Don moved to the gem chests. Diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds—all perfect quality, all preserved flawlessly.
[ROYAL GEMSTONES ×2,000]
[SELL VALUE: 40,000 KP (BULK)]
Better. Forty thousand points would push his total to 95,070 KP if he sold everything.
But Don hesitated. Selling everything felt... wrong. Disrespectful. These weren't just treasures—they were the kingdom's legacy. The last remnants of a civilization erased from existence.
He decided to be selective. Take what he needed. Leave the rest as a memorial.
The artifact chests held various items—enchanted rings, protective amulets, detection charms. Most were C or D-Rank. A few B-Ranks. Nothing S-Rank like Valdris's Oath.
Don scanned them systematically:
• Ring of Protection (B-Rank): +100 VIT, +50 all resistances - 8,000 KP
• Amulet of Clarity (B-Rank): +80 INT, +60 WIS, immunity to mental effects (Stage 2 and below) - 7,500 KP
• Boots of Swiftness (B-Rank): +120 AGI - 6,000 KP
• Cloak of Shadows (B-Rank): +100 DEX, grants partial invisibility - 6,500 KP
• Various C-Rank items: 2,000-4,000 KP each
Useful, but Don's stats were already high enough that B-Rank equipment provided minimal benefit. He'd consider them if needed, but for now, he continued exploring.
Section Three: The Library.
Shelves carved into the stone walls held hundreds of books and scrolls. Above them, inscriptions read:
"Knowledge is the kingdom's true wealth. What we knew, what we learned, what we discovered—preserved here so it will not die with us."
Don approached the nearest shelf and examined the titles. Most were mundane—histories, agricultural treatises, poetry collections, philosophical works.
But one section caught his attention.
"CULTIVATION ARTS - ROYAL COLLECTION"
Ten books, each bound in leather and marked with preservation runes that glowed faintly.
Don scanned them methodically:
[BASIC ESSENCE CONTROL]
[GRADE: INTERMEDIATE]
[TEACHES: Fundamental essence manipulation for Stage 1]
[SELL VALUE: 3,000 KP]
[ADVANCED COMBAT TECHNIQUES]
[GRADE: EXPERT]
[TEACHES: Master-level weapon arts across all categories]
[SELL VALUE: 6,000 KP]
[MANA CIRCULATION METHODS]
[GRADE: EXPERT]
[TEACHES: Optimal mana flow patterns for efficiency]
[SELL VALUE: 5,500 KP]
[ESSENCE LAYER THEORY]
[GRADE: EXPERT]
[TEACHES: Understanding and manipulating essence structures]
[SELL VALUE: 7,000 KP]
Each book was valuable. Each contained knowledge that cultivators would kill for.
But the tenth book—the largest, bound in white leather with gold lettering and sealed with particularly powerful preservation runes—stood apart from the rest.
Don pulled it carefully from the shelf.
[ANALYZING ITEM...]
[ROYAL ESSENCE ART]
[GRADE: GRANDMASTER]
[TEACHES: Complete Stage 1-3 cultivation system]
[INCLUDES:]
• Stage 2 mastery techniques
• Essence refinement methods
• Crucible optimization strategies
• Stage 3 advancement preparation
• "Crucible Transcendence" technique
└─ Method for advancing to Stage 3 with minimal sacrifice
└─ Royal family secret passed through 12 generations
└─ Allows gradual transformation instead of complete destruction
└─ Preserves more of original self while still advancing
[SELL VALUE: CANNOT BE SOLD - PRICELESS ARTIFACT]
[NOTE: Contains techniques considered national secrets]
Don opened the book carefully.
The first page held an inscription in elegant handwriting:
"To my heir—if you read this, I am dead. The kingdom has likely fallen. But these techniques have been passed through our bloodline for twelve generations. They represent centuries of accumulated knowledge, refined and perfected by the greatest minds our kingdom has produced.
Study them. Master them. Use them to reclaim what was stolen from us.
Know that cultivation is not just about power—it is about understanding. The difference between a cultivator who survives and one who thrives is not strength, but wisdom. Learn well.
May the gods protect you, my child. May our ancestors guide your path. And may you succeed where we failed.
- King Aldric Valdris III"
Don began reading.
His enhanced Intelligence of 270 allowed him to process the complex cultivation theory rapidly. What would take a normal person weeks to comprehend, he absorbed in hours of focused study.
The book detailed everything about Stage 2:
• How to refine essence layers for maximum purity
• How to avoid common bottlenecks during Crucible advancement
• How to maximize efficiency in essence circulation
• How to identify and correct structural flaws in cultivation foundation
• Dozens of training exercises and meditation techniques
But most importantly—it described a technique for advancing to Stage 3 with minimal loss.
Don read that section three times, memorizing every word:
"CRUCIBLE TRANSCENDENCE: The Royal Method
Standard cultivation teaches that advancement to Stage 3 requires total destruction. Burn away everything in the Crucible, sacrifice your connection to the mortal world, emerge as something transcendent but fundamentally changed.
This is not wrong. But it is INCOMPLETE.
The royal method—passed from father to son for twelve generations—understands a deeper truth: transformation need not be destruction. Fire refines as well as consumes. The Crucible can be controlled.
