Kazel pushed open the front door, his arms laden with bags of food. A rich aroma of freshly cooked meals filled the entryway as he stepped inside.
"Mother, I brought food!" he announced with a grin.
Lana turned from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth. Her brows lifted at his tone before her eyes widened at the sheer amount he carried. "That's… a lot. What's the occasion?"
Kazel puffed his chest out proudly. "I made my breakthrough!"
The words had barely left his mouth when Noel practically burst into the room. He clapped a strong hand on Kazel's shoulder, shaking him slightly. "Really?! That's great! Congratulations, son!"
Lana's face lit up with a smile. "That's wonderful news! We should celebrate!"
Her excitement was momentarily tempered as she eyed the spread of food. "But… isn't this too much? It'd be a waste if we can't finish it all."
Kazel waved off her concerns with a confident smirk. "Don't worry, Mother. I could eat a whole cattle right now."
Lana sighed, shaking her head, but the pride in her eyes was evident. "Alright then, let's set the table."
Dinner was a lively affair. The table was filled with dishes, laughter, and the occasional lighthearted bickering between Noel and Lana. Kazel ate heartily, his appetite truly matching his earlier boast.
As the last plate was cleared and the warmth of good food settled in their stomachs, Kazel excused himself. Instead of heading to bed, he made his way to the roof, climbing up with ease.
The night breeze greeted him, cool against his skin. He stood there, hands in his pockets, gazing up at the sky. The moon hung high, illuminating the world in silver light.
"Celebrate every victory." He muttered to himself, a small smile tugging at his lips.
The words were not just a thought—they were a belief.
With a deep breath, he let the wind comb through his hair, his mind momentarily at peace. But as he lowered his gaze, his eyes fell upon the distant silhouette of the Immortal Sect.
His smile faded.
There was still much to do.
Back in his room, Kazel reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bag. He loosened the drawstrings and tipped it over, letting a cascade of Spirit Stones spill onto the wooden table. The dim candlelight flickered, making the crystalline stones glisten.
"A thousand Spirit Stones left," he muttered, running his fingers through them. "Those bandits really had some wealth hidden in their clothes."
With a sigh, he leaned back against his chair, arms crossed.
There were choices to make.
His progress had been steady, but he needed to grow stronger—much stronger. Farming Spirit Beasts was an option, but there was a problem. If he overhunted the Heir Forest, it might run out of Spirit Beasts entirely, which would be troublesome in the long run.
He frowned. (That won't do… I need a sustainable method.)
Then, his thoughts landed on something his father had once mentioned—the Energy Pool.
"A pool… the Energy Pool," he whispered to himself. His father had described it as an expensive but highly effective cultivation resource.
"He said it was costly, but… I think I can afford one right now. At least until I can build one myself."
A slow smile crept onto his face. This was a worthy investment.
Satisfied with his decision, he blew out the candle and climbed onto his bed. Tomorrow, he would make arrangements.
At the break of dawn, Kazel wasted no time. As soon as breakfast was over, he approached his father.
"Father, I want to go to an Energy Pool."
Noel, who was adjusting his belt, glanced at him with a raised brow before smirking. "Alright, I'll take you."
The two left home and made their way through the bustling market streets. Merchants were already at work, hawking their wares with loud voices, while the scent of fresh bread and sizzling meat filled the air.
As they walked, Noel started explaining.
"There are currently three Energy Pools in the Land of the Lamb."
Kazel tilted his head. "Land of the Lamb?"
Noel nodded. "Yes. That's the name of the territory we live in."
Kazel narrowed his eyes. "That name sounds… weak."
His father sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "That's because we are weak. Compared to the other lands, our strength is pitiful. We don't have major sects, powerful clans, or any top-tier experts. Other territories view us as nothing more than a flock of sheep waiting to be devoured."
Kazel snorted. "Wow, talk about class division."
Noel frowned. "What?"
Kazel quickly waved his hand. "Nothing, nothing. Please continue."
His father gave him a skeptical look before continuing.
"The three Energy Pools are located in different areas. First, there's the Jade Basin—a well-guarded facility run by the... well... Jade Basin. It's expensive but known for its purity."
"Second, there's Stone Gorge—it's cheaper, but the quality isn't as high. Still, it's good for beginners."
Then, Noel gestured ahead.
"And finally, the one we're heading to…"
Kazel's gaze followed his father's finger, and a curious glint flashed in his eyes.
"Lamb Pools," Noel said as they arrived at their destination.
Kazel gave him a deadpan look. "Of course."
His father chuckled. "Don't let the name fool you—it's still expensive."
Kazel raised a brow. "Then why are we here?"
Noel glanced at him and let out a small sigh. "Take it as a gift."
Kazel narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?"
His father hesitated for a moment before admitting, "I wasn't."
"Huh?"
Noel shook his head with a smile, but his voice turned softer. "Then again… we never know how much time we have left to spend together. With the Soul Rot situation, I thought… what if I can't share moments like this with you again? Might as well give you something to remember fondly."
Kazel stopped walking for a second. He turned his head to his father, studying him. This was a man he never actually grew up with, yet… there was something undeniably warm in his words.
A rare kind of warmth.
---
The reception area was surprisingly well-kept, a stark contrast to the land's reputation. The walls were lined with neatly arranged lanterns, and the wooden flooring gleamed under the warm glow.
At the front desk stood a burly man wearing short sleeves. His muscular arms were folded over the counter, and his presence alone gave off an air of authority.
As soon as he saw them enter, he greeted them with a professional nod. "Welcome."
"Yes, two people for three hours," Noel stated without hesitation.
Kazel frowned. "Wait. How much is an hour?"
"A hundred Spirit Stones per person," the burly man answered. "So, for two people, three hours would be six hundred Spirit Stones."
Noel nodded and retrieved a pouch from his robe, dropping it onto the counter. "Alright. Here you go."
The burly man took the pouch, gave a quick count, and then motioned toward the entrance. "Step right in. The men's section is on the right."
"Thank you!" both father and son said before heading inside.
As they walked through the entrance, Kazel suddenly stopped. "Wait, Father—I forgot something on the desk. You go in first."
Noel turned to him, raising a brow. "Alright, but don't take too long."
"Don't worry." Kazel waved him off before spinning on his heel and jogging back to the reception.
The burly man blinked in confusion as Kazel approached. "Something wrong, young master?"
Kazel smirked. "No, I just want to add more hours for both of us."
The receptionist straightened up. "How many more?"
Without hesitation, Kazel reached into his pocket and placed a heavy bag of a thousand Spirit Stones onto the desk. The impact made a satisfying thud.
"Five hours. Each."
The burly man's eyes widened in shock, his mouth opening slightly before he quickly caught himself. "S-Sure! I-I mean, of course, young master!"
Kazel nodded in approval, a small grin playing on his lips. "Hmm… 'young master'—I like that."
Satisfied, he turned and walked back inside, joining his father.