Kazel stood at the edge of the steaming pool, a towel wrapped securely around his waist. The thick mist curled around his body, its warmth pressing against his skin like a comforting embrace. He exhaled, feeling the tension in his muscles melt away as he took in his surroundings.
The pool itself was spacious, the clear water shimmering under the soft lanterns hanging from the wooden beams above. The bamboo walls enclosed the area, giving it a secluded, peaceful atmosphere. But to Kazel, the so-called "division" felt… flimsy.
"A hot spring, huh?" he muttered to himself.
Across from him, Noel was already submerged up to his chest, his broad shoulders peeking just above the surface. He had his arms stretched out along the edges of the pool, completely at ease. The warmth of the water had already worked its magic on him.
Kazel's gaze flickered to the bamboo wall separating the men's and women's sections. He raised a brow before running his fingers along the smooth surface. "What a weak division."
"No need to do that, my son," Noel spoke, his voice carrying the calm amusement of someone who had once been young and reckless.
Kazel turned to him. "Hmm?"
Noel smirked without opening his eyes. "I've already checked. There are no holes."
Kazel narrowed his eyes before pressing his ear to the wall, listening for any sound from the other side. Nothing.
He clicked his tongue. "Nice try, I guess."
Finally, he stepped into the pool, and the heat embraced him immediately. His muscles loosened, and a deep sigh escaped his lips. He slowly lowered himself until the water reached his shoulders, the sensation spreading through his body like liquid relief.
Across from him, Noel had already closed his eyes, slipping into meditation.
Kazel leaned his head back against the wooden edge, letting his own eyes drift shut.
Time passed unnoticed as father and son immersed themselves in cultivation. The steamy air of the hot spring was thick with energy, each ripple in the water carrying a dense spiritual essence. The mineral-rich heat seeped into their skin, relaxing their muscles while simultaneously reinforcing their bodies. But the true benefit of this place was not in its warmth—it was in the sheer concentration of spiritual energy saturating every droplet.
Kazel took a deep breath and sank into deep meditation, letting the energy seep into his meridians. Boom. He could feel it pulsing, expanding, flowing through his soul space like an endless tide. Every inhale pulled in power, and every exhale refined it, shaping it into something more potent.
The moment the energy entered his Energy Pool, it didn't settle peacefully—it exploded.
Pop. Pop. Pop.
It was like fireworks going off inside his soul, each burst sending a surge of warmth and power through his body. His veins hummed with energy, his meridians stretching and absorbing more than before.
[So this is what an Energy Pool can do... No wonder cultivators would pay a fortune for this. Even without actively cultivating, my body is absorbing more energy than normal.]
He let his senses sink deeper, feeling the warmth of the pool spread to every corner of his body. The energy swirled inside him, strengthening his foundation, reinforcing his core. Unlike raw absorption, where he had to actively refine energy, this place did half the work for him. The dense spiritual essence was already pure, cutting down the need for refinement, making everything smoother, more efficient.
He glanced across the pool.
Noel was completely still, his eyes closed, his breathing deep and steady. But Kazel could sense it—the air around his father was different. The water barely moved around him, but faint ripples pulsed outward in an unnatural rhythm. He was absorbing energy at an incredible rate.
But he wasn't in a rush to catch up. This was his time—to experience, to grow, to push his own limits.
He shifted his focus inward again.
With each breath, the energy surged into his meridians, rushing toward his Energy Pool, reinforcing its foundation, strengthening its walls. The pool was growing, not in size but in density. It thickened, refined itself, turning more concentrated.
Boom!
A sudden surge of energy erupted inside him. It wasn't violent, but it was powerful. His body trembled, his skin tingled, and he felt an overwhelming sense of expansion deep within.
His eyes snapped open.
He had broken through.
A slow smirk spread across his face as he clenched his fists beneath the water.
He exhaled, watching the steam swirl above the water's surface.
Noel opened his eyes then, his gaze meeting Kazel's.
"You broke through, didn't you?"
Kazel chuckled, his smirk widening. "Yeah." [Looks like I was at the ceiling of the seventh level and I just need this huge push]
Noel nodded in approval, then leaned back against the stone edge. "Good. Then you should understand why places like this exist. The deeper your foundation, the stronger you'll be in the long run."
Kazel stretched his arms, feeling the newfound strength coursing through him. "I could get used to this."
His father laughed. "Don't. You won't always have luxury like this."
Kazel scoffed. "Then I'll just make sure I can afford it whenever I want."
Noel gave him a knowing smile. "That's the spirit."
They returned to their meditation
"Excuse me, young master."
Kazel's eyes fluttered open at the voice. The warm steam of the energy pool curled around him as he blinked, adjusting to the dim lantern light. Standing near the edge of the pool was the burly receptionist, his usual friendly smile plastered across his face. Between the two glowing lanterns, his figure looked almost ceremonial.
