Just Extra

"Miss, I will keep the Voidpetal Soil in my storage ring," Minasa began, her voice calm and deliberate. "It can be used to enhance space-related weapons or to cultivate space-aligned herbs. If we ever come across another Inferno Flower, we can use it for cultivation as well. Alternatively, it can also be used to repair damaged space weapons. However, I recommend you use this soil to craft a space talisman."

Minasa paused, allowing her words to settle before continuing. "Even though the Voidpetal Soil is an exceedingly rare resource, its value isn't limited to just the this galaxy —it spans far beyond that. It could potentially be utilized across every galaxy within the vast seven-sky universe, especially after the battles against invaders. There are countless places in this universe where space destruction has left its mark."

Minerva nodded thoughtfully after hearing Minasa's explanation. Her initial doubts about the practical use of the Voidpetal Soil were now evident in her expression, but she trusted Minasa's judgment. For now, following Aunt Minasa's suggestion seemed like the wisest course of action. The space talisman would undoubtedly prove useful if danger arose again in the future.

With that settled, Minasa reached into her spatial ring and retrieved the Molten Cobra's core, placing it gently on the table. Minerva understood immediately that Minasa had kept this item not for herself but with Naviga in mind. More likely than not, Minasa intended for Naviga to benefit from it. Though the core was of the Fire element, it contained the essence of a 1st Core Essence monster—Universal Essence (U.E.)—which would significantly aid Naviga's cultivation. While the Inferno Flower was more valuable overall, the core still held immense potential.

Naviga, however, struggled to fully comprehend how to utilize such a powerful artifact. Still, the core could serve as a means to upgrade her Universal Essence, strengthen her own core, and prepare her for advancement to the next realm. Moreover, Minerva already possessed the Infernal Raven Core, which she could use for her own purposes. After careful consideration, Minerva picked up the Molten Cobra core and handed it to Naviga without hesitation.

Naviga hesitated for a moment, glancing at Minerva with uncertainty. But Minerva's stern gaze left no room for argument, compelling Naviga to accept the gift. Though Naviga wasn't particularly greedy by nature, she recognized the importance of accepting this offering. Besides, her cultivation had already shown significant improvement after their recent battle. Her Universal Essence was now on par with that of mid-level opponents who possessed 1st Core Essence. Their fight against the Molten Cobra had been a combination of luck and teamwork—a reminder that sometimes victory depended on factors beyond skill alone.

Minerva knew this truth better than anyone. As a former assassin, she understood that even the most skilled cultivators, armed with powerful techniques or weapons, relied on luck when faced with near-death situations. Luck, unpredictable and fickle, often played a crucial role in survival. This time, fortune had favored them, but Minerva remained acutely aware that relying solely on luck was never wise.

Naviga carefully stored the Molten Cobra core in her spatial ring, ensuring it was secure. The weight of the responsibility—and the opportunity it represented—was not lost on her. With the matter resolved, they returned to sipping their *Celestial Moonblossom* tea. The fragrant brew continued to soothe their minds and souls, easing the lingering tension from their journey. Its subtle warmth spread through their bodies, calming their thoughts and grounding them in the present moment.

When the last drops of tea were consumed, the three of them rose silently from the garden table. Without further discussion, they each retreated to their respective rooms, leaving the tranquil night behind. The soft glow of twilight faded into darkness, and the gentle hum of the evening breeze carried away the remnants of their conversation, leaving only peace in its wake.

Minerva settles into her room and relaxes on a cushion. She has this Violet Inferno Flower, which is incredibly purple and glowing. She closes her eyes and focuses her mind, ready for whatever comes next. Then she begins a breathing exercise, the Purple Sun Ray Breathing Art, a family secret. It involves drawing in Universal Essence, which is essentially good vibes.

She inhales deeply, and this energy fills her, making her feel warm and fuzzy. She directs it to her core, her power centre. For half an hour, she concentrates on preparing her core for the flower's power. Once she's ready, she pops the flower into her mouth and starts chewing.

It tastes awful, incredibly bitter, but she knows it's worth it. And then, boom! This heat starts building up, like a wildfire. It's intense, painful, and feels like her whole body is about to explode. Her veins throb, and she's in agony. She wants to scream, but she holds it together. She's determined not to let the pain break her.

So, she returns to her breathing exercise, the Purple Sun Ray Breathing Art, and carefully directs the flower's energy to her core. It feels like it could explode at any moment, but she takes the risk and expands her core. She knows if she rushes it, everything could go wrong, so she's patient. It's a slow process, but she's got this.

For five long minutes, she worked carefully, slowly expanding her core bit by bit. At the same time, she kept breathing in Universal Essence, which helped to heal and strengthen her core as it grew. The Essence flowed into every part of her core, fixing any damage from the sudden burst of energy. Slowly, her core got stronger and tougher, until it was about five metres bigger. Then, she moved on to the rest of her body, using the energy from the Violet Inferno Flower.

