"But before that," Alfred added, "I need to obtain two intermediate-level spirit ascension entry cards. Only Soul Masters with seven rings or fewer may enter."

"The intermediate platform is far more dangerous. The soul beasts are fiercer, and their year levels are much higher—comparable to those in the Forest of Lamos. However, with my assistance, gathering enough spiritual energy will not take long."

Intermediate spirit ascension platform?

Ray hesitated before asking, "Teacher… can I really enter the intermediate level with only one soul ring?"

Alfred nodded without hesitation. "There are no rank restrictions. As long as you possess an entry card, you may enter even the advanced spirit ascension platform."

A faint chill crept into his tone. "In fact, the Spirit Tower prefers weaker entrants. Faster deaths mean fewer resources spent."

Ray stiffened.

"That said," Alfred continued, "it is extremely common for large clans to escort younger disciples into higher-level platforms, just as I will do for you. The difference is that most of those children lack the physique or spiritual power to take full advantage of the opportunity. They quickly hit their limits at the hundred-year-old level."

He exhaled softly. "Since the introduction of spirit souls, physical strength has rarely been the true bottleneck. Spiritual power is."

"To grow stronger, one must fuse with more spirit souls, but each fusion increases the spiritual burden. Sadly, nearly eighty percent of Soul Masters barely reach the Spirit Sea realm, allowing them to host only three spirit souls."

"Unable to break through that limit," Alfred said, "some resort to dangerous measures to forcibly elevate their first spirit soul."

"Ten-thousand-year spirit souls," he added, "are the most difficult to obtain, as they cannot be artificially manufactured."

Alfred's gaze grew distant. "My fifth soul ring is at the ten-thousand-year level, even though my spiritual power is only at the peak of the Spirit Sea realm. Normally, this would only allow me to support three spirit souls. But with a ten-thousand-year spirit soul, I can host four soul rings and cultivate to eight rings."

He shook his head slightly. "That is my limit. To go any further, my spiritual power would need to break into the next realm. That… is a dream I will likely never realize."

Ray listened in silence.

Alfred's eyes sharpened as they returned to him. "But you are different."

"As long as your first spirit soul evolves to the thousand-year level, your first three soul rings will no longer be a concern. If your second spirit soul also reaches the thousand-year level, and your third—somehow—reaches ten thousand years, you will have opened the path to becoming a Soul Overlord."

"These are my hopes for you," he said quietly. "And I expect you to make them your own."

Ray finally understood.

This wasn't a casual discussion. It was a vision shaped by the experience of a high-level Soul Master—far beyond anything his ten-year-old self could have imagined before.

"Intermediate spirit ascension entry cards are extremely rare," Alfred continued. "They cannot be purchased freely. Each city's supply is tightly controlled for internal use."

"There are only two ways to obtain them: trade, or auction."

"Tomorrow night, we'll attend the auction. If that fails, we'll arrange a trade. Your rebellion spirit ascension platform entry card should be worth two intermediate-level cards."

A question lingered in Ray's mind. "Teacher… why aren't we doing this in West Ocean City? Wouldn't it be easier there?"

Alfred shook his head. "The three of you attracted too much attention in West Ocean City. I doubt Lily would have joined the Spirit Tower otherwise."

"With their influence growing, it would be unwise to draw further notice—especially if your spirit soul evolves to the thousand-year level."

"Arcana City is different," he explained. "There are countless geniuses and powerful clans here, none of which dominate completely. If your brilliance shines briefly among many, it will draw far less scrutiny."

Ray nodded slowly. "I understand."

That evening, they entered the Arcana Imperial Auction.

Ray had visited auction houses before, but the moment he stepped inside, he understood how insignificant West Ocean City's auction truly was.

The event was hosted inside a colossal imperial hotel. Brilliant paintings lined the walls, and an enormous crystal chandelier illuminated the hall like a starry sky.

Each guest sat on a plush leather sofa. Nearby tables overflowed with pastries, fruits, drinks, and alcohol.

