From Vincent's expression, Vaelorion couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"Please, from now on, just call me Vaelorion."
"You have brought very significant news, and I am not someone who ignores such kindness. But words alone will not be enough to repay what you just brought."
"So, I, Vaelorion, grant you official permission to study the Spiritual Ascension path as much as you want. Since elven blood flows within you, this path should be accessible to you, though you are just partially an elf."
"Furthermore, I grant you an official permission to make a spiritual connection with our Sacred Maple Tree if you ever wish so."
"If you decide to stay here and cultivate Spiritual Ascension with assistance of the Sacred Red Maple, your progress in soul should be at least two times faster compared to the Soul Refinement path humans practice."
"But I'm not entirely sure as I never heard of human bonding with the Sacred Tree before."
Vincent's eyes widened in astonishment. He clearly didn't expect any reward for completing his ancestor's mission.
He started contemplating.
The first reward… he'll gladly accept it.
He now has a broken essence seed and can't cultivate like before.
If he studies the Spiritual Ascension system and tries to adapt it…
At this moment, a ridiculous, absurd and almost suicidal idea emerged in his mind.
What if he tries… creating his own path with the broken seed as the core after he studies the elven cultivation system?
But Vincent was not delusional. Creating a new path? Him? Someone who hasn't even lived 20 years?
That's why it was an absurd idea.
Cultivation systems were created after countless years of experimentation with world essence, spiritual force, and the body with each failure causing irreversible consequences, sometimes leading to death.
Many experts lost their lives in an attempt to find the right approach in reaching the higher stage in their path.
Yet, despite the dangers, gradually, the correct ways were found out and people began to ascend further.
But the higher they went, another issue appeared.
The cost.
'All who wish to gain power… be ready to pay the price,' Vincent repeated what his ancestor left in his diary.
Cost? He doesn't care anymore.
He had decided almost without hesitation that after he gets his hands on elves' Spiritual Ascension system, he will spend days and nights studying it in an attempt to make a path that will fit his current situation.
This is a rare opportunity since humans cannot practice systems of other races such as Spiritual Ascension as they are not integrated into human biology.
But he's different, as the elvish blood within him changes that.
He never heard if there was a human that attempted something this dangerous.
But does he have much of a choice now?
Though he can still progress in Soul and Body paths, he… doesn't want to willingly give up even the slightest possibility that might bring back his 3rd power system that can replace or at least partially restore his essence seed to its former state.
Vincent inwardly nodded as this matter was somewhat settled.
'I will create my own path… or die trying.'
An image of a blond-haired girl with a braid resurfaced in his mind.
Her image reminded him of the lives lost because of his choices and Vincent felt the weight of his guilt.
Vincent inwardly shook his head.
'What's done is done.'
And about the second reward… though the benefits are huge, so are the drawbacks.
Vincent wasn't sure if he wanted to bind himself to the Sacred Tree and stay all his life in the forest, though it would greatly benefit his soul progression.
This will force him to completely change his lifestyle which he is very hesitant about. Moreover, if the Sacred Tree dies, so will he, so he will be forever forced to stay beside it as a protector.
Binding to the Sacred Tree would forever tie his life to its fate.
Its death would mean his death.
He might gain power… but at a cost he may never undo.
Vincent wondered about what the best approach will be more effective.
"Vaelorion, I have an important question. Does cultivating the soul beside the Sacred Tree require creating a bond with it?"
Vaelorion wasn't surprised by his question, "Yes. This is something that has never changed since it was discovered. To receive the tree's assistance, its Spirit must acknowledge you."
Vincent nodded with slight disappointment, "In such a case, it's unfortunate. I can't tie myself to forever stay in the forest."
'Only if I end up in a desperate situation will I consider it.'
Vaelorion appreciated his honesty.
But then, an interesting thought appeared in his mind.
"I'm not sure… but maybe there's a way for you to not tie yourself to this place and still obtain the tree's assistance. Though it surely will be weaker."
Vincent's eyes brightened, "I'm listening."
Vaelorion continued, "But you'll have to come into contact with the Red Maple's spirit first."
Vincent's eyes narrowed, "How should I do it?"
But Vaelorion slowly shook his head.
"You can't… unless the spirit decides to contact you on its own volition."
Vincent lowered his head a bit.
'The way Vaelorion talks about this, it's probably highly unlikely that Sacred Tree's spirit will decide to contact me out of nowhere.'
"I understand. Thank you for the explanation, High Elder."
Vaelorion was calmly looking at Vincent.
'Odd… I don't see the greed nor any arrogance in his eyes that humans of his level should have.'
Vaelorion saw quite a few humans in his long life that reached or were close to Vincent's current power. Yet, all of them, in one way or another, were unable to hide their true nature in front of him.
'Either he's an expert in hiding his true emotions or… he doesn't have them which is even more unlikely.'
As he observed Vincent, he abruptly recalled something that can become very important.
"Young Vincent, do you know which elf was the reason you have our race's blood within you?"
Vincent gazed at the High Elder as he understood what he wanted to confirm.
'Nah… that would be way too much.'
"I don't have a Royal bloodline."
"..." Vaelorion was a bit surprised that Vincent managed to find what he thought., "I know it. If you had actually possessed the Royal bloodline, I, no, every elf would feel it."
"Then…" Vincent asked.
"Please, give me your hand. I wish to confirm something."
Vincent was hesitant for a moment before nodding.
Taking a hold of his arm, Vaelorion pointed a finger at the other side of his palm.
Vincent saw a small wood-like needle grow from High Elder's finger.
Then, he pinched Vincent's skin lightly and became stunned.
He couldn't pierce his skin.
After a moment of confusion, he looked up at Vincent.
"Second stage in Body Tempering. You truly are a unique person."
Then, since his first attempt failed, the High Elder added more of his plant essence into the needle.
Unlike the first attempt, the skin was successfully pierced.
But the moment the blood flowed out of Vincent… Vaelorion's body froze. Shock visible in his eyes.
This baffled Vincent. But what Vaelorion said next had completely caught him off guard.