After arriving at the High Priests' Palace's hidden garden, Anos lay lazily on the lush green grass, his golden eyes gazing up at the endless blue sky. The gentle rustle of the leaves and the soft chirping of birds filled the air, offering a rare moment of serenity in the otherwise chaotic world of Soulspire. The Gracious White Fox curled up beside him, tail flicking lazily.
'Soul Haven...' Anos murmured, closing his eyes, letting his mind wander as he tried to recall every fragment of knowledge he had about the legendary sanctuary.
'There are seven priests in the hidden elder palace of Soul Haven,' he thought, frowning lightly. 'They are the true source of the power that flows through the entire haven. From the novels, I only know four of them... the others remain a mystery.'
He sighed softly. 'It's been ages since I read the story, and some of the details about this world are already slipping from my memory.'
A faint smile tugged at his lips. 'Hmm... if I remember correctly, there is a method to increase a soul master's power by forming a particular core!'
His eyes snapped open as he sat up, brushing the grass from his sleeves. A frown etched itself across his face as he concentrated, trying to recall more details about the Soulspire World 2.
"Wait… what was it again… Spiritual Cores?!" he whispered under his breath, the memory slowly crystallizing in his mind.
"Alright... let's write this down." Anos pulled a notebook from his 3rd dimension pocket and began jotting carefully, his golden quill scratching against the pages.
> [Spiritual Core: A metaphysical condensed crystallization of soul power or bloodline essence. Indicates the advancement of one's martial spirit prehension or bloodline evolution toward a higher cultivation stage.]
[Depending on the source condensed into a Spiritual Core, the possessor's potential is permanently amplified along that source's path, and affinity toward it is strengthened.]
[A Spiritual Core functions as a storage unit, allowing the possessor to reduce loss rates and recover the source efficiently.]
[Spiritual Cores can be formed within living beings through cultivation. The method varies, and different cores yield different effects.]
After writing the advantages, dangers, and methods to form Spiritual Cores, Anos read his notes carefully and nodded, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"Wait… Spiritual Cores... Blazing Thunder Sun Trinity," he muttered, feeling a warmth as three radiant orbs—like miniature suns—gently pulsed in his head, chest, and abdomen.
'Does this mean I'm already forming Spiritual Cores?' he asked himself, a small wry smile spreading across his face.
> [Technically yes, Host.]
[In your case, you are slowly forming the cores inside your body. Others typically only create Spiritual Cores upon reaching the Spirit Saint or titled Soulmaster realms.]
'I see… slowly,' Anos thought, his gaze drifting toward the system panel.
'This world lacks cultivation techniques; most soul masters rely on killing spirit beasts and absorbing their soul bands for power,' he mused.
"Can I create a soul spirit like the main character from the second series?" he whispered inwardly. A soul spirit could grow alongside its contractor—much like a Biju—and help collect soul bands without constant hunting.
His mind raced. "If a soul spirit grows alongside its master, it could solve the soul band problem for any ambitious soul master. Seven soul spirits would be enough to supply every breakthrough..."
Suddenly, a melodious voice pierced through his concentration.
"Anos~"
Startled, Anos nearly jumped. "Mother!" He turned to see Isabella Ruth standing nearby, her gentle smile radiant in the sunlight.
"Did something happen?" he asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
Isabella shook her head softly and sat beside him on the grass. "I was just curious. I saw you scribbling so intently in that book."
Anos leaned back, shifting the conversation. "What about Cauli and her mother?"
"They're tidying the extra rooms of the house," Isabella replied, gesturing toward the wooden structure where Chloe emerged, carrying a neatly folded white blanket.
"And what about your other disciple—older sister Lira?" Anos asked, glancing sideways.
"She already returned to her quarters a few minutes ago," Isabella answered naturally.
After a moment, her gaze shifted back to the notebook in Anos' hands. Her eyes flickered with curiosity.
'Should I tell her…?' Anos thought, biting his lip. Then he shrugged slightly. 'Well, I wrote this for her anyway.'
He held the notebook out. "Mother, read this carefully—but promise me you won't tell anyone."
Isabella took the book, nodding gently. As she read, her brow furrowed. Every line was a revelation.
'Spiritual Cores...' she whispered in her heart, eyes scanning the intricate diagrams and notations. 'This knowledge... it could change the very future of Soulmasters.'
Finally, she closed the book with a heavy sigh. "This… will alter how soul masters cultivate. If mastered, Spiritual Cores are essential to being a titled Soulmaster."
Anos tilted his head, a small smile teasing his lips. "Where did I get this information? Well... I wrote it myself, based on my theories."
"Your theory?" Isabella murmured, her eyes softening as she looked at him.
'From a young age, Anos was different. His prehension and insight were extraordinary, making him learn faster than anyone else,' she thought. 'And his mind… always so bright. Clever. Fearless.'
Anos' voice cut softly through her reverie. "Also, since no one has attempted this before, I don't know the probability of failure forming Spiritual Cores."
Her eyes snapped back to him. "But someone with great control over their soul power... should succeed?"
"Yes," he nodded. "My Tri-Sun cores required absolute control. It isn't easy, but it's possible for the skilled."
Isabella's lips curved into a confident smile. "Then I will try it for you."
Anos froze. "What?! Mother—what?!"
"I will attempt it," she said, adjusting her sitting posture and closing her eyes, entering a meditative state. "You don't need to worry. My control over soul power is sufficient."
"Wait, Mother—" Anos stammered, wide-eyed, his heart pounding.
'Ah… I can't interrupt her now,' he muttered, frowning. He watched carefully as Isabella breathed evenly, her figure serene and resolute. A sliver of worry crept into his chest.
'Mother… please succeed,' he whispered, almost pleading.
A small smile formed on Isabella's lips as if she could hear him.
'Don't worry… I will never fail for my beloved son,' she thought, her mind steady, calm, and resolute.
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