Alfred had paid a one-million-federal-coin deposit for entry, reduced only because he once again registered them as father and son.

They donned identical numbered masks upon entering.

Ray's heart raced.

"So many people…" he whispered. Over three hundred guests filled the main floor alone, not counting the private rooms above.

Alfred remained unmoved.

Ray hesitated, then handed over a card. "Teacher, this is my savings card. There's a little over three million federal coins inside. Please manage it for me."

Alfred frowned. "Where did you get this much money?"

"I earned it from blacksmithing," Ray answered honestly.

Alfred fell silent. Then he asked, "Your rank?"

"Third rank!"

Alfred closed his eyes briefly. "I should have known. Those Thousand Refined vests… You forged them all, didn't you?"

Ray nodded.

Only ten years old. Third-rank blacksmith.

Alfred said nothing further.

Soon, the lights dimmed.

"Welcome, honored guests, to the Arcana Imperial Auction…"

Programs were distributed, and Alfred immediately flipped through them, searching for the item they needed.

Ray leaned closer, eyes shining as he examined the catalog.

The items were divided into several categories.

Ray's gaze instinctively drifted to the final category in the catalog.

Battle Armors.

His heart stirred. He had only heard of them in legends and teacher explanations. This was the first time he had seen them listed so plainly, as if they were ordinary commodities.

Before his thoughts could wander any further, Alfred tapped the catalog with a finger.

"Focus."

Ray followed the motion and saw the Miscellaneous Treasures section. There, clearly listed, were three intermediate spirit ascension platform entry cards, each with a starting price of five million federal coins.

Ray's heart sank.

At least they were available. That alone was a relief. And he had already contributed three million of his own savings. Still, it hurt. That money had been set aside for something far more important.

Breaking the next seal.

Just then, a thought struck him like lightning.

A grand auction like this… wouldn't it also have the spirit items he needed?

His eyes darted to the Spirit Fruits category.

The very first line made his pupils shrink.

Thousand-year.

Every item listed was at least a thousand years old.

Not a single hundred-year fruit in sight.

So this is what a true high-level auction looks like…

His heart pounded as he scanned the list. He barely dared to hope.

Then—

Line six.

Thousand-year Dragonscale Fruit.

Ray froze.

That's one of them.

His breathing quickened. Of all the items required to break the second seal, this was one he had searched for relentlessly. West Ocean City's auction houses had none. Even the museum auctions came up empty. He simply hadn't had the authority to access higher tiers.

And now… it was right in front of him.

But when he read the price, his excitement faltered.

Starting price: 2,000,000 federal coins.

Estimated final price: 3,000,000–5,000,000.

So expensive…

Half a year of blacksmithing, countless sleepless nights, just to earn three million. And this single fruit might devour all of it.

Yet despite the sting, his resolve didn't waver.

Compared to before, his mindset had changed completely.

When he had broken the first seal, doubt had plagued him. But now, after personally experiencing the explosive growth it brought, he no longer questioned it. And beyond the second seal… Grandpa Mel had promised him a surprise.

"Teacher," Ray said quietly, pointing at the entry. "I want to buy this."

Alfred frowned slightly. "Why?"

Ray hesitated, then lowered his head and spoke carefully.

"I… have a secret."

Alfred didn't interrupt.

"When my bloodline awakened," Ray continued, "I instinctively knew what my body needed. Sometimes, I could even see those things in my mind."

Alfred's eyes sharpened.

"Do you remember the storm during my breakthrough?" Ray asked. "I used a hundred-year Ice Crystal Fruit and a hundred-year Scarlet Flame Fruit back then. At the time, I wasn't sure if I was imagining things… but after I ate them, my strength really did increase dramatically."

He clenched his fists. "Now, new items have appeared in my mind. And the thousand-year Dragonscale Fruit is one of them."

For the first time, a crack appeared in Alfred's icy composure.

"You're saying," he said slowly, "that those two-hundred-year-old spirit fruits were the reason your body reached its current state?"

Ray nodded. "Yes."

He had decided this much had to be said.

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