Chapter 45

"What... did that water do to me?"Zhao's smile widened. "Soul Essence," he explained casually. "That lake is full of it. Perfect for speeding up the formation of your soul crystal."

William's breath caught in his throat. Soul Essence? His eyes widened as he looked back at the lake, the soft blue glow now taking on a whole new meaning. The water wasn't just water—it was filled with something far more powerful, something that could give him the edge he needed.

"So that's why you pushed me," William muttered under his breath, the realization dawning on him.

Zhao twirled his fan lazily, a smirk dancing across his face. "Did you think I did it just for fun?" His tone was dripping with amusement, but there was an edge of seriousness beneath it.

William clenched his fists, still dripping wet but now more curious than angry. "If this lake is so valuable, why doesn't the academy provide it for all students?"

Zhao's smile faltered for a moment, his gaze becoming more intense. He snapped the fan shut, the sharp sound echoing through the cavern. "Because I'm the only one who knows about this place," he said, his voice low. "And something this good... well, I'm not exactly keen on sharing."

William narrowed his eyes. There was more to it, he was sure of it, but before he could press the matter, Zhao nodded toward the water. "Go back in," the general said. "You need to draw in more Soul Essence. The faster you form your soul crystal, the better."

William hesitated, but the allure of the lake—of the power it held—was too much to resist. He turned his back to the general, his wet clothes clinging uncomfortably to his skin. He began undressing, stripping down to just his underwear before jumping back into the lake. The water welcomed him, its warmth enveloping him like a comforting embrace.

General zhao stood still looking at the soft glow of the lake and said "Because the river doesn't work on humans, it only works on beasts." His eyes flashed with a dangerous glint.

William dove deep, his body sinking toward the bottom, the glowing blue light growing stronger the further he went. At the bottom, he settled into a cross-legged position, the glow around him almost blinding now. He closed his eyes, calming his breath, and activated his Third Eye.

The sight was breathtaking.

Hundreds—no, thousands—of small blue orbs swirled around him, like stars floating in the depths of the lake. Soul Essence, William thought, awe-struck. Each one pulsed with power, inviting him to draw them in. He reached out with his mind, focusing on the closest orb, and began the process of pulling it toward him.

It was harder than he expected.

The first orb resisted, as though some unseen force was tugging it in the opposite direction. Sweat beaded on his forehead despite the water around him, and William gritted his teeth, using more force. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the orb entered his body, sending a wave of warmth coursing through him.

He guided it toward his heart, but just as it was about to enter, the orb shifted, moving to the opposite side of his body. What the...? William frowned, confused. But before he could think too much about it, another orb followed the same path, and then another. Only a few entered his heart, while the rest veered away.

Something was wrong. He could feel it in the way his body reacted—some orbs obeying, others resisting. Is this normal? he wondered, panic creeping in. But he had no time to dwell on it. More and more Soul Essence poured into him, filling him up, and he pushed harder, guiding as many orbs as he could toward his heart.

The fullness in his chest grew with each passing second. If he kept this up, he might be able to form his soul crystal by morning.

Then, suddenly, muffled sounds reached his ears. His concentration broke. What's that? The noise was faint but unmistakable. He shook his head, refocusing on the essence around him. But then, out of nowhere, a sharp sting shot through his body.

William's eyes snapped open.

Above him, several lightning bolts crackled through the water, their electric light dancing ominously toward him. What the hell?

Without hesitation, William swam upward, kicking furiously toward the surface. When he broke through, gasping for air, he spotted General Zhao standing at the edge of the lake, hurling more lightning bolts into the water.

"What are you doing?!" William shouted, his voice hoarse from the sudden exertion. seaʀᴄh thё Novelƒire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Zhao didn't look the least bit concerned. He lowered his hand, the lightning disappearing as quickly as it had come. "I've been calling you for a while now," he said casually, not even bothering to hide his impatience. "You didn't answer."

William's chest heaved as he dragged himself out of the water. "I've only been in there for thirty minutes," he protested, shaking his head in disbelief. "I can feel it—I'm close to forming my soul crystal. Why stop now?"

Zhao raised an eyebrow, an amused smile tugging at his lips. "Thirty minutes? Kid, you've been down there for more than four hours."

William froze, his mind reeling. "Four... hours?" He repeated, trying to process the words. No, it couldn't be. He had barely felt the passage of time.

Zhao chuckled. "Yeah. Time works differently in there, I guess."

William stared at the lake, his thoughts spinning. Time... He glanced at Zhao, frustration mixing with awe. "So, what now?"

Zhao waved his hand dismissively. "Go put on your clothes. We're heading back. You've had enough for today."

"But—"

"You can come back tomorrow," Zhao interrupted. "But I won't be here to babysit you."

William bit back a retort, dragging his damp clothes over to him.

"Let's go," he said, flicking his fan open with a flourish. "Unless you want to be punished for being out after curfew."

William grumbled under his breath, finishing dressing. As he turned to follow Zhao, he looked up at the c

hasm above them and frowned. "How are we going to climb back up?"