Edward sat in meditation while accessing the information on the Qi Accumulation Realm that was sent to his mind from the spiritual black paper. As Edward focused on the information, he was cultivating along with it.

"The Qi Accumulation Realm is about accumulating QI. The Qi is accumulated from within one's body and soul. In order to progress through this realm, as well as the next realm, one has to slowly attach an attribute to their Qi. The attribute would usually be an elemental attribute.", Edward thought as he organized all the new information in his mind.

"It seems I have to attach an attribute to my Qi, an elemental one. But attaching an elemental attribute would not be easy. Although I don't have to worry right now as my Qi already has the Healing Attribute due to the presence of the Seed of Origin Life within me. So, just by increasing the amount of life energy within my Qi with the help of the Seed of Origin Life, I should be able to progress for now. But after I get to the Energy Foundation realm, I must start comprehending an attribute to attach that to my Qi", Edward decided after thinking for a while.

Usually, one's Qi would be formless, pure, and wild energy. But this Qi can be given from. For that, one hand to understand the essence of an element, like Fire, Water, Lightning, Wind, etc. After one has understood the essence of an element, they should be able to mimic its nature while using their Qi. This is called 'change in Qi nature' and gaining an attribute. Most people can manage to get only a single attribute for their Qi even after deep meditation and cultivation, due to their low comprehension abilities. As without truly understanding the nature of Fire, Water, Wind, or any other element, one cannot replicate their nature with their Qi to gain that attribute. SO, One's Comprehension/ Understanding is everything.

As Edward cultivated in deep meditation, days passed one by one. Finally, after three whole weeks, it was time for him to come out of his training.

Edward stood up, stretched his arms and legs, threw a few punches and kicks in the air, and then stood still.

"Finally I'm done. Now it's time for me to check on Robert.", Edward said to himself as he started walking down the mountain.

Soon, Edward reached his room. He opened the door and entered. As he looked toward's Robert's bed, he saw Robert sitting there in a relaxed position, smiling and chilling out.

"I guess everything went well, seeing how you are enjoying yourself, am I right or not?", Edward asked.

"See it for yourself.", Robert said as fierce Qi burst out from his body.

"What? You have broken through to the Qi Accumulation Realm?", Edward was surprised.

"Obviously", Robert said with a satisfied smile.

"This means you have managed to handle and control every last bit of Life Energy I gave you, and merge it with your body perfectly?"

"Yes. It was challenging, but you know I like challenges.", Robert said with a proud smile.

"I have to admit. I really underestimated you. I have now come to slowly understand your true nature.", Edward said.

"You have a lot to see yet. I believe I have yet to unlock my true potential.", Robert said.

"If that really is the case then you are truly someone worthy to stand alongside a Paragon.", Edward praised.

"Of course I am. Wait, something has changed about you. Why do I feel like you are even stronger? I thought you said you won't be able to breakthrough anytime soon till you got a manual on the Qi Accumulation Realm.", Robert suddenly asked Edward with a confused look.

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"Oh! Did I say that? Well, as I said before, 'change of plans'. I managed to get a manual from Old Summer. A really good one."

"Damn you! You are still ahead of me! What is your cultivation level now?"

"Seventh Level of the Qi Accumulation Realm."

"The hell! Are you even human? How do you cultivate so fast?", Robert felt frustrated.

"Well, that's a perk of being the First Paragon in my previous life, and also due to havaing towards cultivation. I'm always pushing myself beyond my limits.", Edward said with a smile.

"Ah! Well. You are right. Forget it. I am also growing stronger, aren't I?"

"That's true. So, what do you think? Shall we go and shock Old Summer now?"

"The principal? Is it ok to visit him just like that without any formalities?", Robert asked in hesitation.

"Of course. Didn't I tell you that he's my friend? Besides, he might be the principal, but in terms of strength, the current me is not weaker than him.", Edward said in a proud tone. Today, he was in a good mood. He could finally see phenomenal progress in his cultivation. He could now see a path ahead and with the help of Old Winter's Scroll. He was really grateful to Old Summer and Old Winter for this scroll. He believed that with his current cultivation speed, he might have a chance in shortening the gap between him and Julian. He was now slowly regaining confidence.

Edward went to the Library to find Old Summer as Robert followed. He found out that Old Summer was not in the Library. In fact, the library was totally empty. He looked around but couldn't find him anywhere. Finally, he ran into an Elder who was walking in a certain direction, and he was in a hurry. Edward knew this Elder. He was Elder Norman, the elder who oversaw the academy selection exams.

"Elder Norman! Where is the principal? And Where is everyone else? Why is the library empty in the middle of the day?"

"Edward! Good to see you! I was finding you everywhere but couldn't find you. I am now heading towards the academy's Challenge Arena. Everyone is gathered there. A student from the Royal Academy came and challenged our academy. He says that if no one in the academy dares to accept his challenge, the academy should close itself down and not dare to talk about participating in the Grand Academy Tournament. He is humiliating the academy! But we can't do anything about that. He is at the First Level of Qi Accumulation Realm, so no student in the academy is anywhere near strong enough to accept his challenge. But now that I've found you, I think you can help."

"There's such a thing going on? Okay, then. Let's go and see who this person is to thinks himself as above everyone else. Come on Robert, and be prepared. I'll be leaving this fight up to you."

"What? Robert? Can he...?", Elder Norman didn't know what Edward was thinking.

"Don't worry, Elder. Robert is also at the First Level of the Qi Accumulation Realm, the same as the challenger."

"What? this lad has become that strong?", elder Norman became speechless.

They soon walked into the challenge arena. There, they could see a crowd gathered around a young boy and an old man. The young boy had a smug look on his face.

"So, mister principal. Where is the student you said was strong enough to challenge me? Where is he? Don't tell me he is hiding in fear?"

Old Summer didn't know what to say. He stayed silent.

At that moment, Elder Norman came along with Edward and Robert. As soon as they entered, everyone's eyes turned towards them.

"You're looking for a challenge? Can you take responsibility for your words? Then face me!", Robert said while looking at the boy from the Royal Academy with contempt.

"So you are gonna be my opponent? I'm Sunny Sylvan from the Royal Academy. I'm one of the top five students there. Who are you? State your name. I need to know the name of the person I am going to beat the shit out of.", Qi burst out of his body as the boy spoke.

"So cocky, Huh? My name is Robert Brown. Remember the name, it is going to be a humiliating memory for you forever.", Robert said as he also released his Qi.

"Robert Brown! The young prodigy of the Brown Family. So, you are also in the First Level of Qi Accumulation Realm? To think that even the southern academy had someone with such cultivation! Don't think you have a chance to win just because you have the same cultivation as me. In the Royal Academy, excluding me, three other members of the Top Five are in the First Level of Qi Accumulation Realm, but I'm still stronger than those three.", Sunny said with a mocking tone, but there was a hint of jealousy in his voice. Although he was at the Qi Accumulation Realm, he was 23 years old. On the other hand, He could see that Robert was clearly younger than him, below 20. This means Robert was a better cultivator then him and more talented than him. He hated to admit but he could see this in his heart.

The battle was about to start. Before the fight began, Robert looked at Edward. He was waiting for something when he saw Edward nodding at him while smiling. He knew that this was the signal and this means Edward was telling him something.

He was telling him to Beat this guy with style!