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—where the energy source was located—the 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—or that seed stone—will actually be harmful?" Arya asked, furrowing his brows.

"Can't you see what it's already doing to your surroundings? The energy source—or what you call a seed stone—is 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—nearly 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—it 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.

"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—seed 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—it'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—absorbing 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—or, more specifically, your brother-like friend's soul—and 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—one 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—but 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.