Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

With Neill's words, Liam better understood the origin of the artifacts he had obtained in the Treasures Hall and even the star in his soul space.

The mystery of whether Neill knew what was inside him had not yet been solved. But it was clear that all these essences and artifacts dealt with in this conversation were directly or indirectly connected.

Now he knew one more thing about how to understand the star in his soul space.

'Besides advancing as a blacksmith, visiting those ruins where Neill got those artifacts could be a big plus for me. Maybe it will give me the understanding and ability to control this thing.'

He already knew that the star was a complex magical matrix, but what was its purpose? Would it help him? Would it one day take over his body and an ancient expert would possess him?

Anything was possible and he could answer almost nothing at the moment. The fact was that, inside or outside Demon Gate, Liam would have to worry about the star in his soul space. His life could be at stake, so he looked at Elder Neill seriously and made up his mind.

Bending one of his knees in front of where the man was sitting, Liam said, "Master, please allow me to help you! I'm not strong enough right now, but I'll do my best to explore these wonders alongside you, even as an assistant."

Neill liked it, seeing in Liam the spark he hadn't yet noticed in any other Runemaster he had approached. Even his disciples, who also had Liam's profession, had never shown the sparkle in this black-haired boy's eyes.

Neill gestured for Liam to stand up and said, "You're a good disciple. I was lucky to find you before I gave up hope, Liam."

Liam remained silent, aware that Neill wouldn't tell him everything about this ancient nation of Runemasters. Not only was Neill a cultivator who was certainly protective of what could benefit him greatly, but Liam himself was feeble at the moment, so much so that it wouldn't make sense to share much more with him for the time being.

But Liam wanted at least a hint so that he could start studying and, who knows, get something that would enable him to go after Runemasters' inheritance after fleeing the sect.

"For now, your intention to help me is the most important thing. If you want to go further and truly accompany me towards fantastic discoveries, work hard to become a Spirit Sky cultivator. Until then, all I can tell you is to dedicate yourself to your profession."

A few books appeared on one of the arms of Neill's armchair before floating towards Liam.

"This is what I can give you. Don't overdo it by studying them. But it's good to familiarize yourself with some of the important principles for our future experiences."

Liam briefly flipped through those books, noting that they had complex knowledge, but not as 'alien' to him as the symbols around the star in his soul space. But as much as he didn't find these books so strange, Liam knew he was a long way from the point where he could tell what the books were about.

"Understood, master."

"Very well, go home. Study some of these books today so that you can go to the Runes Hall and better understand your path from now on." Neill instructed with a smile on his face. "Continue your meetings with Eliakim. He'll be able to teach you many things."

"All right, I'll do that."

As Liam turned to leave after greeting Neill one last time and receiving the man's signal for him to go, Neill said aloud, "Liam, we're going to reach the sixth realm together!"

Liam looked back and felt a chill run down his spine, not knowing if it was because this man had made such a comment to a disciple much weaker than himself, or if it was because of what becoming a sixth realm cultivator would represent.

Liam smiled and nodded, saying nothing more before leaving Neill's field of vision and heading home with the books on his spatial ring.

Today he didn't even have his women on his mind, a normal thing for him to have on his mind at the end of the day. His concern was to study these books a little, even if he didn't understand much.

Anything that gave him a hint as to which direction he needed to go in would be enough!

As for the many questions that remained in his mind, even more many than the ones he'd had hours ago, he wasn't rushing to solve them. Confident that one day he would have the necessary requirements to solve them all, he moved on, thinking more about what he could interfere with for the time being.

...

The days passed, and it was finally time for Liam to face Isa!

After a few quiet days in the inner area of the sect, he had spent 11,000 merit points, a significant consumption that had even caught the attention of some Elders.

Liam was investing heavily in his preparations not only for Isa but also for Mylla, the two women he had 'made trouble' with in the inner sect area. As for other competitors, he was too busy with his affairs at Runes Hall, Law Enforcement Hall and the Records Hall, as well as cultivating with his women, to worry about anything.

The last few days in particular have been focused on the Lotus Temple in City One, where Liam took each of his women to cultivate in the temple's level 4 rooms. This was the major expense he had incurred during these days, something that, in his opinion, had been very worthwhile.

Now, as he walked towards the entrance to his house, where Isa was waiting for him, Liam sighed, aware that he had done everything in his power these past few days to prepare for her.

He was now an 8-Star Spirit Earth cultivator, with each of his Spirits stronger than they had been more than a week ago, when he had faced William's old master, the parasitic plant, and the monkey that had chased his group.

As he walked to his destination, he sighed as he considered his position. 'At least I helped the Silver-Winged Leopard complete his qualitative advancement to Sage-grade. This strengthened me beyond my cultivation breakthrough and also helped him reach 8-Star level.'

Liam and his latest Spirit were still 'tied' in terms of cultivation, something still beyond his control.

He wasn't worried, though. While many Spirit Masters were careful when dealing with their Spirits and their levels, he was sure that in another month at most, his situation would stabilize with him gaining the advantage expected of someone in his position.

He then came across the beautiful Isa, waiting for him with a smile on her pretty face outside the property.

As soon as she saw him, Isa said good-humoredly, "Division Chiefs' houses are really opulent. I almost thought I was standing in front of an Elder's property."

"You like to exaggerate." He greeted her in a way not so common for this world, coming close to her personal space and holding her hands with one of his own. "It's good to see you, Isa. I thought you'd forgotten about our agreement."

She looked at his hand contacting her, but didn't bother to stop. She continued as she was, giving him this temporary freedom. "I tell you the same. I didn't think you'd stay in the sect. I thought you'd go to a place to have your Third Class Runemaster test."

She had investigated Liam. Isa knew what Liam's faction was, his master, his duties in the inner wing of the sect and how much he had spent over the last few days on a group of women who lived with him in the property she was now standing in front of.

She was curious. She had heard a rumor that he would flee before facing her. Some of Liam's subordinates had spread the word that he intended to leave soon to take the Runemaster promotion test.

Considering the time Liam had been spending in the Runes Hall recently, she sincerely believed that he would do such a cowardly act.

Seeing him now in front of her on the anniversary of their commitment, she couldn't help but feel better, but also curious to see where it would lead.

She was sincerely curious about Liam's plans!

"Well, I have one more proposal for you, so I could never get away from this training." He laughed as he put another of his cards on the table.

"Oh?" Isa wondered. "What do you have in mind?" Read new chapters at empire

"As you said, I need to take the test to become a Third Class Runemaster. Isa, why don't you accompany me on this trip? Join the group as our escort. We can train during the trip and become friends." He proposed.

'Since I can't get away from you, I'll put all my cards on you,' he thought, needing a Commander on his side for his escape plans, but also to prepare for the dangerous Mylla.

Isa looked at him in silence, thinking about what to do and what this invitation meant for her.