Energy Pool

Kazel lay sprawled across his bed, lazily tossing the small pouch of pills into the air. Each time it landed in his palm, he could hear the pills rattling inside, bumping into one another. The rhythmic sound filled the quiet room. He tossed it up once more, but this time, instead of catching it in his palm, he caught it between his fingers, squeezing it slightly as his sharp eyes gleamed.

( The banquet… the hesitation… )

The pieces were falling into place, assembling into a board—a board filled with the names of people who would soon regret their actions. He smirked.

Before his thoughts could spiral deeper, his door creaked open.

"Kazel," Noel stepped inside, his expression neutral. "I just got the news. The Scale Dalgona will be held ten months from now."

Kazel turned his gaze to his father and nodded. "Thank you, Father. I still have time." His eyes narrowed slightly. "But what's with the change of heart?"

Noel scratched the back of his head and let out a small chuckle. "I just thought that if I were your age, I'd want to join too," he admitted. "Besides, you've been bedridden for a long time now. It wouldn't be fair to hold you back when you finally have your strength."

Kazel's lips curled into a small smile. "Thanks, Father." Then, shifting the conversation, he sat up. "Now, I need to cultivate. Do you have any tips?"

Noel folded his arms and nodded. "Cultivating is fine, but the place where you cultivate matters just as much."

Kazel raised a brow.

"You must have noticed the white light—the energy you need to absorb, right?" Noel continued. "Now, what if you were in a place overflowing with it? You'd cultivate faster, grow stronger faster."

"I see," Kazel mused. "Then where would that be?"

"Usually, an Energy Pool," Noel said. "But those cost a fortune to access. And even then, not all Energy Pools are equal—some are naturally stronger than others. The great sects tend to have their own private ones."

Kazel's eyes glimmered with interest. "Then—"

"Sadly, no," Noel shook his head before Kazel could finish his thought. "The Immortal Sect's Energy Pool has long dried up. It's useless now."

"I see," Kazel murmured. He leaned back slightly, tapping a finger against the pouch in his hand.

( This world really is vast… filled with incredible things. )

The thought didn't discourage him—it excited him. A Energy Pool, huh? If the Immortal Sect no longer had one, he would just have to find another... or build one.

"Then, Father, what do you think I should do?" Kazel asked, leaning forward slightly.

Noel stroked his chin in thought. "Hmm… Did you know that you could use Spirit Stones as a means to cultivate as well?"

"Mother mentioned it," Kazel replied. "But she also said that they could be used to buy things."

"That's right," Noel nodded. "You could use them for cultivation, but as you grow stronger, the less efficient they become. Eventually, it's better to treat them as currency rather than a resource for training." He let out a long sigh. "All in all, it's not the best practice, but for a Body Tempering realm cultivator like yourself, it's the most practical option."

"So, I need to burn money?" Kazel asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Noel sighed even heavier this time, as if he could already feel the loss in his pockets.

Kazel smirked and extended his hand, palm up, like a child asking for allowance.

Noel sighed again but reached into his robes, pulling out a small pouch before plopping it into Kazel's open palm. "Here. There's about a hundred Spirit Stones in there. It should last you for a while."

"Alright," Kazel nodded, tightening his grip around the pouch.

"You should head to the Immortal Sect," Noel suggested. "The quieter the place, the better. Unless, of course, you want to do it in your room."

"This room is fine," Kazel said without hesitation.

"Then I'll leave you to it," Noel nodded before turning on his heel and stepping out.

As soon as he closed the door behind him, he barely made it a few steps down the hall before he was met with his wife, Lana, standing with her hands planted firmly on her hips. Her gaze was sharp and expectant.

"So?" she asked.

Noel exhaled through his nose. "He's cultivating. And he's dead set on entering the Scale Dalgona."

Lana nodded, her expression unreadable for a moment. Then, she clapped her hands together. "I see. Then I need to prepare a lot of good food!"

Noel chuckled. "You're really spoiling him, you know."

"He needs his strength!" Lana huffed. "Besides, if he's going to push himself, I won't have him doing it on an empty stomach."

Noel simply smiled, shaking his head. "I'll leave that part to you, then."

---

Kazel closed his eyes and took a slow, measured breath. His body remained still, but his consciousness drifted inward. With a subtle pull, he entered his Soul Space.

The familiar white expanse greeted him, a void-like space where only his Mustang Black Rabbit sat in quiet patience. The creature was lounging casually, its sleek black fur smooth under the dim glow of the Soul Space. Its long ears twitched occasionally, reacting to unseen forces, while its red eyes locked onto Kazel with an almost knowing look.

Kazel smirked. ( This still feels surreal… but fascinating all the same. ) His gaze then shifted beyond, toward the swirling white energies just outside his Soul Space—pure, untapped power waiting to be harnessed.

"Then let it flow," he commanded.

As if responding to his will, the energies outside the Soul Space trembled. In an instant, they surged forward like a rushing tide, flowing through the unseen barrier and pouring into his core.

The moment the energy made contact, Kazel felt it—an invigorating warmth spreading through him, like fire igniting his veins. His Soul Space absorbed the power hungrily, the Mustang Black Rabbit's fur rustling slightly as if sensing the change.

( Good… more. )

His breathing remained steady, his focus unshaken. He would absorb every bit of energy he could and push himself forward.