chapter 9 Meeting at the pool

Seven days flew by in the blink of an eye, and Ethan Sigeweard had already depleted the two third-tier Soul Crystals he had obtained. At the moment when the last trace of Soul Crystal dissipated, a resounding boom echoed within Ethan's body.
"I had advanced to the later stages of a Warrior!" Ethan opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of brilliance passing by.
In that instant, he felt an influx of boundless power coursing through his body. The surging soul power flowed through his meridians like a mighty river, while every pore on his body expanded, suffusing him with an unparalleled sense of comfort.
"Two third-tier Soul Crystals only propelled me through two minor realms. It seems that relying on Soul Crystal refinement for breakthroughs will indeed pose quite a challenge," Ethan remarked wryly.
Ordinarily, the soul power contained within a late-stage second-tier Soul Crystal would suffice for an Early-stage Warrior to advance to the mid-stage of a Warrior, let alone two third-tier Soul Crystals. For most individuals, refining them would easily facilitate a breakthrough to the rank of Battle Master.
However, the tremendous soul power inherent in third-tier Soul Crystals, if rapidly absorbed like Ethan did, could risk rupturing the meridians.
Moreover, considering these were two Soul Crystals, they might be late third-tier or even peak third-tier Soul Crystals. Ethan was fortunate they hadn't caused any explosions.
He finally grasped why some renowned families produced countless prodigies. As long as one's Battle Soul level was sufficiently high and they possessed an ample supply of Soul Crystals, ascending to higher realms was indeed straightforward.
Yet, what eluded him was that most individuals couldn't refine Soul Crystals at such a pace, nor would they dare to.
Furthermore, the higher the rank of the soul beast, the stronger its combat prowess. Obtaining high-level Soul Crystals by slaying soul beasts was exceedingly arduous. Ethan's acquisition of two third-tier Soul Crystals this time was akin to a stroke of luck.
"With my current strength, if Liam Sigeweard remains at the late stage of a Warrior, one blow would be sufficient to vanquish him. Alas, the Thunderous Judgment's rank is too feeble to be of use in breaking through to the realm of Battle Master," Ethan's eyes flashed with a glint of coldness. After another few days of operating the Thunderous Judgment, and once his cultivation had thoroughly stabilized, he rose to his feet and departed.
Following a breakthrough, the only way to acclimate to one's newfound strength was through combat.
Combat prowess within the same realm wasn't static; it evolved with combat experience. This was why cultivators embarked on experiential journeys post-breakthrough, to continuously grow through battle.
The jungle remained serene as Ethan proceeded deeper into the Sunset Mountain Range. Soul beasts grew increasingly abundant. After half a day, he had slain as many as three mid-stage second-tier soul beasts and two later-stage second-tier soul beasts.
Ethan now possessed a thorough understanding of his capabilities. He could confront later-stage second-tier soul beasts with composure. Even against peak-stage Second-tier Soul Beasts, he stood a fighting chance.
The sound of rushing water suddenly reached Ethan's ears, eliciting a surge of excitement on his face. It was the sound he had been longing for.
Ever since the last encounter with the Black-armored Giant Python, where he emerged drenched in blood, he had yearned for a thorough wash. If not for the breakthrough, he would have sought out water sources long ago.
Moments later, a crystal-clear river came into view. Meandering and gurgling, it traversed through the tranquil valley, its surface adorned with floating orchids. Ahead lay a deep pool.
With his body still grimy, Ethan didn't hesitate. He dove headlong into the river, holding his breath as he scrubbed himself clean. The sensation was incredibly refreshing, a luxury he hadn't experienced in a long while.
Suddenly, water droplets danced in the air. Ethan instinctively reached out to touch his face, thinking it was raining. However, upon turning his head, he was greeted with a breathtaking sight.
Emerging from the pool was a woman, her dark hair cascading wetly down her shoulders. Her arms, as tender as lamb-fat jade, and her pure, ethereal beauty resembled that of a lotus emerging from water, untainted by earthly dust.
The shimmering white light danced on the water's surface, casting a mesmerizing and surreal scene. With just one glance, it stirred the blood and left Ethan transfixed.
As Ethan's gaze met hers, those lively and beautiful eyes met his in return. With long fluttering eyelashes, a straight nose, and a cherry-like mouth, she resembled a mythical angel—a lively and adorable sprite.
"Ah!" A piercing scream shattered the tranquility of the forest, sending birds and beasts scattering. The girl clutched her chest with one hand while flicking her fingers with the other, conjuring a massive wave that surged towards Ethan like a barrage of arrows.
Startled, Ethan Xiao instinctively retaliated, unleashing a palm strike infused with the Second-grade Battle Skill, Wavebreaker Fist. The water erupted, scattering the waves, but he lunged towards the girl like a predator.
"Scoundrel, I'll kill you!" The girl roared, her rage akin to a wild beast unleashed. Terrifying soul power radiated from her, propelling Ethan Xiao away with tremendous force.
Simultaneously, her graceful form emerged from the water like a playful mermaid, creating crystalline splashes as she landed gracefully on the shore. With a casual gesture, she donned a flowing white skirt.
Unwilling to wait for her to prepare for a confrontation, Ethan knew his status as a rogue was irredeemable. Moreover, the girl's strength surpassed his expectations—she must be at least a Battle Master to effortlessly repel him.
Without hesitation, Ethan turned and fled, knowing he stood no chance against her on land.
However, the girl's speed was astonishing. With a single step, she darted towards the opposite bank of the river like a dragonfly skimming the water. With a few light taps on the surface, she appeared on the other side, her movements incredibly agile, resembling a nimble swallow in flight.
"What formidable movement technique!" Ethan was dumbfounded, then a sense of helplessness washed over him. While the girl's strength might only be that of a Battle Master, her agility was extraordinary, something that ordinary families could never possess.
Though not quite flying through the air, even the Battle Masters couldn't achieve this without utilizing movement techniques. However, the girl's ability to traverse a river with such ease and grace, even momentarily defying gravity, indicated that her movement technique was far from ordinary.
Without hesitation, Ethan turned and fled. While he might have a slight chance in the water, on land, he would never stand a chance against the
"Today, you won't escape!" The girl's grimace conveyed her determination as she pursued Ethan across the river.
Ethan felt a pang of helplessness. Knowing escape was nearly impossible, he attempted to reason with her, "Miss, please hear me out. It's all a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?" The girl's cold gaze betrayed her disbelief. If it were merely a misunderstanding, why did Ethan attack her earlier?
"Water Dragon Wave!"
The girl couldn't be bothered with Ethan Xiao's nonsense. She unleashed her Battle Skill with a sharp command. The water churned as a colossal water dragon emerged, roaring ferociously as it charged towards Ethan with teeth bared and claws outstretched.