If Audrey were a human instead of a sword, her eyes would've probably popped out from sheer shock.

"What kind of sword technique was that?!" her voice echoed inside Logan's mind, trembling with disbelief. "It looked more like the guns used by the Mecha race! There was no mana fluctuation at all... so how did you even do that?"

Logan chuckled softly. "Well, I told you, didn't I? I haven't even reached my peak yet. Once I do, I'll show you even more amazing things."

"I'll be waiting for that," Audrey said, her tone still shaky but filled with curiosity. "Before your death, when I watched you fight, you never used such flashy moves. Why is that?"

"That's because back then, it was a battle against time," Logan explained. "While fighting my enemies, I also had to focus on conserving my internal energy. The technique I just used consumes a huge amount of it. If I'd used it back then, I might've been left completely vulnerable afterward."

"Oh, I see…" Audrey murmured. "If only you could've reached your peak cultivation sooner, the dungeon boss would've surely lost to you."

"Yeah… I hope so," Logan said with a quiet sigh. "But that's going to take time."

"Isn't there any way to accelerate your progress?" Audrey asked. "Normally mages don't take this long to ascend to the next level if they're talented, right?"

"No." Logan said. "For cultivators, it takes longer. We need to gather a certain amount of Qi to reach the peak of each level, and then we need even more Qi and sometimes enlightenment to break through to the next. Though talent helps increase the absorption rate, it still takes time. But if there were certain resources, then it would be a completely different matter," Logan said.

"Resources?" Audrey repeated, intrigued. "What kind of resources are you talking about?"

"Well, during my time, I mean, back when there were no dungeons and cultivation was the only path to power, we used to refine the spiritual energy found in nature to absorb Qi," Logan explained. "But nature wasn't the only source. There were also special herbs that contained enormous amounts of spiritual energy. Consuming them could help us increase our cultivation realm by leaps and bounds. And not just the herbs, there were alchemists who could refine those herbs into special pills that contained even greater concentrations of spiritual energy."

"Oh, now I understand," Audrey replied. "The monsters must have used specific locations to build dungeons with the help of runes and formations. I'm not sure, but maybe those had something to do with spiritual energy as well."

"Yes," Logan said, nodding slightly. "I read in the library that dungeons first started appearing in places where spiritual energy was most abundant or where those special herbs existed. I still don't know why… maybe it was because of the experiment." He let out a quiet sigh.

"That's possible," Audrey agreed softly.

For a moment, silence filled the air, neither of them saying anything.

Then finally, Logan started walking toward the house. "I think that's enough for today," he said calmly. "Besides, we're expecting some guests later."

Soon, Logan reached the vicinity of the house. But just as he was about to enter through the gate, a carriage came to a halt beside him.

He glanced at it and thought, "They're already here."

A moment later, the carriage doors creaked open, and Daliah jumped out with visible excitement.

"We're here, Logan! I hope you're ready for training!" she said, raising her clenched fist enthusiastically.

Rowan stepped down right after her. "Careful, Daliah. If you keep jumping around like that, you'll end up hurting yourself," he said, walking up beside Logan.

"I'm not a kid anymore, brother. Stop saying things like that," Daliah replied in a slightly sulky tone, clearly not wanting to be treated like a child in front of Logan.

Rowan simply smiled and said nothing more. Instead, he turned to Logan. "We didn't arrive too early, did we?"

"Not at all," Logan replied, his expression calm but welcoming. "In fact, it's perfect timing. Now that you're both here, we can start together."

"Then let's go and begin cultivating!" Daliah said eagerly, clasping her hands in excitement.

But just then, another voice came from inside the house.

"Not so fast. You should rest a little first, freshen up, have lunch, and then start training."

Alice appeared with a bright smile, stepping forward to receive the guests. After all, it wasn't every day that someone from the royal palace came to visit. She had noticed the carriage's arrival right away and that's why hurried outside to greet them, and had already sent word to Rudeous about their arrival as well.

"Mrs. Smith, good afternoon. How are you?" Daliah asked heartily.

"I'm fine. Let's go inside first. We can sit and talk comfortably there," Alice suggested as she guided them inside.

Just before they entered through the doorway, Rudeous also arrived. "Ah, Prince, Princess, we're so glad you came. Please, come in," he said warmly, welcoming them.

Rowan and Daliah smiled politely and accepted the invitation.

Once they were inside, several other family members came forward and greeted Rowan and Daliah respectfully.

After exchanging pleasantries, both of them were guided to separate rooms so they could take a shower, change their clothes, and rest for a while.

When lunch was ready, everyone gathered and enjoyed the meal together.

Time passed quickly in pleasant conversation and laughter.

Finally, as the afternoon deepened, everyone made their way to the courtyard, the family's training ground. Logan, Rowan, and Daliah sat together on the mats laid out there.

The sun was slowly descending toward the west, and the gentle light of dusk replaced the harsh heat of the day.

Facing each other, they settled down.

"Let's get started already, Logan!" Daliah said excitedly, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Logan chuckled and raised his hand. A faint light flickered as the orb emerged from his storage ring.

He placed it gently in the center before saying, "Let's begin."

Daliah and Rowan both closed their eyes, following his lead. Logan did the same. Calming their minds, they started their breathing rhythm. Swirls of spiritual energy began to flow out from the orb, drifting through the air before entering their noses and spreading through their veins, filling their bodies with Qi.

Time ticked by as the three of them continued their cultivation in silence.

Suddenly, Daliah opened her eyes and let out a small groan of frustration. "Why does it take so long? Isn't there any way to know how much Qi we've absorbed or how much more we need to reach the next level?"

"No," Logan replied calmly. "There isn't. But once you reach higher levels, your connection with Qi and internal energy will grow stronger. Over time, you'll start to sense it within your body, you'll feel how much you have and how much more you need to advance."

"What a pain," Daliah muttered before closing her eyes again and resuming her cultivation. She didn't possess the same level of patience or mental endurance as Logan or Rowan. That's why, even though she was eager to train, her excitement often turned into restlessness.

After explaining things to her, Logan also closed his eyes once more and returned to his meditation.

Meanwhile, far away inside a dungeon, two hunters were cautiously making their way through the dim, eerie tunnels.

Suddenly, one of them spoke in a hushed, uneasy tone. "Rodriguez… do you really think we should be doing this? We got clear orders from the guild that the king has forbidden all dungeon raids for now. They wouldn't issue such a command unless something was seriously wrong."

The hunter named Rodriguez didn't respond and simply kept moving forward, his boots echoing faintly against the stone floor.

"Rodriguez, please… think about it," the other insisted, his voice trembling slightly.

At that moment, Rodriguez abruptly stopped and turned his head to look back at his companion.

Rodriguez's eyes flashed with irritation. "Coward," he spat, his voice echoing through the dim corridor. "If you're that scared, then leave. I don't need someone trembling behind me every step of the way."

His companion flinched but said nothing. Rodriguez gave a final glare, then turned his back and continued marching deeper into the dungeon.

But just as he crossed the next turn, a low growl rolled through the air.

Two monsters emerged from the shadows.

Rodriguez instinctively drew his blade. "Get ready!" he barked. His partner fumbled for his spear, gripping it tightly.

The creatures lunged. Those two hunters tried their best and somehow they managed to save themselves.

Moments later, silence fell as the monsters lay motionless on the ground, their bodies twitching.

Rodriguez exhaled in relief but before he could lower his weapon, the creatures' bodies began to liquefy, turning into black mist.

That mist swirled violently then surged toward the hunters, merging with them.

Their bodies fell to the ground lifeless. But then their eyes snapped open again.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.