"There isn't a single elf in Elvengarde that doesn't know about Soul Enhancing Pills. The Soul Enhancing Pill is regarded as a divine pill in our tribe." Princess Faelyn explained with a rare trace of envy on her face.
"Why is it considered a divine pill in your tribe?" Leon knitted his brows together as he failed to understand what was so great about it. Did he miss something?
"Not just our tribe. I believe any Awakener would also regard it as a divine pill. As you know, innate talent is extremely difficult to improve. If a person's innate talents are terrible, it would be difficult to achieve anything in awakening cultivation. However, Soul Enhancing Pills can improve a person's innate talent, allowing them to progress further and smoother in cultivation. The Supreme Elder was fortunate enough to consume one in his younger days. Wouldn't your Highness also agree that something like this should be regarded as a divine pill."
"That's true��� in that case, it is truly deserving to be considered a divine pill." Leon agreed with a wry smile, but he was rather startled.
If that was true, why had he not realized such benefits yet? Because his starting point was originally much higher than others as a former Divine Origin realm practitioner? These Soul Enhancing Pills were like icing on the cake for him, but that was not the same for others.
Leon gave it some thought and smiled wryly. If the soul could be quantified in numerical values, his soul would be at 220 points, a normal person's soul would be roughly around 20 points, and a Transcendent's soul would be around 40 points.
A single Soul Enhancing Pill would grant around 20 bonus points to one's soul. It would make sense that a normal person has a different reaction to Soul Enhancing Pills in comparison to him.
Also, he had been increasing his awakening cultivation through unconventional methods such as cultivation resources. He had not sat down and cultivated normally as his focus has always been on divine cultivation and body forging.
Furthermore, only when he had reached the Transcendent Realm, would the importance of one's innate talent be highlighted.
"Your Highness… are these Soul Enhancing Pills easy to manufacture in the Human Domain?" Princess Faelyn asked hesitantly.
What she was actually hoping to ask was if she could also have one. However, she found it quite inappropriate as she was not sure if Soul Enhancing Pills were also extremely rare in the Human Domain.
Leon felt that he should not carelessly let other people know that he could refine soul-related pills, lest he carelessly arouses the greed of unscrupulous hidden Transcendents, and gets himself kidnapped to become a pill slave.
The Crawford Kingdom was no longer the strongest kingdom in the Human Domain like it was 500 years ago. The fact that there was absolutely no information on the Geyser Kingdom had made him even warier.
As the only kingdom that had access to the open sea, they cannot possibly be weaker than the other three kingdoms, right?
"Hmm, it's not easy to manufacture. In fact, I do not know anyone who can refine these Soul Enhancing Pills in the Human Domain. I was just lucky to find these on an underground trip."
"Oh…"
The disappointment in Princess Faelyn's eyes could be clearly seen. She was still hoping she could at least buy one for herself. She was not so ignorant that she did not understand the importance of strength in this world, especially for one as beautiful as her.
Where there are people, there would always be conflict. Even if you are minding your own business and did your best not to offend anyone, there was a chance that someone would still find trouble with you.
Leon felt a heartstring being pulled but there was no other way. An urge to spill his secrets to make the elven beauty in front of him came abruptly, but he resisted. They were not familiar with each other enough for him to trust her with a secret that could endanger his life.
"Thank you for bestowing such a treasured pill to this one, Your Highness. This one will forever remember your grace and benevolence." The Supreme Elder said subserviently with a heart full of emotion after he had finished absorbing the Soul Enhancing Pill.
A single Soul Enhancing Pill was far more valuable than his few decades of cultivation. He would at most, spend a few years to regain his cultivation as it was easier to re-cultivate to a previous level than to cultivate to a higher level.
But now that he had ingested another Soul Enhancing Pill, his soul had reached a new state of clarity and clearness. Comprehending the law of wood has become 50% faster for him. In other words, his cultivation speed has increased by 50%! The difference was clear who had gained more out of this.
If the Elven King, Queen, and elders of the council saw the current Supreme Elder, they would have felt nothing but betrayal. Their pride did not allow them to become human vassals, but their strongest expert was kneeling with gratitude to a human.
