Everyday Arthur kept feeding the blood essence gathering tree the blood of numerous spirit beasts. Gradually, the blood essence gathering tree started growing, both fruits, and in size.
After another week, it had grown to a size far greater than that of the surrounding flora, creating a large crimson coloured dot, amongst a veritable sea of green leaves and blue rivers.
Arthur wasn't particularly concerned with someone finding it by now, and even if they did, they wouldn't be able to tell it was a Fae from first glance.
If they were smart, they would be able to discern the large amount of blood essence that the tree possessed, and realise that it was a carnivorous plant and retreat.
If they weren't, they might think it some sort of rare Fae material and try and harvest from the tree, only to be attacked by its tendrils.
The blood essence gathering tree couldn't fight seasoned Rank 2 Fae Masters, but it could catch them off guard and deal a fatal wound. It would even be able to fight against the current Andrea, or even Randolf with its tendrils now that it was fully grown.
Not only had it fully grown, but it had also produced another three Blood Fruits, all of which were Strength Blood Fruits.
One Dragon Whisker Catfish Strength Blood Fruit.
One Blood Scaled Sturgeon Strength Blood Fruit.
And one Water Dart Frog Strength Blood Fruit.
Strength was the most common type of Blood Fruit, regardless of what Rank the blood essence gathering tree was.
Still the combined strength fruits of all of these Blood Fruits, in addition to the physique of a Rank 1 solid quartz origin essence Fae Master would be able to rival anyone under Rank 2.
And perhaps even fight Rank 2 vapour ruby origin essence Fae Masters.
The Rank 1 blood essence gathering tree was a tree that allowed a Fae Master to enhance their physical attributes. Strength. Agility. Stamina. And endurance.
The Rank 2 direct evolution of the blood essence gathering tree was the blood spirit gathering tree.
It could still form Blood Fruits, but could create two more types of Blood Fruits on top of the original four types.
The first was Spirit Blood Fruit.
While the second was Intelligence Blood Fruit.
The first new type of Blood Fruit could enhance the Spirit. Making their cultivation more smoother, while increasing their perception somewhat during battle, making them more aware of their surroundings.
The second was extremely rare, even for Rank 3 or Rank 4 blood essence gathering trees.
While the intelligence of some spirit beasts, like the Black Scaled Sturgeon and the Water Dart Frog were low, even in comparison to some mortals, other spirit beasts were much more intelligent.
The Twin Tailed Dolphin and the Glacier Whales were examples of these more intelligent spirit beasts.
It could increase a Fae Masters intelligence dramatically, allowing them to retain more information and even giving some Fae Masters perfect recall.
From what Arthur knew, this specific type of Blood Fruit was extremely rare in the market, as just one Intelligence Blood Fruit didn't guarantee perfect recall.
He shrugged his shoulders before wiping himself down and putting his clothes back on.
In the past several days, even in this small area of river, there had been a dramatic increase in the number of spirit beasts.
Sturgeon spirit beasts....
Catfish spirit beasts....
Frog spirit beasts....
Aquatic snake spirit beasts...
Arthur even saw a small family of bear spirit beasts eating the corpse of several River Walker Deer. Shortly after they got into a fight with two Vine Tendril Crocodiles, and ended up loosing the corpses after a short battle.
Winter Rain Mountain was home to a lot more than just Humans. While it couldn't compare to the likes of the 7 Heavenly Forests, it was still a pretty good location, if one could forget the thin spiritual essence in the environment.
The large floods had temporarily connected the Falling Snow Famous River to the numerous streams in Winter Rain Mountain, boosting the natural flora and fauna in the region.
It had caused a spike in the growth of spirit beasts as well.
"Before too long, this place will be underwater as well. The huge number of rivers and streams will all connect to each other, even reaching Parachenko Village. By that time, the spirit beasts will be right on our doorstep".
Arthur smiled as he left the area near the blood essence gathering tree, and returned back towards Parachenko Village.
His Father and older brother had already gotten word that the water level in Winter Rain Mountain was rising uncontrollably, and at this rate it would even reach the Village.
Neither of them thought that it would reach the Village, as did none of the Elders.
It wasn't the first time floods had occurred within the region, but never had they reached even close to Parachenko Village before.
It would be better for them to keep patrolling the region, while increasing security in the Village, considering that a large number of refugees and immigrants from surrounding territories had come seeking help and shelter.
With the sudden influx of people, there were no small number that were unhappy with their current conditions.