"I'm afraid your time is up," the man announced politely.
Kazel rubbed his eyes and stretched his arms, feeling a lingering warmth in his meridians from the extended cultivation session. Across the pool, Noel stirred from his meditation as well. He yawned, stretching his shoulders before glancing at the sky.
The stars glittered above, and the moon hung high—silent proof of how much time had passed.
"Well…" Noel murmured, rising from the water.
The receptionist cupped his hands and bowed. "Thank you for choosing our establishment, Master and Young Master. We hope to see you again." With that, he turned and made his way out of the room, leaving the two of them in silence.
Kazel looked over at his father, who scratched his head in confusion before turning to him.
Kazel simply shrugged, feigning innocence.
As they dressed and stepped outside into the cool night air, Noel suddenly chuckled. "We got super lucky."
Kazel raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"I think that guy woke us up late. We must've gotten extra hours for free!" Noel laughed heartily, his voice carrying through the emptying streets.
Kazel smirked. [Well, that's one way to look at it.] He kept quiet about the extra hours he had paid for, letting his father enjoy his little victory.
As they strolled through the night market, the lively hum of merchants and customers filled the air. The scent of grilled meats and exotic spices wafted past them, mixing with the faint perfume of freshly bloomed flowers displayed at the stalls. Street performers twirled firesticks, their flames casting flickering shadows against the cobblestone pathways.
Among the crowd, Kazel's sharp gaze caught something—or rather, someone.
A pair of Rising Stone Sect disciples walked past them, their robes adorned with the sect's emblem. They chatted and laughed, clearly enjoying the night without a care in the world. Kazel's eyes followed them subtly, his expression unreadable.
[Rising Stone Sect… What a coincidence.]
The moment they passed by, Kazel turned his attention forward, but a flicker of thought remained in his mind.
As they approached their home, Kazel suddenly patted his pockets and gasped. "Ah! I think I forgot something!"
Noel turned to him with a questioning look. "Huh? What did you—"
Before he could finish, Kazel was already dashing away, his figure disappearing into the bustling streets.
Noel sighed, watching his son vanish into the crowd. "That boy…" Shaking his head, he let out a small chuckle and turned toward their house, his hands tucked behind his back.
---
Meanwhile, Kazel weaved through the streets, his eyes gleaming with intent.
He hadn't forgotten anything.
He just had unfinished business.
Kazel moved through the market like a shadow, his eyes sharp and focused. A smirk tugged at his lips, but it remained hidden beneath the dim lantern lights. As he weaved through the crowd, his presence flickered—one moment there, the next gone, blending seamlessly into the shifting tide of people.
His pace slowed as he approached a small stall displaying an array of masks, each painted with intricate designs. His gaze swept over them until it landed on a familiar sight. A mask—the same design that Ondina had worn back in Heir Forest.
He reached out, picking it up with an air of indifference.
"Ah, that's a fine choice, young master," the merchant chimed in, his grin wide. "A classic—simple, yet effective!"
Kazel didn't respond. He merely flicked a pair of spirit stones onto the counter and turned away.
The merchant, unfazed by the lack of words, chuckled as he pocketed the stones. "A man of action, I see."
Kazel was already gone.
Meanwhile...
Two Rising Stone Sect disciples staggered their way out of the market, their faces flushed red like ripe tomatoes.
One let out a long yawn, stretching his arms over his head. The other covered his mouth as he yawned as well, his footsteps sluggish. The bags under their eyes hung as heavy as unpaid taxes.
"What did I tell you? That drink was worth it," one of them slurred, smirking.
"Yeah, yeah… but now I'm out of my allowance," the other grumbled, rubbing his temples.
"Don't worry about it. It was worth every single stone!"
They both chuckled, stumbling forward as they turned into a dimly lit passageway leading toward the Rising Stone Sect.
The path was beautiful during the day, a natural corridor flanked by thick trees and lush bushes. Even at night, it held a certain charm—the glow of lanterns casting a warm, wavering light against the foliage.
But tonight… they were not alone.
A shadow lurked behind them, waiting.
The moment they reached the middle of the passage, it struck.
Silent as a specter, one step was all it took. Kazel dashed forward with blinding speed. His hands shot out, gripping the back of their heads—
CRACK!
He smashed them both down onto the cold, hard ground in a single, brutal motion. The impact silenced their drunken chatter instantly.
Their bodies lay motionless, unconscious before they could even register what had happened.
Kazel stood between them, his expression unreadable as he gazed down at his handiwork. The lantern light cast long shadows over his masked face, making his presence all the more menacing.
Then, without hesitation, he bent down and grabbed them by their collars—one over each shoulder.
He dragged them away into the darkness.