"Your Highness, your progress is beyond any expectations. Your talents are a matter of legend."
"So many compliments from you again, Selena."
"I am telling the truth. Although we demons are born with superior bodies and talents, to awaken Sword Qi just after a few days... Only ancient demons might have accomplished something like that," she continued.
"It is another thing I'll check in the library next time I go there."
Selena smiled and handed over a towel to the boy.
"My Prince, let me know when you are planning to break through to the Inner Spark Realm."
"Why should I tell you?"
"Previously, you didn't use any elixirs or pills to enhance your progress," Selena started explaining. "Your body and talent didn't need any enhancements. On the other hand, any strong stimuli would taint your inner vessels and Qi."
The young prince nodded approvingly. For him, it didn't make any difference if he took any elixirs or not. His Eternal Immortal Root was the pinnacle of existing talents, in addition to his other talent, the Immortal Body of Martial Dreams.
A special constitution adjusted and brought any parameters of his body to the perfect state. With it, any kind of body refinement art or martial moves could be trained almost a hundred times faster.
"That is why Her Majesty decided to leave a set of treasured elixirs for your breakthrough to the Inner Spark instead. During the process of ignition, one experiences a small enlightenment, and some rare pills can extend this time."
"Intriguing... Thank you for telling me now. As a matter of fact, I am already at the pinnacle of the Meridian Cycle Realm and ready to break through to the Inner Spark Realm."
"What?!" The woman's face turned to shock. "Already?!"
Instead of answering her, the youth lit up his Inner Meridians. Nine orbs of light shone in mysterious purple and black colors, with a small vortex spinning inside each one.
"Yes, my foundation is as solid as it can be. I was planning to break through after our sparring session."
Selena breathed out a sigh of relief. "I was lucky; otherwise, my head would've been cleaved clean off."
"I will keep you posted on any significant breakthroughs I have from now on."
"Please, it's my fault. I shouldn't have judged you by ordinary standards."
Kael nodded.
"Now, let us make the necessary preparations for your breakthrough."
The two of them left the Training Hall. At the exit, two loyal maids, Hisha and Aisha, were patiently waiting.
"You've finished your training, my Prince?" Aisha excitedly asked.
"Do you... need anything?" Hisha softly whispered.
"His Highness would like a chamber prepared for his breakthrough. Let the servants prepare the elixirs made for him."
The two girls' eyes shone brightly. They quickly bowed and bolted off into one of the corridors.
After ten minutes, Kael was led to a room chamber designed specifically for breakthroughs. The room was adorned with ancient runes and symbols, each one pulsating with a faint glow. At the center of the room was a small altar with various elixirs and pills carefully arranged.
"These are the treasured elixirs I mentioned," Selena explained. "Each one is designed to aid in different aspects of the breakthrough process. The Ignition Pill, for instance, will help you sustain the spark during your enlightenment. The Lotus Blossom Elixir will ensure that your Qi flows smoothly and without hindrance."
In Kael's view, the Ignition Pill was much more valuable to him. Extending the enlightenment time was of vital importance. On the other hand, the Lotus Blossom Elixir wouldn't help him at all. With his talent, it was just like a drop in the ocean.
"And what is this one?" he asked, pointing to a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid.
"Ah, that is the Celestial Dew," Selena replied. "It is extremely rare and enhances mental clarity, allowing for deeper insights during your moment of enlightenment."
Prince Kael calmly nodded, impressed by the Palace's arrangements. "I appreciate the thorough preparations."
"It is all for your success, Your Highness. Now, please sit in the center of the array and begin your meditation. When you are ready, consume the elixirs one by one."
The boy settled himself in the center of the chamber, taking a deep breath to calm his mind and center his thoughts. He began his meditation, drawing upon the Eternal Night Genesis Canon, feeling the familiar flow of Qi through his body.