The occasional fight that happened between two drunk idiots in the main street of Parachenko Village had turned into a large brawl between two small rival groups of Fae Masters.
Both of them were the descendents of Fae Masters and had some understanding of cultivation, leading them both to become Rank 2 Fae Masters.
Both Leon and Dominic had to step in, and force both of them to stop, otherwise they, and their families would be forced to leave Parachenko Village.
Arthur sighed before entering the main gate, giving a slight nod to the guard that manned the gate today.
A few passerby's saw this, and one of them raised an eyebrow towards the guard.
"Hey! Why does he get to enter whenever he wants?".
The guard, a Rank 2 Fae Master turned lazily before shrugging his shoulders.
"He's the third Young Master of my Clan. Why wouldn't I let him through?".
The guard's demeanour might of seemed lazy, but his words were cold, causing the middle-aged man who spoke up to freeze and lower his head.
If he had accidentally said what was on his mind just now, would he have been arrested and thrown in jail?
He shivered as he memorized Arthur's face.
If anyone of them got on the bad side of the Young Master of the Kovacs Clan, death would be the least of their worries.
A few of the more knowledgeable and gossipy young men and women started muttering as Arthur passed by them.
"He doesn't look like his older brothers?".
"If you've seen the Madam, you'll see the similarities".
"He's pretty handsome, and not in a manly sort of way either".
"Young Master Arthur isn't just handsome! He's immensely strong as well!".
A couple of young men and women, one or two of which were Fae Masters turned their heads towards the young speaker.
It was a small boy, probably around 11 or 12, who looked towards Arthur with stars in his eyes.
"Earlier this year, during the new Fae Master Tournament, Young Master Arthur almost defeated everyone, without having to use a single Fae!".
Most of the people present went wide eyed, before the young man in the crowd who was a Fae Master waved the boy off.
"Just because you couldn't see him use a Fae, doesn't mean that he didn't. He couldn't used a Fiend Worm Fae, which can enhance physical strength, or some sort of speed enhancement Fae, like the Wind Stalker Fae".
A few considering the young man's words, but the small boy just shook his head.
"Nuh-uh! Arthur only possessed the moonsword fae, black smog fae and the camouflage fae at the time! He only used Fae in the final two fights!".
The young Rank 1 Fae Master narrowed his eyes at the young before, frowning slightly.
This little brat probably heard this from his older sibling, or father who knew a little bit about Fae Masters. How could it compare to him, an actual Fae Master?
"Oh really? Then perhaps maybe I should ask Arthur for a lesson then? He can show me some of the fabled martial arts of the Kovacs Clan".
This young man's words were scathing, but the little boy couldn't tell the difference.
He only just shook his head.
"No. You'd just get beat up by him instead. It's best not to over estimate oneself ya know?".
A few of the older members of Parachenko Village chuckled, while most of the new refugees such looked towards the young man, whose eyebrow was twitching, and his fist trembling.
'Best not to overestimate oneself? This brat doesn't know the immensity of the heavens and the earth', he thought!
The young Rank 1 Fae Master frowned before rolling his eyes. He slowed his breathing, and regathered his demeanour, appearing as though an elegant young master.
"What would a child know about the world of Fae Masters? Some random child, even one of the streets of Parachenko Village, what would they know about-".
"Hmm? Tobi! There you are!".
A tall, handsome young man wearing the insignia of the Kovacs Clan came into the store. A small smile could be seen on his face.
The little boy turned towards the new figure in the room before smiling and darting over to him.
"Big brother Ratimir! I've been waiting here for ages!".
Ratimir smiled slightly before gesturing for him to follow.
"C'mon. Mother and Father want us home early tonight. Apparently grandfather will be joining us!".
Little Tobi's eyes shone at the mention of his grandfather.
Ratimir smiled at his little brothers reaction before turning towards the young man on the other side of the room.
He had heard just a little bit of what this young man had said, but smiled before giving him a small nod.
"If you do try and fight Arthur in the future, make sure that prepare a will beforehand. Since you're not a member of the Kovacs Clan, I can guarantee that he will kill you. Just a bit of friendly advice".
Ratimir and his brother Tobi left the small store, causing the young man to freeze, his mind and body stiff as a corpse.
Even though he only met eyes with Ratimir for a second, something about his aura seemed to.... instinctively scare him.
After a few minutes, this young man sighed and frowned before taking a large sip of his drink.
"The immensity of the heavens and the earth.... huh".