And he was still a floating piece of consciousness.

Looking above, he saw the consciousness mirror still pumping the Soul Energy from the tiny crack at the corner.

"Alright, today we shall form your Soul Seed, and since you do not have any immediate work or are facing any danger, you can take it slow."

"I will."

Emperal spoke inwardly before focusing on the Soul Energy filling the small space. Honestly, he was confused about how this little space could hold the Soul Energy and not...expand or at least feel cramped.

But there was none. It was as peaceful as the moment he had appeared here. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated on gathering the Soul Energy around him.

The mystical energy slowly approached him and surrounded him, making Emperal feel slightly comfortable.

"This...the Soul Energy is surely different from the Verth I’m used to." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Emperal muttered, the Verth he absorbed normally was always a bit heavy, not in the literal sense, of course, but metaphorically.

But this Soul Energy? It was as if it didn’t have any density at all—zero mass.

"A more suitable example would be water and light. Moving the Verth feels like moving water, but this Soul Energy? It is as if I’m trying to gather light and saturate it."

His focus deepened, though his first attempt at gathering produced close to nothing productive, but he felt it. The Energy was moving towards him; it was the warmth of Soul Force.

But soon, he frowned.

"This energy...it’s not accumulating. It just passes through me and continues, what in the clusterfuck is going on right now?"

After gathering and trying a few more times, he stopped his approach.

Looking at the white space quietly, he fell into deep thoughts.

"Is my way of pulling it wrong? Or is there something I’m not doing correctly...?"

"It is your approach."

Suddenly, the Infernal Dragon spoke. Emperal shifted his attention towards it.

"My approach?"

"Yes, although I do not know the proper approach. You should try a different way of approaching it."

"Alright, I’ll try then."