"I'm back with the spirit grass," Kael said as he placed the bag full of spirit grass on the counter. The youth behind the counter took the bag and counted the bundles inside." Twenty bundles, so that's three hundred credits." The youth said as he transferred the credit. "What are you going to spend it on?" Draven asked as he handed his bag to the youth. "I'm going to Forging Hall to look for a new weapon. I don't think I can use my sword again, after that fight." "I'll go with you."
Forging hall was just a huge smithy. The sound of metal pounding against metal welcomed them. Hot air from the furnace assaulted them as they walked in. Sparks flew everywhere as hammer met iron. " Excuse me, I'm here to purchase a weapon." Kael said to the lady, who was busy working on a piece of metal. "I don't think she can hear you." Draven leaned in and said to him.
Kael rolled his eyes and tapped the lady's shoulder. She stopped pounding and turned to look at Kael. "What?" She asked, clearly irritated. "I want to buy a sword," Kael said as he stepped back. "The back." She said as she pointed to the door behind her. She didn't wait for a response from Kael and went back to pounding the piece of metal.
Kael didn't say anything and went through the door. A behemoth of a man was sitting behind the counter, sharpening a broadsword. As soon as he saw Kael walk in, he put the sword away and flashed them a smile. "Welcome, dear friends. What can I do for you?" Kael stood there in a daze for a minute. The man's appearance and his attitude were a complete contrast.
"I want to purchase a sword," Kael said after a moment. "Haha, you've come to the right place. Here is one of our best batches." He said as he took out a large case. He opened it, and six exquisite swords lay inside. "Take a look and see which one suits you." Kael looked at the swords and picked one up. "How much is this one?" Kael asked as he swung it a few times. "It's only five thousand credits." The man said, the smile never leaving his face. Kael almost choked on his saliva. "Do you have any swords that are pocket-friendly?" He asked as he carefully placed the sword back in the case like it was an egg, afraid to break it.
"Yes, we have some that are more affordable, but the quality isn't as good as the first ones." Said the man as he put the case back and took out another one. He opened it and six more swords came into display. They weren't as outstanding as the first batch, but they were better than the old sword he had hanging on his waist. Before he picked it up asked," How much do these cost?" "Hahaha, don't worry, that one is just two hundred and credits." The man said, laughing. Kael winced at the price. "Fine, I'll take this one." He said as he transferred the credits, leaving him with only one hundred left.
"Aren't you getting one?" He asked Draven as he picked up the sword. Draven laughed awkwardly. "I actually have one. I just forgot it when I was leaving." Kael stared at him speechless, then shook his head. They walked out of Forging Hall. Kael turned to Draven. "I'm going to Cultivation Hall to try out the cultivation rooms." "Ok, I'll see you later," Draven said as he turned the other way and left. Kael went straight to cultivation hall.
"I want to use the cultivation rooms," Kael said as he handed his badge to the elder. The elder looked up from his book and took the badge."You get thirty minutes for sixty credits." He said as he gave him back the badge. 'Why is it so expensive?' Kael thought as he transferred the credits. "Follow me." Said the elder as he led him to the rooms. The rooms were not big, able to fit about two people. There were formations on the ground and walls of the room. "Get in. The formations are what purify the essence and increase it. After thirty minutes, someone will come and get you." Kael nodded and went inside. The elder closed the door and left.
Kael sat in the middle and started to feel the essence. He was shocked by the purity and concentration of essence in the room. It felt like he was in a cloud of essence. 'I should be able to reach the fourth stage if I cultivate here for a few hours. It's too bad I need to be frugal ." He thought as he started to absorb the essence.
The essence flooded his body. His cells rejoiced as they bathed in the nourishing substance. He exhaled and continued to cultivate, relishing the feeling of getting stronger.
Time passed quickly, and soon there was a knock on the door. "Your thirty minutes are up." A woman's voice sounded from outside. Kael opened his eyes and stretched. "I'll be out in a minute." He said as he stood up. He had cultivated for only thirty minutes and had almost reached the maximum intake his body could handle. 'I should be able to break through to the third stage tonight.' He thought as he walked out.
"Haven't I met you before?" He said as he looked at the lady in front of him." That's right, we met in Combat Hall the other day, Kael right?" She said as she led him away. "That's right. What are you doing here?" Kael asked, puzzled. "Nobody said that you can only join one Division. I joined cultivation hall to help my uncle." She said. "And the extra credits are a welcome bonus." She added.
"That does make sense," Kael said. "Did you pick a division?" She asked. Kael nodded. "I joined Combat Hall." "Then I guess we'll be seeing each other often." She said as she laughed. "I guess we will." Kael said as they walked out. "This is as far as I go. I'll see you later," she said as she ran back inside.
Kael didn't linger and went back to his place. It was a busy day for him, and all he wanted to do was get some rest. He got to his and went to his bed. "Do I practice the first form of the heaven cleaving sword path, or cultivate and break through to the third stage first? Whatever, I'll do it later." He said as he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
"Kael, are you inside. It's me, Draven." Kael was woken up by the banging on his door. "I'm coming." He yelled as he got up groggily. He opened his door and found Draven standing there with a goofy smile on his face. "What?" he asked. "Can't I come and visit my friend?" Draven asked, putting on a wronged face. Kael just looked at him clearly not amused.
"I came with food, so let me in," Draven said as he raised the two bags he had with him. Kael relented and, with a sigh, let him come in. "My mother always said, you can never go wrong with food." Draven laughed as he went in.
They went to his living room and sat down. "What is your cultivation stage, if you don't mind me asking?" Draven said as he took out the food and handed Kael a bowl. "Second stage," Kael said. He took the bowl and started to eat. "Really, that fast. No wonder you could take down that gold-horned lizard easily. I'm still in the first stage." 'What would you think if I told you I'm about to break through to the third stage?' Kael mused at the thought. "Hey, what's with that look?" Draven asked. "What look?" "That look you had just now." "You're seeing things." "I swear you had a look just now."
Kale just laughed and didn't retort anymore. "So, what division did you join?" Draven asked. "Combat hall," Kael answered. Draven stopped eating and for once had a serious look on his face. " Combat hall deals with troublesome missions and cases. You have to be careful out there." Kael nodded. "I will." Draven relaxed and went back to his jolly mood. The two continued to converse until it was late at night.
"I should go back to my place and cultivate. I can't have you leaving me behind." Draven joked as he stood up. "Thanks for the food," Kael said as he got up, too. "It was nothing, you're buying next time." Kael smiled, "Sure, next time it's on me." "Alright, I'll see you later," Draven said as he walked out. 'I should cultivate too, Kael, though, as he closed the door. He cleaned up the living room, then went to his bed and started cultivating.