With that in mind, he turned his focus back to his status and continued the inspection. He felt satisfied with a long list of his abilities and how much stronger they had become. He was already sharing Sovereign’s Fortitude, Life Force Resonance, Hyper-Recovery, and Cold Resistance with Ethea, so there should be no problem with her recovery these days. Though he would have to be near her to avoid breaking the connection.
Wondering whether to take her with him tomorrow, he scanned the techniques section and noticed he already mastered everything fully except Glacial Descent. But with the promised training session from the Icebreaker Emperor, he was confident he could master it in no time as well. Perhaps he would get to learn a new technique after that.
’Right, speaking of new techniques...’
He still hadn’t learned the third star technique of the Glacial Emperor Scripture. It was called Winter’s Reign, an area-control technique. Once activated, a freeze aura would radiate outward, locking down the surrounding terrain, slowing down the enemies, and boosting all of his ice-based moves. The range was based on mastery. For example, he would start at five meters and slowly expand it while improving his mastery. He already had a similar move called Frost Surge, which he created himself, so it shouldn’t be hard to learn it.
Then, there was the second form of the Heaven-Treading Flash technique, known as Phantom Step. It was more like an upgraded version of the Quick Step, but it suppressed all sound and wind resistance, leaving no trace behind as the user moved. He should learn it too, since the consumption was no different from Quick Step; it would serve as a nice replacement.
Satisfied, he continued the inspection.
’Oh!’
His eyes lit up when he stopped at the Investments tab because a new Ongoing Investments had appeared at the bottom. It showed him his current investments that weren’t completed yet, including Sister Zoe’s and Ethea’s investments. While not powerful, it was certainly a useful addition. Though it would have been even better if it showed when they would finish. But he had to admit that would be way too much.
Not to mention he still had one new ability he had yet to test. But it would require him to enter a Gate.
’...Let’s book one; it’ll be quick with Ryan.’
With everything settled, he finally closed his status window. He sat there silently for a few minutes before deciding to learn about mental cultivation.
He first recalled what he knew about it from the knowledge stored in Sovereign Soul-Refining Scripture.
’Hmm... Mental cultivation is certainly different from normal cultivation.’
While standard cultivation revolved around manipulating mana to refine the body and fuel spells, mental cultivation targeted the soul space itself. Instead of mana, it was governed entirely by mental power, also referred to as spiritual energy or soul force. It was the raw force of consciousness, willpower, and intent.
Building physical power increased output, but refining mental power granted true authority over oneself. It heightened perception, improved cognitive processing, built an internal fortress against curses, mental attacks, and illusions, and allowed a person to project their raw intent outward as physical pressure to suppress enemies.
’And Sovereign Soul-Refining Scripture consists of two cultivation methods...’
The core of the technique was Sovereign Soul Tempering, the primary cultivation method used to refine mental power, clear out spiritual impurities, and steadily expand the soul space. The second was the Imperial Forge, that brutal secondary path he had already used to violently hammer his mind during the curse’s attack.
’Where should I start then...’
He had already skipped past the basics and entered the Intent Foundation Stage. In fact, he was currently halfway through the second, Soul Tempered Core Stage. But with no external pressure acting as an anvil, the Imperial Forge was useless. If he wanted to advance any further, he had no choice but to master the primary method.
Taking a deep breath, he sank deep into his consciousness and entered his mindscape.
’...Whoa.’
He soon found himself standing in a pitch-black void that stretched endlessly in every direction. There was no floor beneath his feet, no sky above, no walls — just an infinite abyss of silence.
’Is this my soul space...?’ he wondered, turning around to scan the overwhelming dark. Last time, he had no time to look around, so his reaction was understandable.
’Wait, if it is, then...’ He hesitated for a second before raising his voice into the empty expanse. "Raine?"
Silence.
"Raine?" he tried again, sending the call further into the gloom.
No response came. The dark void remained completely motionless, offering not even an echo.
Sighing in disappointment, Soren sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and triggered the inner mechanics of Sovereign Soul Tempering. He slowly channeled his willpower according to the scripture’s mental schematics, forcing his vast reservoir of spiritual power to wake.
The void reacted instantly.
A violent contraction rippled through the dark space as an invisible vise clamped down on his awareness. Streams of molten gold erupted through the gloom, carving paths through his mindscape.
Sovereign Soul Tempering forced his own spirit to act as both the blade and the stone.
The golden currents dragged through his internal pathways, burning away subtle mental clutter and grinding against his unrefined spiritual nodes. A searing pressure surged behind his eyes, making his spiritual form tremble. Every inch of progress demanded his full focus, requiring him to maintain a steady grip so the streams didn’t veer off course.
Soren gritted his teeth against the friction, refusing to let his control slip. He guided the golden currents in a precise, looping circuit, forcing the energy to submit to his intent.
As the first full cycle completed, the surrounding pitch-black space began to change.
Where the molten gold swept through, the gloom peeled back. A warm light radiated from the heart of his soul space, illuminating an incomplete, glowing sphere suspended above him.
It was his Spiritual Core, halfway formed and pulsing gently in the dark.
To complete the Soul-Tempered Core Stage, he had to fill the hollow center and temper the interior until it was completely solid.
So, he began guiding the golden streams directly into the core and soon became immersed in the process.
An hour passed.
Soren snapped his eyes open, sensing a presence in reality and immediately pulling his awareness out of his mindscape.
The dark void dissolved, replaced by the familiar surroundings of their room. Uncrossing his legs, he stood up from the mattress and walked over to the door and opened it.
"Welcome back, Sir."
It was obviously Emperor Hector.
"Mmm, I didn’t interrupt your rest, right?" Emperor Hector said, his eyes sweeping over Soren.
Soren shook his head, glancing past him toward Ethea, who had also opened her eyes.
Hector gave her a nod before shifting his attention back to Soren. "Are you ready?"
"Of course!"
"Then, follow me."