Dual Cultivation: Beasts and Women!

At the top of Peak Thirteen, a fat, apparently middle-aged man with 6-Star cultivation from the fourth realm was standing on a balcony of the large residence.

He had a beautiful view of the fjord and other peaks of the Demon Gate headquarters, a breathtaking beauty marked by gentle breezes that would muffle any heat.

The day was rather cloudy today, so the view was somewhat compromised. But even on rainy days, the area was beautiful enough for this man, with decades of experience at this post, to observe the area daily.

As he relaxed in his moment of rest, Guardian Amzi Watt heard footsteps coming from behind him and sighed as his edile moment was disrupted.

"Guardian, I'm here to talk about Initiate Liam Porter, as previously requested," said First Officer Cyrus, who had led Liam's entrance test into the sect.

Amzi turned his face towards the man with his head lowered behind him and nodded while making a "hmm" sound, indicating for Cyrus to continue.

The First Officer said, "Liam Porter became a First Class Runemaster this morning. After that, he took his departure permit from Peak Thirteen, heading into the surrounding woods.

He learned a concealment technique, so his cultivation is uncertain. But his strength should be between 6-Star and 8-Star of the second realm.

In addition, he has joined the Leopards, and has made some contacts within the city that may prove important for his growth."

The Officers around the city were not just men positioned to make life in City Thirteen happen in an orderly fashion. Many of them were observers, spies positioned to follow the journeys of the outer disciples and pass on information to their superiors.

Guardian Amzi shifted his attention away from the captivating scenery he usually enjoyed observing, instead focusing on the matter at hand. "So, he falls between 6-Star and 8-Star, right? How old is this young man again? 18?"

"Yes, 18."

"18, uh? He has improved by nearly 5 stars within just three weeks in the sect? That's a significantly greater improvement compared to the three months he spent on the island prior to arriving here."

The Guardian was right. Improving 5 stars in the second realm of cultivation was better than the 9 stars improvement in the first realm, plus the 3 stars at the beginning of the second realm, that Liam had achieved on the Eternal Doom Island.

"Indeed, it's impressive. He cultivates really fast." Cyrus didn't disagree, but he raised a point to consider. "However, he visited the level two of the Lotus Temple after inheriting the resources of a disciple who tried to kill him. He also reached the first level of proficiency in the art of inscribing runes.

Those two things certainly helped him, but they won't be able to help him again in the short term."

"In any case, the result of his talent test is probably wrong. Continue to monitor him for me. He was once interesting for his talent for becoming a Runemaster, but now he may be more than that. If he reaches the third realm before his 19th birthday, bring him to me immediately." The Guardian ordered.

"I'll do it." Cyrus readily accepted it, not questioning the leader of Peak Thirteen.

Some individuals, such as Commander Amos, preferred their appointed disciples to stay as long as possible in the outer wing of the sect. But for others, like Amzi, having someone like Liam on their side within the inner wing of the sect could be much more interesting.

'If he's as talented as he seems, becoming a Third Class Runemaster will be a walk in the park for him. By that time, I'll be able to bring someone with the potential to become a Fourth Class Runemaster to my side.' Amzi smiled as he returned to his workplace, pleased with Liam.

For someone like him, having a Fourth Class Runemaster on his side meant an instant power boost!

A Fourth Class Runemaster could improve all his defensive and offensive items and eventually help him surpass his peers!

With every step a cultivator took, going higher in the cultivation ranks became more difficult. Anything that could help them on this hard and slow journey was worth investing their time and attention in.

'But I'd better remain skeptical about this boy. Cyrus is right. The boy had abnormal odds when he arrived in the city and it's likely that this won't happen again for a long time. He'll soon be fully accustomed and sensitized to our reality.'

...

In another part of Peak Thirteen, Azariah was descending the main staircase, heading for one of the exits at the base of the mountain.

'Bloody Liam! This is my chance. I'll deal with you as soon as you're vulnerable! Just wait and I'll give you back your recent defeats.' The fat young man of 6-Star cultivation thought while he had a neutral look on his face.

Azariah had heard earlier from an information dealer about Liam's departure. So, he had wasted no time in taking his permission to leave the city and pursue his hunt for crystals.

But he wasn't the only one doing so. At that very moment, someone not far from Azariah was passing the sect Officers' checkpoint, heading out of town with Liam in mind.

While the Officers were checking the perdition of a red-haired man with a horizontal scar in the middle of his nose, two boys were standing next to him.

"Levi, be careful. As much as you're stronger than him, I don't know. This Liam is strange," said one of the two allies of the third in Crimson Rebels' line of command!

Levi looked at the muscular young man with brown hair, moving his head. "Don't worry about me, Ezekiel. I've given him more time than I promised you. Now he must be eliminated so that Leopards don't further increase their influence."

"We'll wait for your return, boss," said the other boy.

Soon afterwards, Levi was given permission to go ahead with his plans. He just nodded to his fellow faction members before heading off into the forest that Liam had entered about two hours ago.

In just two hours, practically all of Liam's enemies had heard about his departure from the city to hunt for Arcane Crystals. Now several groups or even single individuals, like Levi, were leaving the city or already outside Peak Thirteen.

Liam's estimates of the number of problems he would encounter on this journey were nowhere near the current reality. As he set off on his hunt, at least six different enemies were coming after him!

...

"Boss, are you sure there was any need for us to send Francis and the others after the brat Liam? Won't we have problems with Leopards because of this?" A young man with long black hair asked Hannibal Rowan, a man with a shaved head and scars all over his body.

Hannibal, sitting in an armchair in one of the arena's VIP lounges, continued to keep an eye on the battle taking place on the combat platform. But he was listening seriously to the doubts of his trusted man.

"Maybe... But it's worth it. The way the brat fought Susanna scared me. I don't like to say it, but it's the truth.

We'd better take advantage of the fact that he hasn't fully recovered to kill him rather than wait for him to get stronger," Hannibal said in a grave tone.

He had already put Liam through a training session and an arena challenge the week before. For at least the next four weeks, he would be prevented by the sect's rules from forcing Liam in the same way.

To prevent the worst and avoid a powerful enemy growing in his proximity, Hannibal was acting preventively.

"Does the boss think so highly of him? He doesn't even have two Spirits capable of fighting," said the guy with 9-Star cultivation, ignoring the fight on the platform to look at Hannibal.

"That's what worries me. If he's so capable with just one Spirit, what will he be like with two skilled Spirits on his hands? Let's not forget that Shadowfiend isn't exactly a great natural talent." Hannibal punctuated this consideration.

That man remained silent, weighing Liam's situation, seeing that, perhaps, it really was worth getting into some trouble with Leopards in order to kill Liam and prevent the emergence of another enemy, like William Semple, the arena's current rank leader.

Like Liam, William had been invited by Emerald Owls, but had refused the faction and joined another group. Hannibal's group tried to deal with William too late, and now the guy was considered the strongest in the city, having already inflicted a dozen defeats on the faction behind the arena.

'William is on the verge of leaving City Thirteen to join one of the inner cities of the sect. I cannot tolerate the emergence of someone like him, especially when we are about to free ourselves from William's oppressive reign.' Hannibal's fists tightened as he hoped that Francis and the other three who had previously battled Liam would fulfill their duties effectively.