First, she sent the energy to her bones, making them denser and stronger with Universal Essence. Then, she moved to her marrow, then her vital organs, and finally her essence veins, doing the same careful healing and strengthening process. Each step needed a lot of focus, as she balanced the flower's raw power with the calming effects of Universal Essence. Fifteen minutes went by like this, the energy from the Violet Inferno Flower slowly fading as it finished its job.

When the last bit of the flower's energy was gone, Minerva started breathing again, filling every part of her body with more Universal Essence. She focused on making the improvements perfect, making sure every part of her body was as good as it could be. When she was done, she could feel the huge changes inside her. Every part of her body – her muscles, bones, marrow, organs, and essence veins – felt stronger and more powerful than ever. Her connection to fire was much stronger; she could feel that her ability to use fire energy had grown a lot. But, she was disappointed that her understanding of space energy hadn't changed.

Even though she'd hoped to get better at using space energy, she reminded herself that sometimes you just get lucky, and it's not always about how hard you try. Still, she wasn't too down about it. The progress she'd made was big, and she knew her journey was far from over. For now, she let herself feel happy and proud, knowing she'd pushed herself to the limit and come out stronger because of it.

After completing her cultivation, Minerva slowly rose to her feet. Her body still carried the faint echoes of the pain she had endured, but her movements were steady and deliberate. She stepped out of her room, leaving behind the quiet sanctuary where she had pushed herself to new heights. Outside, the villa was serene, bathed in the soft glow of twilight. Naviga remained in her own room, focused on preparing for her breakthrough. Minasa, ever vigilant, observed Minerva from a distance. Though her sharp eyes followed every movement, she did not intervene. Her first priority had always been Minerva, but she understood that growth came from overcoming challenges alone. Minasa would only step in if something went terribly wrong—her role was to watch, to ensure Minerva could rise from the trials of cultivation without needing external aid.

Once outside, Minerva retrieved her sword, the weapon gleaming under the fading light. The blade was entirely red, from hilt to tip, its surface adorned with intricate golden lines carved along both edges. The hilt bore no elaborate embellishments, save for the magnificent carving of a white snake coiled as if devouring its own tail. The snake's scales shimmered brilliantly, their pure white hue contrasting sharply with the striking red of its eyes. As Minerva held the sword, her black dress clung to her form, accentuating her curves and lending an air of regal elegance to her stance.

She raised the sword before her, swinging it in a smooth arc. The motion felt effortless now, as though the weapon had become an extension of her very being. She could sense the improvements immediately—the connection between her body and the sword was stronger, more intuitive than ever before. With a focused breath, she infused Universal Essence into the blade, watching as it responded eagerly to her will. She began performing basic sword techniques, each movement fluid and precise. Her strikes carried a newfound grace, enhanced by the interplay of her flowing dress and the fiery aura radiating from her presence. It was a sight so captivating that any man who witnessed it might find himself utterly entranced.

Satisfied with the initial results, Minerva called upon her fire element, channeling it into the sword. She could feel the flames responding to her command with unprecedented freedom and power. The heat surged through the blade, igniting it with a fierce, radiant glow. A soft *whoosh* echoed as she swung the sword downward, the fiery energy cascading off the blade and striking the ground. The force of the impact split a small marble pillar nearby, sending cracks spiderwebbing across its surface. The tree beside it swayed violently, its leaves singed and blackened by the residual heat. Minerva paid no heed to the destruction; her focus remained unbroken.

For the next five minutes, she practiced basic sword techniques infused with fire, testing the limits of her newfound strength. Each swing sent waves of searing energy rippling through the air, illuminating the surroundings with bursts of crimson light. Satisfied with her progress, she then activated the Amethyst Flame, her special fire,The flames intensified, taking on a deep violet hue that pulsed with raw power. Though this technique still consumed a significant amount of Universal Essence, she found it easier to sustain than before. She managed to maintain the flame for two additional seconds—a marked improvement over her previous attempts. Encouraged by this success, she incorporated the Amethyst Flame into her basic sword forms, ensuring that her control over the technique remained steady.

Finally, after what felt like hours of relentless practice, Minerva sheathed her sword. Her body glistened with sweat, yet there was a radiant beauty about her—an ethereal glow that seemed to emanate from within. She took a moment to wash, cleansing away the remnants of her exertion. As she dried herself, she marveled at how refreshed and revitalized she felt, as though her very essence had been renewed. Her skin glowed softly, her hair shimmered, and even her dress seemed to drape more elegantly over her figure.

With a final glance at her reflection, Minerva walked back inside the villa, her steps purposeful. She returned to her room, closing the door gently behind her. It was time to push forward once again—to break through to the next realm of cultivation.