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—his 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—you 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—first, 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."

"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—it 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—Weapon 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—it 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—a 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."