The courtyard was quiet, save for the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant calls of early birds in Jade City. Alaric sat cross-legged atop a raised stone platform, the Earth Element King Core hovering slightly above his palms. Its deep, earthen glow pulsed rhythmically, like the heartbeat of the world itself, and the raw energy emanating from it pressed against the boundaries of his qi and mana paths.
He inhaled slowly, centering himself. For months, he had trained in both qi and mana, but this core was unlike anything he had encountered. It was not just a reservoir of power — it was a sentient force, resonating with the earth itself, demanding harmony and understanding.
The moment he placed his hands on the core, the energy surged through him like a tidal wave. His dual-path cultivation flared, qi and mana intertwining with the primal force of earth. Pain shot through his body as countless hidden pathways in both systems were forcibly expanded and activated. He gritted his teeth, forcing his consciousness to stabilize the flow.
By the end of the first week, he felt his cultivation shift. The peak of the Desolate Lord Realm that he had maintained for so long now gave way to a new, more solid foundation. He could feel the earth magic coursing through him, responding instinctively to his thoughts. Rocks and soil nearby trembled subtly when he focused, as if acknowledging his newfound authority. With careful control, he drew on this energy to push his cultivation further, using the core to elevate himself to the 3rd stage of the Sacred Lord Realm.
Exhausted but exhilarated, Alaric paused. His vision blurred slightly as he absorbed the aftereffects, feeling the weight and depth of the earth's energy in his body. He could sense the veins of mana and qi intertwining in ways that defied conventional cultivation theory, and yet, the flow was natural — almost predestined.
Next came the two 5-star essence stones, along with the remaining basic-tier beast cores he had collected. One by one, he absorbed them, letting the refined energy course through his cultivation paths. The process was less violent than the Earth Element Core but no less demanding. Each stone and core pushed his internal structure, forcing adjustments in the pathways that required perfect synchronization. After several days of meticulous absorption, he felt his cultivation surge, reaching the peak of the Sacred Lord Realm.
But the true test awaited. The 6-star essence stone, the pinnacle of energy he had acquired from the bandit stronghold, contained a staggering amount of pure, concentrated energy. The moment he began to draw it in, the pressure almost overwhelmed him. The stone's aura radiated with such intensity that it pressed against every pathway in his body, threatening to rupture weaker channels.
Alaric's teeth gritted as he opened his qi and mana gates to their fullest. Days turned into nights, nights into weeks, as he endured relentless surges of energy. The courtyard became a blur of vibrating stones and shifting air, the ground trembling as his cultivation expanded to unprecedented levels.
For an entire month, he persisted. Every ounce of stamina, focus, and control he had honed over the past year was tested. His body ached, his mind screamed for rest, and yet, he forced every pulse of the 6-star energy into the precise channels that would elevate him to the next stage.
When the process finally concluded, he collapsed onto the ground, panting, sweat pouring off him in streams. His body felt simultaneously heavier and lighter, grounded yet unbound. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The world seemed sharper, every sound more distinct, and the energy around him — the very air and soil — pulsed in resonance with his presence.
He rose to his feet, aura flaring outward in a silent display of immense power. Dust swirled around him as the energy settled, and he carefully retracted the flaring mana and qi into his body. Now fully integrated, he could feel the peak of the Cosmos Lord Realm within him, and the remaining energy had expanded his mana paths far beyond what anyone at his level would typically possess.
A smile touched his lips. The forest beyond the courtyard called to him, a testing ground for his new strength. Without hesitation, he stepped forward, leaving the safety of the walls. Every footfall resonated with power, the soil beneath him responding subtly to his presence.
Rocks shifted, leaves quivered, and even the air seemed heavier, as though recognizing his transformation. He lifted his hands, shaping a small mound of earth into a protective barrier, testing the responsiveness of his newfound earth magic. It obeyed instantly, molding to his will with effortless precision.
Looking deeper into the forest, Alaric's eyes gleamed with purpose. He could feel the latent energy of beasts and natural mana veins intertwined in the terrain. Each pulse of the earth's power whispered secrets about the forest's layout, the density of the soil, and the hidden pockets of energy. He moved with deliberate steps, testing the bounds of his strength while simultaneously attuning himself to the earth.
From the corner of his vision, he saw Alex and the squad still immersed in their own absorption sessions. A sense of pride and responsibility filled him. The path ahead was clear: he had mastered the first stage of this new power, and now it was time to refine it further, push the limits of combat, and integrate his earth magic fully into both his qi and mana cultivation.
The forest echoed with the quiet hum of growing power. Alaric, the dual-path wielder with the newly awakened earth magic and mastery of the Cosmos Lord Realm and Sacred Lord Realm, ventured forward, ready to test every ounce of his strength, sharpen his skills, and ensure that he would be unstoppable when the time came.