Xiara takes a deep breath before beginning her explanation. "Azreal, the foundation of cultivation lies in the harmony between two essential energies: Qi and Soul Power. These two forces, though distinct and extremely powerful on their own, are intrinsically intertwined, and mastering both pathways is crucial in unlocking a cultivator's full potential."

"Qi, as you mentioned, is the vital energy that flows through all living beings and the natural world. It is the fuel that empowers our physical bodies and martial techniques. By cultivating and refining Qi in your Diatian, we can enhance our strength, speed, and endurance, as well as perform extraordinary feats of physical prowess. There are many methods to gain Qi, including cultivation, absorbing treasures, dual cultivation, finding locations of extreme Qi, contracting divine beasts, and more."

"Imagine the Diatian not as layers or separate centres within your body, but as a single, central pool of energy, your core. This is where your Qi is stored, concentrated, and from which it spreads throughout your entire being," Xiara explains, tracing just above the skin, the location of his Diatian, in the centre of his chest and down each of his arms and legs to indicate the Diatian's veins that run through his whole body.

Azreal watches intently, nodding slightly as he begins to visualise the concept. Xiara continues, "These veins are not just passages; they are active conduits that distribute Qi to your limbs, your organs, every part of you. The strength and efficiency of these veins determine how well you can perform physically. The better the flow, the more powerful your martial techniques, and the quicker your body can heal and react."

She pauses to ensure Azreal is keeping up, then delves a bit deeper. “Now, cultivating your Qi means not only increasing the amount of energy your Diatian can hold but also enhancing the capacity and resilience of these veins. A robust network means a stronger, more versatile cultivator."

Xiara leans closer, her expression earnest. "This is why, when we practise, we focus not just on gathering energy but on refining and guiding it through these veins. Each exercise, each form you learn, is designed to strengthen this system, to make it more responsive and potent.”

Azreal's eyes reflect a spark of understanding. "So, I am aiming to train my body to be a better vessel, a more efficient conduit for the energy, while also trying to increase the amount of total energy within?"

"Exactly!" Xiara exclaims, pleased with his quick grasp.

"However, Qi alone is not enough for true cultivation. This is where Soul Power comes into play, which stems from what we call the Soul Sea. This is not a physical space like your Diatian but a vast, boundless expanse within your spiritual self."

Xiara pauses, ensuring Azreal is following her explanation. "Cultivators possess two separate reservoirs within their bodies, the Diatian for Qi and the Soul Sea for Soul Power. These reservoirs are interconnected, and the key to true mastery lies in harmonising these two energies."

"The Soul Sea resides deep within your consciousness. It's a place where your essence, your very spirit, holds power. Cultivating your Soul Sea involves nurturing and expanding this essence, allowing you to access abilities that go beyond the physical realm," Xiara explains as she begins to manifest a soft red flame on her fingertip.

“The manifestation of my soul power is this enthralling flame. I’ve heard it’s extremely hot to touch yet never burns as it is the essence of my soul, therefore my entire being,” Xiara moves her finger with the flame away, as Azreal reaches out to test the temperature.

“Careful, if this flame becomes unruly and out of control, I will not be able to stop it from becoming ashes,” Her warning firm, Azreal retracts his hand.

"The true masters of cultivation are those who have achieved a perfect balance between Qi and Soul Power. For example, by infusing your Qi with Soul Power, you can create attacks that not only strike with physical force but also resonate on a spiritual level, bypassing conventional defences."

Xiara's eyes light up with excitement as she continues. "And that's just the beginning. As you progress further in your cultivation, you may unlock advanced forms of power, such as the ability to project your Soul Power as a tangible manifestation or even establish a Soul Domain – a realm where your Soul Power reigns supreme."

"The journey of cultivating your Soul Sea is personal and profound. It requires you to confront your deepest fears, your hidden desires, and your most genuine aspirations. It’s a path of self-discovery and, ultimately, self-mastery," Xiara adds, her voice soft but firm.

