Gin regained his consciousness but wasn't in a rush to open his eyes. Since Reyna is protecting him, he can be at ease and use the time to calm his mind.
Having learned the truth about his birth and finding his parents sacrificed their child to keep him safe set off a wave in his heart.
He couldn't accept the truth and didn't want to. No one would feel good knowing someone had sacrificed their lives so that he can live peacefully.
He can't find his parents to clarify the questions but there's one person who can answer his questions; the blonde man.
'If he's alive, I will find him.' Gin's mind calmed down sorting out what he wants to do next.
Only then he noticed his thought process is a lot faster and clearer than before. He soon figured the reason for this change is related to his soul.
'I reached White soul stage.' Gin was surprised and also delighted by the unexpected breakthrough.
Unlike the Mortal-soul level, the White soul level is a lot different and arcane than the latter.
White-soul is the true starting stage of the soul cultivators. Upon reaching this stage, they can use their soul energy in various fields.
For example, controlling an object with soul energy, performing soul skills, enhancing the level of things they make like potions, and so on.
The white soul level is divided into three stages: Shape Transformation, Fire-birth, Perfection.
A 'shape transformation' soul master will be able to hold their ground against initial Seal Opening stage cultivators while 'Perfection' stage soul master's strength can rival peak 'Seal Destruction' stage master.
Its true Gin was at the peak of the mortal soul stage for a month but he didn't expect to reach the next level without a hitch. Well, it's good news that's worth celebrating as far as he's concerned.
Next, he checked his 12th hidden physique seal that was located in between his eyebrows. He could feel his entire body is brimming with power and strength.
Yet it didn't make him happy but instead, made him anxious. Because he felt as if his body hit its limit and he can't improve his strength anymore.
If he wants to improve it further, his only choice is to advance to the next stage.
But, Gin felt conflicted in his mind. He wanted to discover all the 13 hidden seals. But his situation reached a deadlock.
There are only two paths before him: One, be patient, and discover the 13th hidden seal. Two, advance to the next stage and be content with what he has discovered.
'I can't force things like this.' Gin knew from the start it won't be easy. If it was that easy, there would be countless cultivators roaming around the world flaunting the 13th hidden seal they discover.
Reyna also knew nothing of the 13th hidden seal. She also told him that after discovering her 12th hidden seal she couldn't improve her strength anymore.
Like what Gin's feeling right now.
If he had some reference, it would have helped him. Pity, there was no record of it and none had ever discovered this mystifying 13th hidden seal.
Gin had scoured the treasure 'soul strand' for information but he got nothing. If not specified in the book left behind by Empyrean chaos, he would have shrugged it off as a myth like everyone else.
He recalled every bit of information he amassed about the 12th and 13th hidden seal. After pondering for a moment, he concluded.
All the geniuses who discovered the 12th hidden seal so far had one thing in common. Their physique hit the limit and their strength can't be improved any further.
If it's just one person, it can be reasoned, but not for all of them.
Meaning, the 12th hidden seal is the limit of one's physique and the 13th one doesn't have any sort of connection with the term strength—or, simply there's isn't one in the first place.
Gin incline towards the first possibility.
If he wants to discover his 13th hidden seal, he needs to try a different approach since it isn't about strength. But, he had no clue in which direction he should proceed.
As he was pondering about the predicament, he remembered the book shelve in the magical space. Since his soul has advanced to the white soul stage, it should have unlocked more books.
Wasting no time, Gin sent his consciousness into it and as he thought, an entire row of books has become tangible. There were at least hundreds of them!
Gin was on cloud nine seeing it, as he knew very well how valuable these books are; they are beyond priceless.
If he's lucky, he may even find some information about the 13th hidden seal.
Beaming, he skimmed through the titles of all the books. Most of them are about Alchemy: Herbs, potion-making, inscription symbols, Arrays, and much more.
There are few books about spirit seals, soul skills, magical beasts, weapons, and some books containing general information.
He was happy as he found two books that detailed the hidden seals and cultivation. It's what he needed at the moment.
It was like Empyrean Chaos knew he would end up in such a situation and arranged the books so that it would help him in the need.
He was excited but restrained his eagerness to read the books right away. Reyna's waiting outside. She definitely knows he awake, he can't waste any more time with his eyes closed.
--
Gin opened his eyes and gazed at Reyna who was looking right at him. Her transformed golden eyes were deep as if she peering at his soul.
"Miss Reyna, it's embarrassing. Can you stop your staring?" Gin rose to his feet and smiled while scratching his head.
"Cut the crap! Your act won't work before me. Tell me what happened?" Reyna waved her hand and asked.
Gin coughed a little and said, "OK". He narrated everything that happened—about memory plane, blonde man, and dark space where he drowned with negative emotions.
He didn't hide anything apart from the magical space.
"Oh my god! Reyna, ask him how he got out of that Dark space? Quick!" Zera screamed, agitated.
Even though Zera was screaming atop her lungs, Gin neither heard nor noticed her presence. It was like Zera's only visible to Reyna and ghost to others.
"Why?" Reyna conveyed her thoughts through her soul energy.
"If I am not wrong, the dark space that Gin dragged into is called Starless Hallow.
It's not some kind of space located somewhere in the world but created in our own heart. It holds all kinds of negative emotions, illusions, horrors that terrorize the heart and weakens one's will. Trust me, you don't want to face it, not with your current level of strength.
Once your cultivation reaches a certain point you will face this kind of weird thing." Zera explained.
"Is it that dangerous?"
"Reyna you don't understand. This thing can't be explained in simple terms. What I can tell you is, if you couldn't overcome it on your own, the consequences will be severe.
Some would just die, some will go insane, and in most cases, a knot will be formed in your heart or barrier that prevents you from advancing further in the cultivation.
What puzzles me is, why a mortal like Gin encounter this kind of thing? You won't believe if I say this, only supreme level deities encounter this thing.
My question is, how was he able to persevere and break out of that gloomy place without a shred of suffering or fear?
Ask him!"
"How did you get out of that dark space?" Reyna asked. Her interest has also piqued after Zera's explanation.
Just thinking about that damn place made him uneasy but he quickly calmed himself and answered: "To be honest, I don't know. Just as I was diving deep down, there was a brilliant flash and before I know it, I was back."
Hearing his answer made Zera ponder with a solemn expression.
"Miss Reyna, I want to find that blonde guy." Gin said, balling his fist.
"Don't worry we will find him." She could sympathize with the thoughts going through Gin's head, now.
Finding the truth about his parents from the childhood memories hidden in the deepest part of his soul. She doesn't know whether he's lucky—or unfortunate to come across such a thing.
"Let's talk about your strength. How does it feel as you have already discovered your 12th hidden seal?" Reyna asked.