"It is what you deserve. Quickly get up, it's not appropriate for the Supreme Elder to kneel." Leon did not dare to accept the Supreme Elder's kneeling. The other was considered his senior in terms of both age and cultivation.
"Hahaha, appropriate… totally appropriate…" The Supreme Elder chortled.
Princess Faelyn felt a bit helpless as tried to pull the Supreme Elder up with an expression that says, 'I understand how you feel, but think about your status.'
"Your Highness, this one had gained some sudden insights and would like to request his leave to cultivate."
"Insights are indeed rare opportunities and hard to come by. You may leave." Leon nodded and permitted helplessly. With such a reason, he could not keep the Supreme Elder around for a chance to learn more about Elvengarde.
"Thank you, Your Highness." The Supreme Elder did a traditional elven half-bow gesture to show his highest degree of respect, but it did not appear solemn as he could not hide the glee on his face.
Regardless of whether they came because of the upcoming calamity or for the World Tree, just the fact that he had received a Soul Enhancing Pill had made the trip worth it.
After receiving Leon's permission, the Supreme Elder turned to Princess Faelyn and his eyes turned bright. "Princess Faelyn, please accompany his Highness in my stead."
"Yes, Supreme Elder."
Princess Faelyn complied but she was a bit speechless as she saw through the Supreme Elder's hidden intention.
The Supreme Elder had promised her not to force her into a political marriage, but he could still try to matchmake them.
"Princess Faelyn, I am quite curious about your Elven Tribe. Would you care to join me for a chat over tea?" Leon asked after the Supreme Elder was gone and out of sight.
"Your Highness, you can just call me Faelyn. I would love to join you for a chat over afternoon tea. I do have a few questions of my own if you don't mind me asking." Faelyn said courteously.
"Feel free to ask, but I can't promise I will answer all of them. You can also just call me Leon. It'll be easier for us to communicate seeing as we are of similar age."
"Y-Yes."
Faelyn was surprised at how easily the prince had agreed and how easy going he was. She thought that the prince only said so because he was interested in her beauty. However, the prince's calm collectedness did not show any sign that implied he was interested. She blushed for thinking too much.
"Is there something on my face?"
"N-No…" Faelyn's ear went red.
"Please have a seat." Leon took his seat and gestured for Faelyn to sit on the steel stool across the tea table.
"Your Highness, shall I go prepare the tea?" One of the two palace maids accompanying Faelyn asked.
"No need. I will prepare it myself."
Although that was what Leon said, he was already seated and did not seem to have any intention of touching the teapot on the table.
As the palace maids were confused and wondering whether to pick up the teapot and go brew the tea, the teapot began moving on its own as it hovered up.
The lid came off, after which a block of ice entered the teapot while a ball of flame was alighted underneath. After the teapot was given a round of cleansing, the teapot was drained of its contents before a new block of ice was tossed inside to be melted.
A dried stalk of Tier-3 Achromous Valerian Root appeared in his hand before it was sealed inside the teapot. Leon casually and patiently waited for the herbal tea to reach a boiling point. When steam began to escape the mouth, Leon extinguished the fire and proceeded to pour the princess before pouring himself a cup.
Sure, there was a more refined way of prepare herbal tea, but considering he had used a Tier-3 Spirit Herb, Leon didn't feel the need to go through the additional troublesome steps when the quality and taste is all but guaranteed.
Throughout the process, Faelyn was too stunned for words. What had she just witnessed? Earth… Fire… Water… and… the Crawford Royal family was apparently a family of metal-users.
Four elements?! That was unheard! And did she just see an herbal plant appearing out of thin air? What was that? Magic?
Leon picked up his teacup and an unknown gust of wind cooled the herbal tea for him to drink.
Five elements?!
Faelyn found it hard to keep a calm look. The person in front of her had shown her one too many surprises.
"What would you like to ask me first, Faelyn?" Leon gave her the honors of having the first question as he sipped on his herbal tea. The fragrance of the herbal tea assaulted the princess's senses and immediately made her captivated.
"This isn't tea, is it?" Faelyn asked dazedly amongst the myriads other questions she could have asked as she took a sip.