The marketplace in the capital buzzed with activity as Lukas moved through the crowd, cloaked in shadow. His presence here had to remain a secret—only a select few knew he had returned from the eastern front. The defeat at the hands of the Dark Commander still stung. His elite forces had suffered greatly, and now they were holding the line while Zane was on his way back to deliver the Ether Surge Pills. Lukas had stayed behind, needing more than just pills to prepare for the battles ahead.
He ducked into a quiet alley, away from prying eyes, and entered a hidden shop that specialized in rare herbs and alchemical supplies. Here, in the relative safety of the capital, Lukas had time to think and plan. But as his mind focused on his next steps, something surfaced from his memory—something vital he had forgotten.
The reward.
It had been granted to him when he reached Level 9 of Ether Awakening—the peak of this stage—but he had set it aside in the rush of battle and survival. Now, with a growing sense of urgency, he pulled up the system interface.
---
[Review: Ether Awakening Level 9 Reward]
The screen shimmered as the details of the reward unfolded before his eyes.
---
[Reward: Soulstone of the Ancients]
Description: A rare soulstone containing the essence of ancient cultivators, filled with immense knowledge and power. When used, it will unlock forgotten techniques and give insight into the next stage of cultivation. Caution: Use only when ready for the Essence Awakening Trial.
---
Lukas's heart skipped a beat. This stone had been in his possession for days, forgotten in the midst of battle preparations. But now, it seemed to hold the key to everything—his cultivation, his next stage of power, and his ability to forge stronger weapons.
He quickly left the shop, herbs stashed in a bag, and made his way back to the estate he was temporarily staying in. There, he could unlock the power of the Soulstone of the Ancients.
---
Lukas closed the door behind him and sat cross-legged in the center of the room. The soft glow of the lamps bathed the room in dim light, casting long shadows against the walls. He pulled out the soulstone, now pulsating faintly with energy. As soon as his fingers touched it, a current of Ether rippled through his body, awakening a long-dormant power inside him.
His breathing slowed, his focus sharp. He summoned the system interface again.
[Activate: Soulstone of the Ancients]
The stone glowed brighter, the energy intensifying. Lukas felt his consciousness pull away from his physical body, transported into a deep, endless void.
---
Within the Soulstone
The void was silent, save for the soft hum of Ether swirling around him. Ahead, three shadowy figures emerged—ancient cultivators whose power lingered within the stone.
"Who are you?" Lukas's voice echoed through the space.
"We are remnants of a long-lost era," one of the figures answered. "Our knowledge remains, sealed within this stone, waiting for one strong enough to claim it. You have reached the peak of Ether Awakening—but this is only the beginning."
Lukas stood silently, absorbing their words. He had known this moment would come, but now, faced with these ancient cultivators, the weight of his journey pressed down on him.
"You will face greater trials," the second figure spoke, their voice soft yet powerful. "But with this knowledge, you will break through to Essence Formation. You will learn the path to true power. We will guide you."
The third figure stepped forward, extending a hand. "You must take this path carefully, for it is fraught with danger. The forces you face will only grow stronger."
Without hesitation, Lukas reached for the offered hand, and as soon as he made contact, a flood of knowledge surged through his mind. He saw visions of Ether-infused weapons, techniques for manipulating elements, and the dangerous path ahead—the Essence Awakening Trial.
---
Back to return to Reality
Lukas gasped as his consciousness snapped back to the present. The room around him felt heavier, charged with Ether. The Soulstone lay before him, its energy spent, but his mind was now brimming with the knowledge he had gained.
The Essence Awakening Trial loomed large in his mind. He needed to be ready.
There was a knock at the door. Zane entered, having returned from the eastern front after delivering the Ether Surge Pills to the elite forces.
"You look like you've seen a ghost," Zane commented, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the stone on the floor. "What happened?"
Lukas exhaled slowly. "I've unlocked something important. The system gave me a reward when I reached Level 9, but I didn't realize how significant it was. It's given me the knowledge to break through to Essence Formation."
Zane's eyebrows rose. "So what's the next move?"
"I need to prepare for the Essence Awakening Trial. It's the only way to ascend to the next stage, and I'll need to gather rare materials for both the trial and for forging stronger weapons."
Zane nodded. "What about the troops?"
"The pills will help them push their cultivation, but we need to be ready for when the Dark Commander returns. We need to strike first, but we won't stand a chance without stronger weapons."
---
The knowledge Lukas had gained wasn't just about cultivation. The Soulstone of the Ancients had revealed techniques for forging Ether-infused weapons—weapons that could hold elemental power, forged with rare materials gathered from Ether-rich locations.
"Zane," Lukas said, his voice resolute. "We're going to the Ether-infused cave to gather materials. There's a place deep within the mountains that the system identified—a cave where the Ether concentration is so high that it crystallizes into powerful materials. I need these to forge weapons strong enough for the coming battles."
"Then let's move," Zane replied, already turning toward the door.
Lukas stood, feeling the energy of the Soulstone still humming faintly within him. This was only the beginning. With the knowledge of the Essence Awakening Trial and the power to forge stronger weapons, he knew that their next encounter with the Dark Commander would be different.
But first, he needed to break through—and survive the trial.