He started with the Ignition Pill, feeling a warm surge of energy spread through his meridians. The sensation was exhilarating, and he focused on the small spark of energy within his core. Next, he consumed the Lotus Blossom Elixir, its energy intertwining with the spark and nurturing it.
Time seemed to stretch as Kael continued his breakthrough process. The surrounding room faded away.
The final elixir, the Celestial Dew, brought a sharp clarity to his mind. In this heightened state, Kael perceived the deeper truths of his cultivation technique.
Previously, in the martial scripture section of the Royal Library, he practiced his technique to the Spiritual Resonance Realm. With the help of Teachings of Millennia, it took him just a second. Now, with the help of his breakthrough, his progress grew to the level of the Origin Forging Realm.
His practice of the Eternal Night Canon would allow him to smoothly progress without any bottlenecks up to this realm.
After what felt like hours, the light began to fade, and Kael opened his eyes. His gaze was sharper, more focused, and his presence seemed to carry an undeniable aura of power.
"Congratulations, Your Highness," Selena said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "You have successfully broken through to the Inner Spark Realm."
Kael smiled, feeling a flame burning inside his energy core. "Thank you, Selena. Your guidance was invaluable."
Deep inside his body, there was a small black flame with a tinge of purple mixed into it. From time to time, wisps of Qi flew out of the center and dispersed throughout Kael's meridians.
"It was my honor, Your Highness."
As Kael exited the chamber, he was met by his mother, Empress Vespera Velrath. Her eyes gleamed with pride and affection. Behind her was a crowd of servants with their heads bowed and eyes looking at the floor.
"Your Majesty!" Prince Kael and Selena greeted her.
"You have done well, son," she said, her voice soft yet filled with authority. "I am proud of you."
Vespera reached out with her hand and gently rubbed the child's cheek. Everyone experienced shock deep within their hearts but didn't dare to show it on their faces. They knew the notoriety of the Empress in the world.
People called her the Demoness of Blood, Merciless Witch Queen, and many more scary names.
"Prepare well for the court assembly. You will meet all Demonic Generals, Lords, and Kings. You must show them the brilliance of our heir."
"I will, Royal Mother."
"Good. Also, after the ceremony, you will come with me to the Ancestor Land. Members of our family are eager to meet you."
"Old experts of the Velrath family. It would be interesting to see them," the child thought inside his head.
"Yes, Royal Mother. I look forward to it," Kael replied with a confident nod.
The Ancestor Land was a place of legend within the Palace, said to hold the deepest secrets and most powerful members of the Velrath lineage. Meeting these ancient experts could be both a disaster and a blessing.
As the Empress turned to leave, she cast a final, approving glance at her son. "Make sure you rest well, Kael. The days ahead will be demanding."
With a graceful nod, Vespera departed, her entourage following closely behind.
"Let's go. It's already late. I want to have some tea before bed."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The two maids ran off excitedly.
After tea, lying in bed, Kael reorganized everything in his head. He felt the weight of his recent breakthrough settle in. Alone in his room, his consciousness fell into the training timeless space.
Memories of the martial art scriptures he had studied in the Royal Library surfaced in his mind. During his time there, Kael had mastered two techniques.
The first was the Azure Dragon Sword Technique, which had awakened his Sword Qi. The second was the Shadow Phantom Steps, a movement technique that allowed him to move with unmatched speed and stealth.
He decided to keep investigating its limits, also testing out the Sword Qi he had awakened.
"It doesn't drain my Inner Qi at all. It is more of a mental skill. I can use it as long as my mind can bear it," Kael said to himself, looking at a small thread of azure Qi.
Awakening Sword Qi is the first step towards the Dao of Swords. Although one cannot call himself a true swordsman just with Sword Qi, it is still an insurmountable mountain on the paths of many.
"It is just a first-stage Sword Qi, nothing special. The real challenge would be the Sword Heart."
After some training, the young prince returned to the real world, feeling exhausted and quickly fell asleep.