“So, you think it’s soul that did the absorbing? Then did it absorb life force because I was injured or because wolf’s life force was simply dissipating and lost its owner?”

“It’s most likely latter. Stronger the soul stronger its effect on surroundings. Yours is so strong it simply absorbed nearby life force with no owner. And ownerless life force simply dissipates after the vessel dies. So, do you think you can maybe let me in your Soul Palace?”

“Hell no! Who knows what you might try. You’ve been trying to barge in and you admitted it yourself. There is no way that I can trust you. So, this forest is called just The Forest? How is it any different from other forests?”

“Well can’t help it if you can’t trust me. Sure, you will one day. Yes, just The Forest. Well first I live here, second because of high energy saturation creatures here is scarily strong. If you’re not careful even an ant can kill you let alone a dragon. They may seem like a regular creature externally but internally they can be the most dangerous creature on this planet. That’s why most humanoid creatures can’t come to the inner region of The Forest. That’s why I was shocked when you suddenly appeared.”

Well that piece of information might become a problem. According to this intended trespasser it will be tremendously hard to leave this forest then. Farther I get from the center more dangerous it is.

“Wait a minute if even an ant here is so strong how come I managed to kill that wolf. I assume I’m pretty low on the food chain and wolf is higher?”

“Well strong ants can get as big as a dragon and as I said before creatures get weaker, closer they are to me. Stronger ones usually tend to be territorial and fights occur a lot and if they fight they can change the fucking landscape. Destruction can be devastating and, in my anger, I tend to kill them. Thus, they know to stay as far as possible from me. As for the weaker ones I simply put a boundary for them not to cross. So, you fought that wolf just outside the boundary so that wolf was the lowest on the food chain and you with whatever you got killed it.”

“So, boundary is the little creek huh?”

“Yes.”

Well at least it seems I’m safe near this firewood. So, after all if I want to leave I need to get stronger. Seeing this firewood is so old perhaps it can help me.

“Okay, I suppose I owe you a thank you. And don’t you have any more questions?”

“For now, no. Even if I ask them it seems you most likely don’t know. I will ask more questions when I enter your Soul Palace.”

“Keep dreaming. If that is so can I keep asking you more questions?”

“Go ahead. It’s not like I got anything else to do.”

“Good. Then can you tell me how can I get stronger faster?”

“Well there is almost countless ways you can get stronger. Seeing your willpower and soul. In this world power takes many form and what form it takes is entirely up to you.”

“Can you elaborate on that more.”

“To put it simply, who you are affects your power. Your experience, personality, emotions even how you were raised can determine what kind of power you have. For example, let’s say you’re a passionate and rash person. That would mean your power could be fire manipulation. Differently you may be cool and calm person. That could make your power water manipulation. And these are just examples. It could be anything. Maybe passionate one might get a highest possible body potential. What’s most important is willpower. Iron will to keep training, no matter how hard it gets. You will have to sweat, bleed and struggle. And struggle is no trivial matter. Many give up moment they start because of their weak willpower. Stronger you get harder it is to progress further. So, fundamentally anyone has a chance to get strong. Talent and luck may matter along the path but as long as you manage to survive and persevere you can get powerful.”

“Then what is the use of Spell Matrix, Qi, Nurturing and Tempering?”

“Those are just one of the many mainstream way of training your gifts. Just because you got the power doesn’t mean it will get stronger as you use and survive. You need to nurture, temper and train it.”

“Then how does the ranking work?”

“There is many gifts and powers creatures’ possess but all of it mostly gets categorized into 2. Spell and Martial Arts. Rare few trains in both paths but most train in one. Creatures with high Soul Root rank uses spells and nurture and temper their brain cells. Those with high Body Potential rank uses Martial Arts and nurture and temper their body cells. Spells use mana and Spell Matrices and Martial Arts use Qi and systematic combat practices. Those who use Spells become a Wizards and after being nurtured and tempered their brain cells become Mana Vessel and as their Mana Vessel’s rank increase their converted mana’s quantity and quality increase thus making it possible for them to use high ranked Spell Matrices and cast stronger spells. And spells they can cast determines the Wizard’s rank. As for those who use Martial Arts become Warriors and after being nurtured and tempered their body cells get strengthen and their body cells become Qi Vessel. As their bodies become stronger they can perform stronger combat practices and use Qi in Qi Vessel to use related techniques to fight. And the technique they can use determines their ranks.”

“Okay, I got the main idea. So, what is your evaluation of me?”