The technique:
1. PREPARATION (Minimum 1 week):
• Achieve perfect Stage 2-6 mastery
• Refine all essence layers to maximum purity
• Establish complete control over essence structure
• Meditate on what you wish to preserve vs transform
2. GRADUAL ASCENSION (7 days):
• Do not enter Crucible all at once
• Transform layer by layer, over seven days
• Day 1: Outer essence layer burns and reforms
• Days 2-6: Each subsequent layer transforms
• Day 7: Core essence undergoes final transcendence
3. CONTROLLED SACRIFICE:
• Instead of complete destruction, perform GRADUAL release
• Transform 40-50% completely (necessary for advancement)
• Preserve 50-60% through careful essence manipulation
• The preserved portion integrates with transformed essence
• Result: Stage 3 power without complete loss of self
4. STABILIZATION (3 days post-advancement):
• Allow transformed and preserved essence to merge
• Reinforce new structure through meditation
• Test new capabilities carefully
• Adjust to enhanced power gradually
WARNINGS:
• Requires PERFECT Stage 2-6 mastery (cannot be rushed)
• Demands extraordinary essence control (Expert level minimum)
• Any mistake during transformation can be FATAL
• System may question unconventional advancement
• Success rate: 73% among royal bloodline
But for those who succeed—they emerge with Stage 3 power while retaining more of their original self than any other method allows. They become bridges between mortal and transcendent. They achieve supremacy without surrendering humanity."
Don closed the book slowly, his tactical mind already processing the information.
This was exactly what he needed.
He'd already cheated the system twice—first with Emotion Suppression during Stage 1, then with temporary sacrifice during Stage 2. This technique would let him do it again for Stage 3, but with an even better cover.
The System wouldn't question gradual transformation over seven days. It would expect that from someone studying royal techniques. And if Don executed it perfectly, he could advance to Stage 3 while preserving even more of his hidden humanity than before.
Supreme Foundation #3 was within reach.
Don stored the Royal Essence Art in his Spatial Storage Ring, handling it with appropriate reverence.
This book was worth more than all the gold and gems combined.
Section Four: The Shrine.
At the chamber's far end, elevated on a stone dais, stood an altar glowing with faint golden light. Above it, inscriptions carved in larger text than anywhere else:
"The Blessing of Kings. For two thousand years, every Valdris ruler has come here before their coronation. This shrine holds the accumulated will of our ancestors—87 kings and queens who stood against darkness. Approach with reverence. Receive their strength. Carry their legacy forward."
Don approached the altar carefully. It was simple—just a flat stone surface with a golden crown carved into its center. No actual crown, just the symbol etched deep into the rock.
But the power radiating from it was unmistakable. This wasn't decorative. This was active magic, preserved for centuries, waiting.
When Don stepped onto the dais, the golden light intensified.
[SHRINE DETECTED]
[ANALYZING VISITOR...]
[BLOODLINE CHECK: ANALYZING...]
[NOT VALDRIS ROYAL LINE - BLESSING TYPICALLY UNAVAILABLE]
[BUT...]
[CONDITION MET: WIELDER CARRIES VALDRIS'S OATH]
[CONDITION MET: WIELDER'S INTENT ALIGNED WITH KINGDOM'S VENGEANCE]
[CONDITION MET: WIELDER PASSED SANCTUARY'S HUMAN BLOOD TEST]
[SHRINE: MAKES EXCEPTION]
[THE BLESSING OF KINGS: ACTIVATING]
Golden light erupted from the altar, flooding through Don's body like liquid sunlight.
Not painful—elevating.
He felt his essence compress, his muscles becoming denser, his mind sharpening to crystalline clarity. His mana reserves deepened. His physical structure reinforced itself. His very existence became more... substantial.
[PERMANENT BLESSING RECEIVED]
[KING'S WILL - UNIQUE LEGENDARY BUFF]
Effect: +50 to ALL stats (PERMANENT)
Bonus: Cannot be removed, dispelled, or stolen
Special: Represents accumulated will of 87 kings and queens
Special: Bearer recognized as "Champion of Valdris"
Special: Grants authority over kingdom's remaining magical defenses
[WARNING: EXTREME POWER SURGE DETECTED]
[STABILIZING...]
The light reached a crescendo, then slowly faded.
Don staggered slightly as the transformation completed, his body adjusting to the sudden influx of power. Fifty points to every stat. The equivalent of five complete level-ups in a single moment.
His muscles felt like coiled steel. His thoughts moved faster, clearer, processing information at speeds that felt almost precognitive. His mana reserves had exploded—the fifty points to Magic Power meant his capacity jumped dramatically.
"Status," Don said, his voice steady despite the overwhelming changes.
[UPDATING STATS...]
Current Statistics:
Strength: 285 → 335
Agility: 287 → 337
Vitality: 235 → 285
Dexterity: 245 → 295
Stamina: 242 → 292
Wisdom: 283 → 333
Magic Power: 300 → 350
Intelligence: 270 → 320
[MANA CAPACITY RECALCULATED]
Magic Power: 350 → Mana: 17,500
[CURRENT MANA: 13,075/17,500]
[STAMINA: 194/292]
Don flexed his hand experimentally. His fingers moved with impossible precision—he could probably pluck individual grains of sand from a pile without disturbing the others.