The night continued quietly.
After leaving the battlefield far behind, Alex and Yi Zhau traveled through the Baspian Forest for several more hours before finally stopping.
The place they chose was an open area hidden between several ancient trees.
Unlike the battlefield they had left behind, this location was peaceful.
The battlefield had been filled with broken earth, shattered trees, blood, and death. The air there carried the smell of poison and destruction.
Here, everything was different.
The moonlight gently illuminated the ground.
A cool breeze flowed between the trees.
The grass swayed softly.
The sound of insects echoed from the distance.
The forest seemed calm and alive.
For the first time since witnessing the battle, Alex felt his mind relax.
He sat beside a large rock and released a deep breath.
"Compared to that battlefield, this place feels like another world."
Yi Zhau floated nearby.
"That is the nature of cultivation."
Alex looked toward him.
"The nature of cultivation?"
Yi Zhau nodded.
"One moment you stand in peace."
"The next moment you stand amidst corpses."
"The strong survive."
"The weak become part of history."
Alex remained silent.
Although he had only been cultivating for a short time, he had already witnessed enough bloodshed to understand those words.
After a moment, Yi Zhau spoke again.
"Today you were fortunate."
Alex smiled slightly.
"We obtained many treasures."
"Hmph."
Yi Zhau snorted.
"Without me, you would have become the python's dinner long ago."
Alex laughed awkwardly.
"I know, Master."
A faint smile appeared on Yi Zhau's face before disappearing.
"Take out the treasures."
Alex nodded.
With a wave of his hand, several items appeared on the ground.
The glowing Soul Core.
The Soul Bone.
The Python Poison Breath.
The Dry Blood Drop.
The Soul Essence.
Alex carefully arranged them before Yi Zhau.
The storage ring taken from the unconscious warrior remained hidden.
Alex had no intention of mentioning it yet.
Yi Zhau's attention remained focused on the treasures.
He pointed toward the Soul Core first.
"This is the most common treasure among soul beasts."
Alex observed the crystal-like object carefully.
"It contains the beast's soul energy?"
"Correct."
Yi Zhau nodded.
"A Soul Core can directly enhance soul cultivation."
"It can also be refined into medicines, formations, and soul artifacts."
"For alchemists, Soul Cores are extremely valuable."
Alex carefully memorized every word.
Then Yi Zhau pointed toward the Soul Essence.
"This item is rarer."
The transparent liquid floated gently above Yi Zhau's palm.
"Soul Essence contains pure spiritual vitality."
"It can increase the effectiveness of pills."
"It can improve cultivation resources."
"It can even strengthen the success rate of certain breakthroughs."
Alex's eyes widened.
"So valuable?"
Yi Zhau laughed.
"You have much to learn."
Next, he pointed toward the Poison Breath.
The purple substance emitted a dangerous aura.
"This is Python Poison Breath."
"Highly toxic."
"Most cultivators avoid it."
"However, for poison cultivators, alchemists, or certain formations, it becomes a priceless treasure."
Alex nodded.
Finally, Yi Zhau pointed toward the Dry Blood Drop.
"This contains a portion of the python's bloodline power."
"Although most of its vitality has disappeared, it can still be used in certain medicinal formulas."
"Some body cultivation techniques also require bloodline materials."
Alex carefully listened.
Every treasure possessed uses he had never imagined.
Then Yi Zhau's gaze shifted toward the final item.
The Soul Bone.
For the first time, his expression became serious.
"This..."
His eyes narrowed.
"...is the most valuable treasure among everything you obtained tonight."
Alex immediately became interested.
"The Soul Bone?"
Yi Zhau nodded.
"Soul Bones are extremely rare."
"Many powerful beasts never leave one behind after death."
"Some cultivators spend their entire lives searching for one."
Alex looked at the purple bone lying before him.
A strange energy radiated from it.
"What makes it special?"
Yi Zhau floated closer.
"A Soul Bone can be fused directly with a cultivator."
"It becomes part of the cultivator's strength."
