Chapter 9: Chaos Energy

Going back to reading the ancient book, Cain picked another critical section to focus upon. The book explained that while his soul has a direct link to the Chaotic Force, he still has a long way to go before mastering Chaos Energy completely.

For 100% total mastery, Cain needs to cultivate through the several Chaotic Layer Links of Chaos Energy.

And specifically, Cain's soul is at the first Chaotic Layer link of mastering Chaos Energy. In this layer, he needs to master 5% of the Chaotic Emerald's Chaos Energy before advancing to higher layers and gaining more advanced ability.

By doing this, Cain noted that not only does his concentration improve, but also his soul energy will also grow more powerful.

In addition to mastering 5% of Chaos Energy, Cain would also need to grow his soul energy to advance to higher Chaotic Layer links.

While studying upon this, Cain briefly crossed his eyes over to another substantial piece. He initially thought the book wouldn't explain any background information, but there was one little tidbit in here.

In the entire universe, there's only a select few who have a natural, innate direct link to the Chaotic Force.

And because of his innate direct link, only Cain could decipher the contents within this ancient book.

For the second time, Cain looked back up towards Kali. He became a bit intrigued and decided to flash the ancient book in front of her face while asking,

"Say, can you read any of what's here?"

"Nope. It's all foreign alien language to me. If not for what you showed before, I would've just told you to throw this book away." Kali shook her head while explaining.

Indeed to her, trying to read this ancient book was the equivalent of just looking at squiggly lines on a paper. Moreover, the longer she stared at the book, Kali swears she could feel a slight sting surface within her eyes.

In all honesty, the thought of showing this ancient book to their parents or Grandfather crossed Kali's mind only once.

But she quickly rejected that idea since she didn't want any attention on them. This way, they could achieve their own plans silently.

And now, she was more sure than ever that keeping this ancient book a secret was the right choice since Cain's soul energy is improving beyond her wildest expectations.

Even though Kali wasn't saying any of her thoughts, Cain could fathom just what she is thinking about, all from her intent pondering expression.

He guessed her thoughts were pertaining to keeping the secret of this book since he is the only one that can read it.

A sentiment he could agree with as well.

Then, in a slightly joking tone, Cain told her, "It's probably a mix of Fate, luck, and destiny that I can understand this book. Maybe it's the universe's way of helping us through our low cultivation aptitude."

A slight chuckle leaked out from Kali's mouth as she said, "Hue~, maybe so. I mean, from what I remember, this book and emerald just suddenly appeared with you with no explanations given. But mysteries aside, at least our luck is finally shaping up for the better."

Cain had only shrugged while tossing his eyes back down to the ancient book. Although, as he did so, Kali's words did stick in his mind.

Back on Earth, Cain needed to scourge the ends of the world just to gain both this ancient book and Chaotic Emerald. And Cain wonders if this previous body seemingly got lucky or if he too went out of his way to obtain these two items.

Because of the likelihood of Fate's intervention, Cain couldn't help but worry if this was some divine manipulation for both of them.

But instead of stressing over this, Cain continued to study the ancient book. Even if Fate's manipulation is playing a part in his situation, this won't stop him at all from forging his own path and becoming free.

For the next subject Cain studied, he focused exclusively on how he was supposed to practice with Chaos Energy.

In the first Chaotic Layer link, his instructions were actually relatively simple.

He would need to pour his soul energy into the Chaotic Emerald and pull out 5% of its Chaos Energy. Then, using his soul energy as the base, he would need to hone his control by not having the Chaos Energy dispersed once he pulled it out.

When Cain could freely control 5% of the Chaotic Emerald's Chaos Energy without having it dispersed or even become unstable for a split second, that's when he would master the first Chaotic Layer link and then advanced to the next layer link.

At complete mastery of this level, the ancient book foretells that he would be able to instantly teleport and phase through anything and everything.

Furthermore, he could take a partner with him if they're holding on to his body while he uses the Chaotic Emerald.

Cain mainly was majorly impressed by this powerful phasing ability.

But the distance he could cover with his teleportation was good as well. At complete 5% mastery, Cain could instantly cover a distance of over 40 miles in a single jump!

Although, if he were to do that, Cain would essentially use all of his soul energy in one jump and would need to wait for it to restore.

The interesting division between his soul energy and Chaos Energy was the fact that Chaos Energy is an infinite reserve. It won't matter how many times Cain uses the Chaotic Emerald's energy; it will never run out.

However, this did not mean Cain could consecutively use the Chaotic Emerald as much as wants.

Because his soul energy is the basis for using Chaos Energy, he would not be able to continue using it if his soul energy reserves deplete. Thus, even if he gains a full 5% master over Chaos Energy, his soul energy still runs on a set reserve.

Cain found these extreme limitations to make sense. It would be too much of a broken ability if he could just continuously use the Chaotic Emerald without any limit.

Plus, Cain did read that his soul energy would passively improve the more he hone his control over Chaos Energy. And if he could power up his soul energy in any other way, this would also help towards being able to continually use Chaos Energy.

