During the time that the blood essence is burning, the cultivator will gain great power. It is power that can reach the second mortal coil and can be used to save themselves. But after the blood essence is done burning, the cultivator will be injured.
This injury can be mild, and it can be serious. It depends on how long the blood burning was going on. If it occurred for a long period of time, the cultivation might drop from the tenth transformation to the ninth transformation of the first mortal coil.
The blood burning also affects talent. Burning blood for temporary power will reduce the talent of the cultivator. In severe cases, that cultivator might never be able to reach the second mortal coil again.
This is why talented people prefer to use extraordinary weapons instead of burning their blood. They will only burn their blood when they are desperate.
Besides, Arthur doesn't think he will need it. He doesn't believe he can ever be put in such a desperate situation because of his power.
Lady Vena knew this too. But she wasn't happy about it.
She wasn't happy about it because she was hoping she could help him with the blood essence or at least tell the patriarch that he needs the blood essence so that the patriarch can use it to help Arthur.
She was hoping that she would be able to find something to help Arthur with. But by the looks of things, he didn't need her help for anything. He had everything covered.
So she sighed and said, "It seems you don't need help with anything."
Arthur nodded and said proudly. "I don't."
Lady Vena said, "I see."
Arthur was confused by her reaction. He expected her to be proud of him for not needing anyone or at least to be happy for him because he has prepared all that he needs. Yet she looked unhappy and disappointed.
So he asked her, "That is a food thing, right? I mean, you were the one who taught me not to rely on anyone. Isn't that why you refused to help me after I left your house?"
She pointed out, "I did help you when you were nearly killed. I helped you get better with expensive medicine and took care of you."
He nodded in agreement. "You did, and for that I appreciate you. But you shouldn't forget that I paid you back for the money you spent and the effort you put in. You insisted on it if I remember clearly."
She asked him, "What about all the money I spent on you when you were still with me? I spent money on food, pills, your dog Ruff, and the sheep that you killed. Then there is the time I spent helping you to train. That has to count for something."
He nodded again. Then he asked, "That counts. Do you want me to pay you for the expenses and for your time?"
She shook her head. "That's not the point."
He was confused again. He asked her with frustration, "Then what is the point?"
But he wasn't the only one who was frustrated. Lady Vena was also frustrated.
She was silent for a while before she replied. She said, "I just want you to remember that I did all of that to train you. When it was time to spend money on you, I did. When it was time to spend time to train you, I did."
"And when it was time to let you go to fend for yourself so that you wouldn't turn into pampered wussies like the true children of the family, I did it. I did it all for your good."
Arthur found her behavior to be weird, but he said, "I know."
She wasn't done yet. She said, "I followed you every day to the training facility and stayed outside to watch you and make sure that your teachers didn't bully you. I followed you to your house in Agate City and stayed outside your house for many days so that you wouldn't be in danger."
She hesitated for a while before saying, "I went to the society of thieves and provoked them to fight you so that you will be beaten to the point that you will return home to me. I wanted them to teach you a lesson and make you learn that you couldn't live on your own yet."
Arthur's eyes widened in realization. He said, "So you were the ones who attacked the society of thieves and dropped my name. I thought they were lying."
She looked at him and admitted it, "I did that one for myself and it backfired to the point that it nearly got you killed. But I am not a bad mother."
He was silent for a whole before he said, "I never called you one. Just like I said before, many people will be lucky to have you as their mother."
She nodded in satisfaction.
This was the same evaluation she got from Arthur earlier, but this time, it felt different coming from him. This time, she was satisfied with it.
She was satisfied and content. All that she needed to say had been said. So she became quiet again.
She was quiet, but she didn't seem to be in a bad mood. So the atmosphere didn't feel suffocating, and Arthur didn't feel the need to break the ice.
The rest of the ride back home went on in silence. When Arthur got home, Geltra began to fuss over him again.
Geltra didn't care that he was bigger and taller than her now. He was always her boy, and she made sure that he had anything he wanted.
It was just like old times. But he didn't stay with Lady Vena for long. He had to leave the following day to run his charity business, teach his students, and go hunting with them after.
He also had to continue comprehending the force diagram. This took a lot of his time and made him weak physically and mentally.