"But beware, Azreal," she cautions. "Neglecting either Qi or Soul Power can lead to imbalances and potentially disastrous consequences. A cultivator who focuses solely on physical prowess may become a brute without depth, while one who delves too deeply into the spiritual realm may lose touch with reality."

Azreal, attempting to digest everything he has just learned, stands in silence for over a minute. Xiara, expecting this, feels comfortable in the silence as this was expected, as most cultivators are stunned into silence and contemplation when they first learn of the Diatian and Soul Sea, the essence of their lives.

‘Hmmm, okay, I have the same feeling,’ Azreal inwardly agrees with the system.

“Thank you, Xiara, I feel as if a fog has been lifted. One that I didn’t even know existed,” Azreal intensely stares into her eyes, his charming smile causing a slight flush on Xiara’s face.

“It’s fine, it's the least I can do for the man who saved my life. The venomous spider caught me unaware, I was attempting to make a medicinal paste to apply to the gash on my arm, but I became too engrossed in concocting the paste and suddenly I felt two sharp fangs on my shoulder and I was paralysed,” Xiara visibly shaking.

Azreal steps forward and reenacts what Kerian has done for him in his childhood, embracing Xiara in a tight hug. “It’s okay, the spider is gone, you're safe here,” Azreal said softly. Xiara initially attempted to break the hug, but she felt a sense of security in his words, this man saved her, this was her hero.

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Another comfortable silence sets in and for half a minute they both just ruminate on their own thoughts, Azreal taking and absorbing his new information while appreciating his own boldness to hug her. Xiara challenges her own fear while a sense of safety guards hers if she does not deal with her crippling fear of the venomous spider it could grow into a heart demon which would stifle her cultivation future.

After their embrace ends, Xiara feels a sense of connection with Azreal, a safety in his arms. Her face which was already flushed, becoming a darker shade of red as her thoughts begin to run wild. They depart and agree to meet here with Darian before tomorrow's meeting. Xiara bids farewell and heads towards the Spirit Heaven Pavilion's training grounds with a spring in her step.

Azreal decides to walk down the mountain and head towards the Ancient Dragon restaurant, after hearing of Junai’s mistreatment of Bea and the restaurant Azreal wants to confirm the situation before challenging Junai. His connections within the Sect run deep and Azreal was not stupid enough to start a fight without confirming what happened.

Half an hour passes as Azreal walks in quiet contemplation, the Sect is alive with disciples, merchants and visitors, the lower Azreal descends down the mountainside, the more chaotic the roads become. Even as the chaos increased, Azreal was consumed with his own thoughts, the balance between who he was and who he can be inside this game and how shockingly real the world in Heaven's Universe is. Azreal was also struggling with his desire to kill Junai, a rage smouldered deep within himself, he now understood that within himself was a Soul Sea and its shape is based on the individual. ‘Is my Soul Sea related to bloodlust? Or Is the beautiful tapestry that I saw within my Mindscape my Soul Sea? It does not match the description Xiara gave but what else could it be?’

“Hey! Your back!” a familiar voice breaking him out of his own thoughts, Azreal raises his head, noticing a cute-looking woman waving at him. He recognises her as Bea, she has short red hair, emerald eyes and a petite frame. Instead of the chef’s uniform she had on before, Bea was now clad in the black golden trim robes of the Celestial Defense Pavilion, the emblem of a golden tree encircled by a snake eating its tail embossed into the centre.

“Hey! Just who I was looking for, why are you wearing Sect robes instead of your chef’s uniform?” said Azreal. A weak smile was all that returned his question, “So you heard what happened?” Bea’s expression darkens as she looks towards the Ancient Dragon restaurant.

Azreal follows her eyeline and notices the restaurant is now closed, the inside heavily damaged with tables broken and signs of a fight becoming apparent. “I’ve come for two reasons, I wanted to see if you were okay, I heard Junai had come here and caused a scene”

“Yeah? Well you can see that I am fine, why do you even care anyway?” Bea’s mood shifts from sombre to aggrieved as she turns to face Azreal. “I only gave you a small piece of food, you owe me nothing, this world is cruel Azreal. You surely aren’t here because of that?”

