One question led to another until his thoughts threatened to spiral out of control. Had the artifact spirit not repeatedly reminded him to remain focused, he might have continued chasing those questions without end. In the end, he forced them aside. Whatever the truth was, it could wait. He calmed his mind and devoted his full attention to learning the Treasure Attunement Art. 

Under the artifact spirit's guidance, he began forming seals and sending his mana into the cauldron. With that, his divine consciousness seemed to be drawn inside as well.

Before long, he found himself gazing into the cauldron's interior. The first thing he saw was a mass of gray radiance suspended in the darkness. He had no idea what power it contained or what purpose it served, but merely looking at it filled him with an instinctive dread, as though his consciousness would be swallowed and turned into nothingness if he stared any longer.

Beyond it, at the very center of the...