Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Dante spent all that time with Viviane, yet even after so much longing, for them, three days seemed almost nothing.
At that moment, Dante had to part from Viviane and joined the village's former leaders. He recounted in detail everything he had gone through, and they, in turn, shared their findings: the place where Dante had found the spiritual milk contained a vein of spiritual stones, which had allowed the emergence of a rare dew root.
The village acted immediately, sending twice as many miners and warriors to the site. The elders were pleased with the news: a vein of spiritual stones would significantly increase the village's strength, reinforcing its position against any threat.
However, there was no record of the rare blue spiritual root, capable of healing even fatal injuries. Not even the oldest village archives contained any information. All level 2 masters examined Dante's body and concluded: he had no problems.
What truly demanded attention, however, was Dante's element. They discussed it at length and understood his choice of the lava element.
The lava element consists of the fusion of earth and fire. But since only one element can be manipulated at a time, it is necessary to use spiritual medicines to achieve specific powers.
For example, for the lava element, one must take the Blazing Spiritual Liquid, made from the Earth Orchid and the Vibrant Flame Flower. These spiritual medicines allow the earth and fire elements to fuse into a liquid that internally reproduces the lava element.
Here, as everyone starts from the same base, no one is born with specific elements — only some have greater compatibility with certain elements. Over thousands of years, humanity discovered spiritual herbs that allow the manipulation of elements.
By absorbing the spiritual medicine of the desired element, a trace of the individual's permanent mana is transformed into that specific element. Then, by directing mana through the Dantian, one can utilize elemental attacks — or choose not to. Fortunately, these spiritual medicines are all level 1, mid-grade, extremely common and accessible.
Dante looked at the Blazing Spiritual Lava Liquid in his hand. Absorbing it would not hurt, and the process would be quick. Yet he was pensive: the lava element is one of the most powerful, yet extremely difficult to master.
— Confused, aren't you? — said the ancestral Hai suddenly. — When I took the Blue Storm Liquid, I felt the same. Will it be too difficult to master… or is it the right choice?
— No worries — replied Dante, determined. — We have the duty to protect this place. The difficulty is not a problem; all it takes is the right opportunity.
Upon hearing these words, something sparked in Dante's mind. He took the spiritual liquid. It fell onto his stomach and was quickly absorbed by the Dantian, filling it entirely. The blazing lava spiritual liquid solidified between the Dantian's shell and the blue spiritual root, marking Dante's spiritual element: lava.
— Try using it at the simplest level — instructed the ancestral Hai.
Dante began to test it. The mana flowed through the Dantian, and upon touching the solidified shell, it transformed, heating intensely. It became spiritual lava, coursing through Dante's body until it reached his arm. Unfortunately, it lasted only a few seconds before dispersing, revealing why controlling this element was so difficult.
Spiritual lava evaporates mana wherever it passes; if it lingers too long, it begins to melt the user's body. Therefore, fighting with this element requires great experience.
Dante started detailing his experience with the element to ancestral Hai, who listened carefully but could not directly help. Instead, he handed Dante two books.
— What is this? — asked Dante, surprised by the elder's unexpected action.
— This smaller book is a skill manual, containing the spiritual technique Ignite Veins. The larger one is a record of the ancient spear users. Unfortunately, there is no one in this generation capable of teaching it, so you will have to learn it yourself — explained ancestral Hai, leaving Dante deep in thought.
But as Dante turned to speak to him, the elder had already vanished.
— What a terrible habit! — Dante muttered, picking up the books and beginning to read, determined to master his power.