Alex's eyes remained fixed on the soft light still hovering at the tip of Victor's finger.
"Tell me more about this energy," he said. "What exactly does it do… beyond strengthening the body?"
Viktor slowly closed his hand, and the light faded into nothingness. He leaned back slightly, choosing his words with care.
"Vital Essence is the true core of the Apex Realm," he explained. "Everything else... the physical transformation, the longer lifespan... is only the foundation. The real purpose of this realm is control and mastery over this energy."
He paused for a moment, then continued.
"Once it awakens, a cultivator must learn to refine it continuously. Temper it. Compress it. Purify it. The stronger and purer the Vital Essence becomes, the greater the cultivator's overall power. In the Apex Realm, progress is no longer measured only by external strength… but by how deeply one has mastered their own Vital Essence."
Viktor's gaze grew more serious.