"It grows together with its owner."
Alex's heartbeat increased slightly.
"Fused?"
"Yes."
Yi Zhau nodded.
"The process is called Soul sculpturing"
His voice became serious.
"Unlike absorbing energy, Soul sculpturing merges the essence of the Soul Bone with your soul itself."
"If successful, you gain strength, talent, and abilities connected to the beast."
"If you fail..."
Alex frowned.
"What happens?"
Yi Zhau calmly replied.
"The Soul Bone rejects you."
"The process collapses."
"And your soul may suffer severe damage."
Alex immediately understood the danger.
Yi Zhau continued.
"Soul sculpturing requires complete concentration."
"You must allow your soul to accept the Soul Bone."
"Not dominate it."
"Not resist it."
"Accept it."
The night became silent.
Alex stared at the Soul Bone.
His eyes gradually became determined.
"I want to try."
Yi Zhau smiled slightly.
"I expected nothing less."
He pointed toward the ground.
"Sit."
Alex immediately crossed his legs.
The Soul Bone floated before him.
Moonlight illuminated the clearing.
The surrounding forest became silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Yi Zhau slowly formed several soul seals.
The Soul Bone began glowing.
A faint purple light spread outward.
"Begin."
Alex closed his eyes.
His consciousness slowly descended into his Soul Sea.
The moment contact was established—
Pain erupted.
His body trembled violently.
It felt as if countless needles were piercing directly into his soul.
Sweat appeared across his forehead.
His breathing became unstable.
The purple light surrounding the Soul Bone intensified.
Inside his Soul Sea, Alex could see countless strands of energy emerging from the Soul Bone.
The strands approached his soul.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Yet every connection brought tremendous pain.
Alex gritted his teeth.
His entire body shook.
Minutes passed.
The process continued.
The Soul Bone attempted to merge.
Alex attempted to endure.
The pressure increased.
His vision blurred.
The pain became unbearable.
Several times he nearly lost consciousness.
But he refused to stop.
The memories of his weakness surfaced repeatedly.
The Necto Bear.
The Python.
The countless dangers waiting ahead.
If he wanted answers about his past...
If he wanted strength...
He could not retreat.
Inside his Soul Sea, the purple strands finally touched his soul completely.
At that moment—
A surge of energy exploded throughout his body.
Alex's eyes snapped open.
Purple light flashed within them briefly.
The surrounding elemental energy rushed toward him.
His aura began rising.
Elemental energy flowed through his meridians.
Faster.
Stronger.
More smoothly than before.
The Soul Bone had accepted him.
The Soul sculpturing was complete.
A powerful wave of energy erupted outward.
The nearby grass bent beneath the pressure.
The air vibrated slightly.
Yi Zhau observed everything silently.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
The energy within Alex continued increasing.
The eighth star of Elemental Awakening instantly stabilized.
Then—
The ninth star began forming.
Elemental energy poured into his body like a river.
The newly bonded Soul Bone continuously strengthened the process.
Finally—
The breakthrough completed.
Alex's aura stabilized.
His eyes slowly opened.
A new sense of power flowed through him.
His body felt lighter.
His senses felt sharper.
Even the surrounding forest seemed clearer than before.
Yi Zhau nodded.
"Not bad."
Alex looked at his hands.
A smile appeared on his face.
"I reached the Ninth Star."
"Indeed."
Yi Zhau stroked his beard proudly.
"You are now standing at the peak of the Elemental Awakening Stage."
The moon hung high above the forest.
Silver light illuminated the clearing.
A gentle breeze passed through the ancient trees.
Alex quietly looked toward the endless darkness beyond the forest.
His strength was increasing.
His journey was advancing.
Yet the road ahead remained long.
Countless mysteries still waited for him.
Countless challenges still stood before him.
But for the first time—
He felt himself moving steadily toward the future.
Above the silent Baspian Forest, the stars shone brightly.
And beneath those stars, a young cultivator took another step toward the destiny that awaited.