After exactly an hour, the two reached the Tidewatch Port, where a similar fishy smell hit them. Dropping on the port, Emperal looked at Calder, who smirked.

"Boss, try not to die catching strays."

"Yeah, try getting laid without paying."

The two looked at each other and chuckled, bidding each other farewell, they went their separate ways.

Emperal was going to stay further and research his new Soul Cultivation, while Calder would return to Draventhar.

Emperal went to the beachside of Dawnreach and rented an entire mansion there. Apparently, his mo—Soleine, had given him some allowance to enjoy. And enjoy, he did.

"Ah, it feels good to have a rich girlfriend," Emperal nodded repeatedly.

It was a mansion at Dawnreach’s eastern cliff edge, a two-story building built from the same limestone as the cliffs themselves. Its colour was the classic gold and white aesthetic of Dawnreach, the sea-facing wall was almost entirely open, and there were even proper, wide windows that let the gentle morning light pass through.

The main floor was large and open; it was a sitting area, aka a cultivation space of good Verth density, because of the formation. A cooking area that contained all types of items stacked up evenly, and the upper floors had sleeping rooms.

Emperal nodded in satisfaction when he saw the house; it was way better than he had expected. And the good thing is, this area was a bit away from the center, so there were fewer Peeping Toms here.

Emperal entered inside and took a deep breath, "Mhm, smells like a new house, alright."

Outside, there was a garden that grew on the side where the coastal winds brushed it. And lastly, the sea was at least thirty meters below the cliff edge.

"Heh, shall we begin?"

He muttered as he went into the main hall and sat on a mat.

"So how do I begin?" He asked, to nobody in particular.

"You already have the base, the Soul Space. Actually, no, you had to create the Soul Seed first and then go for the Soul Space. But eh, either way works. We will just see what happens."

The Infernal Dragon spoke, almost scaring Emperal.

"What do you mean? Old man, are you experimenting on me?"

"Ahem! I wouldn’t say such a wrong word. We are just...exploring! Yes, we are exploring."

Black creases formed on Emperal’s head, but he took a deep breath. One way or another, he had to do it. Instead of falling for Lizard’s obvious baits, he might as well do it himself.

Emperal closed his eyes and focused on his Soul Space. He reentered his white space, unfortunately he couldn’t come through his body. He was just a floating piece of consciousness...who could control the realm.

"Hmm...now how should I start?"

Despite those words, he had already willed the Soul Energy towards him. Stretching his invisible hands out, he began to gather the Soul Energy in one place.

"This process is delicate and time-consuming. So, be careful with it. Once you have condensed enough Soul Energy, you will then compress it and create a Soul Seed."

The Infernal Dragon’s calm voice echoed inside. Emperal just replied with a hmm.

...

For the first day, he didn’t do much. But spent four hours gathering Soul Energy. And went back.

After all, staying longer in the Soul Space was proving to be quite a strain on his mental health. It was becoming exhausting.

After coming back from Soul Space, Emperal practiced his Draconic powers.

He repeatedly used Kraeth’sol on various scales of output and tested its efficiency. He was a staunch believer in less input, double the output.

And he would work towards it. Kraeth’sol has become much easier now. And he had discovered one more thing.

Whenever he used Vel’tharak. The Magma Skin, the efficiency and the output of Kraeth’sol increased several times over.

But for now, Emperal could only use Magma Skin and cover his forearms and some of the vital parts of his body.

It was nowhere enough.

Still, with the Infernal Dragon’s knowledge and his own ingenuity. Emperal was progressing rapidly.

Aside from his cultivation...he was rapidly mastering the rest of the aspects his body had offered.

Even the sword, after the three hours of training of his Draconic powers. Emperal would take a rest, have something to eat, and continue for the next three hours his sword training.

This routine continued for almost three weeks. He did the same: eat, train, sleep...repeat.

On the twenty-third day, he finally decided to go to the marketplace of Dawnreach, where he obviously wanted to touch some grass and restock some supplies.

...

At the far west, the southern border region where Emperal had beefed with the Verth Shapers...was now surrounded.

Mighty auras descended one by one, enveloping the entire border region. A total of five auras descended.

"Oh? The Voidclaw Clan sure hid something precious, hehe."

An old man laughed, each of his words felt heavy and... heavy. Despite being old, this old man had higher physical density and an intense heat around him that made the others uncomfortable.

He was an Elder from the Blazefang Clan, one of the four Dragon Clans in the Dragon Clan Council.

"Hmph, just say your muscle brains could not detect this."

A woman snorted; her aura matched the man who had just spoken. The Blazefang Elder’s eyes narrowed when he heard her words.

"Why does Ironscale meddle in everything? Are you guys so desperate for attention?" He. of course didn’t back down.

"Kekeke~ Is there a fight about to fire up? Count me in!"

Another middle-aged man spoke; electricity crackled wildly around him. Sending a few stray zaps every now and then.

He was from the Stormhorn Clan, they too have a seat in the Dragon Council. Alongside the Ironclaw and Blazefang.

"Sigh, these idiots started fighting once again."

From down below, Cassel sighed. This was more common than anyone would have believed; the three always fought.

His eyes shifted to the Elder standing in front of him, who seemed to be looking intently at the formation. His expression appeared puzzled.

"What’s the matter, Elder?" Cassel asked.

"The formula used to open this formation...doesn’t belong to this era."