Ume chuckled, messing up my hair, and whispered, "So adorable."

Before I could react, she immediately rose to her feet and vanished with the same spiral of plum blossoms.

"You are the one who is adorable," I murmured, awkwardly scratching my temple.

I was tired, but there wasn’t a hint of sleep in my eyes. The reason for that was obvious. What man could fall asleep when his woman told him to wait for her with a kiss?

"Till she returns, let me check what goodies I got from the quest."

"Vivi, claim the reward of the quest."

"Initializing Host’s request..."

I felt a slight but sudden increase in my strength, and my exhaustion significantly decreased.

"All of your stats have increased by +10."

"Congratulations! You have received information on how to enter your Sea of Soulforce.

Would you like to learn it?

[Yes] [No]"

"Of course I wanna learn it."

"Sending the requested information directly to Host’s brain."

After a minute-long headache due to the information rush, I finally learned the most basic skill that every awakener in this world knew.

"Oh, so this is how you enter the Sea of Soulforce," I murmured, quickly taking the lotus position.

I closed my eyes, steadied my breathing, and following the guidance I received from Vivi, I reached the place.

When I opened my eyes, I was floating in mid-air, and before me was a sea of golden water stretching as far as the eyes could see.

"Is that my Sea of Soulforce?" I mumbled, scanning the area.

"Do all awakeners have these chains?"

I wondered as I looked at the three chains emerging from the sea, binding the sun in the sky.

The size of these black, spiky chains was equally mind-boggling. Each link of the iron chain was a mountain of its own, even larger than Mount Everest.

The longer I stared at those chains, the more uncomfortable I felt.

"Vivi, what are these chains?" I asked.

"..."

"Vivi?"

"..."

"Hm, so it can’t respond to me while I’m here." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The next few minutes I spent wandering the place, checking if there was anything else to see besides the shackled sun and golden sea.

Strangely, with each thought of mine, I could increase my speed as much as I wanted. Within minutes, I traveled hundreds of thousands of miles and finally reached the end of the sea.

The sea was stopped before a huge rocky wall touching the sky above the clouds.

"There isn’t much to see here," I murmured and returned to reality.

The moment I came back, I stared at the room’s door and whined, "She hasn’t returned yet? Oh right, let me check my progress."

"Vivi, show me the profile window."

"Initializing Host’s request..."

"Host Name: Raj

Age: 22

Realm: Late-stage Essence

Stats:

Strength: 820 Agility: 800

Stamina: 950 Defense: 1090

Attributes:

– Primary: Lightning

– Secondary: None

Bloodline Awakening Meter:

– Bones Manifested: 2.4%

– Blood Manifested: 1.5%

– Flesh Manifested: 1.6%

Skills:

Non-offensive Techniques:

– All-Devouring Breathing Technique: Level 5

– Voice of Tranquility: Level 2

– Pain Tolerance (Passive): Max Level

– Unshakable Mind (Passive): Level 5

– Divine Sense: Level 1

– Phantom Simulator: Level 1

– Inventory: Level 2

Weapon Techniques:

– Infinite Thrust: Max Level

– Advanced Mace Skill: Max Level

– Advanced Sword Skill (Sword Aura: Level 1)

Attribute-Based Skills:

– Lightning Bolt: Level 5 [Click to View More Versions]

– Blink: Level 5

– Indra’s Eye"

"Oh, you divided the skills into different categories," I murmured, staring at the window. "That was very smart of you."

As I scrolled the window, the first skill that drew my attention was Divine Sense.

"Vivi, give me more description about Divine Sense."

"Divine Sense (Level 1): A sensory skill that allows the Host to extend his perception beyond human capabilities. The Host may detect all incoming attacks of any form.

Current range: 50 meters."

"Wow, the skill is more awesome than I thought," I gasped. "The range isn’t much, but it can be increased with the level."

I scrolled the screen again and tapped the skill I was looking forward to the most.

"Sword Aura (Level 1): It is the manifestation of Host’s Soulforce into an aura that envelops the sword, increasing its sharpness and destructive power to another level.

Current effect: All sword skills are increased by two levels.

Note: Consumes a huge amount of Soulforce. Careful usage recommended until the Host reaches the Mid-Tier realm."

"By whole two levels!?" I exclaimed, jumping off the bed. "Is this why my Lightning Slash was so destructive back then?"

At that moment, a thought came into my mind. "What if I use Lightning Decree with Sword Aura?"

The thought alone sent shivers down my spine. "Haha! I should avoid using this dangerous skill unless I wanna destroy a whole city."

Since I was on the topic of swords, the notification I received during the battle came to mind.

I drew Vajra from the inventory and ordered, holding it by its hilt:

"Vivi, show me the sword’s description."

"Initializing Host’s request..."

"Analyzing the artifact..."

"The Roaring Blade: Vajra

Type: Growth Type (Current Rank: A)

Class: Epic

Attribute: Lightning

Description: A legendary sword forged by striking with a thousand lightnings. One millennia ago, Vajra was wielded by an ancient being. Since then, the sword has been waiting to be wielded by a deserving person who can unleash its full strength.

[More information – Locked]

Abilities:

• Lightning Slash [Click to view more versions]

• Lightning Decree

• Indra’s Wraith [Locked – Requires Expert Sword Skills]

More abilities – [Locked]

Growth Conditions:

1. Reach the level of Advanced Sword Skills: [Completed]

2. Lace the blade with the lightning attribute of a being of Transcendent Realm: [Pending]

3. Feed the blood of %@#*& bloodline which is at least 25% manifested: [Pending]"

"Wait-wait-wait, that’s a lot to take in," I exclaimed, my eyes widening.

"Vajra is more than a thousand years old? Its grade increased from B to A, and it can also grow by completing the mentioned conditions?" I blurted, summarizing the entire window.

"This sword is way more awesome than I initially thought."

I pulled Vajra closer to me, my lips puckering to give it an affectionate kiss—but then a voice came from the door.

"Oh heavens! What are you doing?" Ume yelped, standing at the door.