The days that followed passed in quiet intensity as Aaron devoted himself entirely to mastering his newly created essences.
With these essences born from within his own soul, he no longer depended on the fundamental energies of the realm around him.
Even if the mortal world tried to suppress his qi or cut him off from external power, it would mean nothing.
He carried his strength inside himself, pure, self-sustaining, and beyond the realm's control.
That was the true gift of the Paradox Rank.
Yet a single dilemma remained.
Because his essences originated from his core rather than the abundant environment, their quantity was tiny compared to the vast oceans of qi available in the outside world.
Still, the sheer quality of each essence far surpassed anything lower ranks could dream of.
From this point forward, advancing would mean slowly expanding the volume of his own inner power, drop by precious drop.