After reading everything he needed, for now, Cain was ready to begin honing his Chaos Energy control.

"Alright, Kali. I'm going to begin mastering this emerald's energy. I have a feeling it shouldn't be too hard." Cain said while still grasping the Chaotic Emerald.

As he stood up, a slightly surprised expression crossed Kali's face. She furrowed her eyebrows while asking,

"You sure you could do it now? It's only been a few minutes, you know."

While Kali wasn't at all sure how hard it is to comprehend using techniques from the soul, she basically equated it to practicing a high-tier Cultivation Manual.

Even as Cain already showed something impressive upon his awakening, Kali thought he would need at least a few hours of practice before the next step.

Her brother couldn't be this different in such a short amount of time, right?

But in response to her questioning doubts, Cain only lightly smiled.

"Just watch this."

Then, without any more words, Cain closed his eyes and began gathering his soul energy once again. This time Cain had an even easier time surging his soul energy.

In just seconds, he pulled a stream of soul energy right towards the palm that was holding the Chaotic Emerald. Now there wasn't any delay or difficulties Cain had with utilizing his soul energy.

Despite it being only the third time calling his soul energy, Cain could use it with such ease as if he's been doing it for years.

Once Cain directed his soul energy towards his palm, he had then poured it inside the Chaotic Emerald.

"Mn?!"

Immediately Cain was hit with an intense, volatile sensation. He felt like he was getting sucked into a wild suffocating hurricane! The pressure and stress was immeasurable; Cain even felt his chest painfully tighten.

However, this kind of pressure didn't deter Cain at all. He forcefully pushed through, calming his mind to the best of his ability.

Right then, Cain focused entirely on seizing as much Chaos energy he could with his soul energy.

For Cain, everything went deathly silent. His body remained utterly still even as continuous beads of sweat dripped down his face.

Trying to grasp Chaos Energy was far more challenging than what that ancient book made it out to be. Cain felt as if he was attempting to move a thousand tons boulder against chaotically intense air pressure.

Then, after several seconds of this, Cain quickly picked up on something crucial.

The more he tried to brazenly force the Chaos Energy into his soul energy, the more intense this indomitable pressure became. In his hasty rush to immediately gain some form of power, Cain nearly forgot the foundation he used to achieve coming to a new world.

That is to stay utterly calm and focus no matter what.

As far as Cain's aware, he didn't need to rely on some sort of complex comprehension abilities to grasp Chaos Energy.

The ancient book didn't mention anything about it, plus he wasn't feeling any kind of mental block within his mind.

So taking a deep calming breath, even against the volatile sensation wreaking havoc in his body, Cain regained his calm.

And it was at that moment, Cain felt the Chaos Energy pressure lessened a bit. Then, slowly but surely, Cain began to extract Chaos Energy into his soul energy.

Seconds gradually trickled by. Kali remained silent and focused on her brother's intent, concentrated look.

Eventually, seconds turned into minutes. And throughout this entire time, Cain's body slightly swayed at random intervals.

After around twenty minutes, Cain had finally felt a change within his soul energy. He sensed an indomitable wall block his way from pulling more Chaos Energy, meaning he reached his 5% percent limit.

A beautiful green glow began to shimmer out of the Chaotic Emerald as Cain attempted to control 5% of Chaos Energy.

'Wha?? No way! He's making it shine even brighter than last time!' Kali felt her bewilderment surge.

Only around twenty minutes passed, and yet Cain is already making this kind of progress?

However, before Kali could fully process this, Cain was about to perform another shocking move.

For sure, the 5% of Chaos Energy within his soul energy was tremendously challenging to control. Cain put it similar to a wild raging beast wanting to escape out of his grasp immediately.

Furthermore, Cain felt his soul energy reserves plummeting by the second, causing his body to feel weary and his mind to become fuzzy.

But even all of this wasn't enough to deter Cain's absolute focus and calm.

Cain wasn't fully aware of what was happening to him, but he felt like he was in some kind of magical trance that was heightening focus to an extraordinary degree.

Then, using every ounce of his soul energy, Cain willed himself to take a step forward by using all of his Chaos Energy!

'Chi!'

A bright green flash illuminated Cain's entire room!

The intensity of this green flash caused even more shock to course within Kali as she was forced to shut her eyes tight.

Then, after only a brief second, the green flash vanished, and Kali promptly flung her eyes back open.

Upon doing so, her eyes instinctively widened, and her jaw slightly hanged open in pure awe.

"C-Cain, have you already learned how to teleport?!"

Indeed, Cain wasn't in his same spot. He was now standing twenty feet ahead of his original spot!

In that instant, the green glow illuminating the Chaotic Emerald vanished, and Cain flung his eyes back open.

His whole expression was filled with fatigue, and he nearly felt like passing out right there. But, a broad yet weary smile had still formed upon his lips.

He then spoke in a fatigued tone, saying, "Indeed....It seems....I'm a natural."