Reborn as the Last van Ambrose
Chapter 248: Fourth Mana Heart

Chapter 248: Fourth Mana Heart

A week had passed since the duel with Xùyán, and Grim had settled into a routine of court observations, martial practice, and cultural studies.

The victory—or draw, depending on perspective—had earned him grudging respect from many fox spirits.

"Lord Ambrose," came Húwáng’s voice from behind him as Grim stood reviewing ancient texts in the palace library. "I believe it’s time we discussed your cultivation development."

Grim turned to find the Fox King approaching. Despite their growing familiarity, Húwáng’s presence still radiated power everywhere he went.

"Your Majesty," Grim replied with a respectful bow. "I would welcome such guidance."

"Walk with me," Húwáng said, gesturing toward a side exit that led away from the palace’s main corridors. "What we’ll be discussing requires privacy."

They left the palace grounds entirely, following a path that wound through increasingly wild terrain. The destination appeared to be a hidden valley nestled between two hills, where a natural hot spring bubbled up from underneath the surface.

"This place has been used for cultivation training for over a thousand years," Húwáng explained as they approached the spring. "The mana concentration here is significant."

Grim immediately understood what the king meant. The air itself seemed to thrum with magical energy that made his existing mana hearts pulse with responsive rhythm. It was similar to what he had experienced in the Sea Realm, but with distinctly different characteristics.

"How significant?" Grim asked.

"Dangerous for most humans," Húwáng replied bluntly. "The mana here is particularly potent and can overwhelm those unprepared for its intensity. However, given your abilities, I believe you can handle the challenge."

"What kind of training did you have in mind?"

"Formation of your fourth mana heart," the king said directly. "You currently possess three functional hearts, which is impressive for someone your age. However, advancing to four hearts would significantly enhance your abilities."

The prospect was both exciting and daunting. Grim had been contemplating such advancement, but the process was notoriously difficult and potentially dangerous. NovelFire)

"Is that wise to attempt so soon?" he asked. "I’ve only recently stabilized my third heart."

"Normally, no," Húwáng agreed. "However, the mana concentration in this valley accelerates the formation process considerably. What might take months in ordinary circumstances could be accomplished in days here."

"And the risks?"

"Substantial," the king admitted. "The potent mana can destabilize existing hearts if not properly controlled. However, I’ll be monitoring your progress and can intervene if problems develop."

Grim considered the offer carefully. Advancing to four mana hearts would increase his power significantly, but the risks of attempting formation in such an environment were real.

"Why are you offering this training?" he asked finally.

"Several reasons," Húwáng replied. "First, your marriage to Ruxi will require you to protect her and represent our alliance effectively. Greater cultivation strength serves both purposes."

"And second?"

"I’m curious about your potential," the king said with obvious interest. "Your cultivation methods differ from ours, and I’m interested in observing humans."

"You’re experimenting on me," Grim observed with slight amusement.

"We’re experimenting together," Húwáng corrected. "I’ll be cultivating as well, and your presence may provide insights into techniques I haven’t previously considered."

The arrangement seemed mutually beneficial, though Grim suspected the king’s motivations extended beyond simple curiosity.

"When would we begin?" he asked.

"Now," Húwáng replied, settling into a meditation position beside the hot spring. "The mana concentration peaks during midday hours, making this the optimal time."

Grim joined him, noting immediately how the ambient mana seemed to penetrate his skin and circulate through his existing mana channels. The sensation was intense but not unpleasant—like drinking pure mana instead of water.

"Begin with basic circulation," Húwáng instructed. "Allow the ambient mana to supplement your internal reserves, but maintain careful control over the flow."

Grim closed his eyes and began the meditation. Almost immediately, he felt the difference between cultivating here and in human lands. The mana was indeed potent, requiring constant attention to prevent it from overwhelming his existing channels.

The mana felt different from what he had experienced. This mana carried an ethereal quality—lighter and more fluid than the dense, earth-based mana commonly found in human lands. It moved through his channels and he had to constantly maintain or control it.

"Interesting," Húwáng murmured, observing Grim’s adaptation process. "Your mana channels are responding to fox spirit energy differently than I expected. Most humans struggle with the ethereal nature of our realm’s power."

"It feels... alive," Grim replied, maintaining his meditation while speaking. "Like it has its own consciousness."

"In a sense, it does," the king confirmed. "Fox spirit mana is connected to the natural world and the spiritual realm in ways that human energy typically isn’t. The fact that you can sense this connection suggests greater potential than I initially anticipated."

"Good," Húwáng observed after several minutes. "You’re adapting to the intensity well. Now begin gathering mana toward your chest cavity—we’ll start the fourth heart formation process."

The next phase required intense concentration. Grim had to direct the flowing mana toward the specific location where his fourth heart would develop, while simultaneously maintaining the function of his existing three hearts.

As he worked, he became aware of a presence observing their session. The sensation was subtle but unmistakable—someone with significant power was watching their cultivation with obvious interest.

"Your Majesty," he said quietly, "are we being observed?"

"Yes," Húwáng replied without concern. "And it’s not a problem. Continue your cultivation."

The king’s calm response suggested that whoever was watching had permission to be there, though their identity remained unclear.

Grim returned his attention to the heart formation process, noting that the ambient mana was accelerating his progress significantly. What should have taken weeks of careful development was happening in hours.

The process itself was unlike anything he had experienced before. The mana seemed to understand what he was attempting and began organizing itself into the proper formation without constant direction.

It was as if the mana possessed an innate knowledge of cultivation techniques and was actively assisting his advancement.

"This is remarkable," he said quietly, maintaining his focus while marveling at the ease of the process. "The mana is almost guiding itself into the proper place."

"That’s the nature of cultivating in sacred locations," Húwáng explained. "The accumulated spiritual energy of centuries of cultivation creates patterns that facilitate advancement. You’re benefiting from the work of countless fox spirits who have trained here before you."

The thought of connecting with such ancient tradition added a sense of reverence to the process. Grim could almost sense the echoes of previous cultivators who had achieved breakthroughs in this same location.

"Fascinating," Húwáng murmured as he observed Grim’s cultivation. "Your mana channels are adapting to the concentration faster than I anticipated."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Unknown," the king admitted. "But interesting. Human cultivation typically proceeds more slowly."

After what felt like hours was actually about ninety minutes.

Grim felt a sudden shift in his internal mana flow. The fourth mana heart had formed successfully, creating a new reservoir of power that immediately began integrating with his current mana.

However, the euphoria of success quickly turned to concern as Grim realized he was still absorbing mana at an accelerated rate. The potent mana was continuing to flood into his newly formed heart, filling it far beyond what he could comfortably control.

"Something’s wrong," he gasped, feeling pressure building in his chest as the mana flow became overwhelming.

Húwáng’s eyes widened with alarm as he sensed the dangerous energy buildup. "Stop the absorption process immediately!"