Azreal felt pity within his heart, he has been in the exact same mindset for most of his life, depression and anger are often two ugly heads on the beast of despair. “Bea, I didn’t only come because you were kind to me, but it did make my decision easier. Junai attempted to kill me during the Entrance Exam. I plan to challenge him to a life and death duel today. I wanted to let you know that his existence will no longer bother anyone else within the Sect” Azreal’s words flaming the fire in her heart. “My only issue is I have no idea where to find him,” Azreal clicked his tongue as he truly had no clue, apart from walking into the tiger's den and finding him in the Crimson Sword Pavilion.

“I know exactly where that fool will be. Junai told me that if I ever change my mind I will be able to find him at Sect’s Garden of Taiyang. He declared the entire Garden his territory, which he hasn’t done yet, but he will have a few lackeys with him” Bea said with a wicked grin and eyes that shone with desire for revenge.

Azreal is about to follow Bea to find Junai but stops himself and activates Celestial Gaze on Bea.

‘No title? I wish I knew what these titles are or how they’re assigned…’ a mental sigh was all Azreal could muster in response to the cold truth of him having no answers to his questions.

“Lead the way, I want to do this quickly, surely his strength has not improved much since we’ve joined the Sect” said Azreal, gesturing for Bea to lead them to Junai. Bea and Azreal, discussing the events of the last two weeks as they wind their way further down the mountainside. They eventually reach the base of the mountain where all of the non-disciples of the Sect live. Due to the massive size of the Heavenly Root Sect, there's a large city that has formed which accepts many non-combatants into their Sect offering them protection from monsters and man in return for their skills and services.

As the duo navigate the bustling streets, the air buzzes with the clangour of smiths and the soft chiselling of jewellers, each artisan contributing to the city’s vibrancy and self-sufficiency. Markets brim with produce from the Sect’s own farms, stalls vibrant with the colours of fresh fruits and rich fabrics, drawing a sharp contrast to the austere mountains above.

Azreal and Bea’s discussion continues, she gives Azreal an overview of what happened between her and Junai. Junai had misunderstood her polite and kind manners while she was serving them food as flirting, he had been talking himself up to the guests at his table.

These guests were a mix of his inner circle and disciples with a higher standing in the Sect, Bea had recognised a Crimson Sword Pavilion Core disciple, Bea warned Azreal to have no disillusion of fighting a core disciple. She further emphasises her point that there are only ten core disciples in the Sect, each spot is fiercely fought for with each of the current core disciples being extremely powerful, have immense connections and hold high positions within the Sect.

When she returned to clear the table, Junai made a move and grabbed her arm and forced her to sit on his lap while grabbing her breasts and showing off to the table. Bea had turned and slapped his face as she broke free from his grip. Bea’s father had just come out from the kitchen and saw this happen and called for the Celestial Defense Pavilion, yet before they could arrive Junai began to berate her and destroy tables, using his serpent sword to cut any who approached.

He managed to trash most of the restaurant and leave with his group before the Celestial Defense Pavilion had time to arrive, Bea assumes the core disciple had used his Aura to halt the guards' approach. Core disciples get an enormous amount of freedom within the Sect, unless they are openly slaughtering hundreds of disciples and non-combatant members they will be left to their own devices.

The anger in Azreal began to ignite, the smouldering rage for revenge turning into an inferno of desire for his head. Inside of Azreal’s Mindscape, a younger him cowers from the intense inferno that encompasses the area surrounding him. The younger Azreal, a reflection of his sickly body in the real world, with a gaunt boney face and thin weak grey-skinned body. Azreal, looks into his own Mindscape, feeling pity as his sickly younger self stares with his crystalline blue eyes. A voice which Azreal had heard only once before during his fight with the Crimson Fang Orpald, resounded inside Azreal’s mindscape.