"There are still two days left until the sect's tournament begins... I should be able to reach Seed of Domination (Level: 5) before then," Ethan muttered.
After gaining all Nine Qi Natures, his cultivation speed had increased considerably.
However, at the same time, the amount of Qi required to reach each subsequent level had also grown drastically.
"After gaining attunement to Mana and Shadow Essence, my energy absorption rate has increased significantly," Ethan said as he looked at his hand.
A thick, cobalt-blue energy permeated from his palm.
He placed his hand that was covered in cobalt blue energy over the place where his heart was, feeling its vibrant rhythm, then closed his eyes and began to focus.
He didn't circulate mana using his technique.
Instead, he simply poured his own mana directly into his heart, letting it surge around before beginning to condense.
With his attunement to Mana, he had also gained the ability to cast magic.
The power of one's magic depended on how many magic circles they had formed around their heart.
The number of circles a person could form depended on their knowledge of the element they specialized in.
A mage could specialize in more than one element; it all depended on their own limits, but the element with the highest advancement determined their overall magic level.
Magic was special among all cultivation paths because, unlike the others, it did not require physical exertion.
Instead, to advance in magic, one had to gather knowledge and deepen their understanding of their chosen element.
There were three essential aspects required to advance one's magic level: Knowledge, Imagination, and Manifestation.
Ethan had managed to form more than twelve circles in his heart during his past life, and the knowledge he had accumulated back then was still fresh in his mind. Reaching that level again wouldn't be difficult for him.
As for imagination and manifestation, those could naturally improve alongside his cultivation, since magic was merely a supportive path for him.
As he continued to pour mana into his heart, a bright blue light began to illuminate from within, and a magic circle slowly formed around it.
[You have formed a magic circle around your heart]
[You have awakened a Sub-Cultivation Method: 'Path of Magic']
[You have become a 1st-Circle Mage]
[You have developed the ability: 'Spell Casting']
Only after the circle was complete did Ethan open his eyes and glance at the system notifications.
"A sub-cultivation method, huh?" he murmured.
[You have reached the limit of how many magic circles you can currently form.]
[Increase your main cultivation level to form the 2nd Magic Circle.]
"As expected, the rules won't allow me to instantly become a 12th-Circle Mage..." Ethan sighed softly.
"Well, I do enjoy a challenge."
He raised his hand and playfully twirled his finger, creating a ring of fire that swirled in the air.
"Magic always makes life so much easier," he said with a faint smile as he waved his hand.
The fiery ring shattered into tiny particles and vanished.
"There are still around forty hours left until the tournament begins. Let's cultivate," Ethan muttered as he began absorbing energy using the [Unending Apotheosis Technique].
The surrounding energy surged toward him like a floodgate bursting open, and his absorption rate was now faster than ever before.
There was a reason for this.
Ethan's energy absorption rate far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators, not only because of his technique but because he possessed all Nine Qi Natures.
In the past, when he only possessed Ice and Lightning Qi Natures, he had to refine the incoming energy, since the natural world's Qi always contained all natures mixed together.
He couldn't absorb them directly without purification.
Refining and separating unwanted Qi Natures took extra time.
Now that he possessed all nine, the refining process had become drastically simpler; he only needed to remove impurities, which was far easier.
Even that process, however, was being handled by the Codex of Creation.
The [Energy Restoration] function of the Codex included a sub-function called [Energy Purification], ensuring that any energy entering his body was in its purest form, free of all impurities.
Within minutes, a vast amount of Qi flowed into his energy circuits. '
He circulated it repeatedly, refining and stabilizing it before finally guiding it to his dantian, feeding it into his incomplete Domination Seed.
The seed greedily absorbed the energy, edging closer to completion.
This process continued for the next thirty-eight hours, until Ethan finally broke through to the next level.
[Your Cultivation level has increased]
[You have reached the Realm: Domination Seed Creation (Level: 5)]
[Your Strength Increased: 18.3 → 20.3]
[Your Dexterity Increased: 20.6 → 22.6]
[Your Stamina Increased: 21.6 → 23.6]
[Your Perception Increased: 25 → 27]
[Your Vitality Increased: 19.6 → 21.6]
[Your Qi Increased: 25 → 28.5]
[Your Shadow Essence Increased: 25 → 28.5]
[Your Mana Increased: 25 → 28.5]
[Your System Level Increased: Level 20 → Level 22]
[Your Life Span Increased: 100 Years → 106 Years]
Then he spent another couple of hours increasing his energy reserves and sharpening his sight, since he had around five hours left until the sect competition began.
[Your Qi Increased: 28.5 → 30]
[Your Shadow Essence Increased: 28.5 → 30]
[Your Mana Increased: 28.5 → 30]
"As my cultivation grows higher, the effectiveness of each of my attributes also increases, and as a result, it takes a lot, a lot more energy to improve my energy reserves," Ethan sighed. He wasn't disappointed; in fact, he was happy, because it meant he was growing stronger.
A couple of minutes later, Kagetsu emerged from the corners of the shadows and enveloped Ethan in darkness, bringing him back to the dancing library.
Rubbing in her sweet spot, which was her neck, Ethan carried Kagetsu to the hall labeled [Equipment].
This was where he kept all the equipment he had collected or crafted from the various worlds he had lived in.
Each item was of the highest quality, and most of the weapons were spiritual-type, possessing souls of their own, meaning they could grow stronger along with their user.
Ethan walked past countless weapons until he reached a part of the wall where four unique-looking swords hung, each adorned with distinct colors, symbols, and etchings.
The four swords had been crafted and named by Ethan himself.
They were part of a set known as the [Four Season Swords].
These swords were soul-bound and each specialized in enhancing a unique aspect of its user when wielded.
Over time, Ethan had crafted many weapons inspired by different themes: the four seasons, the twelve zodiac signs, constellations, and more.
All of them were spiritual weapons, each bound to him.
Humming to himself, Ethan glanced at more swords, seemingly struggling to decide which to use.
His eyes lingered for a moment on a couple of swords bound by chains, a spear exuding an ominous aura, and another spear vibrating with energy.
"Nah, I can't handle them with my current strength. For now, I should stick with the Four Season Swords or the constellation swords," Ethan muttered as he chose the Summer Sword and the Winter Sword.
"Being a dual-sword wielder allows me to deal more damage and handle multiple opponents," he muttered, gripping the swords.
The [Winter Sword] had a broad blade that shone with a dark blue hue and golden handles, with magnificent symbols etched on one side.
The [Summer Sword] was identical in shape, except its blade was dark red, and the symbols etched on it differed from those of the Winter Sword. Its handle was also golden.
As soon as Ethan held them, the swords seemed to recognize their master.
They released a faint vibration, and Ethan could feel their joy at being back in his hands.
"Just to be safe," Ethan added, grabbing one of the few daggers in his collection: the [Dagger of Nuada].
The dagger had a curved blade, entirely copper-colored, with strange markings etched onto it.