As the new day began, everyone started preparing for the journey to the Dragon Pool. Arya woke up early at 6 AM, and by 8:30 AM, nearly everyone had gathered in the open ground ahead of time. Arya and Kane were engaged in a conversation when Rick clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"If everyone is already here, we should head out now."

The Azur Kingdom

The Azur Kingdom consists of twelve cities:

• Two large-sized cities

• Three mid-sized cities

• Six small-sized cities

The Royal City, which, despite being classified as a large city, holds a special status due to the presence of the royal family.

The size of a city isn't determined solely by its land area but also by the strength of the powers residing there. Water Dragon Academy, a mid-class academy, is located in one of the mid-sized cities.

Arya's home, Fallen Leaves City, is one of the smaller cities, with no dominant powerhouse. Instead, it is controlled by four villages, each with scattered influence. Despite its status, Fallen Leaves City is close to the great forests, where monsters and spirit beasts roam freely. While humans venture into the outer regions for hunting, training, and gathering treasures, going too deep is dangerous—even for experienced cultivators.

The Dragon Pool is located near the border between Fallen Leaves City and the forest's outer region, an area where humans, monsters, and spirit beasts frequently interact.

After a four-hour journey, the group arrived outside Fallen Leaves City. Thanks to the four powerful village chiefs and the presence of an elder from Water Dragon Academy, the journey was uneventful. As they stepped into the forest, the distant roars of beasts filled the air, reminding everyone of the dangers lurking nearby.

The village chiefs stayed at the back, ensuring the safety of the group, while Rick and the elder led from the front. Eventually, they reached the Dragon Pool's location.

In front of them was a vast pool, large enough to fit an entire airplane. Different sections of the pool shimmered with five distinct colors, representing the five basic elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, and Lightning.

Luck—or perhaps natural order—ensured that none of the seven contestants possessed special or rare elements such as Ice, Metal, Space, Time, or Evolution elements. These advanced elements are usually developed by cultivators above level 50 when they master elemental fusion, earning them the title of Elite Seed Masters.

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"Everyone, set up your camps first," the elder instructed. "Once you're settled, you will begin the absorption process. Stay in the pool for at least 30 minutes—this may be your last chance to advance so easily. Opportunities like this are rare."

After everyone finished setting up their camps, they were called back—but as they gathered, they were met with a shocking sight.

A massive beast lay in the center of the camp, its body spanning 12 to 13 feet in length, twice the size of an average man. In the Seed World, the average height of a normal man is around six feet, but this beast dwarfed them all.

Blue Stone Village's chief chuckled. "Looks like our dinner delivered itself. Elder hunted it down."

The dead beast radiated a strong aura, its stomach pierced by a spear-like weapon. Even in death, it exuded an overwhelming presence.

One of the contestants couldn't help but ask, "Chief, how strong was this beast?"

"This was a low-grade third-level monster, equivalent to a human cultivator at level 41-43," the chief explained. "Because of the suppression effect near the Dragon Pool, it was slightly weaker—but even then, if not for the elder's presence, we would have had to retreat empty-handed."

"That's strange," Rick added with a frown. "Powerful beasts usually avoid this area because of the suppression effects."

"Maybe it was just unlucky," another chief shrugged. "Either way, after your energy absorption, we'll feast on its meat. With its added nourishment, all of you should be able to reach at least level 20 with no problems. Congratulations in advance."

With the elder's approval, the beast was skinned and prepared. The valuable materials were set aside for the elder, while the meat was kept for the feast. The four chiefs, whose power ranged from level 35 to 39, worked together to prepare it, but none could match the elder's strength, which remained unknown.

Under the chiefs' guidance, the contestants approached the pool, feeling its energy pulsing around them.

"First, Rose, you will take the central zone near the Lightning element."

Although the pool was a single entity, each element had naturally separated itself, forming distinct zones. The pool was divided into three absorption regions:

1. Outer Region – Weakest energy concentration

2. Middle Region – Moderate concentration

3. Center Region – Highest concentration where all five elements interact

Placement was based on rank:

• First place (Rose): Center Region

• Second & Third place: Near Center

• Fourth & Fifth place: Middle Region

• Sixth & Seventh place: Middle-Outer Border

Since Water Dragon Academy was overseeing the event, this year's rewards were unusually generous. Normally, the last-ranked contestants would be placed in the outer region, but this time, even they got a chance to absorb higher energy concentrations.

As Rose stepped into the Lightning zone, the others followed suit. The pools of energy shimmered, and small electric currents crackled in the water.

Next, Ben and the third-ranked contestant entered their respective zones—Ben near the Wind element, and the third-ranker in the Water zone.

When it was Arya's turn, he hesitated.

Could he absorb both Fire and Water elements at the same time?

The thought was tempting—his absorption rate could increase dramatically—but the risk was high. Elemental conflict could cause severe backlash, and he wasn't ready to test it yet.

Setting aside the thought, Arya stepped into the Fire zone.

The moment his body touched the water, he felt his seed core greedily absorbing the Fire energy. Yet, to his surprise, the water wasn't scorching hot—it was just like normal water, only infused with Fire energy.

He moved deeper into the Middle Region and closed his eyes, focusing entirely on refining the energy.

Absorbing and refining elemental energy was a slow process, but as Arya continued, he noticed something unexpected.

Not only was his cultivation rising steadily, but his physical strength was improving as well. Normally, after a certain level, physical progression slows down, which is why Weapon Masters have a harder cultivation path. But here, the Dragon Pool's energy was enhancing his body beyond normal limits.

This was even more effective than the expensive feast from the previous night.

Meanwhile, the chiefs observed from the sidelines.

"The true effect of the Dragon Pool isn't just elemental growth," Blue Stone's chief explained. "It's physical reinforcement. That's why I told them to stay in as long as they can."

Rick nodded. "Let's see who endures the longest."