After giving rewards to the top three contestants, the elder returned to his seat. The remaining rewards were distributed by Rick, the chief of Black Crow Village. One by one, the contestants stepped forward to receive their rewards without any surprises.

Once the distribution was complete, Rick looked at the gathered participants and spoke.

"The competition is over, but the final reward for the top seven contestants—the chance to soak in the Dragon Pool—will take place tomorrow morning. Rest well tonight and ensure you're in peak condition."

His gaze swept over the crowd as he continued, "How much energy you can absorb from the pool depends entirely on you. From my perspective, if not for the opportunity to join Water Dragon Academy and obtain an uncommon-ranked seed, this would be the most valuable reward of all. Enhancing your cultivation and improving your power should always be your top priority. So, let's meet here tomorrow morning at nine sharp."

The crowd murmured in agreement. If not for the academy's top-tier rewards, the chance to soak in the Dragon Pool would indeed be the greatest prize. Even the common-ranked seed paled in comparison to its potential benefits.

As the participants dispersed toward their camps, Arya remained in place, waiting for his parents. His father, Bryan, had instructed him to do so earlier. It was still early—only four in the afternoon—so he watched as the other village chiefs and elders exchanged farewells. Soon, Bryan and Arya's mother approached him.

"Arya, well done! That was an incredible performance!" His mother, full of enthusiasm, pulled him into a warm embrace.

Arya smiled and hugged her back. Across all his past lives, one thing had remained true—mothers were the most precious people in a person's life. Of course, there were exceptions where mothers turned against their children, but he had never experienced such a thing. He had only heard of it in his previous lives.

His father, Bryan, then spoke. "Arya, how much have you saved? And how many more coins do you need to buy your next Seed Stone? I know you're planning to purchase an uncommon-ranked seed, so we can help a little if needed."

Arya thought for a moment before replying, "Father, don't worry. I have enough coins. I've saved around 29 pink coins, so I only need one more, which I can earn myself."

Bryan nodded. "Well, 30 pink coins is the minimum requirement for buying an uncommon seed. However, for a well-skilled uncommon seed, the price can go as high as 40 pink coins—sometimes even more if there's competition. But you don't have to worry too much. Every promising young talent in our village receives a second Seed Stone as support. Not just you, but Kane and the other top five contestants from our village also have this privilege. You can take five pink coins from the village's allocation."

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Arya's eyes lit up. "That sounds great. Thanks, Dad."

His father then asked, "What type of Seed Ring are you considering for your second seed? I assume it has to be water or ice-elemental due to your special case."

Arya nodded. "Yes. For my second seed, I'm thinking of a support skill—one that can help me hide my abilities—or a strong attack skill that I can use directly or in combination with my Seed Weapon."

Bryan stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A good stealth-type support skill is rare, but not impossible to find. Especially with water or ice elements, since many beasts possess such abilities. As for a powerful attack-type seed, we'll have to search the market after tomorrow's event. When you absorb your second seed, I'll assist you. Be prepared for any unexpected reactions."

Arya nodded seriously. "Understood."

After the conversation, he returned to his camp. He still had time before nightfall, so he decided to try that special soup again. It had helped him greatly before, and since he had just broken through, it would be useful in consolidating his newfound power. After informing his mother, he left the camp.

By then, it was around six in the evening—two hours had passed since the competition ended. The food stalls were set up by villagers from the four competing settlements, as well as trusted locals from the area looking to make a profit. After some searching, he found the stall he was looking for.

"Give me something good with magical properties," Arya requested.

The shopkeeper nodded and presented a few dishes based on his request. Among them was the Red Bird's Meat Soul, but Arya's attention was drawn to something else.

"This can improve my physical attributes?" he asked, pointing to another dish.

The shopkeeper nodded. "Yes, but for noticeable results, you'd need to consume Devil Fang Beast meat regularly. It's a popular choice among weapon masters. There are other beasts with similar effects, but this one is among the best."

"What rank is this beast?" Arya asked.

"At minimum, an Elite Rank 1 beast, which is equivalent to a late-stage Two-Ringed Seed Master."

Arya's mind raced. So even the weakest of these beasts could defeat Leo in a one-on-one battle. In fact, with 60% certainty, the beast would win—unless Leo had enough battle experience.

After waiting for about ten minutes, his meal arrived. The main dish was the monster beast meat, and alongside it, he had ordered spicy noodles—one of his favorite foods. He rarely ate sweets, preferring spice and bold flavors.

As he took his first bite, he didn't immediately feel a surge of power. However, as he continued eating, a subtle energy spread through his body. His muscles felt denser, his body more charged with vitality. The sensation grew stronger the more he ate, and by the time he finished, he felt an overwhelming rush of power.

He quickly paid the shopkeeper—8 white coins for a single portion. Expensive, but worth it. If he could imagine the full body of the Devil Fang Beast being sold, it would likely fetch several pink coins even in its raw form.

Not wanting to waste the accumulated energy, Arya hurried back to his room. Cultivation was the best way to absorb the benefits of such a meal, or else the energy would dissipate. He began his meditation, focusing on refining the power within him.

After stabilizing his energy, he moved on to training with his Seed Weapon. As his cultivation level increased, so did the weapon's aura. He could feel it growing stronger, and he eagerly anticipated the weapon's evolution once he obtained his second seed.

For the next 30 to 40 minutes, he practiced different techniques, feeling his muscles growing stronger. The real test, however, would come when he entered Weapon Master Form, where his physical attributes would be further enhanced.

Finally, after finishing his training, Arya didn't push himself further. Tomorrow was an important day, and he needed to be in peak condition. He meditated briefly to restore his energy, then lay down to sleep. The moment his head hit the pillow, exhaustion took over, and he drifted into deep rest.

Tomorrow, the Dragon Pool awaited him.