After being healed, Arya didn't go to watch the other matches for two reasons. First, he already knew that Rose was likely to be the winner; and second, after recovering he felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He had been stuck at level 17 for about a month and a half or more, and under normal circumstances it would have taken another month to reach level 18. However, after eating that expensive fire-element beast meat and fighting an intense match, his breakthrough came faster than expected.

That meat was exceptionally good—but it was very costly. He couldn't afford it regularly because he was saving his money for a valuable uncommon-ranked skill. That skill costs about one black‑red coin (equivalent to 30 black‑pink grade coins). Currently, he had around 3 pink‑grade coins and 150–160 white coins (roughly 5 pink coins), but converting from lower‑grade to higher‑grade coins incurs an extra charge depending on the exchange location. In total, he ended up with approximately 7 pink‑grade coins.

With his position as the fourth-ranked competitor and with rewards becoming richer through the Water Dragon Academy, he was set to receive a low‑level space bag (marketed at around 100 white coins), the opportunity to bathe in the dragon pool, and an additional 22 pink coins. For the top rankers, the rewards were even more substantial—not only would they receive a mid‑level space bag worth about 300–350 white coins (or 10–12 pink coins), but they would also get a white‑grade seed that they would likely sell to purchase an uncommon‑rank seed. This is the standard for a mid‑rank academy, and Arya deduced that almost every student in that academy would secure an uncommon‑rank seed as their second seed.

Thus, with 22 pink coins from his reward plus his existing 7 pink coins, he was only a few coins short of affording a good uncommon‑rank seed. He could ask his father for the extra money, but having achieved his goal on his own, he preferred not to rely on his parents. Although he could sell his space bag for funds, that bag was very important for his future needs. After weighing his options, he decided to keep it for later—he didn't need his second seed immediately, but he was quite sure that after visiting the dragon pool he would reach level 20 and then need his second seed stone.

While he was deep in thought, he heard a knock at the door. Someone from his village entered and informed him that if he was ready, he should head back to receive his competition rewards in five minutes. After nodding to the attendant, he was surprised that the match among the top three had ended so quickly.

Not wanting to delay any longer, he got up and headed toward the competition grounds. When Arya arrived, nearly everyone was present. On the stage stood five figures: his father, three village chiefs, and in the center, the special guest from the Water Dragon Academy.

Without wasting any more time in conversation, the rewards ceremony began. "As I have mentioned, the top three contestants will join the Water Dragon Academy, and I will personally present their rewards. For first place—Rose—please step forward and receive your reward." Once her name was announced, Rose stepped up from the crowd onto the stage.

First, the elder presented mid‑rank space bags containing 25 pink coins each and a stone that looked like a blue‑colored ruby emitting sparks. This stone was the original form of a seed; when a seed master possesses it, the seed transforms into a diamond‑like ring. Although this seed was of common rank, because of Rose's outstanding performance the elder personally awarded her an electric seed—an extremely rare find. He praised her performance and even selected the seed based on her elemental affinity. Even though she already had her second seed (which, unsurprisingly, was also common rank), the rarity of her new electric seed made it exceptionally valuable.

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In contrast, Arya was in a good position regarding his own seeds. For his first seed stone, he had obtained an unusual seed, and for his second seed stone he earned the opportunity to join and reap big rewards. Perhaps a bit of luck—possibly influenced by the Water Dragon Academy—had helped him; otherwise, his total reward might have amounted to only 15–20 pink coins at best.

After awarding the first-place prize, the elder announced the second‑place winner—a competitor from White Sparrow Village whose name Arya couldn't recall—and, unsurprisingly, third place went to Ben, the last two‑ringed master. Because Ben had to fight against Rose earlier, he was injured and ended up losing his match to that competitor from White Sparrow Village—poor him. Even though these contestants held certain advantages, there was also a drawback: with Rose now eliminated, only the two two‑ringed masters remained. In this competition, every contestant received only white‑grade stones for their first two rings—even children of chiefs and those without connections ended up with all three rings as white‑ranked.

Naturally, the common‑rank seed rewards given to the second‑ and third‑place winners would be sold so that they could purchase a high‑quality uncommon‑rank seed using the prize money and proceeds from the sale. And since they were set to join the Water Dragon Academy, they would undoubtedly be able to obtain superior uncommon‑rank seeds.

However, the real profit lay with those ranked fourth to seventh, who had not yet acquired their second seed. Even if they couldn't initially obtain a top‑quality seed, with a bit of luck they might still secure an uncommon‑rank seed. Yet, a cultivator's capability also came into play—owning a high‑quality seed meant nothing if one lacked the ability to fully harness its power.

Generally, there are restrictions—minimum and maximum levels required—to use seeds at various rings:

Common‑Rank Seed:

Can be used up to three rings. However, if a cultivator uses it for the third ring as well, they may never advance beyond level 39—effectively capping their growth so they cannot reach level 40.

Uncommon‑Rank Seed:

Typically used from the second ring onward, though exceptionally talented individuals can possess one at the first ring. Its maximum usage is up to the fourth ring; it cannot be used for the fifth ring because of the enormous power required at level 50, where elite seed masters are born.

Rare‑Rank Seed:

Generally used from the fourth to the sixth rings. In theory, a devil‑ranked genius or godly‑ranked genius could possess it at the third ring, but no one has ever been observed with a rare seed at that stage. While possessing an uncommon seed at the third ring has been seen—roughly once every five or six years—the idea of a rare seed for the third ring remains theoretical. Furthermore, rare seeds cannot be used for the seventh ring, as that constitutes a significant leap for powerful cultivators (especially for weapon masters).

Epic Seeds:

Mostly used from the seventh up to the ninth ring, although it is possible to possess one at the sixth ring. Their rarity exceeds that of an uncommon seed at the first ring. Only a handful of people in the entire seed world possess epic seeds at 6th ring—so few that one could count them on one's fingers. Each of these individuals is a behemoth among humanity, a titan in the seed world.

Legendary Seeds:

This seed is a treasure among treasures. To illustrate, only the ninth ring can fully harness its power. It isn't that no one can possess it at the eighth ring—rather, it is so rare that holding it at the ninth ring is considered a mark of royalty. Possessing it at the eighth ring would be nearly as improbable as having a rare seed at the third ring.

There is always a luck factor, and some individuals—with special physical attributes or circumstances—might even possess a rare seed at the fifth ring.

For clarity, here's a brief breakdown of ring compositions:

• Elite Rings: 1 common, 2 uncommon, 3 rare, 2 epic, 1 legendary.

• Commoner Rings: 2 common, 2 uncommon, 2 rare, 3 epic.

• Unusual Cases: 3 uncommon, 2 rare, 3 epic, 1 legendary.