Chapter 304: Five Sources 2

Night had already fallen over the Smith Family residence. The streets nearby were quiet — too quiet. Lantern light flickered faintly along the stone paths, casting long, wavering shadows across the outer walls of the compound.

From within those shadows, two figures watched in silence, their presences concealed so thoroughly that even a trained fighter would have struggled to sense them.

Their eyes remained fixed on the Smith Family estate, observing every movement, every guard rotation, every flicker of light behind the windows.

One of them finally spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “He still hasn’t returned.”

The other man replied softly. “Yeah. It’s already been four days. I think this is our chance.”

The first man nodded reached into his robe and pulled out a pale-gray scroll. Unlike ordinary paper talismans, this one was smooth, almost metallic to the touch, with faint crimson lines running across its surface like veins.

A communication scroll.

Something so rare that even most of the noble families would hesitate to use one casually.

He pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the scroll, then began writing.

’Sire, Logan has gone somewhere and hasn’t returned for days. I believe this is our best chance.’

The characters sank into the scroll as if absorbed by it. He folded it carefully and slid it back into his pocket.

The two men waited. Minutes passed.

Then….

The scroll began to glow. A faint red light pulsed from beneath the man’s robe, accompanied by a subtle rise in temperature. His lips curled upward as he pulled it out again, unfurling it slowly.

New words appeared.

’I am on my way. Inform the others to surround the Smith Family.’

A devilish smile spread across the man’s face. “Good,” he muttered. “Very good.”

Without wasting another second, he drew out several smaller scrolls — less refined, but still far from common, and began writing rapidly. Each message was brief. Precise. Deadly.

Anyone who possessed even a single communication scroll was no ordinary person.

And this man? He had several.

Far away, the night seemed to grow colder.

Meanwhile…

Deep within Spirit Mountain, inside the Grand Library that had stood untouched by time, Logan remained seated at the long study table on the fifth floor.

The outside world no longer existed to him.

Only knowledge. Only truth. He turned another page, his eyes scanning each line with unwavering focus.

’Chaotic Energy — A form of energy similar to Spiritual Energy, yet polar opposite in nature.’

Logan’s brows furrowed slightly as he read.

’Chaotic Energy is violent, unstable, and far more difficult to refine.

Those who attempt to cultivate with it often suffer drastic physical changes. Their bodies adapt to chaos — bones twist, flesh hardens, appearances grow grotesque.’

Logan’s fingers tightened unconsciously.

However… His eyes sharpened.

’Its destructive power far exceeds that of Spiritual Energy.’

“So that’s why,” Logan murmured softly.

Images flashed through his mind—monsters pouring out of dungeon gates, their warped forms, twisted limbs, and horrifying strength.

“Even after a thousand years have passed, they couldn’t learn the breathing techniques to refine spiritual energy,” he whispered. “Because chaotic energy was never meant to coexist with spiritual energy.”

He turned the page.

’Mana — Unlike Spiritual Energy or Chaotic Energy, Mana does not directly strengthen the body to super being levels.’

Logan leaned back slightly, his curiosity increasing with each passing second as he continued to read through every lines.

’Instead, Mana grants the ability to manipulate elemental forces. Fire. Water. Earth. Wind. Lightning. Gravity.

Mana is delicate and requires high precision and affinity.

Yet when mastered, its destructive and utility potential is overwhelming.’

Logan exhaled slowly. “Is mana only found in the planet of the elves?” he wondered.

’It isn’t about brute force. It’s all about control. About bending the laws of the world itself.’

’No wonder people had leaned toward magic after dungeons appeared.’ Logan thought. He flipped the page again.

’Life Spectrum Energy — A rare energy found within certain living species.’

Logan’s eyes narrowed.

’Unlike other sources, Life Spectrum Energy does not need to be absorbed from the environment.

It exists within the body itself and grows stronger through training, survival, and natural bonds.

Cultivators who use Life Spectrum Energy possess enhanced vitality, regeneration, and physical resilience.

They can manipulate elemental forces similar to Mana, while also strengthening their bodies.’

Logan’s lips pressed together.

’However, physical strength remains inferior to those who uses spiritual energy or chaotic energy and magical prowess to those who uses mana.’

“So it’s balanced,” Logan muttered. “Versatile… but capped.”

’Beast races. It makes sense.’ He thought.

’I don’t know about their spell casting ability compared to elves but physically though strong, they can’t be compared to cultivators who uses spiritual energy. Or else, defeating Raphael wouldn’t have been possible.’

He turned the page again.

’Mind Essence Energy — Also known as Soul Energy.

Mind Essence Energy strengthens the consciousness, perception, memory, and willpower of its user.

Cultivators of this path are often physically weaker than those who rely on other energy sources.’

Logan’s gaze sharpened.

’However, their heightened mental capacity allows them to achieve feats others deem impossible. Illusions. Mental domination.

Prediction. Calculation beyond human limits.’

“Dwarves…” Logan murmured.

’A race known not for brute strength or magic, but for invention, strategy, and craftsmanship that defied logic.’

Logan slowly closed the book, his mind racing.

Five sources of energy. Five paths. And suddenly, the world he thought he understood no longer felt complete.

“So Spiritual Energy was never the only way,” he thought. But then another line surfaced in his mind from the book he just finished.

’It is extremely difficult — almost impossible — for a being to cultivate more than one source of energy.’

Logan frowned.

“Impossible… for ordinary beings.” His gaze drifted upward toward the towering shelves around him.

Flipping back a few pages, he scanned the section listing species and their energy affinities.

’Humans — Spiritual Energy

Monsters — Chaotic Energy

Elves — Mana

Beast Races — Life Spectrum Energy

Dwarves — Mind Essence Energy’

His eyes paused. There was an omission.

“…Mecha Races,” Logan murmured.

No energy source listed.

Not even a hint. That alone told him something was wrong.

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